Pics: Ramesh Pandith/Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Apr 28: “Earlier, the birth anniversary of Ambedkar was celebrated with great joy by the women and minorities, but now the government itself does not seem to promote these celebrations,” said P L Dharma, professor, department of Political Science, Mangalore University.
He was addressing the gathering after the inauguration of the Social Reformation Day as part of the 123rd birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar, organized by the Dalith Sangarsha Samithi (DSS) here at Town Hall on Monday April 28.
He said, “Dr B R Ambedkar studied about the Indian society and culture through various books. After his study, he realized that unless the society is reformed there can be no existence of the suppressed class. The economic concept of Ambedkar which was hidden after Independence would have helped to eradicate the poverty, instead of learning foreign economic policies.”
“Ambedkar was not only a good economist but was also a good socialist. He realized that the future of India can only be secure only with grass root level changes taking place through reformation; otherwise the suppressed, poor and disadvantaged classes will be in great danger,” he added.
He further said, “After Independence the concepts given by Ambedkar failed to be implemented. In the present day, poor people are being suppressed in the name of development.”
Dharma also said that we should read the constitution of India, because in our present scenario, the constitution has become an optional subject. He also said that lack of knowledge of the constitution is a betrayal to our democracy.
“Ambedkar struggled to abolish the caste system, but today there is a rebirth; thus shattering the dreams of Ambedkar. People still want to hold on to the caste system; the rich persons’ land lobby will destroy the poor workers,” he said.
“Fight constitutionally and legally. There should be no space for violence in our Indian culture. Educate yourself and provide education to your children. If you work promptly, you need not fear your superior,” he concluded.
Sathya Bhadravathi, the State convener of DSS, taking dig at Baba Ramdev for his remarks on Dalit women said, “He who belongs to the third gender is impotent. The DSS will not allow him to conduct any yoga camps in the state.”
He concluded by saying that Ambedkar was the person who believed in freeing his people from the shackles of suppression.
Raghu K, district convener of DSS Mangalore, Krishnanda D, district organizing convener, M Devadas, Dodda Mahadevayya and others were present on the occasion.
The celebrations began with a procession from Bavuta Gudda to Town Hall. During the procession folk arts Kangilu, Dollu Kunitha and Hulivesha were performed.