When the four youths were publicly flogged in Una for their alleged killing of a cow, the people who are degraded by the upper caste erupted with protests. The agitation in Gujarat reached all over the places. It was an inhuman display of hatred by the so-called castiest minds instigated by the Hindutva regime. Now the four youths who were victimised by the people for whom the lives of cows are more important than the human lives have rebelled. The four youths have declared that they will embrace Buddhism on 14th April 2018: the anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth.

The untouchables were never Hindus. Technically, the majority of the Indians are not Hindus. The OBCs are forcibly put in the OBC category by the Brahmins to swell the political majority of the Hindus so that the Brahmins can rule. There is no ritual for the OBCs that will confer upon them the status of the Hindus. The Brahmin, Banias, and the so-called Kashtriyas have the upanayana ceremony, the majority of the Shudras (OBCs) do not have any ceremony. They are not Hindus technically/ They are made to believe that they are the part and parcel of the Hindu society by the three upper varnas.

Bhima Koregaon opened a new debate in India. The Mahar fighters knew that they could destroy Brahminism as they have destroyed it in the past with their bravery and valor. The community is converted to Buddhism and it has displayed confidence and commitment to the broader cause of social justice. Its rise is giving confidence to the people across the country, and this needs to be consolidated into an all India alliance under the name and inspiration of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

First thing first, the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar throughout India must renunciate the hell of caste: that is the Brahminical Hinduism. Secondly, they must embrace Buddhism, as Buddhism not only offers the way of social liberation but offers the historical critique of Brahminism and the caste system. Just like the 500 Mahars destroyed the rule of the Brahmins before 200 years, Ashoka’s rise was important to destroy Brahminism in India. India was much egalitarian a society till the Brahminical forces started attacking Buddhism violently and reduced the erstwhile Buddhists to the lower status in the society.

The death of 3 manual scavengers in Bangalore does not make a headline in the media, but the useless news takes centre stage in India. In this pitiable condition imposed on the majority of Indians by Brahminism, the remedy is to kick Brahminism out of heads and minds of the people and let them embrace the best in the human civilisation. This is already happening. The recent declaration by the victims of the Una atrocity and the peaceful response of the Buddhists in the wake of atrocious agenda of the Brahminical Hindutva is the harbinger of the peace and justice in India.

Long live the solidarity and the peaceful social revolution!

Author – Mangesh Dahiwale, Human Rights Activist

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