06.02.2024.THE UNTOUCHABLES OF INDIA TODAY.(NEWS).By Sivaji.A.ceo.Dr A.A.Assn.chennai.26.Follow us in all Social medias.@asivaji.
50,000 Dalits in Gujarat to Embrace Buddhism on Ambedkar Jayanti in One of the Largest Conversion Ceremonies Ever Seen
On April 14, a momentous mass conversion ceremony is set to take place in Gujarat’s capital Gandhinagar, wherein approximately 50,000 Dalits from various cities and towns will formally adopt Buddhism and renounce Hinduism. The event, to be held at the Ramakatha Maidan in Gandhi Ground, promises to be one of the largest gatherings of its kind as more than one lakh people are expected to participate in the event. Tribal families from Dungarpur too would be attending the event, sources said.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
The Swayam Sainik Dal (SSD), a voluntary organization established by 50 like-minded Dalit social workers in Rajkot in 2006, will be facilitating the mass Deeksha ceremony. Baudh bhikshu Pragya Ratna from the Great Ashoka Buddh Vihar in Porbandar will preside over the ceremony and administer the deeksha to the thousands of participants. SSD expects 1 crore persons from the dalit communities to embrace Buddhism by 2028.
According to the organisers, around 15,000 people have already filed applications at the Collectors’ offices in their respective districts. The process of police verification is currently in progress to ensure that the applicants are opting for voluntary conversion without any greed, seduction, or threat. The procedure of religious conversion also involves the publication of details in the state gazette.
The Mission
The SSD’s mission is centered around the renunciation of social vices and embracing humanitarian values emphasizing on a dignified life for everyone. The SSD has been actively engaged in creating awareness among communities about their rights and duties, and raising consciousness about the hollowness of rituals and dogmatic beliefs that have contributed to the mass divide among Hindu communities. They seek to empower people by educating them about their constitutional rights and encouraging them to take ownership of their own destinies. By promoting critical thinking and encouraging people to question social norms and practices that perpetuate inequality and injustice, the SSD hopes to create a more equitable and just society. Their work has helped to build a sense of solidarity and shared purpose among members of the Dalit community, as well as promoting greater understanding and cooperation between different social groups.
It views adoption of Buddhism as a means of rejecting the discriminatory practices inherent in the Hindu caste system. According to Ramesh Bhai (pseudo name), a representative of the organization, the decision to convert to Buddhism is a voluntary step of the Dalit community, who have suffered under the caste-based discrimination of Sanatan Dharma. This sentiment is reflected in the actions of Baba Saheb, who himself renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism in order to reject the caste system.
One of the unique aspects of the SSD is its rejection of traditional hierarchical structures and positions of authority within the organization. There are no designated leaders or office bearers, and all members are treated with equal respect and status, regardless of when they joined. In addition, the organization has strict rules around privacy and does not publicize individual names.
The SSD has adopted a simple and egalitarian approach to their public meetings, known as Chintan Shivirs, which are typically held in rural areas. They have done away with the practice of providing special treatment or seating arrangements for their leaders or organizers. Instead, when the Swayam Sainiks visit villages, they sit on the ground with the local people, and anyone who needs to address the gathering stands up and speaks. As a result, there are no dias or chairs reserved for the organizers or leaders of the group. This approach reflects the SSD’s commitment to equality and their desire to foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among all members, regardless of their status or position within the organization.
Why embracing Buddhism?
In recent years, there has been a growing trend among members of Dalit communities in India to denounce Hinduism and embrace Buddhism. “The decision to embrace Buddhism for followers of the SSD is primarily rooted in the pursuit of equality. As Hindus, they did not find the kind of equality they were seeking and witnessed discrimination and atrocities against people belonging to Scheduled Caste, or Dalits or Backward Communities. In this context, embracing Buddhism is seen as a way to reject the caste system and attain a sense of dignity, respect, and equality” Ramesh Bhai says.
For members of the SSD, the decision to embrace Buddhism is not tied to any specific rituals or worship practices. Rather, they are drawn to the teachings of Gautam Buddha and Baba Saheb and seek to embody these teachings in their daily lives. Ramesh Bhai, who is 33 years old, expressed his agreement with these teachings and his intention to denounce Hinduism and embrace the Buddhist way of life, along with his family and friends. While they do not worship Gautam Buddha or Baba Saheb, they do express their respect and admiration for them through salutations.
The Maha Rally Arrangements
The SSD organizers are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure the smooth and safe management of the Deeksha ceremony. The participants would be compulsorily following the green dress code. The organisers are taking care of every minute detail, including traffic management, transportation arrangements, and medical facilities for the large gathering of participants. About transportation of the thousands of participants to attend the ceremony, approximately 800 buses are expected to carry people from various parts of Gujarat to the venue in Gandhinagar. Additionally, there will be around 5,000 four-wheelers in the rally, which will commute to the Ambedkar statue at Vidhan Sabha. At this location, Baba Saheb’s 22 vows will be reiterated and reaffirmed by the disciplined followers. Jagdish Bhai, another member of the SSD, expressed his confidence in the organization’s ability to ensure a successful and well-managed event. Women volunteers known as the Jhalkari Brigade would be responsible to manage the female participants expected to arrive in large numbers.
The conversion
The struggle for the rights of Dalits in India is a long-standing one, dating back centuries. Despite significant progress in recent years, caste-based discrimination and inequality continue to be major challenges for these communities, and the rise of Hindu nationalism has only made things worse. In this context, the decision by many Dalits to denounce Hinduism and convert to Buddhism can be seen as a powerful act of rebellion against the entrenched caste hierarchy and the ruling party’s vision of a “Hindu Rashtra” (Hindu nation). By rejecting the religion that has historically been used to justify their oppression, Dalits are asserting their right to dignity, freedom, and equality, and challenging the dominant narrative of caste supremacy in India.
This act of conversion is not just a religious or personal choice, but a political statement that reflects the ongoing struggle for social justice and the fight against the entrenched systems of oppression that continue to impact the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in India. As per a rough estimate, more than 1 crore of Dalit population is estimated to convert to Buddhism by 2025. Similarly, the SSD has a systematic plan to organize similar mass conversion ceremonies in Delhi, Kolkata, Banglore, Bhopal and Mumbai on Ambedkar Jayanti, one every year, from 2024 onwards respectively in these big cities.
Courtesy : The Mooknayak
Why Did 40 Dalit Families Choose to Embrace Buddhism in This Madhya Pradesh Village?
The trigger for this mass conversion was the discriminatory treatment meted out to members of the Jatav community during the Bhandara organized at the conclusion of the Bhagwat Katha. Embracing Buddhism is seen as a way to reject the caste system and attain a sense of dignity, respect, and equality.
Ankit Pachauri
Shivpuri- In a significant development in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, 40 Dalit families have collectively renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism, citing caste discrimination as the catalyst for their decision. The incident took place in the village of Bahgwan, located in the Karaira tehsil of the district, where tensions escalated during a Bhagwat Katha event.
The trigger for this mass conversion was the discriminatory treatment meted out to members of the Jatav community during the Bhandara organized at the conclusion of the Bhagwat Katha. As per Mahendra Baudh, a resident of the village, despite the community’s active participation, they were unjustly barred from serving plates, a pivotal aspect of the event. Shockingly, they were informed that if Jatav community members handled the serving of plates, the utensils would become impure. Consequently, they were relegated to menial tasks such as cleaning discarded leaves, prompting feelings of humiliation and marginalization.
This discriminatory incident served as the final straw for the oppressed community, leading them to collectively adopt Buddhism as a statement against caste-based prejudice. The decision was fortified by the recitation of the 22 vows of Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar, the revered figure in the Dalit movement.
However, the village sarpanch, Gajendra Rawat, refutes these allegations, attributing the conversion to external influence rather than genuine grievances. He contends that no discriminatory practices were enforced during the Bhandara and suggests that the Dalit families were swayed by external Buddhist monks.
In response to the situation, Karaira SDM Ajay Sharma has initiated an investigation, although no formal complaint of caste discrimination has been lodged by the villagers. Furthermore, it has been clarified that the Dalit families did not undergo formal written initiation into Buddhism, but rather made an oral commitment, citing coordination issues during the Bhandara.
Despite conflicting accounts, this incident underscores the persistent challenges of caste discrimination and the ongoing struggle for social equality in India, particularly in rural communities where such prejudices continue to plague marginalized groups.
Vishad Hadmatiya: No Dalit families remained within the Hindu faith
The recent incident in Shivpuri serves as a reminder of the transformative events that unfolded in Vishad Hadmatiya, Gujarat.
On May 21, 2023, a profound and historic transformation took place in Vishad Hadmatiya, located in Bhesan Taluka of Gujarat. This serene village made its mark in the annals of Indian history by becoming the first in the nation where no Dalit families remained within the Hindu faith. The momentous occasion unfolded as 75 Dalit families embraced Buddhism, symbolizing a collective rejection of caste-based discrimination and a bold affirmation of equality and social justice. This monumental step not only reshapes the landscape of Vishad Hadmatiya but also sends a powerful message of hope and progress, inspiring similar movements toward inclusivity and dignity across the country.
Why embracing Buddhism?
In recent years, there has been a growing trend among members of Dalit communities in India to denounce Hinduism and embrace Buddhism. The decision to embrace Buddhism is primarily rooted in the pursuit of equality. As Hindus, they did not find the kind of equality they were seeking and witnessed discrimination and atrocities against people belonging to Scheduled Caste, or Dalits or Backward Communities. In this context, embracing Buddhism is seen as a way to reject the caste system and attain a sense of dignity, respect, and equality.
In Gujarat, the members of SSD, (Swayam Sainik Dal- a voluntary organization established by like-minded Dalit social workers in Rajkot in 2006) believe that the decision to embrace Buddhism is not tied to any specific rituals or worship practices. Rather, they are drawn to the teachings of Gautam Buddha and Baba Saheb and seek to embody these teachings in their daily lives.
Courtesy : The Mooknayak.
‘Insulting’ a Dalit: Chaos in Lok Sabha over DMK leader’s remark against Union Minister Murugan
The incident took place when the House was discussing a question related to flood relief to Tamil Nadu during the Question Hour
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed a war of words over a remark made by T R Baalu against Union Minister L Murugan, with ruling BJP MPs asking the DMK leader to apologise for “insulting” a Dalit.
As Baalu did not heed to the demand, Speaker Om Birla expunged the word from the records while DMK members along with the Congress and Left MPs staged a walk out.
The incident took place when the House was discussing a question related to flood relief to Tamil Nadu during the Question Hour.
After two of his party colleagues asked questions on the subject, Baalu asked a supplementary. At that point of time, Murugan, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, who also hails from Tamil Nadu, said the DMK leader was asking an “irrelevant” question.
At this, Baalu made a comment against Murugan.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, his deputy Arjun Ram Meghwal, several other minister and BJP MPs were on their feet protesting against the remark of Baalu.
They claimed that Murugan is a Dalit and the remark is an “insult” to the entire Dalit community and demanded an apology. However, Baalu repeated the word.
At this, the ruling party members protested again and sought his apology.
Soon, the speaker expunged the remark.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
Courtesy : The Telegraph
Seven-judge Bench to hear on validity of sub-classification of reserved categories
The court would decide if State legislatures are competent to introduce sub-classification within the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories
February 05, 2024 10:22 pm | Updated 10:22 pm IST - NEW DELHI
COMMENTS
SHARE
READ LATER
The sub-classification case dates back to 2020, when a five-judge Bench led by Justice (retired) Arun Mishra held that States could sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Central List to provide preferential treatment to the “weakest out of the weak”. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu
A seven-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud is scheduled from February 6 to hear a series of petitions regarding validity of sub-classification among reserved categories.
The other judges on the Bench would be Justices B.R. Gavai, Vikram Nath, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, Satish Chandra Sharma and Sandeep Mehta.
Better Utilization of Funds for Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Castes Needed
Share:
Welfare schemes meant for the scheduled castes have a very high priority in India in any development framework committed to social justice. However recent data confirm the need for better utilization of funds. The need for higher fund allocations can of course be voiced, but the least that can be done is to ensure proper and efficient utilization of the available funds in any given financial year.
Let us look at the high priority scheme (also included as a core of the core scheme) named ‘Umbrella Scheme for Development of Scheduled Castes’. The original allocation for this in the budget for 2023-24 was INR 9409 crore (one crore=10 million). This original allocation is called the Budget Estimate or BE. However at the time of preparing the Revised Estimate (RE) later in the year, this was reduced to INR 6780 crore. This means a reduction of INR 2629 crore. So much could have been done for the education, livelihoods and other needs of scheduled castes but could not be done because of not utilizing such a big share of already allocated funds.
Now look at the entire budget of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The BE for this in 2023-24 was INR 12847 crore, while the RE was reduced to INR 9853 crore. Thus as much as INR 2994 crore was denied for the welfare of scheduled castes due to this reduction.
Now let us look at what this means in terms of some more specific schemes. Ending manual scavenging and replacing this with cleaner and non-hazardous schemes has been a widely stated priority of the government, with emphasis on stopping or avoiding the deaths of sewer workers relating to occupational hazards. The earlier scheme which also provided for rehabilitation is being phased out and the new scheme that has come is called ‘National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem’ (NAMASTE). A rather impressive and interesting name has been provided for this scheme which would be welcome if it is also matched by efficient and proper allocation of funds for this scheme. Unfortunately however we find that less than one-third of the funds allocated for this important scheme have been utilized during 2023-24, judging from the difference between the BE and the RE. While INR 97 crore was allocated for this scheme this year, which itself is inadequate considering the national level efforts that are needed, at the time of preparing the revised estimate this allocation has been reduced to just INR 30 crore. It would be useful to analyze in greater detail to what extent such a big reduction of funds in the case of such a high priority, badly needed scheme has taken back this priority task. What was it that led to such tardy progress of this scheme, when the government has only recently framed this to carry forward an important objective?
We may look at another scheme under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, again known by an interesting name SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise). The BE of INR 73 crore has been reduced to RE of INR 33 crore in the case of this scheme during 2023-24.
Clearly such non-utilization of scarce funds can reduce in very significant ways the benefits that can be obtained from various welfare schemes prepared for scheduled castes.
Hence urgent steps to improve utilization of these scarce funds should not be delayed.
Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include When the Two Streams Met (freedom movement), Man over Machine (Gandhian ideas for our times) and A Day in 2071.
Comments
Post a Comment