In celebration of Ambedkar Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Father of the Indian Constitution and champion of human rights, especially those of Dalits and the oppressed, an event was organized by a coalition of organizations: Ambedkar International Centre, Dalit Solidarity Forum, Hindus for Human Rights, India Civil Watch International, Indian American Muslim Council, and Students Against Hindutva Ideology. The event took place on April 17th, 2021, at 11 am ET/8:30 pm IST. 

The event titled “Protecting the Heart and Soul of the Constitution: Defending the Right to Liberty” featured eminent personalities, namely Rama Teltumbde (Ambedkar’s grand-daughter), Rajmohan Gandhi (M. K. Gandhi’s grandson), and Banojyotsna Lahiri (activist and Umar Khalid’s friend) for a discussion on the rising tide of authoritarianism in India today and the need for people to unite against injustices meted out in all forms, and to foster radical inclusiveness by connecting the heretofore siloed themes of the Bhima Koregaon and anti-CAA protests.

Apart from being celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti, April 14th, 2021, marks a year since Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha were arrested under the draconian UAPA (Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act) for their alleged involvement in the Elgaar Parishad/Bhima-Koregaon violence. April 2nd, 2021, was also the 200th day of incarceration of Umar Khalid, once again under the UAPA.

Anand, Gautam, and Umar are part of a growing number of Indian citizens with stellar records of social justice work who have become targets of the BJP/RSS regime. All three, and countless others, remain in jail without trial even as it becomes palpably clear that all the evidence against them is fabricated.

The Indian government's brazen and unrelenting misuse of anti-terror laws raises several questions for international and Indian civil society. 

Anil Wagde, from Ambedkar International Centre, opened the discussion with the remarks, “I'm very happy that all these organizations with their different ideologies have come together to fight Hindutva, casteism, and the religious extremism that India is moving towards, to protect Dr. Ambedkars’s Constitution, the constitution of India, which strives for equality and justice and fraternity.”

He stressed on the increasing violation of constitutional values such as the judiciary being co-opted to deliver judgements favorable to the regime, such as in the Babri Masjid case, the diminishing independence of the Election Commission, and lack of press freedom as seen in a multifold increase in sedition cases, raids by various tax authorities, and court cases, sending a clear message to fall in line. Commenting on the mishandling of the current CoVID situation and politics being played in vaccine distribution by the present dispensation, he added, “This is not a photo opportunity Mr. Modi, the vaccine situation needs to be improved, the Covid situation needs to be governed, and this is the governance that we need." 

Rama Teltumbde has been involved in campaigning for justice and freedom for her husband, Prof. Anand Teltumbde, and for the 16 other accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case. She is also the granddaughter of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. She reminded us of Dr Ambedkar’s quote, "Fight evil, whether it is political or social. History only remembers those who fight," and added, “What we are fighting today is a regime that is using UAPA indiscriminately.” 

She continued, “UAPA is a draconian law that allows you to not file a charge sheet until 180 days have passed. It does not allow you to get bail. One has to remain in jail for a long time. This is the draconian law under which Anand and others have been arrested.” Mr. Teltumbde had not received any relief on health grounds in spite of having contracted CoVID last year.

Mrs. Teltumbde referred to a report released by Arsenal Consulting that shows that malware was used to place ten incriminating files on Rona Wilson's computer, which were used as evidence for Mr. Teltumbde’s arrest. She concluded by saying, “India is going through a critical stage right now. Please read the Arsenal report and the flimsy evidence against Anand. I have hope that we can keep aside our political and ideological differences and fight for the release of these prisoners. This would be a fitting tribute to Dr. Ambedkar.”

Banojyotsna Lahiri is senior researcher at the Center for Equity Studies. Lahiri has written extensively about her friend Umar Khalid, who has been incarcerated by the Indian state in its ongoing witch-hunt against activists in the wake of the Delhi riots incited by members of the ruling party.

She started by saying, “In India currently we are fighting every day millions of struggles for justice and in that, both Mahatma Gandhi and DR Babasaheb Ambedkar are our constant sources of inspiration and pillars of strength.”

Though she stressed on the exchange of ideas and extensive debate and discussions during the anti-CAA protests, she also spoke at length about the Delhi pogroms that were unleashed during the same, which killed both Muslims and Hindus in huge numbers. The Muslim community was targeted vehemently where their lives, livelihoods, and places of worship were under threat. The hand-in-glove attitude of the police was condemned.

She said, “Peaceful gathering that is ensured and guaranteed in the constitution is now shown not just as a dangerous act of rioting but as a terrorist activity.”

Rajmohan Gandhi, after describing the uniqueness of this platform for bringing together the grandchildren of Gandhi and Ambedkar, remarked, “The very idea of India is under attack today. The Preamble to our Constitution starts with “We the People of India…” The attackers have inserted an asterisk after “the people of India” -- to say that “the people of India” means ‘the Hindus of India.’ ” He further added, “Indians are not a uniform people. India is not a unitary state. For democratic governance, India’s history and constitution have created a federal structure.This federal structure has been undermined.” 

He substantiated his claims with examples of BJP’s poaching of MLAs, bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir, downgrading Delhi’s elected representatives, the diminishing powers of Parliament, and so on. 

Mr. Gandhi concluded on an optimistic note, “On India’s good earth -- which has seen and is seeing so much suffering --, a day will come when liberty, equality, friendship, and dignity break free from their chains.”

The discussion was brought to a close by the Q&A session:

Highlights:

Q: What will it take to overthrow this regime?

Mr. Gandhi: I will cite Babasaheb Ambedkar when he asked the people of India to look for heroes, not to hero-worship, not to look for some great messiah who will come and transform the scene.... It is especially important that all the oppressed citizens and all those who feel the wounds of oppression rise and stand with them. 

Q: Umar Khalid is a hero. How do we ensure that the spirit of JNU is spread amongst our students and youngsters?

Ms. Lahiri: “When we say the spirit of JNU what comes to my mind is the power to question and to debate.”

Q: How can we help? What is your message to young Indians in the US and back in India?

Mrs. Teltumbde: “I feel like the work against discrimination should be supported. What the Dalits and Adivasis are doing should be supported.”