In a recently held international conference on Babasaheb Ambedkar organized by the Congress party headed Government of Karnataka in Bangalore, the speakers spoke about the Ambedkar Model of Development in many contexts, and the political activists asserted that the declining Congress needed the Ambedkar Model of Development for revival.

First of all, the goal of Babasaheb Ambedkar and his mission is not to revive any political party, for Babasaheb Ambedkar politics is mission serve the humanity. Therefore, it is up to the Congress party to use him for its revival, but it may not be in the interests of India’s oppressed to revive any political party, old or new, but build their own party or strengthen their old parties.

The Congress is declining, thanks to its own loss of bearings and lack of clear cut ideology. If the Congress is to adopt Ambedkar Model of Development, it should begin with the upper caste constituency. This is where the change is needed the most. India’s SCs are not at the mercy of any political outfits, give them another 10 years, they will emerge as leaders in all walks of life.

One of the greatest feats that Babasaheb Ambedkar achieved was the installation of a strong sense of independence among his followers and this independence is a key for their emancipation. Their independence in many areas will make them lead this country one day, the large scale co-option of Dalits by all the parties will work for some time, but not all the time. The growing strength of Ambedkar ideology will force hands of all the political parties, including the Congress party.

The core of Ambedkar Model is a democracy and he saw it is impossible to make the country a Democratic one unless the castes are not annihilated which involves thorough questioning of the Hindu religious ethos. The radical Ambedkarism overthrows the religion that has created the caste system. Mere hand-out and doles to the community of the marginalized people has very little do with life and mission of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The radical problem of the castes must be solved. It must be understood fully.

Is Congress party going to make democracy its core value and by doing that, is it ready to make annihilation caste its topmost priority? Is it ready for coming out of Hindu casteist fold? If the answer is no, the Dalits will have doubts about its sincerity.

The social movements are needed to destroy the caste system. The religious movements are needed to destroy the caste system. The cultural movements are needed to destroy the caste system. And yes, political movements are needed to destroy the caste system. Our eyes must be set on the highest prize: the destruction of the caste, which is the major obstacle in making India a democracy.

Author – Mangesh Dahiwale, Human Rights Activist

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