Contemporary Relevance of Ambedkar's Thought

EVERYBODY is talking about Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's life and work today. One of the reasons for this spurt in interest might be the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar. However, the interest shown by political parties on Ambedkar today has got other strong political reasons.Ambedkar's life work was to a large extent in the pre-independence period. He passed away on December 6, 1956. It was not even a decade since achieving independence at that time. And it was not even five years after the promulgation of constitution, in whose drafting he had played a major part.

Champion of Democracy, Secularism & Justice

DR Babasaheb Ambedkar was without doubt one of the most towering personalities of modern India. Drawing inspiration from his three gurus – Buddha, Kabir and Phule – Ambedkar attained iconic status as a champion of socio-economic justice and an inveterate opponent of the hateful varna and caste system that was an inseparable part of Hindu religion. As chairman of the drafting committee of India’s Constitution, he was the main architect of its democratic, secular and federal tenets and its provisions for affirmative action in favour of the socially oppressed.

Inequality and the ‘Class Divide’ in ‘Dalit’ Politics

THE analysis below looks at the question of class formation in selected states which have historically been important for both dalit and Left politics. It analyses the trends in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (important centres of Ambedkarite politics), Tamilnadu (which has pioneering movements in radical dalit politics like Panthers) and West Bengal and Kerala (important centres of Left politics).

BEFI Holds Tamilnadu State conference Successfully

THE 11th conference of Bank Employees Federation of India - Tamilnadu held at Coimbatore from March 25- 27, 2016 has been a milestone in the bank employees’ movement of this part of the country.The reception committee constituted on January 24, 2016 under the chairmanship of P R Natarajan, former MP has done an excellent job in taking care of the delegates and observers and providing a pleasant atmosphere for the smooth conduct of the conference.On March 25, the eighth special women’s conference was held for the first time as a whole day conference.

DELHI: CPI(M) Condemns Termination of SSA Teachers

THE Delhi state committee of the CPI(M), in a statement issued on April 12, has condemned the termination of services by the AAP state government of thousands of teachers working under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The AAP is blaming de-recognition of these teachers by the MHRD and stoppage of central funds for the SSA for this situation. The BJP on the other hand denies these accusations and blames the AAP for using the teachers as a pawn in their fight against the BJP.

Public Health Must Prevail Over Corporate Profits

The following is the statement issued by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan on March 19.THE Jan Swasthya Abhiyan compliments the government for notifying a list of over 300 drug formulations, available as fixed‐dose combinations (FDCs) of two or more drugs, which are to be banned with immediate effect on the grounds of “lack of therapeutic justification”.

Gurugram Unacceptable

THE Haryana state secretariat of CPI(M) in a statement issued on April 13, has strongly objected to the names of Gurgaon and Mewat being changed. Gurgaon being named as Gurugram is absolutely unacceptable.

AIKS Foundation Day Observed

THE 80th Foundation Day of the All India Kisan Sabha was observed on April 11 throughout the country. AIKS flags were hoisted, mass meetings and seminars were held on this occasion. In the central office of AIKS, flag hoisting was done by NK Shukla, joint secretary of All India Kisan Sabha.

Afterwards the meeting was also addressed by Dr Hemalata, national secretary of CITU, Asha Sharma, working president of Delhi state committee of AIDWA and Babu Mohan from the AIAWU.

SFI Condemns Police Lathi-charge On NIT, Srinagar Students

THE central executive committee of the Students’ Federation of India in a statement issued on April 8, has strongly condemned the police lathi-charge on the students of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar. This is a repeat of what we have seen recently in HCU and JNU - use of police force against student agitations.

DSMM to Observe April 14 as ‘Social Justice Day’

THE Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, in a statement issued on April 11, has called upon the people to observe the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar on April 14 as ‘Social Justice Day’. Dr Ambedkar is a pioneer who strived relentlessly for achieving social justice in the country. On this occasion, the DSMM has demanded the government that it take up steps to ensure the eradication of untouchability, to ensure the protection and development of dalits and pave way for social justice, which were the dreams of Ambedkar and not just confine itself to merely praise him.

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