Latest news with #Ambedkarites
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Stalin, VCK leader Thirumavalavan reaffirm unity at event in TN's Chidambaram
CHIDAMBARAM: Amid persistent speculations around VCK's continuance in the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M K Stalin and VCK president and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan reaffirmed their unity at the inauguration of the centenary hall of late Congress leader L Elayaperumal in Lalpuram here by the CM on Tuesday. The DMK president, who addressed the gathering after Thirumavalavan, referred the VCK leader as his dearest brother and a reformist. He also recalled Thirumavalavan's remark that 'the leaders of Dravidian movement, who follow in the footsteps of 'Periyar' EV Ramasamy, Ambedkarites, Marxists, and the Congress functionaries who follow Gandhian principles, are all gathered on the stage.' Thirumavalavan was referring to leaders of various parties in the DMK-led alliance. 'I second the remarks he made with pride. When Tamil Nadu is in one formation, the 'saffron' schemes from Delhi will work here,' Stalin said, in a reference to the BJP and its ally, the AIADMK. Thirumavalavan, during his speech, called on all Tamils to unite to bring back the DMK-led 'Dravidian Model' government back to power in 2026. He said his party supportes Stalin because the latter is leading a people-centric government that is introducing new schemes for upliftment of marginalised people as the political heir of late CM M Karunanidhi. 'Our ideological opponents have said that Stalin is stronger than Kalaignar. This shows the strength of his leadership,' he said. Giving credit to Stalin for uniting like-minded parties effectively, he said VCK will fully support the alliance across the state with effective transfer of its votes to all its allies. Stalin said that the recommendations of the Committee on Untouchability, Economic and Educational Development of the Scheduled Castes headed by Elayaperumal had played a crucial role in safeguarding the legislation enacted by the state in 1971 to enable persons of all castes to become priests in temples.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Naxals should embrace Ambedkarvad, says Athawale
Kolhapur: Union minister of social justice Ramdas Athawale , while speaking in Kolhapur on Tuesday, urged all naxals to renounce violence and embrace "Ambedkarvad" — the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Athawale, who is also the president of the Republican Party of India (RPI), clarified that the Jan Suraksha Act, passed by the state legislature, is not intended to suppress democratic movements. "Instead its target is violent and undemocratic movements like naxalism. Simply expressing dissent through writing or speaking against the govt would not lead to action under this Act," he said. "The method of naxals is to backstab. We were never called naxals when we hit the streets. The way naxals carry out their movement is totally wrong. The govt should not interpret Ambedkarites as naxalites. We are different in ideology and means," he added. On being asked about the likelihood of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray coming together for the Mumbai municipal election, Athawale said, "Now, there are 60% non-Marathis in Mumbai, and they are against Raj. Both Thackerays will get votes only from Marathi people. We will easily defeat them in the election."
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
PCMC decision to reserve land for police station behind Ambedkar memorial in Pimpri draws flak
Chairperson of the PCMC's Standing Committee Seema Sawale has strongly condemned the decision of the civic body to reserve a portion of 'Bhimsrushthi Maidan' – a revered site behind Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar statue in Pimpri – for a police station, municipal use, and a bus terminus. In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCM), Sawale said the move is a direct assault on the sentiments of Ambedkar followers and has warned of widespread public agitation if the decision is not revoked. Bhimsrushthi Maidan—centrally located in Pimpri-Chinchwad— holds immense significance for Ambedkarites, serving as a focal point for faith, inspiration, and unity. The annual Ambedkar Jayanti is held here with week-long celebrations featuring processions, lectures, and cultural programmes that draw thousands of citizens. Beyond the Jayanti celebrations, the ground is a consistent venue for various social, political, and cultural gatherings, hosting numerous prominent personalities, said Sawale. The standing committee chairperson emphasized that the ground is a living testament to the Ambedkar movement and the social fabric of Pimpri-Chinchwad. 'This is the only dedicated space in the city for Dr. Ambedkar's followers to pay homage to the great man,' said Sawale. 'The revised development plan is a conspiracy to snatch that away. Deliberately reserving land at this historical site for a police station is a gross insult to all Ambedkarites and a vile plot to prevent the celebration of Ambedkar Jayanti,' she said. Sawale has demanded the immediate cancellation of all reservations on Bhimsrushthi Maidan, proposing instead that it be officially designated as 'Bhimsrushthi Maidan' in the development plan. She warned that if the administration fails to comply, a powerful public movement will be launched pressing the PCMC to withdraw its decision.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘No one from the Maharashtra Mandals in the US ever came to meet me'
MUMBAI: Just back from a US tour, Lokshahir (folk poet) Sambhaji Bhagat is preparing for his next – to Italy and the UK. Bhagat, born into a Dalit family, who started out as a revolutionary street theatre activist in Mumbai in the '70s and '80s, is today the most respected folk singer in Maharashtra. The new Museum of Music, in Bengaluru, has a special display on him. He spoke to Jyoti Punwani, taking time out from preparing for his forthcoming tour. How did your sudden US tour come about? The wait for US visas is interminable, yet you got one superfast. I did nothing, except to say I had no objection to performing at the University of Michigan, when asked by another artiste who had performed there! It was all arranged by professors at the university. They sent the invitation, accompanied with a letter by a senator, and a return ticket. The one question that resounded through the visa interview was: 'Who are you? Are you a VVIP?' The question was asked by the officer who called me from the US embassy in Delhi, and again during the interview at the Consulate in Mumbai. A similar query – 'Tu hai kaun?' – was asked by a passport officer in Mumbai in 2012, ahead of my trip to Singapore where I was travelling to receive an award for my play 'Shivaji Underground in Bhimnagar Mohalla'. I had none of the necessary documents, having left home as a teenager. Somehow, my friends, through their political contacts, got some letters of recommendation from IAS officers, and I also managed to get my school leaving certificate. Did you have a tough time at immigration? No. When the Detroit immigration officer asked me where I would be staying, I told him: 'I don't know where Ann Arbor is; I don't know where the hotel is. Here is the programme fixed for me by a professor from Michigan University; please ask him.' When asked about how long I was going to stay, I showed them my return ticket and told them I was a performer. I had performances lined up back home. Most of your performances were arranged by Ambedkarites. What are their concerns in the US? The first fallacy is that Dalits in the US have left caste behind. Wherever Indians go, they take their caste with them. Brahmins reached the US long back. They now dominate high posts, including in government, and like in India, they don't like to see Dalits rise. That's why caste discrimination has been made an offence in some US states. In all the cities I visited, no one from the Maharashtra Mandals came to meet me, even though in Maharashtra, I'm recognized as the successor to Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe. It's not as if Marathi-speaking artistes are not invited by these Mandals – but they are Brahmins, not Dalits. The two exist as two separate nations in the US. Are most of the Dalits there in academia? The younger ones are. There are more girls from Vidarbha and Marathwada than boys, which makes me very happy. The older ones are in all fields, and their children are totally American. It was a culture shock to me to hear the daughter of a Dalit couple, who'd invited me for lunch, speak to me in an American accent. I don't see these families ever returning to India. Do the Ambedkarites follow Indian politics, especially Dalit politics in India? They contribute to Dalit causes – they feel they must. They attend programmes like mine. But otherwise, they are not politically active. They feel they've reached where they have after generations of struggle. They don't want to lose it. I wish I could have had mixed audiences. That happened only in New York, where young non-Dalits too turned up at a programme arranged by a Dalit organisation. In Dallas, an Ambedkarite group arranged for me to perform with other music groups: African American, Latin American, Pakistani, Palestinian. But I found that these groups also did not interact with one another. The 'unity of the oppressed' seems to be a myth. You visited five cities. Your impressions? My first stop was at Ann Arbor. I found the city planned in rectangular grids, not zigzag like our cities. This reminded me of the highly developed planned city of Mohenjodaro, recognised as an advanced example of urban planning. Three things struck me about the University of Michigan, where I first spoke. First, the entire city of Ann Arbor is dominated by the university. Second, the university is more than 200 years old, but its buildings are still in good condition. Finally, its library occupied an entire building. Imagine how many people must have worked to choose books to fill every floor. While we critique America's capitalist culture, we have to acknowledge the value Americans have historically given to learning. What also stayed with me were the images of Black victims in Detroit's Charles H Wright Museum of African American History. They reminded me of the anti-Dalit violence I'd seen during the Namantar agitation in Marathwada in the '80s – the same remnants of burnt homes, broken toys, wounded people. And I can never forget the sight of everything covered with snow as we entered Boston.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Government urged to complete construction of Ambedkar Knowledge Center in Vizianagaram
The construction of the Ambedkar Knowledge Centre, which will be a vital space for students pursuing higher education and preparing for competitive exams, has been facing significant delays. Members of the Uttarandhra Ambedkarites Association on Wednesday urged the government to take steps to complete the construction at the earliest. On Wednesday the members submitted a representation to municipal authorities expressing concern over the inordinate construction delays. Association President Pandranki Venkataramana said: 'The project, which began nearly one-and-a-half years ago with an estimated cost of ₹1.55 crore holds deep significance for lakhs of students and followers of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.' He alleged that a few YSRCP corporators have been disrupting the stage-2 works despite ₹39.90 lakh being sanctioned for the completion of the G-plus structure. He emphasised that its early construction would help Ambedkarites hold meetings, students pursue higher education and prepare for competitive examiniations in a good environment.
