By  Zile Singh - Ambassador(Retd.)

              Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality

                                   ( April 14, 1891 – December 6, 1956 )                              

It is difficult to proceed further without worrying  about Covid-19.   Humanity is passing through a critical  phase.  Covid-19 has spread its wings in all  four corners of the world.   It has frightened  every stratum of society with an inclusive approach. It embraces  whosoever comes in its contact, even if  by default. On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced through a televised address to the nation that for three weeks a drastic and unprecedented imposition of isolation ( total lockdown) will be in place to contain and annihilate Covid-19. All have to quarantine themselves in their homes.   Why March 24 was chosen? He may or may not have the intention, but coincidentally,  these three crucial weeks were to end on April 14, 2020 to coincide with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti.   Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is considered as an emancipator of millions of people from centuries-old isolation (quarantine).  During these times of trials and tribulations, there is a need for ‘public conscience’. In 1952,  Dr. Ambedkar  said, “The future of Indian democracy was dependent on what is called ‘public conscience’ – a normative universalism.  Today, a ‘universal conscience’ is required to fight the pandemic like  Coronavirus or any other endemic social evils. 

On April 14, people all over the world, who believe in Dr. Ambedkar’s social, political and economic ideology will pay their tributes to this ‘Bharat Rattan’ and ‘The Greatest Son of India’. Keeping in view his appeal for universal conscience, on April 6,  the Council of the  City of Burnaby, British Colombia issued a Proclamation declaring April 14 as “DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR DAY OF EQUALITY.”  Among others, the Proclamation states that Canada is a multicultural diverse county and concerns about inequality and inequity continue to be experienced globally and efforts to eradicate inequalities need to be supported and strengthened.  Dr. Ambedkar, born in India on April 14, 1891, in a community of Dalits (previously known as ‘untouchables’) arose through the ranks and chaired the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly to make and enact the new Constitution of India.  The Indian Constitution which  stipulates the lofty ideals of Equality, Liberty and Fraternity was adopted in 1950.  Dr. Ambedkar’s dedicated efforts and vision brought about a just, social and economic order.  It should be celebrated not only in India but the  rest of the world as well.  This is another glorious step towards Universal Ambedkerite ( not Ambedkerism)  Vision.

This unanimous act of the Burnaby City Council headed by Your Worship Mayor Mike Hurley is a morale and conscience booster for  those who  believe  in equality, liberty and fraternity.  Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, who read out the Proclamation said, “We are also proud to have Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait enshrined in the deliberation room of the Council as a reminder to uphold values of equality when the Council is making significant decisions.”  The portrait by late Sheetal Anmol, a local artist was gifted to the Council in 2005. This  landmark decision by the City Council is a result of   hard work of  Chetna Association of Canada and Guru Ravidass Sabha, Burnaby.    

An equally important  landmark decision in March  was by the  UK’s Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick  about the Appeal against the closure of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Memorial in London.  Mr. Robert Jenrick confirmed that he had granted retrospective planning permission for 10 King Henry’s Road in Camden County, London  where Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar lived in 1921-22 during his student days at he London School of Economics.  He said   that the Memorial, at the same site, to the Architect of the Indian Constitution will remain open to visitors.   The House was bought by the Maharashtra government in November 2015 and refurbished to transform into a memorial-cum-museum which now houses photographs and belongings of Ambedkar.  The walls have been adorned with his famous quotations.  The Museum ran into trouble after it emerged that the proper clearance for the creation of a museum in a residential area had not been sought before.   The Indian High Commission in London had filed an application for retrospective approval.  In 2019, it was rejected. The retrospective approval now is the result of sincere efforts of  the Indian High Commissioner, her legal team and local Ambedkarite Associations in the United Kingdom. 

 Secretary Jenrick, stated that “This will have widespread implications for India-UK relations, especially under the current political scenario when we are Brexiting and need to further strengthen our bilateral relations with India.”

Dr. Ambedkar had a grand vision for a New Democratic India. On religion, he  said, “ Religion is for man and not man for religion. Religion should be righteous.”  About Hero Worship, “ It is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.” To him, “Caste is another name for the  control.  It puts a limitation on one’s enjoyment.” He said, “Political democracy cannot last without social democracy”.   “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress its women have achieved.”  Finally, “We are Indians, firstly and lastly” he said. 

Zile Singh is much respected Link Columnist, writer, a Vipassana Meditator and has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Rights.  He can be reached at zsnirwal@yahoo.ca