Vihan Vee
My Journey towards Dignity and Assertion
My Journey towards Dignity and Assertion
Vihan Vee
Artwork by Priyanka Paul
Artwork by Priyanka Paul
Artwork by Priyanka Paul
Vihaan Vee is an Ambedkarite Queer Feminist Transman. Vihaan has been a part of anti-caste, feminist, queer and trans movements since his student days. He is a writer, researcher and campaigner. He is working on the issues of gender, sexuality, caste and climate through an intersectional lens.
Vihaan Vee is an Ambedkarite Queer Feminist Transman. Vihaan has been a part of anti-caste, feminist, queer and trans movements since his student days. He is a writer, researcher and campaigner. He is working on the issues of gender, sexuality, caste and climate through an intersectional lens.
Vihaan Vee is an Ambedkarite Queer Feminist Transman. Vihaan has been a part of anti-caste, feminist, queer and trans movements since his student days. He is a writer, researcher and campaigner. He is working on the issues of gender, sexuality, caste and climate through an intersectional lens.
In 2019, Ambedkar Jayanti started as it always did. I woke up early, went to the University campus, and joined my fellow Ambedkarite students to set up for the day. We put up Dr. Ambedkar’s photo, lit a candle, and read out the Preamble, reminding ourselves of the vision we were all fighting for. We sang songs that spoke of our struggles and hopes, and some of us shared words of admiration for Ambedkar, our greatest inspiration. The air was full of chants of “Jai Bhim,” and in those moments, I felt his presence with us, giving us pride and purpose. We shared sweets with each other as joy for the day’s celebration.
Ambedkar Jayanti has always been a celebration for me and so many others in the Ambedkarite movement. It’s a day to honor Dr. Ambedkar’s life, his fight for the rights of Dalits, Bahujans, and Adivasis. But beyond that, it’s a day of joy, of unity, and a reminder of why we keep pushing forward. Every year, I’ve celebrated in different ways. Sometimes with long study sessions on campus, learning from each other about our histories, our rights. Other times, we invited activists, writers, and scholars to speak with ideas and conversations that stayed with us long after. Sometimes we made and shared kheer and puri, enjoying the soulful and revolutionary music of anti-caste singers and poets from Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi communities. We let joy blend with purpose, knowing that Ambedkar’s vision was one of both community resilience and individual dignity. Ambedkar Jayanti has always been a powerful, layered day of reflection, celebration, and activism.
This Ambedkar Jayanti, however, stands out as a day I will always remember. While my friends prepared for the big evening jayanti program, I packed my bag, gathered my few belongings, and left the campus. I wasn’t just leaving University. I was leaving my home, my family, and a life that didn’t allow me to be who I truly am. This particular Jayanti was my first step into a life of assertion and freedom, a personal revolution in the strength of Ambedkar's words and vision. My journey began with a decision to leave my natal family to leave a home where my marriage had been finalized without my consent, where domestic violence and rejection of my identity had become a daily reality. Empty-handed, no money, no bank account, all I had were my clothes, a few books, and the conviction that I could choose a different path.
On that Ambedkar Jayanti, I found the courage to take that step. I draw strength from Ambedkar’s words “We must stand on our own feet and fight as best as we can for our rights. Carry on your agitation and organize your forces. Power and prestige will come to you through struggle.” His words felt like a hand on my shoulder, telling me it was okay to walk away, to reclaim my life as my own. I thought to myself, If there’s any day to stand up for myself, it’s today. This day, which also stands for Equality Day, felt like the right time to start claiming equality for myself. Ambedkar’s call for resistance and autonomy resonated with me as a trans person, as a Bahujan, and as someone who needed to step away from a life that denied my very personhood.
Ambedkar’s teachings on fraternity based on Buddhist principles of Maitreyi have always been an anchor for me. Maitreyi means a compassionate connection that transcends the divisions of caste, gender, religion,class etc. This principle of Maitreyi teaches us to recognize each other’s pain, to see fellow citizens as family, and to fight together for a common future. As I walked away from my natal family, I realized I had my own chosen family, my saathis in the Ambedkarite and queer spaces. They knew me, accepted me, and stood by me as my true family, my true strength.
I wasn’t alone because I carried Ambedkar’s words in my heart, and I knew they would light my path as “Ata Deepa Bhava”. Ambedkar’s teachings told me that life isn’t about blindly following traditions, it's about choosing a path that respects your dignity and your truth. His words, “Educate, agitate, organize,” became my mantra. Ambedkar showed me that true strength comes from within, and on that day, I finally found mine.
On Jayanti, I found the courage to choose myself. It wasn’t easy to leave behind everything I knew, Ambedkar’s rejection of the Manusmriti deeply influenced my decision. His critique of the Brahmanical Patriarchal text became my strength as I walked away from a life that had been planned for me. The Manusmriti lays out strict norms of caste and gender roles, creating a system which enacts structural violence on the marginalized communities. His strong criticism of this text guided me in breaking these norms that deny people like me the chance to live authentically. As a Bahujan and a transman, I realized that reclaiming my life and identity was an act of resistance.
Ambedkar Jayanti will forever be the day I remember choosing freedom over fear. I remember this day not just for leaving my natal family but for what it meant to truly accept myself. His words remind me every day that I am worthy of dignity, respect, and love. His legacy lives in each one of us who dares to stand up, who demands our rights, and who believes in a world built on equality, liberty, and fraternity. So, each year, when Ambedkar Jayanti comes around, I remember the day I found my voice and my courage. And I celebrate, knowing his words are my guide, my strength, my reason to keep pushing forward.
In 2019, Ambedkar Jayanti started as it always did. I woke up early, went to the University campus, and joined my fellow Ambedkarite students to set up for the day. We put up Dr. Ambedkar’s photo, lit a candle, and read out the Preamble, reminding ourselves of the vision we were all fighting for. We sang songs that spoke of our struggles and hopes, and some of us shared words of admiration for Ambedkar, our greatest inspiration. The air was full of chants of “Jai Bhim,” and in those moments, I felt his presence with us, giving us pride and purpose. We shared sweets with each other as joy for the day’s celebration.
Ambedkar Jayanti has always been a celebration for me and so many others in the Ambedkarite movement. It’s a day to honor Dr. Ambedkar’s life, his fight for the rights of Dalits, Bahujans, and Adivasis. But beyond that, it’s a day of joy, of unity, and a reminder of why we keep pushing forward. Every year, I’ve celebrated in different ways. Sometimes with long study sessions on campus, learning from each other about our histories, our rights. Other times, we invited activists, writers, and scholars to speak with ideas and conversations that stayed with us long after. Sometimes we made and shared kheer and puri, enjoying the soulful and revolutionary music of anti-caste singers and poets from Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi communities. We let joy blend with purpose, knowing that Ambedkar’s vision was one of both community resilience and individual dignity. Ambedkar Jayanti has always been a powerful, layered day of reflection, celebration, and activism.
This Ambedkar Jayanti, however, stands out as a day I will always remember. While my friends prepared for the big evening jayanti program, I packed my bag, gathered my few belongings, and left the campus. I wasn’t just leaving University. I was leaving my home, my family, and a life that didn’t allow me to be who I truly am. This particular Jayanti was my first step into a life of assertion and freedom, a personal revolution in the strength of Ambedkar's words and vision. My journey began with a decision to leave my natal family to leave a home where my marriage had been finalized without my consent, where domestic violence and rejection of my identity had become a daily reality. Empty-handed, no money, no bank account, all I had were my clothes, a few books, and the conviction that I could choose a different path.
On that Ambedkar Jayanti, I found the courage to take that step. I draw strength from Ambedkar’s words “We must stand on our own feet and fight as best as we can for our rights. Carry on your agitation and organize your forces. Power and prestige will come to you through struggle.” His words felt like a hand on my shoulder, telling me it was okay to walk away, to reclaim my life as my own. I thought to myself, If there’s any day to stand up for myself, it’s today. This day, which also stands for Equality Day, felt like the right time to start claiming equality for myself. Ambedkar’s call for resistance and autonomy resonated with me as a trans person, as a Bahujan, and as someone who needed to step away from a life that denied my very personhood.
Ambedkar’s teachings on fraternity based on Buddhist principles of Maitreyi have always been an anchor for me. Maitreyi means a compassionate connection that transcends the divisions of caste, gender, religion,class etc. This principle of Maitreyi teaches us to recognize each other’s pain, to see fellow citizens as family, and to fight together for a common future. As I walked away from my natal family, I realized I had my own chosen family, my saathis in the Ambedkarite and queer spaces. They knew me, accepted me, and stood by me as my true family, my true strength.
I wasn’t alone because I carried Ambedkar’s words in my heart, and I knew they would light my path as “Ata Deepa Bhava”. Ambedkar’s teachings told me that life isn’t about blindly following traditions, it's about choosing a path that respects your dignity and your truth. His words, “Educate, agitate, organize,” became my mantra. Ambedkar showed me that true strength comes from within, and on that day, I finally found mine.
On Jayanti, I found the courage to choose myself. It wasn’t easy to leave behind everything I knew, Ambedkar’s rejection of the Manusmriti deeply influenced my decision. His critique of the Brahmanical Patriarchal text became my strength as I walked away from a life that had been planned for me. The Manusmriti lays out strict norms of caste and gender roles, creating a system which enacts structural violence on the marginalized communities. His strong criticism of this text guided me in breaking these norms that deny people like me the chance to live authentically. As a Bahujan and a transman, I realized that reclaiming my life and identity was an act of resistance.
Ambedkar Jayanti will forever be the day I remember choosing freedom over fear. I remember this day not just for leaving my natal family but for what it meant to truly accept myself. His words remind me every day that I am worthy of dignity, respect, and love. His legacy lives in each one of us who dares to stand up, who demands our rights, and who believes in a world built on equality, liberty, and fraternity. So, each year, when Ambedkar Jayanti comes around, I remember the day I found my voice and my courage. And I celebrate, knowing his words are my guide, my strength, my reason to keep pushing forward.
In 2019, Ambedkar Jayanti started as it always did. I woke up early, went to the University campus, and joined my fellow Ambedkarite students to set up for the day. We put up Dr. Ambedkar’s photo, lit a candle, and read out the Preamble, reminding ourselves of the vision we were all fighting for. We sang songs that spoke of our struggles and hopes, and some of us shared words of admiration for Ambedkar, our greatest inspiration. The air was full of chants of “Jai Bhim,” and in those moments, I felt his presence with us, giving us pride and purpose. We shared sweets with each other as joy for the day’s celebration.
Ambedkar Jayanti has always been a celebration for me and so many others in the Ambedkarite movement. It’s a day to honor Dr. Ambedkar’s life, his fight for the rights of Dalits, Bahujans, and Adivasis. But beyond that, it’s a day of joy, of unity, and a reminder of why we keep pushing forward. Every year, I’ve celebrated in different ways. Sometimes with long study sessions on campus, learning from each other about our histories, our rights. Other times, we invited activists, writers, and scholars to speak with ideas and conversations that stayed with us long after. Sometimes we made and shared kheer and puri, enjoying the soulful and revolutionary music of anti-caste singers and poets from Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi communities. We let joy blend with purpose, knowing that Ambedkar’s vision was one of both community resilience and individual dignity. Ambedkar Jayanti has always been a powerful, layered day of reflection, celebration, and activism.
This Ambedkar Jayanti, however, stands out as a day I will always remember. While my friends prepared for the big evening jayanti program, I packed my bag, gathered my few belongings, and left the campus. I wasn’t just leaving University. I was leaving my home, my family, and a life that didn’t allow me to be who I truly am. This particular Jayanti was my first step into a life of assertion and freedom, a personal revolution in the strength of Ambedkar's words and vision. My journey began with a decision to leave my natal family to leave a home where my marriage had been finalized without my consent, where domestic violence and rejection of my identity had become a daily reality. Empty-handed, no money, no bank account, all I had were my clothes, a few books, and the conviction that I could choose a different path.
On that Ambedkar Jayanti, I found the courage to take that step. I draw strength from Ambedkar’s words “We must stand on our own feet and fight as best as we can for our rights. Carry on your agitation and organize your forces. Power and prestige will come to you through struggle.” His words felt like a hand on my shoulder, telling me it was okay to walk away, to reclaim my life as my own. I thought to myself, If there’s any day to stand up for myself, it’s today. This day, which also stands for Equality Day, felt like the right time to start claiming equality for myself. Ambedkar’s call for resistance and autonomy resonated with me as a trans person, as a Bahujan, and as someone who needed to step away from a life that denied my very personhood.
Ambedkar’s teachings on fraternity based on Buddhist principles of Maitreyi have always been an anchor for me. Maitreyi means a compassionate connection that transcends the divisions of caste, gender, religion,class etc. This principle of Maitreyi teaches us to recognize each other’s pain, to see fellow citizens as family, and to fight together for a common future. As I walked away from my natal family, I realized I had my own chosen family, my saathis in the Ambedkarite and queer spaces. They knew me, accepted me, and stood by me as my true family, my true strength.
I wasn’t alone because I carried Ambedkar’s words in my heart, and I knew they would light my path as “Ata Deepa Bhava”. Ambedkar’s teachings told me that life isn’t about blindly following traditions, it's about choosing a path that respects your dignity and your truth. His words, “Educate, agitate, organize,” became my mantra. Ambedkar showed me that true strength comes from within, and on that day, I finally found mine.
On Jayanti, I found the courage to choose myself. It wasn’t easy to leave behind everything I knew, Ambedkar’s rejection of the Manusmriti deeply influenced my decision. His critique of the Brahmanical Patriarchal text became my strength as I walked away from a life that had been planned for me. The Manusmriti lays out strict norms of caste and gender roles, creating a system which enacts structural violence on the marginalized communities. His strong criticism of this text guided me in breaking these norms that deny people like me the chance to live authentically. As a Bahujan and a transman, I realized that reclaiming my life and identity was an act of resistance.
Ambedkar Jayanti will forever be the day I remember choosing freedom over fear. I remember this day not just for leaving my natal family but for what it meant to truly accept myself. His words remind me every day that I am worthy of dignity, respect, and love. His legacy lives in each one of us who dares to stand up, who demands our rights, and who believes in a world built on equality, liberty, and fraternity. So, each year, when Ambedkar Jayanti comes around, I remember the day I found my voice and my courage. And I celebrate, knowing his words are my guide, my strength, my reason to keep pushing forward.
