14th April was the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar who is known for drafting the Indian constitution and raising voice against the caste system and untouchability. I read in the newspaper about people celebrating his birth, political leaders honoring Ambedkar. Election season has further made parties misuse his name for Dalit votes.
In the same newspaper, I also came across some cases of untouchability which perplexed me. In an Odisha village, all Dalit families are boycotted by upper castes because a Dalit filed a complaint with police against untouchability practiced in the village. They are not allowed to take water from public places and have been denied all services. Similarly, in Shimla, dead body of a Dalit was not allowed to be cremated in the village crematorium by upper caste. The Constitution directly abolishes untouchability under article 17 and makes it an uncompromising offense. But the police and district administration are totally insensitive towards such issues.
It is very disappointing that while Indians are worshiping Ambedkar who was a staunch opponent of untouchability, they are still practicing it even today. Leaders are flaunting their respect for Ambedkar, but they are blind to the caste oppression.
Every year, India celebrates Ambedkar’s birthday but are we really following his ideals? Manual scavenging, Dalit lynching, social boycott of Dalits are still a reality. Ambedkar wanted a reservation system for lower castes to last only for a few years because he was hoping for the annihilation of the caste system in the near future. But, I think, he expected too much from us. We don’t even deserve the right to worship him if we can’t be sensitive about his views on caste. Every leader and the officer should be shameful about putting a garland on Ambedkar’s statue to garner votes if they support untouchability.
Unlike other countries, India has been blessed with many great leaders who are worldly renowned. But, we have not taken the benefits of their teachings. We respect them outwardly but don’t heed towards their real sayings. I believe India will not be deemed to follow Ambedkar unless untouchability is eradicated from society forever.