Baldev Raj Bhardwaj
Dr. Ambedkar launched Social Movements
Dr. Ambedkar started social movements first in order to uplift the Dalits in India then later political. In 1927 Dr Ambedkar launched Mahad Satyagraha to allow the Untouchables to use water in a public tank. In the same year he launched temple entry movement. Such social movements established the credentials of Dr Ambedkar in the Dalit society. Dr. Ambedkar wanted Dalits to gain social and economic advancement. After that he wanted that Dalits should capture political power and rule the country. This was what Dr. Ambedkar`s dreams were.
Dr. Ambedkar`s visit to Punjab
In 1951 Baba Sahib Dr. B. R. Ambedkar visited Jalandhar, Punjab and delivered speech to lahs of people at Bootan Mandi , the same land was purchased by respected L.R. Balley with the cooperation of his fellow companions and raised Ambedkar Bhawan on it . After that, the Ambedkar movement got impetus by fearless, staunch Ambedkarite and Buddhist respected L.R.Balley, former editor of Bheem Patrika and publisher who spread the message of Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Punjab by writing and publishing books in Punjabi on and by Dr. Ambedkar.
Balley sahib took up this challenge despite several social, economic and political hardships and hurdles. At that time the people of Punjab were not very much aware of the name of Dr. Ambedkar but Balley`s books kindle the minds of the people of Punjab with the social, economic and political ideology of Dr. Ambedkar. With his hard work throughout his life time, now in Punjab there are many Buddha Vihara and Ambedkar Bhawan from where the message of Dr. Ambedkar is being spread by Ambedakrites and Buddhists.
The birth of thousands of Ambedkar organizations and registered societies further carry forward the message of Dr. Ambedkar from village to village signifies the importance of Ambedkarism and Buddhism . The erection of Dr. Ambedkar statues in most of the districts prominent chowks symbolizes Ambedkar’s thoughts and philosophy. Gone were the days when a Buddhists monk refuses to come to Punjab due to personal inhibitions, now many highly qualified Buddhist monks are coming to Punjab and helping in establishing Buddha Viharas. This shows that the movement of Buddhism is spreading very fast in Punjab.
Need to do more
The Ambedkarite and Buddhist organizations and societies are doing wonderful job to spread the message of Dr. Ambedkar. At present this noble work can be accelerated further if the leadership of political parties focus little more sincerely and honestly to assist Ambedkarites and Buddhists organizations without their political and vested interests.
Over the years, Punjab witnesses the mushrooming of Dalit political parties so the leadership. The majority of Dalit leadership particularly in Punjab try to follow what Dr Ambedkar said, “Political power is the master key by which you can open all the doors of progress”.
But they do not take notice of social advancement of the Dalits in Punjab. Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar said, “the political revoultions have always been preceded by social and religious revolutions (Dr. Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches ,Vol.1; p.44)
The majority of the Dalit leaders in Punjab irrespective of their affiliation to a political party hardly devote time to strengthen the movement of Dr. Ambedkar in Punjab. Their own political interests hamper the progress of the Dalit movement. Not only this but also, some of the Dalit leaders try to create a wall between different Dalit groups. The end result is neither they can achieve political power nor they can spread the message of Dr. Ambedkar. If they really want to see Buddhism in Punjab to flourish, they should first work for the social upliftment of the Dalits.
The followers of Dr Ambedkar should first uplift Dalits in Punjab socially. Once the Dalits become Buddhists as embraced by Dr. Ambedkar, they would enhance their social capital. This is what Dalit leadership in Punjab should invest their time and energy to elevate social capital of Dalits. By enhancing social capital, the Dalits of Punjab would understand interpersonal relations, shared understanding, shared norms, shared values, trust, cooperation and reciprocity. Once we achieve social capital, we can comfortably achieve our political goals. Therefore, the Dalit leadership in Punjab, first and foremost, connect to the Dalits at societal level and avoid treating them simply a vote bank.
With sudden departure of Balley sahib from this world, the majority of the Dalits in Punjab feel themselves orphans. We need to prepare thousands of Balley sahib who can take forward the caravan of Dr. Ambedkar. The mushrooming of Buddha Vihara in several districts of Punjab indicate that the Dalits of Punjab now understand very well that without Buddhism, they cannot uproot the cancer of the caste system. Punjab can become a Buddhist state if the Dalit political leadership truthfully participate in advancement of Dr. Ambedkar movement in Punjab. They can play a significant role in restoring the glory of Buddhism in Punjab.
*B.R. Bhardwaj is a retired senior officer from Bank of India. He is a staunch Ambedkarite, Buddhist and trustee of Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan, Jalandhar. He is a social activist.
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