ON the occasion of the 63rd death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Ramchandra Dome, general secretary of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) and V Srinivasa Rao, secretary, paid tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar at his memorial Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai on December 6 and visited the proposed Indu Mill memorial. The programme was organised by the Jati Ant Sangharsh Samiti (JASS) which is affiliated to the DSMM, along with Left and democratic parties – CPI(M), CPI, SKP, Lal Nishan Party and others.

Addressing the gathering, Ramchandra Dome said that “we are witnessing a dangerous threat to our constitution by the RSS- BJP government. They are instigating communal disharmony amongst various religions and castes, denying our human rights. Since the RSS- BJP government came to power, more communal riots have erupted, incidents of mob lynching increased, reservation policy weakened and atrocities on dalits heightened. We will expand thoughts of Babasaheb Ambedkar all over India’’.

V Srinivasa Rao said, “today all Left and democratic parties and other democratic organisations have come here to pay homage to Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan day, but in 1992 on this same day, communal forces had demolished Babri Masjid, which led to communal unrest. On January 1, 2018, communal forces disrupted Bhima Koregaon Smriti Abhivadan programme. They had organised riots and violence against the dalits, but the culprits are not yet arrested. The Maharashtra government has lodged an FIR against innocent dalits who had gathered there to pay homage to the martyrs of the Bhima Koregaon war. The government arrested dalits who took part in peaceful demonstration on January 3, 2018. There are many incidents of violence against women and dalits by communal forces, which had the support of the State.”

V Srinivasa Rao further appealed the gathering and Left and democratic organisations to support and participate in the ‘Chalo Delhi’ march organised by the DSMM on December 20, to save our constitution and protest against the weakened PoA act, against denial of reservations in promotions, increased violence against dalits and women.

On this occasion, S K Rege of CPI(M), read out the pledge of the preamble of the constitution to all the people who participated in the programme. Mahendra Singh, Central Committee member of CPI(M) and Kishore Thekedath also addressed the gathering. Jagar Lok Kala Aaghadi presented progressive songs and Jan Sanskruti Dadar performed a street play.  Shailendra Kamble, vice president of DSMM and state convener of JASS expressed vote of thanks at the end of programme.

(Shailendra Kamble & Kishor Khillare)

DELHI

THE 63rd death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar was observed by the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) as “Save Constitution Day” on December 6, in New Delhi. Hundreds of activists from Delhi and Ghaziabad participated in the programme. Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau member of CPI(M), Mariam Dhawale, general secretary of AIDWA and Vikram Singh, former general secretary of SFI participated in it. The meeting was presided over by Brahamjit Singh and Nathu Prasad conducted the proceedings.

Brinda Karat in her scathing remarks indicted the Sangh Parivar for unleashing attacks on the dalits. She said it is the Manuvadi ideology which drives them to commit such heinous attacks on the dalits. It is this (Manuvadi) doctrine that the BJP and the RSS wants to spread and hence they are against the Indian constitution. The attacks on the autonomy of judiciary, CBI, RBI are all part of the sinister design which the BJP is embarking upon to ensure that the provisions of the constitution are negated.

Vikram Singh, said that there is a greater need to protect the constitution as it guarantees equality of life to everybody in the country. Attacks on dalits have increased under the BJP rule in the country. They were persecuted even before India got independence and it was consistent struggles which were led by various forces including the Left parties which eventually led to the evolution of the Indian constitution. Since the constitution was drafted by Babasaheb, hence the right wing forces in the country which includes the BJP want to weaken it. Hence the struggle for equality is also linked to safeguarding the constitution of the country.

Nathu Prasad in his introductory remarks called upon the gathering to conduct sustained struggles to ensure that the Manuvadi forces are thrown out of power. He called upon the people of Delhi to participate in large numbers in the forthcoming ‘Sansad March’ organised by the DSMM on December 20.

(Mahesh)