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The International Convention took place on (Saturday, 9th and Sunday 10th March 2002 at (Ambedkar Community
center, Wolver Hampton. This, convention was organised by the Federation of
Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organizations, UK. Dr.
Rahul Deepankar, Dr. KP Singh from USA, Mr. Waman Meshram, President BAMCEF, Mr. KC
Shenmar, Retired IG (Prison), India, Mr. Sohan Lal Sampla from Germany, Mr. Satpal
From France, Harbhajan Sampla, Ambedkar Mission Society Punjab and many other dignitaries
from the various parts of the United Kingdom participated in this conference. Many
dignitaries due to time constraints were unable to speak on the platform. But they
participated in Question and Answer sessions and fringe meetings. Mr. Chanan Chahal told that though the
conference is organised by the FABO but it is better if we choose an independent chairman to give this
conference impartiality. Mr. AI un Kumar pointed out that Mr. Chahal has worked hard to arrange this
conference and he knows all the guests. It would be advise if he chairs the meeting. This was accepted
unanimously. Dr. Rahul Deepakar, Chairman, NRIs, USA, congratulated the
federation for organizing this convention. He said that he is very proud of the
fact that the Dalits in the UK are very active, brave and leaders in ideology
and action. He pointed out why we need such conferences. These conferences are
recognition of ourselves as a thriving community. In a way it is a family formation.
It is a recognition of actively sharing of our pain, validating and
participation of our history. It is a promise and hope for future. It is to
accept the idea that we have changed the world today. This conference is a
symbol of change, cry of anguish, pain of our disabilities, cries in many
manifestations. This is a struggle for our freedom from pain whether we come
from USA, Canada, India or any part of the world. For some it is dream, for some
it is an aspiration and for some it is both and for some it is a battle for
freedom. Let us claim to be the leaders of that ideology. Freedom doesn't come
from one person, organisation or period. It is a process on going. It is an
effort like constructing a building brick by brick. Even a little change is a
big thing Dr. Ambedkar is not only an example. Instead of polishing shoes on the
floor, if a cobbler starts sitting on the chair to sell bags, it is a big change
and he is an example as well. He is a modern Ambedkar. The people who teach
their children are doing a right thing. Education is the hardest activity as it
gives slow results. Self-conscience and self-dependence gives me source of
energy to move on. We have to discuss suffering, deprivation and freedom. We
should be hopeful for collective thinking and achieving for, Dalits is a first
hope for the future, Mr. MS Bahal's fight for freedom is fought by Dr. Ambedkar
and not by any saint or any leader. We will have to evaluate that do we really
get freedom in the last 54 years: We are very fortunate to come to this country
where we have equal opportunities. But the people we left behind are still
suffering and pushed back. The ruling class is working according to the
Manusmriti and not according to the constitution. Though we have done a lot work
but we could not create a mass movement. Our leaders did not do much work. I was
influenced by the work of BAMCEF as it appears that they are working in the
field and trying to create a mass movement. They are sincere and committed
employees who donate from their pockets and spreading this movement in the
villages. They are also tending to establish links with the people living
abroad. If you can get a chance, please attend their conference to see their
commitment.
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He didn't have any idea that he will be visiting UK within
6 months from his last visit. When I came last time, I gave an idea for forming an international network.
Now you are going in that direction. I thank to FABO and the Memorial Committee,
Wolver Hampton for arranging this convention. I have been given four subjects to speak on. I
feel it is difficult to elaborate on all subjects due to time factor. So I pick up two
I points so that I am able to justify the subject.
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Before discussing the constitution review, we must go back to history
when the constitution was framed. The present ruling party BJP and its sister organisations RSS,
Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena etc. were opposing freedom struggle. So they were not involved in any way
in framing the constitution. None of their leaders is signatory to this book of laws Neither these people
supported nor were a party to this document, obviously they don't have respect for it.
Secondly equality, liberty and fraternity are alien to Hindu culture. The chapter of Fundamental Rights has made all their
scriptures null and void. How can these people accept a document which is against their
believes? Now let us see what is the main motive to review the constitution. They
have made it clear that they are neither against reservation nor against fundamental
rights. There was a lot of public discussion about Parliamentary and Presidential form of governments
Now they are saying that they don't want to change the basic structure of the constitution. To find out
the motive, we will have to analyse the present political situation in India. From the last decade or so
no political party got absolute majority and the governments did not last for full term. The BJP have
realised that they will' never get a majority in the Parliament and they have to depend upon small parties
for forming the government. Being dependent upon the others, they will be unable to implement the
Hindutawa agenda. In the name of stability, they want
their government for full term without any fear of small parties. They want to bring such a system where
the government should last for full term irrespective of the majority in the Parliament. In the Constitution,
there is no provision for review or referendum Those members who were elected by the people drafted I
the constitution. But this Government chose to appoint retired Supreme Court judges for the review
without parliament approval. This government won't be able to implement the recommendations of this
review panel as they lack majority in the house. The aim of the constitution review appears to create a
public opinion against the constitution just to hide their misdeeds and inefficiency in governing. They
put our leaders in the forefront to support the review as BJP knows that we are the people who are
opposing their intentions. The another reason is to make the Constitution review a
precedent for future that it will become easy to change the constitution in future.
BAMCEF's programme is to highlight the weaknesses of the Government and to make
sure that the Constitutional provisions are implemented and make a public opinion
against the review of the constitution.
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Atrocities are the by product of segregation. More and more
segregation, there will be more and more segregation. Babasaheb never used the word 'Dalit'. He used to use
"Depressed Classes" or" Scheduled classes". Babu Jagjiwan Ram used the word Dalit first. Later on it
was popularized by the Dalit Panthers. The Poona Brahmins supported this outfit against the RPI. To
call ourselves Dalit is again segregation. Only name has changed but the notion of untouchability is still
there. Physical atrocities are not that dangerous. But the segregation in the name of untouchability is the
most dangerous thing. Untouchability is the worst form of slavery. To change the name is to kill the
agitation. For example if you call a scavenger 'Chuhra', he will feel insulted and
start agitating. But if you call him Valmiki, he will accept this name. At present what we need is implementation of the
constitution and build up public in favour of this book of
laws. To eradicate the atrocities we will have to self dependent and self-reliant. It is
only possible through continuous struggle. To achieve this purpose, we must have
international network so that we are able to work in coordination with each other.
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He said that he is not a scientist or a science student. He is unable to elaborate on this
point. But recent research shows that Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Kaysthas have ancestors
in Prussia and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India.
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The secularists and Sanatan Brahmins are fighting with each other. There
is evidence that the Brahmins used to eat cow meat. Later on meat eating was connected to pure and
impure. As the purity and impurity is directly linked to untouchablity, by changing the history
they and work on It. Hindus demolished Babri Masjid on 6th December, celebrated by
the Ambedkarites as Maha Parinirvan Divas. Now Muslim celebrates this day as Anti-Muslim. So this
was a device to divide the indigenous. They know that they are in minority. They can only rule if they
keep us divided. Ambedkarism is a rational thought. We must set up our own historians to dig out true
picture of our history.
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Harbhajan Sampla, Dr. Ambedkar Mission Society, Punjab
The ruling class in India is implementing the
constitution, as that is not in their favour. Caste becomes a hindrance in promotions in the Government
services. Performance doesn't matter but caste does. He pointed out that socially, economically,
politically there is still discrimination. In villages the Dalits have separate cremation grounds from. others. Dalits
can't open bank accounts, as they don't have the minimum requirement of Rs.100/-. Our people are lacking
in education. Lack of unity in our organisations hampers the way for progress. Financial help from
foreign also create many paper organisations.
Dr. Ganvir
He requested to get together and agitate. He also said that we should explore the possibilities
to form organisation against atrocities. He explained, how Ambedkar Annual Lecture has been set up in
the Manchester University. He also requested to send, financial aid for this purpose so that it is continued.
Dr. K. P. Singh, Professor, Washington
University
In a forceful speech, he said that Babasaheb saw a dream of equality. But we
saw the atrocities like Kumher, Chandur, etc. The reason is we understood neither Babasaheb nor his mission. Our
movement is scattered. Every body is working in his own
way. He gave an example how Babasaheb's bust donated by Federation of Arnbedkarites and Buddhists Organisations UK to the Colombia
UniversitY was gathering dust because of lack of unity. Talking on Indian politics, he said that the backwards
are in the way of progress. Most of the atrocities on Dalits are committed by the backwards. The UP
experience shows that we were cheated and we will
continue to be cheated by the backwards. He told, that in USA, the black people's struggle became
successful because they keep the leadership in their hands but had help from the like minded white
people. We will have to adopt this strategy. We are
the victims. Seek sympathy from other people and interconnect with other
organisations.
K.C. Shenmar, Retired IG, Prisons, Punjab:
Mostly he talked about his meetings with Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and his personal
experiencesas a government servant. He stressed that the discrimination is still going on
against Dalits every day life. The governments are not implementing the law and various committee reports.
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