Babasaheb’s 'legacy' defies Sangh narrative: People spoke, Dr Kamal Gavai listened!

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* 

Greetings to all for Ashoka Vijayadashami and Dhammachakra Pravartan Din. These festivals are not just dates on a calendar; they are moments of deep cultural and political symbolism. People in Nagpur and across India celebrate them for days, and the atmosphere around Deekshabhoomi reflects a democratic cultural revolution that continues to inspire millions. Ironically, while Nagpur is projected as the birthplace of the RSS, it is the Buddhist traditions on this day that shine brighter than anything else. I have been to Nagpur many times during this period and have always felt immense pride in the celebrations.

Yet the media, especially the Delhi-based corporate networks I call the “lala media,” would rather beam the RSS chief’s speech as if the entire nation is waiting breathlessly for his words. This annual spectacle has become a propaganda ritual, while the massive gatherings at Deekshabhoomi—where people pay rich tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar and reaffirm their faith in the Buddha’s path—are deliberately ignored. Babasaheb was the true propagator of Dhammakranti in India, but our Manustream media has no time for this revolution of the mind. They would much rather amplify the Brahmanical sermons of the Sangh Parivar, the very antithesis of Ambedkarism.

This year, the RSS marked its centenary, basking in the glow of a government it helped bring to power. Its leaders are busy weaving a narrative of permanence through media spectacles, but the power of an ideology is not measured by electoral victories. It is measured by how deeply it transforms the lives and consciousness of ordinary people. By that measure, Ambedkar’s Dhamma Kranti has already succeeded. Even if political Ambedkarism has faced challenges, its cultural and ideological impact is undeniable.

The RSS, of course, remains haunted by its Brahminical dominance. A glance at its leadership makes this clear: almost all its Sarsanghchalaks have been Chitpavan Brahmins from Maharashtra, with the lone exception of Rajju Bhaiya, a Rajput. It is no coincidence. This Brahminical monopoly explains why the organisation remains desperate to showcase Dalit representation on its stage. That desperation played out when Dr. Kamal Gavai, mother of the Chief Justice of India and an Ambedkarite Buddhist, was invited to attend its programme this year. Her initial acceptance sparked widespread resentment among Ambedkarites in Maharashtra, who condemned her decision. The backlash was so powerful that she eventually withdrew and issued an open letter.

In her letter, she defended her lifelong commitment to Ambedkarism and her late husband Dadasaheb Gavai’s dedication to the movement. She argued that engaging with different ideological platforms sometimes requires courage. At the same time, she admitted that had she been on the dais, she would have spoken from an Ambedkarite perspective. Yet the voices of the people mattered more. Without loud protests or demonstrations, Ambedkarites made their disapproval known, and she listened. That is the power of cultural assertion—quiet, collective, and uncompromising.

Salute to the Ambedkarites of Maharashtra for showing this resolve. Ambedkarism cannot coexist with those who uphold Brahmanical values and the very scriptures Babasaheb urged us to reject. The strength of Ambedkar’s movement lies in its refusal to compromise, its insistence on questioning even those within its fold, and its faith in the people’s conscience. Dr. Kamal Gavai, to her credit, respected these sentiments and chose to step back. A true Ambedkarite recognises when the people speak and aligns with them.

The power of Dhammachakra has once again shown the way. Babasaheb’s revolution was never just political; it was cultural, spiritual, and democratic. On this Vijayadashami and Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, let the flag of Dhamma fly high, reminding us that the struggle for equality and dignity continues—and that no propaganda can overshadow the light of Ambedkar’s vision.

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*Human rights defender