On the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, a grand conference titled “Save the Constitution, Save Democracy” was organised by Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) at the Mirzapur-Dekuli Janki Pokhar ground near Darbhanga city in Bihar. The event was successfully held late into the night under the chairmanship of District President Rampreet Ram.

The conference began with floral tributes to the portrait of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and the ceremonial lighting of lamp.

While inaugurating the conference, Engineer Sukhit Narayan Yadav (Buddha) strongly emphasized that Babasaheb’s immortal message — “Educate, Organise, Agitate” — must reach every village. He said that Ambedkar Jayanti is not merely a celebration but an opportunity to bring his revolutionary ideas to life and critically examine the current system. He reminded that Babasaheb had clearly warned that true freedom would remain incomplete as long as caste hierarchy and discrimination exist in society.

Education and Jobs Under Attack

Addressing the conference as the chief speaker, DSMM National Vice President and former MP Subhashini Ali launched a sharp critique.

“Today we are celebrating the birth anniversary of the great personality who gave this country its Constitution and inspired the oppressed and marginalized to educate, organise and struggle. But today’s governments are doing the opposite. Government schools are being shut down — 96,000 schools have already been closed across India. Bihar had some restraint, but now even that is gone. Education is being privatised. If poor children cannot even reach the doors of schools, how will equal education be ensured? The new education policy is a conspiracy to deprive the poor, Dalits, and backward communities of their right to education”.

“Our mothers and sisters are sitting here — today, educating daughters has become extremely difficult. Along with education, everything in Bihar has become expensive, but a child’s life has become cheap. Crimes and violence against girls are increasing. People are afraid to send their children to school,” she said.

“The population is increasing, but school enrollment is decreasing. Babasaheb’s first slogan was ‘Educate’. But how will the poor become educated if their education is being snatched away? That is why I say — those who are snatching our education must be removed from power!”, Subhashini Ali said.

She said that reservation rights were given to historically oppressed Dalit-Bahujan communities, but now jobs, education, and resources are being handed over to the private sector. “We demand reservation in private institutions too, but when reservation itself is not being protected in the public sector, who will implement it in the private sector? This government is deliberately dismantling reservation.”

Snatching Away Right to Vote

“The most dangerous issue is that while the population is increasing, the number of actual voters is being reduced. In Bihar, Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh — everywhere, names of millions of poor, Dalits, and backward people are being removed from voter lists. Objections are allowed just a week before elections, when laborers are busy working. How will they reach the Supreme Court in Delhi to save their voting rights?” she said.

“These are Manuwadi forces deliberately targeting those who do not vote for them. In 1949 itself, RSS and Hindu Mahasabha publicly rejected the Constitution. Effigies of Nehru and Ambedkar were burned, declaring they would follow Manusmriti instead. That same ideology is in power today,” she said.

Subjashini Ali said that the Constitution stands for equality, justice, and dignity for all — irrespective of gender, caste, religion, or wealth. But Manusmriti promotes inequality, casteism, and oppression of women.

“Today our daughters are progressing through education. We strongly oppose the regressive ideology of Manusmriti. The Constitution gives us dignity and equality, while Manusmriti imposes slavery and discrimination.”

“Now is the time to decide — Manusmriti or the Constitution? We will take to the streets, struggle, and win to protect the Constitution!”, Subhashini Ali declared.

Meeting Calls for New Awakening

CPI(M) State Secretary Lalan Chaudhary said that on Babasaheb’s birth anniversary, people must pledge to firmly stand for the protection of the Constitution and democracy. He stressed the need to rebel against social, political, and economic oppression of Dalits.

DSMM State General Secretary Shyam Bharti highlighted several incidents of Dalit atrocities in Darbhanga district and stated that the organisation has intervened in each case. He also announced that Babasaheb’s birth anniversary would be celebrated grandly every year at the same venue.

On this occasion, students of SRH Public School, under the guidance of Deepa Ma’am, presented plays and songs related to Ambedkar, which deeply moved the audience.

The conference was also addressed by Professor Vishnu Dev Ram, Suresh Ram, Dalit Chetna Manch National President Virendra Paswan, Bhim Army Divisional Secretary Vishal Anand, DSMM District Secretary Neeraj Kumar, former Zila Parishad Chairperson Geeta Devi, former member Rajni Devi, Mohammad Chand, Satyanarayan Mukhiya, Ramchandra Yadav, and several professors, teachers, and progressive leaders.

This conference was not just an event — it marked the beginning of a new revolution for the Dalit-Bahujan community.