The timely decision makes updated. This is proper time to reduce the loopholes in process of welfare of society. The roadmap of social betterment should concentrate to solve majority’s problems, not some of them. Fruits of welfare facility reach to the educated class. Whereas an individual is wholesome unit of society, so emphasis on small group makes welfare policies handicapped.
Currently Ambedkari SocietyRef-1 is made of four pillars – well-settled (Highly Educated), middle class (Educated), Poor (Basic Educated), BPL (Non-Educated). A survey conducted randomly in Maharashtra with some hypothesis, showed that percentage of four pillars in Ambedkari Society are as 13%-well-settled (Highly Educated), 28%-middle class (Educated), 23%-Poor (Basic Educated), 36%-BPL (Non-Educated)Ref-2.
Now the time to analyze the data to unearth the way for welfare of society -
A. Are poor able to uplift themselves?
B. Does government policies work to reduce the gap between poor and rich?
C. who will work for welfare of society?
Case ○A. Nearly 55% peoples of society are non-educated or educated up to primary level. Due to non-accessibility to well dwelling facility, they lived in Jhopalpatti of town/City/Metro, Toli of village, and Villages. Majority of them, not capable to worry for education of their children / infants as bread and butter is the most prior matter for them (Opinion supported by Civil Right Activist Dr. Bikayak Sen – 2009 Ref-3). And here is the problem that they are not sufficient to uplift themselves (General statement as there are very few exceptions).
Case ○B Government Policies and rules are sufficient to work for Society including Protection of Civil rights Act 1955, 1977 and Article 17, Constitution of India, which all in papers. But due to various uncountable reasons, an inhuman act happens. In 2005, 453 cases registered against Protection of Civil rights Act, 50% of cases yet pendingRef-4.
There are many schemes including post-matric scholarship for SC students, free education for BPL students, SC/ST doctorate/post-doctorate scholarships, but these all facility are not reachable to needy students so the growth rate of these peoples is very less. Hence, these facts reject the sufficiency of Government for welfare of society.
Case ○C By thinking on mentioned both possibilities, there is need to look for other shoulders: those will carry the cart of Ambedkari Mission.
Concerned peoples are mostly connected with organizations given by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar with well defined Aim/Objectives in constitutions of respective organizations such as ○D Political – Republic party of India (RPI), ○E Religious – BuddhaMahaSabha (BMS), ○F Social – Samata Sainik Dal (SSD).
Case ○D Political people should work for society; with this agenda, Scheduled Caste Federation has been converted to RPI after Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The RPI has tried to work for society but after 2000, there were not enough members who stand for society’s work, besides RPI has been divided into uncountable numbers. Current scenario is perilous, each Gally has leader and party identified by his / her name e.g. RPI(A), RPI(B)…RPI(XYZ).
Some groups are trying to restart this battle by registering new Political Party with same or different agenda by using same Logo (Name) of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, but no other than Bahujan Samaj Party (UP) succeed to get state/ Jilha Parisad / Gram-Panchayat.
It was shocked, when State election of Maharashtra 2009 has been declared, sum of all votes of Ambedkari Political parties, not able to cross 4% votes of total population, whereas in 1967, RPI had received 12.71%(MH) votes. The current image of the political party is non-favorable for welfare of society.
Case ○E Concerned to BMS, TBMS…, these are the Dhammic organization, works to spread Dhamma to all corners of Society. They are doing their level best to make India as the Buddhist Country.
Case ○F Soldierly based SSD, was with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar from Mahad Satyagrah to Diksha Bhoomi – Dhamma ChakraParivartan Din. Twentieth century has saluted for the powers of lions and tigers. Twenty first century is without lions and tigers, as majority of them have been booked the pages of History.
Now, large numbers of youth are unaware about lions and tigers. Actually, those lions and tigers were part of untouchable society, Ex-Army, well-educated, and ready to shoulder the carts of responsibility which has been started by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, from 1927 with Mahad Revolution.
SSD like military organizations has been banned after murder of Mr. M. K. Gandhi. In 1980’s, remaining lions & tigers has given rebirth to organization by adding All India label at Nagpur. After a decade, it has split into small groups, by non-measurable motive. Currently, few successors are active which makes SSD alive at some part of India with All India label and without it too.
The minute parts has tried to come together for noble cause, but the name, solder based activity, legal registry, dress-code, bank account, property, leadership and many normal / abnormal reasons, they failed to unite themselves.
Measure to Achieve
From the Above cases ○A,○B,○C,○D,○E,and ○F, there are two possibilities to bring society together for its welfare – ○1 SSD, ○2 Dhamma.
○1 SSD: As SSD was full of discipline, aimed to welfare of society, run by common people without personal / political benefits to educate children and illiterate peoples. In SSD, the involvement of 4 pillars, are highly possible as these 4 pillars are part of society.
Highly Educated can contribute by paying back to the society for welfare of Dhamma in terms of guidance, making resources available for education. Educated can contributes to shoulder the daily activity of education, by involving themselves in Shakha to implement the physical, dhammic, social, cultural and other essential education to budding generation. Remaining 2 pillars may get support from two strong educated pillars, where the theory of involvement of educated peoplesRef-5 for social welfare can be achieved.
The above interlink of all pillars of society can be achieved through the middle path of Buddha- which directs to pay respect to each other, by leaving EGO aside.
○2 Dhamma: Dhamma is the ultimate aim of Ambedkari Mission. Dr. Ambedkar said, “it was, indeed, a way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life and which cannot be divorced from each other:……”Ref-5
For that, required manpower and plans can be chalk out with the SSD (assuming linked 4 pillars in SSD). As, these four pillars cover all part of society irrespective of age and gender. Whole society should understand the Dhamma, which can be achieved by SSD Shakha’s daily classes, with the help of educated Bhante / Dhamma Bandu.
The 4 pillars can work on long term plans to achieve the Political aspiration by collective covenant.
Reference:
Ref-1:-Amedkari Society (SC/ST/NT/SBC)
Ref-2:-State-wise % of Population below poverty line by Social Groups 2004-05 (http://socialjustice.nic.in)
Ref-3:-Civil Rights Activist Dr. Binayak Sen (2009): About 50 per cent of children, equal percentage of scheduled tribes and 60 per cent of scheduled castes in the country are living under conditions of permanent famine as indicated by their Body Mass Index (BMI).
Ref-4:-Annual Report On The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 for The Year 2005 (http://socialjustice.nic.in/pdf/arpcr05.pdf)
Ref-5:- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writing and Speeches Vol 17, (Speech of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Agra, 18th March 1956).
Jai Bhim!!!