Organised by Mission Jai Bhim, the 'Rashtriya Boudh and Bahujan Adhikar Sammelan' at Jantar Mantar garnered support from numerous influential figures who joined forces to express solidarity with the Dalit and Bahujan voices in attendance.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Dalit and Bahujan leaders and activists have demanded equality and open and a transparent justice for all sections of society. At an event held at the iconic Jantar Mantar here on Monday, Mission Jai Bhim orchestrated the ‘Rashtriya Boudh and Bahujan Adhikar Sammelan’ which garnered support from numerous influential figures who joined forces to express solidarity with the Dalit and Bahujan voices.
Despite decades of independence, the rights of Dalit and Bahujan individuals have remain unfulfilled, speakers said.
The discussions at the gathering spanned a wide range of issues, from advocating for equality to commemorating Baba Saheb Ambedkar. As the speeches unfolded, they inevitably transitioned into political discourse, particularly focusing on topics such as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and criticisms of the ruling party.
December 25 is celebrated as Manusmriti Dahen Diwas as well, the day when Babasaheb Ambedkar burned the controversial religious text by the name ‘Manusmriti’ which viciously attacks marginalised communities and genders upholding Brahmanical patriarchy.
Rajendra Pal Gautam, former minister in Delhi government and the national president of Mission Jai Bhim, said “Babasaheb burned the Manusmriti and gave rise to a new society. So, I feel, this day from now on should be celebrated both as ‘Manusmriti Dahen Diwas’ and ‘Sanskriti Parivartan Diwas’ as the act changed the course of society.
Prof. Ratan Lal Singh spoke about rights of the marginalised communities and the current degradation. “OBCs got their rights in early 90s but SCs/STs have been provided reservation before the independence of the nation, according to the Poona Pact, yet the fight is still going on. We cannot sit and wait to form the government anymore,” he said.
Politics, he said, does not only mean fighting elections but asking questions and starting discussions as well. Just like politics, educational institutions are important too, whose quality is also going down, he said.
Mohammad Pracha, a prominent Supreme Court advocate, said the Ambedkarites never speak outside the lines of constitution while Manuwadis can never stay within its lines.
“Our Constitution, the rule of law and peace are a part of our souls, the ones provided to us by Babasaheb Ambedkar,” he said.
Talking about his work with the Muslim community, he added, “I worked with Muslim Mahapnachayat too. During that time, I was told if I only talk about issues faced by the Muslim community, I will get a primetime slot. But if I bring in issues of Dalits and Adivasis, I will not get the same opportunities. This is government’s way of pitting communities against each other while using Muslim people as the fulcrum for violence.”
Swami Prasad Maurya, member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council and a leader of Samajwadi Party, expressed his disappointment with the ruling party, stating that unemployment is still on the rise. Talking about the latest security breach at parliament, he said, “the security concern with parliament was due to the increased apathy towards the government and the hunger for food which led the youngsters to take the risk.”
Apart from minority rights, discussion on distrust of the EVM voting system was also a major focus at the event.
Another senior advocate at the Supreme Court, Bhanu Pratap Singh, reiterated the need to protest for ballot-paper voting, raising concerns regarding the easy hacking of the EVM system.
