AAP ready to uphold the legacy of BR Ambedkar?

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, April 13

On the birth anniversary of Bhimrao Ambedkar, CM Bhagwant Mann plans to pay tributes to him at a state-level function at Bootan Pind. The government, which formally took over the state from the hallowed grounds of Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Bhagat Singh, is being closely watched as it celebrates the Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14.

Ahead of AAP’s forming of government in the state, Bhagat Singh and Dr BR Ambedkar were officially declared the ‘sarkari poster boys’ of AAP’s ideology in the state. The government also gave clear indications that its political discourse will be henceforth aligned with the values they represented.

Incidentally, both the leaders also have deep historical and political connections with the Doaba region, a hub of Dalits in the state.

While Khatkar Kalan was Bhagat Singh’s ancestral village, Bootan Pind in Jalandhar was one of the places with close association with Babasaheb. It was at Bootan Pind where Dr Ambedkar spoke to a massive gathering of Dalits on October 27, 1951, exhorting them to build their own political alternative. Jalandhar is also home to Ambedkar’s oldest associates Lahori Ram Balley and Baldev Bhardwaj. Balley publishes the longest-running Ambedkarite magazine, Bhim Patrika from Jalandhar. Additionally, Seth Kishan Das, a wealthy merchant of Boota Mandi, was also Babasaheb’s associate, who brought him to Jalandhar. He was then (1951) president of the Schedule Caste Federation (SCF) and was also instrumental in setting up the headquarters of the Ad Dharm Mandal at Jalandhar. The district also hosts the oldest Buddhist viharas set up as a direct response to Babasaheb’s embracing of Buddhism in 1956.

Historians point out that the AAP should be distinctly aware it this huge legacy that it has to uphold in the state.

Lahori Ram Balley (92), among Ambedkar’s oldest living associates, says, “Babasaheb has three main principles – “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity”. For him to foundation of the Constitution lay in the equality of all people. Respect for all, equality of all, striving for oneness and unity in a society in which all were treated equally, irrespective of castes or religions – these were his core values. The government of British Columbia declared April 14 as “Dr BR Ambedkar Equality Day” in 2021. India is yet to do it. When the AAP government took its oath at Khatar Kalan earlier this year, we were watching. It is too early to comment of their policies but they have a legacy to uphold. We will be keenly observing them.”

Scholar and Historian Chiranji Lal Kangniwal said, “Bhagat Singh’s rallying cry was “Samrajwaad Murdabaad!” (Death to Imperialism) and Ambedkar’s was “Parho, Likho, Sangharsh Karo” (Read, Write, Struggle!). Both these leaders were the most vocal speakers against “Hindu Imperialism” in the country. While the AAP exploited their names and ideas to get to make a government in the state, is the party up for representing their core values? Does it know the ABC of what they stand for? Ever since the AAP formed government in the state there is a sense of chaos, especially among the working class. It is a steep climb for the party to ensure a Punjab as per their vision.”