President of India

-Seasoned and Mature Personality- 

Ram Nath Kovind, 71, was the NDA's presidential candidate who won with over 7 lakh votes against opposition candidate Meira Kumar and has taken over as 14^th President of India.

 He has served as the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Wing and served for two full terms in Rajya Sabha from 1994-2000 and 2000-2006. He also served as national spokesperson of the BJP. Mr. Kovind has addressed the United Nations as India’s representative in 2002.After his tenure in the Rajya Sabha, he was sworn-in as the 36^th Governor of Bihar in August 2015. Kovind practiced at both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court for 16 years.

He was born on October 1, 1945 in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur Rural district. He came from a modest background and worked his way from the ground to the top of the political pyramid. He attained his B. Com and LLB degrees from Kanpur University and had a successful career as a practicing lawyer. He served as the Central Government’s advocate in Delhi High Court between 1977 and 1979. He was also standing counsel in Supreme Court between 1980 and 1993. He was made Advocate-on-Record at the apex court in 1978 and continued his legal practice at the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court till 1993.

As a parliamentarian, he held key positions in parliamentary committees during his 12-year stint as a lawmaker. Besides serving as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha House Committee, he was member of Parliamentary Committees on Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes; Home Affairs; Petroleum and Natural Gas; Social Justice and Empowerment; Law and Justice.

He has several academic associations as well. He is on the management board of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Lucknow. He is a member of Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.

At the time of his nomination as a presidential candidate by the ruling combination, intense hue and cry was raised of him being a Dalit and therefore, a sort of  frenzy suddenly erupted as if a great favor has been done to the Dalit communities by a such nomination. His political, social and intellectual work was put aside and his dalit identity was projected on a mammoth screen by the media of this country. The situation so developed that the opposition was also compelled to field another Dalit Meera Kumar, a former Speaker of House of of people of the Indian Parliament as an opposition Presidential candidate.

If we analyze the qualification and political experience of Shri Ram Nath Kovind, we will find that it is far superior to a number of persons who prior to him have held the high office of the President of India. Therefore, trying to highlight only the dalit identity and ignoring his qualification, works in social and political field and loyalties to the party to which he belongs is gross injustice to his personality and the apex office of this country. It may be correct to state that holding such high office may not bring any amelioration as such in the conditions of dalits, however, occupying high position of President of Indian Republic has a positive and inspirational value for coming generation of people. Such happenings and decisions in a democratic republican system kindle hope and aspiration in the minds of younger generations of people.

 Article 52 to 62 of the Constitution of India deals with power and functions of the President. The President is elected through an indirect election by an electoral college. As per the Constitutional scheme, the President of India is a titular or ceremonial head. The executive power of the Union are vested in the President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution.

Why the political parties in India which are under the control of upper castes blow out of proportion when they make a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe a candidate for such high office? In its background lies a long history. In the electoral process in India for the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and State Legislatures, there is a provision of reservations of seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Despite this provision, competent and powerful leadership amongst these communities have failed to emerge who can take the cause of their people with firm conviction on the floor of the house and play a vital role in the formation of state policy in their favour. The main reasons for not been able to do so is the lack of representation of competent leaders in the caucus of political parties. The caucus of almost all political parties is controlled by the upper caste elite. In a democracy, election are fought by the political parties and while selecting a candidate, caste configuration play a vital role. There is no intra-party democracy in form of party election in the political parties nor party tickets are allocated to a candidate to fight election based on his popularity in the constituency. It is sweet will of the party caucus and many a times its top leadership to assign a candidate for a constituency. This ailment has spread to almost all political parties in India and is responsible for namesake democracy.  

While commenting on non-election of competent Scheduled Caste candidates in the legislature Babasahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar says in June 1945 in his book What Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables and Mr. Gandhi and Emancipation of Untouchables, “…...The fact is that the Congress High Command in selecting a candidate had a definite policy namely in the case of Brahmins, to give preference to a candidate who had the highest educational qualifications and in the case of the Non-Brahmins and the Scheduled Castes, to give preference to a candidate who had the lowest educational qualification. Let those who have any doubts in the matter consider the facts summarized in Table 22 (see page 224.)

It is obvious that in the case of the Brahmins the relative proportion of graduates to non-graduates is far higher than what it is in the case of the Non-Brahmins and the Scheduled Castes. The difference in terms of graduates and non-graduates does not really reveal the correct situation. To put it correctly, the Brahmin graduates were seasoned politicians of high repute while the Non-Brahmin graduates were raw graduates with the career of second class politicians to recommend them.

Why did the Congress select the best educated Brahmins as its candidates for election? Why did the Congress select the least educated Non-Brahmins and Scheduled Castes as its candidates for election? To this question I can see only one answer. It was to prevent the Non-Brahmins in the Congress from forming a ministry. The Congress seems to have deliberately preferred an uneducated Non-Brahmin to an educated one because from the point of view of the governing class, the uneducated Non-Brahmin has two definite advantages over an educated non-Brahmin. In the first place, he is likely to be more grateful to the Congress High Command for having got him elected than an educated Non-Brahmin is likely to be, and would not be ready to revolt against the Congress Ministry, formed by the governing classes, by joining hands with the educated Non-Brahmins in the Congress Party should the latter aspire to form a government of their own against the government of the governing classes. In the second place, if more undergraduates or more raw Non-Brahmin graduates were selected, it was with the purpose to prevent the Non-Brahmins in the Congress from forming a competent and alternative Ministry to the detriment of the governing class. The Non-Brahmins in the Congress do not know how the Congress has deceived them, and how in drawing them inside the Congress, the Congress was making a concealed attempt to permanently entrench the governing classes in places of power and authority.”[i]

This argument holds good for election of a public office from a Panch to the President in this country. Sadly, the depressed classes are not willing to wage a struggle for social, spiritual and cultural regeneration of its own social groups and Indian society as a whole. The division in their rank and file is a major stumbling block. Everyone is hankering after political power, attainment of which is difficult without regeneration of society on the canons of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice. These expressions are not hollow words but the moral and ethical foundations of any democratic society.

Thucydides while addressing his opponents once said, “It may be in your interest to be our masters, where it is in our interest to be your slave.” Mental slavery is the bedrock of all slavery. Any society has to tide over it but before that individual himself cross such a bridge.  

I wish and hope that new President of India would positively contribute towards establishing more human and inclusive society on the cherished dreams of making Bharat a Prabudha Bharat – a knowledge empowered society.

We are proud of our new  President of India and his glorious feat.

________

1. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches, Volume 9, page 222.

Depiction of Great Revolutionary Heritage

-New Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi-

During his visit to India, Shri Prem Chumber, editor of popular weekly Punjabi newspaper ‘Desh Doaba’ published from Sacramento, California, USA, requested me to accompany him to a meeting with some social activists’ friends in New Maharashtra Sadan on K.G. Marg near India Gate, New Delhi. The engrossing discussion centered on various issues and subjects closely connected to taking the Mulnivasi Bahujan movement forward in the time of confusion and stress and went beyond the stipulated time.

Every state of the Indian union has a Sadan in the national capital. These Sadans have been set up under the scheme of subsidiary alliances devised by the Britisher between 1798-1805 after the battle of Plassey. Thereafter, it has undergone changes. Most of the princely states in the erstwhile Bombay province were from presently area under Gujarat state, hence, on formation of Gujarat and Maharashtra as separate states, state of Maharashtra established its first state level office in Delhi under name Maharashtra Sadan. The majestic and grand building of New Maharashtra Sadan was inaugurated by the President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the Hon'ble President of India on 4^th June, 2013.

In the foreground of this splendid building stands three different statues of three great men who have played vital role in laying the foundation of making India a society based on the principles of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice. These revered names are Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rashtrapita Jyotirao Phuley and Babasahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It is a great cultural symbol and a token of gratitude to the cultural ethos of Mulnivasi Bahujan reformers who are prominent makers of modern India. It appears that this initiative was clinched after considerably hard and dedicated efforts of many Phuley-Ambedkarite leaders and activists. There is a separate story of great struggle of Ambedkarites, to which many opposing groups were to succumb, and accept the demand of installation of statute of Babasaheb in the front lawn area. It seems that discussion, arguments, counter arguments on installation of statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's went on for months. It also appears that the position on the installation of statue of Babasaheb further worsened because of the argument of age of Chhatrapati Shahu ji Maharaja and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as advanced by some mischievous elements. It was argued that Chhatrapati Shahu ji Maharaja was elder in age to Babasaheb Ambedkar and, hence, Dr. Ambedkar's statues should be installed inside the building i.e. in the concourse of the building and not at the forefront. 

Some enlightened Bahujan leaders aptly analyzing the whole position factoring in prodigious and momentous contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in moving forward the struggle of depressed and backward classes and also framing the Constitution of India and he being from Maharashtra, decided to install his statue at the forefront of the New Maharashtra Sadan as is done in the precinct of the Parliament. In the inside lobby stands a statue of Rajrishi Chhattrapati Sahu ji Maharaj.

This is how you see the four standing statues of great revolutionary at the New Maharashtra Sadan with Dr. Ambedkar's statue at the forefront. All four of them fought virulently against the domination of upper castes against the Sudras and untouchables.

 Who can forget the humiliation Chhattrapati Shivaji has to face, even when he was king, at the hands of Brahmins when they refused to perform his coronation ceremony on the pretext of being a Sudra and showed utmost disdain and disrespect to Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

While inside the building, the editor saw the statue of Rajrishi Chhattrapati Sahu Maharaj of Kolhapur - a social reformer of utmost zeal and a benefactor of Bahujans, who carried out a large number of socio-cultural and religious reform in his state and under the principle of representation provided reservation to untouchables in 1902.

Rashtrapita Jyotirao Phuley in his book ‘Slavery’, highlights the conspiracies woven by the Brahmins through religious scriptures against Sudras and untouchables and says that they abrogated the right of education of Sudras and untouchables as a result of which these groups remained illiterate for thousands of years. 

The lack of education lead to absence of intellect and knowledge, the lack of intellect and knowledge led to lack capabilities to articulate strategy of their own welfare and development, lack of strategy led to lack of development, lack of development led to evaporation of wealth, business, trade and commerce, without wealth Sudras and untouchable fell into the prey and collapsed. All this horrible situation prevailed due to lack of education amongst Sudras and untouchables. Therefore, the core of Phuley’s efforts was on bringing education to Sudras, untouchables and women and for this sole purpose he set a chain of 18 schools in the middle of 19^th century in area around Pune in Maharashtra and made his wife Mata Savitri Bai Phuley as Headmistress. In modern Indian, she is the first lady teacher. This is the first initiative to impart education to women, Sudras and untouchables. Not only education but maternity homes and child care homes for women.

Babasahib Ambedkar in his book Annihilation of Caste[1] has said, ““……The Brahmins form the vanguard of the movement for political reform and in some cases also of economic reform. But they are not to be found even as camp-followers in the army raised to break down the barricades of Caste. Is there any hope of the Brahmins ever taking up a lead in the future in this matter? I say no. You may ask why? You may argue that there is no reason why Brahmins should continue to shun social reform. You may argue that the Brahmins know that the bane of Hindu Society is Caste and as an enlightened class could not be expected to be indifferent to its consequences. You may argue that there are secular Brahmins and priestly Brahmins and if the latter do not take up the cudgels on behalf of those who want to break Caste, the former will. All this of course sounds very plausible. But in all this it is forgotten that the break up of the Caste system is bound to affect adversely the Brahmin Caste. Having regard to this, is it reasonable to expect that the Brahmins will ever consent to lead a movement the ultimate result of which is to destroy the power and prestige of the Brahmin Caste? Is it reasonable to expect the secular Brahmins to take part in a movement directed against the priestly Brahmins? In my judgment, it is useless to make a distinction between the secular Brahmins and priestly Brahmins. Both are kith and kin. They are two arms of the same body and one bound to fight for the existence of the other.”

Therefore, he cautioned us by saying that they are not bound to participate in any movement of social reform as such movement would demolish their hegemony in the social-religious affairs of Hindus. Hence, the Bahujan themselves have to create and lead any such movement for their betterment.

Homer, the ancient Greek author of the Iliad and the Odyssey says, “The date that reduces a man to slavery takes away from him the half of his virtue.”

Most of Catholic Christians may not like to hear the name Voltaire but he was revered as front runner of French revolution. He was an outspoken advocate of civil liberties, despite the risk this placed him in under the strict censorship laws of the time. As a satirical and polemicist, he frequently made use of his works to criticize intolerance, religious dogma, and the French institutions of his day. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets. Because of his well-known criticism of the Church, which he had refused to retract before his death, Voltaire was denied a Christian burial in Paris. On 11 July 1791, when the National Assembly of France decided to bring back his mortal remains to Paris, a million-people attended the procession stretching throughout Paris.

The chains of mental slavery are worse that the physical slavery as it kills the aspiration and passion amongst the slaves to strive for freedom. Such is the thralldom of long spell slavery on Sudras and erstwhile untouchables that they have been reduced to live a life worse than animals. The life struggle and knowledge created by Rashtrapita Jyotirao Phuley, Rajrishi Sahu ji Maharaj and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar - a symbol of knowledge and global icon, are mine fields of gold which have potential to make Bahujans powerful and vibrant the moment they explore it.

Such is the power of true intellect that when it is dedicated honestly in the service of hapless humanity, the greatness touches the feet of such great men and women and make them icons for thousands of years before coming generation of people. Wish good sense prevail upon and we also move towards making this great nation as knowledge society where knowledge and not the caste is pre-dominant factor.  

---

[1] BAWS Vol.1, Page 70, line 2 to 21

FORMATION OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL TO ADVISE SCHEDULED CASTE AND SCHEDULED TRIBE LEGISLATORS

FORMATION OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (NAC)

 TO ADVICE SCHEDULED CASTE AND SCHEDULED TRIBE LEGISLATORS

    

          In pursuance to the initiative of S. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Hon’ble Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha and vigorous follow up by S. Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, former Member of Punjab Legislative Assembly, a decision was taken to announce the formation of National Advisory Council (NAC) on 7-8-2015 at New Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi-110001 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishna former Chief Justice of India. The newly formed NAC is aimed to act as ‘Think Tank Initiative’ to advice the legislators belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities on the issues pertaining these groups at well attended gathering of politicians and socio-political activists. 

 

Warm regards,

 

Rajinder Kashyap

New Delhi-110001.

 

**********

 

          Formation of National Advisory Council (NAC) of newly formed SC / ST Legislators and Parliamentarian on 7-8-2015 at New Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi is a laudable initiative. S. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Hon’ble Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly and former Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha is amongst very few legislators who have genuine concern for the cause.

 

          Few speakers, who might have been associated with the initiative or chosen to speak, spoke on the occasion. It appears that Justice K.G. Balakrishnan former CJI was taken by surprise on the announcement of proposing his name as Chairperson of the NAC. Few others were nominated as Members. The paramount role and responsibilities assigned to the newly formed NAC is to act as “Think Tank Group” to aid and advice the legislators of Union and States on the issues concerning Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. Sadly, despite Parliament being in session, very few Members of Parliament participated in this initiative. Most of the audience present was socio-political activists.

 

          I do not know how effective such an arrangement of “Advisory Council” would prove to be in a multi-party political system of fighting election. In such a system, political parties give tickets to their member to fight election in a single member reserved constituency where majority of voters are from upper castes. The caucus (core group) of almost all political parties is formed mostly by such persons who generally come from such caste groups which not only act against the interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but also place every stumbling block on the fruitful fulfillment of interests of these groups (Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes). A new trend is being noticed amongst most of the SC / ST legislators, wherein, they find excuse and assert that they are not elected only on the votes of SC/ST. Such a travesty shows the concern of political representatives elected on the reserved seats towards the causes and concerns of depressed communities who they are suppose to represent. Such attitude defeats the very purpose of representation in the legislature.

 

          Further, even after being elected in the post independent era, the voice of a legislator is suppressed under the provision of issuance of ‘whip’ by the political parties or the novel idea evolved under the notion of ‘party line’. In other words, the well fought right of representation has proved ineffective in mitigating the problems of people of depressed classes. In such a scenario, how effective would be the advice of newly constituted NAC and how much interest the legislators would show in seeking and acting upon such advice is a question to which answer lay in the near future. Dr. Ambedkar aptly analyzed such position in his 489 pages book titled “What Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables Mr. Gandhi and the Emancipation of the Untouchables” where he exposed the mentality, thinking and modus-operandi of upper caste political leaders. He states that on the issue of selecting representatives for the upper caste to represent them in the legislature, they select the highly educated persons who have attained deep knowledge and experience working in society on diverse issues, while on the other hand, while selecting representatives for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes communities, the preference is mostly given to the illiterate persons or persons who are scantly educated and have no or relatively petty or worthless experience of working in the political or social or other fields.

 

          I do not agree with the argument that economic amelioration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will put an end to their all ailments. Such an argument is a shallow understanding or in fact no understanding of mechanics of operation of caste and untouchability in this society. Despite being international scholar Dr. Ambedkar faced such maligning treatment all his life so is the case of Babu Jagjiwan Ram, President K.R. Narayanan, CJI K.G. Balakrishnan and many others. People must not attach any credence to such ideas as they are tactics and strategy adopted by the opponents to derail any efforts of consolidation of strength of SCs/STs. One must know that the issue of caste is a social issue, entwined and cemented in religious, spiritual, cultural and economic ethos of Hindu society.

 

          Attaining political power without common and sound social base created on the basis of social, religious, spiritual, cultural union of SCs/STs/OBCs is only an opportunity for individual progress rather than progress of community. Sadly, no speaker dwelt on this issue. Generally, most of the politicians are disinterested in dealing with this issue which is intimately concern social, religious and cultural unity of people as their objectives are different from those who devote their life for social causes concerning the live and dignity of hapless people. Creating a social cohesion amongst various sub-groups of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward castes is a pre-requisite for waging any effective and viable struggle for attainment of human dignity by these groups. The centrifugal tendencies driven by the loyalties towards the sub-castes groups amongst scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes have rendered the political representation ineffective, null and void and render this hard earned right of representation a powerless tool unable to render any reprieve to the depressed classes of people. Innumerable examples could be cited to depict the failure of legislators to come together inside the legislature in one voice on the issues concerning scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The latest example was the failure to pass the reservation amendment Bill which could not get passed in the former house in UPA-II regime due to lack of coordination, cohesion and concern amongst scheduled caste and scheduled tribe members irrespective of their parties.

 

          There is unison agreement amongst almost all groups that Bharat Rattan Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is a Liberator of hapless humanity, thinker par excellence and Global Icon who has devoted all his life for their causes (See: Indian Ideology by Perry Anderson, India After Gandhi and Makers of Modern India by Ram Chander Guha). One must endevour to study him for taking this movement forward. This is most essential for those who are either representatives or aspire to become one. His treatise “Annihilation of Caste” is adjudged amongst 100 Books that can change your life (See: Outlook dated January 12, 2015). Further, if we believe in the ideology of the great man (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar), we have to believe in it as an integral whole and not in convenient fragments. Believing in convenient fragment is a recipe for disaster. In the book cited ibid an explanation of dichotomy of interests between patricians and plebian groups of people in Roman Empire has been aptly depicted to demonstrate that till the exploited have an iota of belief in the exploitative system, they will continue to be exploited by the exploiters till endless time.  Perhaps this was the reasons why some eminent individuals present in the meeting vehemently opposed the recitation of mantras by one of the speakers. One has to prepare well for the occasion and perhaps that is Achilles heel of many of us as we pay little heed to intellectual pursuits. 

 

          Minister of State for Social Justice had nothing much to state on the occasion but was positive and receptive to the idea and assured his full support. Few other legislators who were present and spoke did not come prepared for the occasion and was lacking ideas. S. Charanjit Atwal, Hon’ble Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha spoke well in listed a number of burning issues concerning scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. His observation on adherence to party line and supplying written speech to legislators by the higher echelons of party core groups was a shameful reality which render a legislator as a mere toll in the hands of his master. Mr. Ravan, a social activist from Punjab spoke very well and hit the nail on its head in his short address.

 

          On the whole, after deliberation with some eminent individuals, the following few suggestions were listed at this juncture for kind consideration of the newly formed National Advisory Council (NAC);

 

LIST OF SUGGESTIONS FOR NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL SET UP TO ADVICE LEGISLATORS OF SCHEDULED CASTE AND SCHEDULED CASTE COMMUNITIES

 

1.                 A declaration through United National’s General Assembly may be made to celebrate 14^th April as 'International Day of Human Equality' in the 125^th Birth Year of Bharat Rattan Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar;

2.                 A stringent legislation on prevention of atrocities on SC/ST across the country may be enacted by the Parliament;

3.                 Legislation should be enacted by the Union and State Legislatures on budgetary allocation of funds and its effective utilization under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan;

4.                 A comprehensive legislation should be enacted to administer and implement reservation for SCs/STs in government jobs;

5.                 Legislation should be brought on the appointment of judges through more representative system in the higher judiciary;  

6.                 Legislation must be brought on administrative and police reforms holding civil and police administration accountable towards rule of law rather than loyalty to individuals or political entities;

7.                 An exhaustive legislation to be enacted for introduction of reservation in all private sector enterprises;

8.                 Regulation may be brought on Corporate Social Responsibility and the financial resource under this must be used for the benefits of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, physically challenged and women;

9.                 A stringent law to regulate private educational institution must be brought. They must admit 25% students from scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities;

10.            A comprehensive law on Tribal’s rights over land, water, forest and forest produce may be enacted. Such a law must provide for adequate compensation to Tribal communities on livelihood, education, employment and dignified life;    

11.            Strive to provide for atleast two residential schools in every Block in the country having science and computer labs, hostels, play ground, well qualified teachers and modern infrastructure;

12.            Monitor timely disbursement of stipend and books to eligible candidates and the same must be provided well in time;

13.            Must work towards social cohesion amongst the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes and bring them together as firmly knitted socio-cultural group. Oppose forces who are instrumental in creation of separate habitations, cremation grounds, community centers and schools on caste and community lines in almost every areas of this country;

14.            Schemes for awarding scholarship to meritorious students of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities to study in eminent foreign universities should be evolved by every state;

15.            Completion of construction work and operationalization of Ambedkar International Centre must be ensured and a well qualified administering team may be put into place as on the lines of IIC etc.;

16.            Similar Centers may be established in the each state capital with adequate budget to perform various academic, researches, cultural and other activities on the issues relating to depressed communities;

17.            The new building of Supreme Court at New Delhi may be named after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar;

18.            To bring out a high quality national monthly of serious discussion-reflecting cross section opinions-may be named. 'Ambedkar Times' on the pattern of Seminar;

19.            “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Award for Human Rights” equivalent to the Nobel Prize may be instituted to be conferred on world renowned scholar who worked for human rights or champion the cause of human right or a revolutionary of repute who has contributed in the field of social Justice and elimination of discrimination;

20.            Publish ‘History / Directory’ of All SC/ST Parliamentarians Legislators since introduction of Special Representation;

21.            Publish a comprehensive reference book containing all the debates on the issues of SC/ ST in the Parliament. Similar work may be done in every state legislature;

22.            Allocate one day in every session of legislature to discuss and debate problem of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes;

23.            National Commission for Scheduled Caste and National Commission for Tribal should be vested with more powers to handle cases brought before it;

24.            Atleast 3 skill development institutions covering various fields in every district must be set up for training youth in various trades and professions;

25.            Scheme to provide educational loan through nationalized and private financial institutions to the students of scheduled caste and scheduled tribes at cheaper rate of interest with lesser collateral securities may be evolved by state and central government;

26.            Representation in the administration at higher echelon in the administration must be ensured either through policy intervention or through law;

27.            Protection through law may be provided on selling or acquiring land owned by scheduled caste or scheduled tribe individuals or families;

28.            May strive for creating common cultural capital for building social cohesion amongst various sub groups of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes for waging effective and viable struggle for attainment of human dignity.

 

          It was proposed to set up many committees on diverse activities, it is hoped that such Committees consisting of competent members are set up and assigned specific issues to work upon with definite time lines to create intellectual input in assigned areas.

 

          A space is also earmarked for conducting deliberation of NAC along with relevant bare minimum support structure.  

 

          It is most essential to provide for financial resource for undertaking this mammoth initiative. It is suggested that an appeal may be made to every legislator and all other persons to financially contribute and build a corpus of funds to support various activities.

 

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Speech in the National Seminar "From Dalit Messiah To Global Icon" to celebrate 125th Birth Year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar