People for Alternative Policy and Campaign for Promotion of Community Paralegalism in Nepal today  organized a talk program in Dhangadhi to mark the 130^th birth anniversary of architect of Indian Constitution and Justice Crusader , world leader Baba Saheb  Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar in Dhangadhi Far West Nepal today.

The themes of the talk program included, SDG the dream of Baba Saheb ,  can society progress  without women, does Ambedkar belong to Dalits alone ? ,  Annihilation of caste ; why people do not talk about it?

The talk program began by offering floral tributes to Dr Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. The Paralegalism Campaigners Prabhakar Bagchand,  Rama Bhattarai ,  Dinesh Nepali and Rajkumar Jairu spoke on the respective  themes.

Excerpt from the talk delivered:

SDG and the Dream of Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar – Prabhakar Bagchand

The idea of sustainable development is something that Ambedkar dreamt more than seventy years ago in the pre-  Independence India. He believed in liberation of India that is free from caste, poverty , gender discrimination,  religious bigotry and exploitation , authoritarianism and all social vices. He believed in the India of all, a just India.

I say SDGs are the dream of Ambedkar  for various reasons. He had experienced and seen poverty in his life. ; Ambedkar understood the root cause of poverty and took various measures to address them. He urged people to maintain good health and hygiene. He focused on quality education. Reservation policy as envisaged by him has benefited millions in India today. It has been emulated in countries around the world in various forms. He believed in women empowerment and advocated for their freedom in all spheres of life.  He stood for the welfare of laborers. As a chair person of Constitution drafting committee he gave life to the idea of Justice. For him Justice was the basis on which a country should be founded. Having said this, I would like to leave you with the question, did Ambedkar not talk about Sustainable Development in those days? My respect to the world leader Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 130^th birth anniversary.

Can Society progress without women – Rama Bhattarai  

Ambedkar was of the view that women should not be confined in their houses. They should have  freedom. They should have social and economic freedom. They should have political representation. He tried to amend the Hindu Bill which unfortunately did not pass as he had proposed. History would have been different had it made through. I can only say he was the voice of women. He was against  patriarchy  This is evident when he said ,  I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved. 

Does Ambedkar belong to Dalits alone ?-  Dinesh Nepali.

Ambedkar no doubt came from so called untouchable community and fought vigorously for their rights. At the same time he envisioned a just society for all. The Indian Constitution is a proof of this.  Ambedkar‘s idea of social economic and political Justice was reflected in the Constitution.  He strived  to create a society without discrimination on any grounds like caste, creed, gender, religion, etc. He also believed that there should be  no discrimination on the basis of  wealth, income, and economic status. Every person must be paid equally for an equal position and all people must get opportunities to earn for their living. He advocated that people have an equal, free and fair right without any discrimination to participate in political opportunities.  Ambedkar articulated the universal values of equality, liberty and fraternity. Ambedkar’s ideas thus belong to the world. Everyone should engage with his ideas. He is a global phenomenon. He is a leader of the all.

Annihilation of caste :  why people do not talk about it?-   Raj Kumar Jairu

Annihilation of caste has not been read by many.  My understanding of annihilation of caste is caste system is the cause of caste discrimination. No matter what the requirement may have been historically  and what logic may have been given  towards establishing “ Varnashram” ,  it is wrong.  It is not required now. How can people be classified into such a hierarchy. To say people are Brahmin by Karma is again clever interpretation of caste. Nobody needs to be Brahmin , Kshetriya , Vaishya or Shudra for that matter. Human identity is supreme.  Caste system has no place in a civilized society. We are experiencing a  dangerous trend these days,  people  who talk of elimination of caste discrimination feel proud of their caste. There is no reason to be proud of caste. When you feel proud of your caste you are actually considering those below you as inferior.  Caste assertion is growing. This is wrong too. It is equivalent to reinforcing caste system. It is fortifying the caste structure. Our approach should be to abolish Caste system.

The program was conducted at the “Justice Hall” of Morning Bell Media House.

३१ चैत २०७७, मंगलवार २०:०४ बजे प्रकाशित