It takes time to understand Ambedkar’s personality. The reason I say this is that I am a person who found it difficult to comprehend Ambedkar directly and I have understood him in a piecemeal manner. I have taken up several paths to understand him a little. I can write several pages if I have to speak about the incidents that led to building my understanding of him. So, I will narrate a few incidents that are mention-worthy.   

If I had resided at my father’s place or mother’s place and received my education, then Ambedkar’s name would not have popped-up every now and then. He would have remained as a historic person who brought changes in the lives of people from my community. In my high school days, we had lessons on Ambedkar, however, they were confined to academics and exams. Aside from this, Ambedkar could be seen in the form of statues or photos, but when I was young, I don’t remember really wondering who this personality could be. Nevertheless, there were so many times I used to hesitate, feel fear or an ache when topics like caste and scholarship came up. But, the environment in Bengaluru has paved the way to understanding Ambedkar in his truest form. 

During my PUC days, thanks to my Kannada lecturer Mr. Hulikunte Murthy Sir, I read and learnt gradually through Dalit and Women literature. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanthi, a DSS group organized an art competition to draw portraits of Ambedkar. I took part in the competition, despite not revealing my caste as per my family’s instructions. I have been keenly interested in sketching from a young age. A folk singer was present in the event, and he sang songs about Ambedkar. Many young people danced to the songs. I saw that people celebrated Ambedkar like a God. The event organizer was a lawyer, and he spoke at length about Ambedkar, which helped me in drawing his portrait.

After my PUC, questions regarding caste and reservation arose in me - I started reading books, took part in discussions, debates and protests that gave me a deeper understanding about his life and work.

In Bengaluru, one cannot explicitly witness caste, even if it is visible, it will be in an abstract form. We tend to call it Silent Casteism. One such incident happened three years ago on Republic Day in Raichur, when a video of a District Judge replacing Dr. Ambedkar’s photo with Gandhi’s photo and garlanding Gandhi’s photo went viral. As a consequence, the Dalit-Adivasi community of Karnataka assembled in Bengaluru to protest. I was learning about Ambedkar when this protest happened and seeing so many of our people assemble for this protest opened up a new world for me. However, the political reality became glaringly obvious as major news channels, who claimed to be pro-people, preferred not to show the march that happened on the major roads of Bengaluru.

Ambedkar Jayanthi is celebrated on April 14th every year. On this day, people across Bengaluru distribute buttermilk, foods, including non-vegetarian food to people. On the same day, I volunteered to be part of a program called “Ambedkar Habba” at Spoorthidhama, near Magadi Road in Bengaluru. As  part of this program, an artist was assigned to teach children to make pots and I was asked to volunteer and help them. In the morning, while travelling to Spoorthidhama, I was reading Mangaluru Vijay’s biography of Ambedkar – Sangharsh. I learned that Spoorthidhama is a large place where people from our community, who excel in different art forms, form groups and enrich our folk traditions.

I am slowly understanding that the caste system in Bengaluru is usually more invisibilized, but is experienced by young people like me. In Bengaluru, there are many elders who devoted their lives to the fight against the caste inequalities, and to lead youngsters towards Ambedkar’s path. Due to this, many have started to raise questions regarding caste inequalities. People who are involved in this fight organize several programs and celebrations that not only celebrate Ambedkar, but also introduce Savitribai Phule, Basavanna and Periyar. All these activities lay the foundation to Ambedkarite thought in young minds like mine. Many people in Bengaluru are working to platform Ambedkar through various dimensions like drama, music, literature and cinema. Siddalingaiah’s songs are hummed by youths who wish to bring changes in the lives of oppressed peoples. Thus, every year when Ambedkar Jayanthi is celebrated in many places, I always wish to contribute in some way. 

I see that Ambedkar’s thoughts and life’s work can be interpreted in different ways, however, understanding it through the existing cultural framework of society makes it easier. This is the path that I want to take - the path of equality, the path that highlights Dalit traditions and culture, like that of songs and “Tamate sounds”, and the path that highlights the message of Ambedkar.

It is high time that people realize that instead of owing allegiance to only their own caste, they need to see each other as equal citizens of India. Only then will this country progress holistically.

Jai Bhim,

Jai Rabi.