Bhim Rudan: March for an Untouchability-Free India
Please sign this petition and stand in solidarity with the March for an Untouchability-free India
Ahmedabad to Delhi 1st to 7th August, 2022
“Will the 1947 dream of an untouchability-free India be a reality in 2047?”
The coin etched with the above question was a labor of love made possible by thousands of citizens across India, who contributed their household brass vessels to be melted and cast into this giant coin.
This petition is co-organized by Dalit Solidarity Forum and Hindus for Human Rights.
Click to sign petition
A 10 ft brass coin made from used brass utensils. On one side of the coin is the image of Dr. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian constitution. Below him is etched the question, “Will the 1947 dream of an untouchability-free India be a reality in 2047?” The other side of the coin depicts Buddha.
What is the purpose of this 2000 kg coin?
Please Read on...
For the story behind the making of this giant coin , please see:
English: A unique protest against untouchability
Hindi: छूआछूत का अनोखा विरोध
As India approaches the 75th anniversary of its independence, we will soon hear a lot about the nation’s numerous accomplishments in the fields of education, health, science and technology, women’s empowerment, national defense, and so forth.
Yet, Dr. Ambedkar’s dream of an untouchability-free India remains a dream. Despite numerous laws designed to end untouchability and caste violence, not a day passes when we do not hear of atrocities against Dalits, especially women, because of who they are.
Martin Macwan, Co-founder of Navsarjan Trust in Ahmedabad strongly believes that true progress in ending untouchability and all forms of caste bigotry will only come about when there is true transformation of hearts and minds – and that requires public education on a massive scale.
As part of the broader public education on untouchability, Navsarjan Trust has been engaged in a two-year-long campaign to raise awareness that untouchability practices are still alive and well.
The last stage of the campaign, called Bhim Rudan (Dr. Ambedkar’s cries) is about to begin on August 1st – a march/pilgrimage from Ahmedabad to Delhi by over 300 activists, accompanied by the giant brass coin and one rupee donations from lakhs of poor people. These are destined for the Parliament as a reminder that the institution belongs to all Indian citizens.
The march is taking place from Ahmedabad to Delhi, from August 1-7, 2022, and is jointly organized by the Dalit Shakti Kendra (DSK), Navsarjan Trust, and the Dalit Foundation, Ahmedabad, India.
The coin will be handed over to the leaders of the Parliament with a request that it be displayed in the new Parliament building as a reminder to lawmakers that the constitutional guarantee of abolishing untouchability remains a dream to date.
This international petition from the citizens of the world, including from India, is to show our solidarity with the "March of Untouchability-free India." The petition with all our signatures will be presented to the leaders of the Parliament by Mr. Martin Macwan on August 7th along with the coin and people's donations.
The petition is organized jointly by Hindus for Human Rights and Dalit Solidarity Forum
Supporting the Campaign:
A personal message from Martin Macwan, Convener of Navsarjan Trust and the spirit behind the Bhim Rudan campaign:
“I appeal to all of you to make a financial donation to the Bhim Rudan campaign and to forward this appeal for funds to friends and family. No matter how small the donation is, even if it is 1 rupee, we will appreciate the same. “We have little time to reach out personally to many people and hence, this appeal. At the end of the campaign, we will publicly release a full financial report of the campaign.
“We have with us a replica of the coin (image shown above) in copper, It weighs 72 grams and has a diameter of 60 mm. If you are in India and would like to have it, we will post the same to you for a noble contribution of Rs. 350 including postal/courier charges."
For Indian Citizens: You can donate here. For any questions, the email ID of Navsarjan is: finance@navsarjan.org
For Foreign Passport Holders: You may consider making a donation to Dalit Solidarity Forum or Hindus for Human Rights to support their work in the diaspora in fighting caste discrimination and all forms of bigotry.
For any questions on this petition, please contact raju@hindusforhumanrights.org
