VOL- 6 ISSUE- 20 January 1, 2015 ... January 1, 2015.pdfEditor-in-Chief: Prem Kumar Chumber Contact:...
4
Editor-in-Chief: Prem Kumar Chumber Contact: 001-916-947-8920 Fax: 916-238-1393 E-mail: [email protected] Editors: Takshila & Kabir Chumber VOL- 6 ISSUE- 20 January 1, 2015 www.ambedkartimes.com www.ambedkartimes.org AD-DHARMA IN DR. AMBEDKAR’S WRITINGS REMEMBERING BABU MANGU RAM MUGOWALIA ON HIS 129TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY Prem K. Chumber (Editor-in Chief) AMBEDKAR TIMES GROUP Wishes very Happy New Year 2015 to all its con- tributors, readers and well-wishers and eagerly sought their continuous support to widen and im- prove the quality of the soft and print copies of our both papers: Ambedkar Times (English) & Desh Doaba (Punjabi). Prem Kumar Chumber Editor-In-Chief www.ambedkartimes.com www.ambedkartimes.org www.deshdoaba.com AMBEDKAR TIMES PAYS FLORAL TRIBUTE TO OUR FOREFATHERS WHO COURAGEOUSLY FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF BHĪMA KOREGAON OUR SINCERE TRIBUTES TO OUR BRAVE FOREFATHERS Ambedkar Times pays floral tribute to Ghadri Baba Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia, the founder of the Ad Dharm move- ment in Punjab, on his 129th birth anniversary Dear Editor Prem Chumber, I am writing this to wish you and the Ambedkar Times Group of Publications a Happy New Year and success and prosperity in the years to come. I have observed, of late, that the Ambedkar Times and Desh Doaba have im- proved its presentation, content and sched- ule. It is gratifying to note that more and more people are benefitting from these pa- pers. It was nice to meet and discuss with you matters of mutual and community inter- est during your visit to India in October/No- vember last year. I take this opportunity to wish you personal good health. With regards (Ramesh Chander) Ambassador-IFS (Retired) PardeepAttri Our Sincere Tributes to Forefathers for their Bravery and Courage who fought the battle of Self Respect. Let’s continue their spirit and strug- gle ..... Let’s continue the spirit and struggle of our forefathers who courageously fought the battle of Bhīma Koregaon. This war was also between the Indian untouchables (who were condemned to live a life so miserable that you might not find any parallels in the world history) and Peshwai (manifested through Brahmin rulers from Pune). This was not just another battle but it was their battle for self-respect, dignity and against the supremacy of Manusmruti. The untouchables had to carry a broom stick attached to their backs so that when they enter into city, their footprints would not pollute the path. They were forced to put a pot around their neck to carry their spit in the pot. They were not allowed to hold any arms and education was com- pletely barred. Untouchables were killed if they did not follow these re- strictions. Bhīma-Koregaon battle was the answer of the untouch- ables to the Brahmin ruling class of the country. The saga of the bravery of our forefathers was commemo- rated by the British in 1851, when they erected a Pillar (Vijay Stambh) at Koregaon. The pillar still stands today reminding all of us about the bravery of our forefathers and as an inspiration for our struggle against caste-system. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also used to visit Kore- gaon every year on 1st January to pay homage to the untouchable sol- diers and to exhort Dalits to show similar courage and determination to end Brahmanism from the entire country. On 1st January, 1927, he organized a big convention in Kore- gaon and brought the memories of bravery of the untouchable soldiers in public knowledge. On this and every New Year eve, rather than indulging ourselves in mindless revelry let all of us pay rich tributes to our heroic forefa- thers who, through their bravery and courage, tore down the power- ful Peshwai and brought freedom for untouchables from the fanatic Brahmin rulers who ruled the land according to the diktat from Manusmriti. It is also a powerful oc- casion for all of us to become little more aware towards our rich history. Intention to leave a religious sect born of dis- gust with current practices or injustice does not server one’s connection with the religion which he is nominally believe to profess. “Surely, not all the present day Christians are true Christians. What about the Sunday parades in Europe where people who do not believe in Christianity or are in- different or are rationalists demonstrate in front of Churches on Sunday morning? They, too, are nevertheless Christians in the eyes of the state.” “You may call me a statutory Hindu if you like,” said Dr. Ambedkar humor- ously, “but I will insist on my political rights irrespective of the depth of my religious fer- vor.” To support his contention Dr. Ambed- kar cites two instances from the Punjab, where two sections of depressed classes have been classified as “Schedule Castes” in spite of the proved fact that they are not Hindus. The instances mentioned are those of Ad Dharmis and Ramdasis. The first of these have gone out of their way formally to intimate to Government that they are not Hindus, and yet they have been classed under “Scheduled Castes” in the general constituency. “The Punjab Census Report of 1931 says: “The most notable feature of the present census from the stand-point of re- turn of religion has been the adoption of the term ‘Ad-Dharmi’ by numerous Chamars and Chuhras and other untouchables. A new in- struction to the religion was given this year, namely, ‘Persons returning themselves as Ad-Dharmis should be recorded as such. “The Punjab Ad Dharm Mandal had-peti- tioned the Punjab Government before cen- sus operations started in 1930, representing that the Depressed Classes should be per- mitted to return in Ad Dharm as their religion at the time of the census, as they were the aborigines of India and while the Hindus kept them at a respectable distance, they did not believe in the Hindu religion. The presi- dent of Punjab Ad Dharm Mandal was in- formed that a clause was being provided in the census code requiring that persons re- turning to their religion as Ad Dharm would be recorded as such. Ad Dharm literally means original or ancient religion.According to Dr. Ambedkar, the dispute over the Ad Dharmi agitation became so serious that several murders were committed. However that may be, the Ad Dharmis have been clas- sified as “Scheduled Castes” in the general constituency, notwithstanding their unequiv- ocal declaration that they are not Hindus. In the case of himself and his followers, Dr. Ambedkar points out; the attitude is nega- tive in respect of Hinduism and not yet pos- itive adherence to any other faith.Similarly, the Ramdasis are Sikhs by religion, but they have been classified under “Schedule Castes” in the general constituency, all of which, according to Dr. Ambedkar, goes to show that religion has nothing to do with electoral classifications have gone exactly contrary to the religious grouping. Thus, while Dr. Ambedkar does not recognize the Hindus’ right to complain or challenge the Depressed the Classes’ privileges by virtue of the Poona Pact, he affirms that his com- munity’s political right are unaffected by in- tended or even impending renunciation of Hinduism. (Source Material on Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar and the Movement of untouch- able’s vol. 1 Page 145-146) Courtesy: Sou- venir, 1985 Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia 99th Birth Anniversary By Mr. C. L. Chumber Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia was the founder of the glori- ous Ad Dharm movement in Punjab. The Ad Dharm move- ment was the only movement of its kind in the Northwestern region of the country that aimed at securing a re- spectable place for the sched- uled castes through cultural transformation and political assertion rather than seeking patronage from above. An- other important feature of this movement was that it in- tended to bring social trans- formation and spiritual regeneration in the lives of the downtrodden. Although, this movement ceased to exist in its vehement form after the first general election in inde- pendent India, its emphasis on social transformation and po- litical assertion against struc- tures of social inequality and oppression continues to at- tract the Ad-Dharmis and other scheduled castes of Punjab even today. Babu Mangu Ram Mu- gowalia set a clear agenda for the emancipation of the Dalits and their upliftment. The agenda aimed at restoring their lost indigenous religion and provide them with a sense of self-respect and dig- nity. The method to achieve this agenda was based on cul- tural transformation and spiri- tual regeneration of the indigenous people contemptu- ously known as Ati-Shudras. Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia was not in favor of embracing any other existing religion. He was in favour of strengthening the Adi (the original) religion of the indigenous people of this country. His views on Hindu religion were very clear. He was of the opinion that since Dalits were not born Hindu where is the need for them to leave that religion and to embrace some other one. Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia thought it appropriate to em- power Dalits by carving out a separate Dalit Identity on the basis of their indigenous reli- gious strength (Ad Dharm). In one of his interviews to Pro- fessor Mark Juer- gens- meyer, a reputed scholar of Ad Dharm movement, Babu Mangu Ram said proudly “we helped give them [Ad Dharmis] a better life and made them into a Qaum. We gave Gurus to be- lieve in and something to hope for”. Thus the real contribu- tion of Babu Mangu Ram Mu- gowalia and the Ad Dharm movement was in forging a separate and independent Dalit identity in Punjab, which helped them reclaim their long lost original Adi religion and their forgotten heroes and gurus. All Ad Dharmis are in- deed proud of for what Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia did for them and are sincerely in- debted to him. We all remem- ber him reverently on his birth anniversary. AMBEDKAR TIMES CONGRATULATES TO ALL ON SAVITRI BAI PHULE'S BIRTH DAY
-
Upload
truongdien -
Category
Documents
-
view
218 -
download
2
Transcript of VOL- 6 ISSUE- 20 January 1, 2015 ... January 1, 2015.pdfEditor-in-Chief: Prem Kumar Chumber Contact:...
Editor-in-Chief: Prem Kumar Chumber Contact: 001-916-947-8920 Fax: 916-238-1393 E-mail: [email protected] Editors: Takshila & Kabir Chumber
VOL- 6 ISSUE- 20 January 1, 2015 www.ambedkartimes.com www.ambedkartimes.org
AD-DHARMA IN DR. AMBEDKAR’S WRITINGS
REMEMBERING BABU MANGU RAM MUGOWALIA
ON HIS 129TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARYPrem K. Chumber (Editor-in Chief)
AMBEDKAR TIMES GROUPWishes very Happy New Year 2015 to all its con-tributors, readers and well-wishers and eagerlysought their continuous support to widen and im-prove the quality of the soft and print copies ofour both papers: Ambedkar Times (English) &Desh Doaba (Punjabi).
Prem Kumar Chumber Editor-In-Chiefwww.ambedkartimes.com
www.ambedkartimes.org www.deshdoaba.com
AMBEDKAR TIMES PAYS FLORAL TRIBUTE TO OUR FOREFATHERS
WHO COURAGEOUSLY FOUGHTTHE BATTLE OF BHĪMA KOREGAON
OUR SINCERE TRIBUTES TO OUR BRAVE FOREFATHERS
Ambedkar Times paysfloral tribute to GhadriBaba Babu Mangu RamMugowalia, the founderof the Ad Dharm move-ment in Punjab, on his129th birth anniversary
Dear Editor Prem Chumber,I am writing this to wish you and the
Ambedkar Times Group of Publications aHappy New Year and success and prosperityin the years to come.
I have observed, of late, that theAmbedkar Times and Desh Doaba have im-proved its presentation, content and sched-ule. It is gratifying to note that more andmore people are benefitting from these pa-pers. It was nice to meet and discuss withyou matters of mutual and community inter-est during your visit to India in October/No-vember last year. I take this opportunity towish you personal good health.
With regards(Ramesh Chander)
Ambassador-IFS (Retired)
PardeepAttriOur Sincere Tributes to Forefathersfor their Bravery and Courage whofought the battle of Self Respect.Let’s continue their spirit and strug-gle..... Let’s continue the spirit andstruggle of our forefathers whocourageously fought the battle ofBhīma Koregaon. This war was alsobetween the Indian untouchables(who were condemned to live a lifeso miserable that you might not findany parallels in the world history)and Peshwai (manifested throughBrahmin rulers from Pune). Thiswas not just another battle but itwas their battle for self-respect,dignity and against the supremacyof Manusmruti. The untouchableshad to carry a broom stick attachedto their backs so that when theyenter into city, their footprintswould not pollute the path. Theywere forced to put a pot aroundtheir neck to carry their spit in thepot. They were not allowed to holdany arms and education was com-pletely barred. Untouchables werekilled if they did not follow these re-strictions. Bhīma-Koregaon battlewas the answer of the untouch-ables to the Brahmin ruling class ofthe country. The saga of the bravery
of our forefathers was commemo-rated by the British in 1851, whenthey erected a Pillar (Vijay Stambh)at Koregaon. The pillar still standstoday reminding all of us about thebravery of our forefathers and as aninspiration for our struggle againstcaste-system. Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar also used to visit Kore-gaon every year on 1st January topay homage to the untouchable sol-diers and to exhort Dalits to showsimilar courage and determinationto end Brahmanism from the entirecountry. On 1st January, 1927, heorganized a big convention in Kore-gaon and brought the memories ofbravery of the untouchable soldiersin public knowledge.
On this and every New Yeareve, rather than indulging ourselvesin mindless revelry let all of us payrich tributes to our heroic forefa-thers who, through their braveryand courage, tore down the power-ful Peshwai and brought freedomfor untouchables from the fanaticBrahmin rulers who ruled the landaccording to the diktat fromManusmriti. It is also a powerful oc-casion for all of us to become littlemore aware towards our rich history.
Intention to leave a religious sect born of dis-gust with current practices or injustice doesnot server one’s connection with the religionwhich he is nominally believe to profess.
“Surely, not all the present dayChristians are true Christians. What aboutthe Sunday parades in Europe where peoplewho do not believe in Christianity or are in-different or are rationalists demonstrate infront of Churches on Sunday morning? They,too, are nevertheless Christians in the eyesof the state.” “You may call me a statutoryHindu if you like,” said Dr. Ambedkar humor-ously, “but I will insist on my political rightsirrespective of the depth of my religious fer-vor.” To support his contention Dr. Ambed-kar cites two instances from the Punjab,where two sections of depressed classeshave been classified as “Schedule Castes”in spite of the proved fact that they are notHindus. The instances mentioned are thoseof Ad Dharmis and Ramdasis. The first ofthese have gone out of their way formally tointimate to Government that they are notHindus, and yet they have been classedunder “Scheduled Castes” in the generalconstituency.
“The Punjab Census Report of1931 says: “The most notable feature of thepresent census from the stand-point of re-turn of religion has been the adoption of theterm ‘Ad-Dharmi’ by numerous Chamars andChuhras and other untouchables. A new in-struction to the religion was given this year,namely, ‘Persons returning themselves asAd-Dharmis should be recorded as such.“The Punjab Ad Dharm Mandal had-peti-tioned the Punjab Government before cen-sus operations started in 1930, representingthat the Depressed Classes should be per-mitted to return in Ad Dharm as their religion
at the time of the census, as they were theaborigines of India and while the Hinduskept them at a respectable distance, they didnot believe in the Hindu religion. The presi-dent of Punjab Ad Dharm Mandal was in-formed that a clause was being provided inthe census code requiring that persons re-turning to their religion as Ad Dharm wouldbe recorded as such. Ad Dharm literallymeans original or ancient religion.Accordingto Dr. Ambedkar, the dispute over the AdDharmi agitation became so serious thatseveral murders were committed. Howeverthat may be, the Ad Dharmis have been clas-sified as “Scheduled Castes” in the generalconstituency, notwithstanding their unequiv-ocal declaration that they are not Hindus. Inthe case of himself and his followers, Dr.Ambedkar points out; the attitude is nega-tive in respect of Hinduism and not yet pos-itive adherence to any other faith.Similarly,the Ramdasis are Sikhs by religion, but theyhave been classified under “ScheduleCastes” in the general constituency, all ofwhich, according to Dr. Ambedkar, goes toshow that religion has nothing to do withelectoral classifications have gone exactlycontrary to the religious grouping. Thus,while Dr. Ambedkar does not recognize theHindus’ right to complain or challenge theDepressed the Classes’ privileges by virtueof the Poona Pact, he affirms that his com-munity’s political right are unaffected by in-tended or even impending renunciation ofHinduism.
(Source Material on Dr. Baba SahebAmbedkar and the Movement of untouch-able’s vol. 1 Page 145-146) Courtesy: Sou-venir, 1985 Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia99th Birth Anniversary
By Mr. C. L. Chumber
Babu Mangu Ram Mugowaliawas the founder of the glori-ous Ad Dharm movement inPunjab. The Ad Dharm move-ment was the only movementof its kind in the Northwesternregion of the country thataimed at securing a re-spectable place for the sched-uled castes through culturaltransformation and politicalassertion rather than seekingpatronage from above. An-other important feature of thismovement was that it in-tended to bring social trans-formation and spiritualregeneration in the lives of thedowntrodden. Although, thismovement ceased to exist inits vehement form after thefirst general election in inde-pendent India, its emphasis onsocial transformation and po-litical assertion against struc-tures of social inequality andoppression continues to at-tract the Ad-Dharmis andother scheduled castes ofPunjab even today.
Babu Mangu Ram Mu-gowalia set a clear agenda for
the emancipation of the Dalitsand their upliftment. Theagenda aimed at restoringtheir lost indigenous religionand provide them with asense of self-respect and dig-nity. The method to achievethis agenda was based on cul-tural transformation and spiri-tual regeneration of theindigenous people contemptu-ously known as Ati-Shudras.Babu Mangu Ram Mugowaliawas not in favor of embracingany other existing religion. Hewas in favour of strengtheningthe Adi (the original) religionof the indigenous people ofthis country. His views onHindu religion were very clear.He was of the opinion thatsince Dalits were not bornHindu where is the need forthem to leave that religion andto embrace some other one.Babu Mangu Ram Mugowaliathought it appropriate to em-power Dalits by carving out aseparate Dalit Identity on thebasis of their indigenous reli-gious strength (Ad Dharm). Inone of his interviews to Pro-
f e s s o rM a r kJ u e r -g e n s -meyer, arepu teds c ho l a rof AdD h a r mmovement, Babu Mangu Ramsaid proudly “we helped givethem [Ad Dharmis] a betterlife and made them into aQaum. We gave Gurus to be-lieve in and something to hope for”.
Thus the real contribu-tion of Babu Mangu Ram Mu-gowalia and the Ad Dharmmovement was in forging aseparate and independentDalit identity in Punjab, whichhelped them reclaim their longlost original Adi religion andtheir forgotten heroes andgurus. All Ad Dharmis are in-deed proud of for what BabuMangu Ram Mugowalia didfor them and are sincerely in-debted to him. We all remem-ber him reverently on his birthanniversary.
AMBEDKAR TIMES CONGRATULATES
TO ALL ON SAVITRI BAI PHULE'S
BIRTH DAY
www.deshdoaba.comwww.ambedkartimes.com 2V0l-6 Issue-20 January 1, 2015
lwK KuÈIaF pfqÈfhIaF jy siqgur ndir krypRiswD ibjnsmYn, ieMzIaf bfËfr (stfktn) vfly jY rfm gft aqy svrn kOr gft dy spuWqr hrjIq kumfr gft df ÈuB ivafh mnjIq kOr bYNs aqy tihl isMG bYNs dI spuWqrIdIipkf isMG nfl sMpUrn gur mirafdf nfl hoieaf. 'adfrf dyÈ duafbf' vwloN ies ÈuB ivafh leI gft aqy bYNs pirvfr ƒ lwK-lwK vDfeI ivafh smfgm dy kuJ Jlkfry:
www.deshdoaba.comwww.ambedkartimes.com 3V0l-6 Issue-20 January 1, 2015
lwK KuÈIaF pfqÈfhIaF jy siqgur ndir krypRiswD ibjnsmYn, ieMzIaf bfËfr (stfktn) vfly jY rfm gft aqy svrn kOr gft dy spuWqr hrjIq kumfr gft df ÈuB ivafh mnjIq kOr bYNs aqy tihl isMG bYNs dI spuWqrIdIipkf isMG nfl sMpUrn gur mirafdf nfl hoieaf. 'adfrf dyÈ duafbf' vwloN ies ÈuB ivafh leI gft aqy bYNs pirvfr ƒ lwK-lwK vDfeI ivafh smfgm dy kuJ Jlkfry:
www.deshdoaba.comwww.ambedkartimes.com 4V0l-6 Issue- 20 January 1, 2015
May 10, 1944 – January 11, 2009
Commence Prayer Ceremony (Arambh Akhand Path Sahib): Friday January 23, 2015 at 11:00 am
Conclusion of Prayer -- Main Service (Bhog): Sunday January 25, 2015 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Shri Guru Ravidass Temple2120-2150 Crestview Drive
Pittsburg, CA 94565 (925) 439-2355
Jack Ram (650) 455-9026Paul Ram (650) 296-4208
Venue: For additional information, please call:
"I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by myold familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Play, smile, think of me. All is well." ~ Henry Scott Holland
It is with great pride and honor that the Ram Family invites all members of the community to commemorate the life and legacy of a paragonof the ideal human being. Commissioner Lahori Ram was the best at his worst and humble at his best. He served as the ultimate role model as adevoted husband, father, grand-father and as a member of society. He was a friend and confidant to all but an enemy to none. He left his footprintsin the sand and we shall follow in those footprints. It is our duty to move forward in the path that he set and carry on the message that he firmlybelieved in: “United we stand and divided we fall.”
It is said that even God needs good people in His Company but we shall always miss your presence. Nevertheless, your soul will remain withus forever. We will always love you dearly. May God bless your soul and give us the strength to move on.
Please join the Ram family in a religious service honoring the fifth memorial ceremony of this great departed soul.
Program:
Late Commissioner Lahori Ram Ji
