Author – Sunny Tawar

My story of becoming an Ambedkarite began 3-4 years ago when I used to work in a government organization on a project basis in Haryana. I used to go to the office on a daily basis as other professionals work in their respective domains. The same schedule, same working hours and same coming and going back from office to my rented room. I have also worked in a private organization in Delhi though where I used to work as an Assistant Manager in a reputed consultancy firm. There were many incidents in the office where I have been asked about my caste status and people around me wanted to know about my caste and other things like from where I came, from where I belong and my religion, etc. The day when my senior asked about my caste and he was really keen to know about it. I was shocked to know why people around me wanted to know about my caste? But as the caste system prevails everywhere, I wasn’t aware of caste discrimination in private places and from my school, there are several incidents of caste discrimination that happened with me. Sometimes, when you grow up and came to know about the caste atrocities happening on daily basis in society, at the same moment you might begin relating all the incidents which happened with you in the past as well. The caste system is a reality in our society. Those people who got benefitted from this caste system aren’t really open to this. This might be their hypocrisy in dealing with the caste issues.

In the year 2018, the SC/ST Act (Amendment Bill) was in the limelight. I started reading about the facts and real cover stories related to it. The moment I realized that this amendment act is not in the favor of the depressed classes, I started searching more about it. Even though, on that stage, I didn’t know much about Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Neither his writings nor speeches. The only thing that I used to know about him is that he was the first Law Minister of Independent India. That’s it. I didn’t even know that Babasaheb has written our Indian Constitution. But of course, in my home, there was a portrait of him but I was never keen to about him and neither my parents told me anything about the great legend and personality.

One day, I was checking out my YouTube app, and suddenly from nowhere short clips of ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s movie came in the list of videos. From the same moment, I thought that let us watch what it is all about. I was having several questions in my mind regarding the movie and Babasaheb. The clip was related to the beginning of the movie where an untouchable is being beaten by caste Hindus only because he slept in the temple. After watching that incident, my curiosity to see the whole movie came into existence. At night, I saw that movie completely. The moment the movie got completed, I was shocked and looked at the ceiling of my room for a long time. I wasn’t able to sleep for 3 nights continuously after watching ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’ movie. There were many thoughts that came into my mind. Then, I watched ‘Shudra-The Rising’ movie. That movie made me think about the history which happened and was never told to us. The atrocities, sexual exploitation of women, practicing untouchability, and much more than that. While working in the office, I used to search about the historical aspects of depressed classes and others.

On Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti in the year 2018, I came to know from social media platforms that at Parliament Street of New Delhi, there is a celebration of it. I planned to visit that place so that I will be able to understand the Ambedkarite movement and other social aspects of it. When I reached that place, I saw people from different parts of the country were there. Some were holding flags of Jai Bhim and Panchsheel. They were chanting slogans about Gautam Buddha and Babasaheb. It was the first time that I visited such a place in my whole life ever. Even none of my family members knew about it and neither had they told me about this ever. They haven’t even told me about our own history. I have seen many stalls out there selling various monuments, scriptures, portraits, other essentials, etc. I have also seen the tableau of Gautam Buddha and Babasaheb out there. I wasn’t even aware of the word ‘Bahujan’ before that. From there, I came to know about it. The moment I kept my eyes on each stall and book which were there, I was telling myself that this is the place where I should be. This is a place that belongs to me and my people. From there, I bought a copy of the Constitution of India (Fig.1). It was the first book which I bought from there. The moment when the Constitution of India was in my hands, I started crying with my eyes closed. Further, after visiting the whole place, I took the first selfie picture with the portrait of Babasaheb (Fig. 2). I did post both the pictures on my Facebook profile on the same day as well.

After that day, I started reading about Babasaheb’s writings and speeches. The Bahujan heroes like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Mata Savitribai Phule, Guru Ravidas, Saint Kabir, Gautam Buddha, Saint Gadge Baba, Tilka Manjhi, Manyawar Sahab Kanshiram, and many more who worked throughout their whole life to relieve us from the slavery of casteism and exploitation. I also bought more than 50 books to understand our Bahujan heroes and movement. I am still reading them, whenever I get time to read. I also started connecting with my community. I started having a conversation with them. I also used to post pictures on my social media platforms and WhatsApp status by educating and making people aware of our own history. Even though Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has said “They cannot make history who forgot history.”
Now, I am on the path of the Ambedkarite movement. Being an Ambedkarite isn’t limited to making people aware of the history and fighting for our rights, but it is related to reaching the final destination of adopting Buddhism. Because Buddhism is the only Dhamma that each and every depressed class should follow and embrace. Even it is for everyone who believes in equality and casteless society. I am also in the stage of adopting Buddhism very soon. I seriously thank my lovely Ambedkarites to whom I am connected via Twitter and other social media platforms. Also, the real strength which gives me in my daily life is none other than ‘Bodhisattva Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’. We do have Ambedkar in each one of us. We are the sons & daughters of the Great Son of India. My exact motive of becoming an Ambedkarite is to aware people and tell them about their own history so that they might be able to come out from the religion which discriminates against them and treats them impure. But for this, I have to embrace Buddhism only then I will be able to guide my people or others and create an example for it. I seriously don’t want my upcoming generations to be called untouchables so that they may not have to face discrimination on the basis of their caste and identity.

In the place where I am currently working, I do make my students aware of Babasaheb. I wear a hoodie with the slogan of ‘Jai Bhim’ on it, either it can be a signature t-shirt of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar or a sticker of Babasaheb on my bike as well. I do ride my bike with great pride. I think it’s a revolutionary thing which I do. A statue of Babasaheb is also installed on the campus which gives inspiration to me daily. It’s our pride that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is the ‘Father of Modern India’. There is a long way to go. Dr. Ambedkar was much worried about the condition of depressed classes in the country. We Ambedkarites are having a much bigger responsibility of helping the deprived sections of society both educationally and economically. Whatever we are today is only because of Dr. Ambedkar and by the struggles of our Bahujan Heroes. “We are because he was.”

I am proud of myself that I am an Ambedkarite today. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar doesn’t belong to one community only, he is for all and this fact will be known by each one of us only when each and every person of this country will read about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s writings and speeches. It’s my pride, my strength, and my life. Actually, it’s a way of life.

I hope my story of becoming an Ambedkarite will motivate others and it will be appreciated.

“JAI BHIM JAI BHARAT JAI SAMVIDHAN NAMO BUDDHAY”

About Author –  Assistant Professor, Member (SC/ST Cell) Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology
Central University of Haryana