On the evening of 14 April, I was in Banda city. I was going towards the main square when a group of people passed in front of me. There were about 20 to 25 young men in this group. They were riding motorcycles. There were two to three young men on one motorcycle. Their motorcycle was not very special, it was ordinary and old. Their clothes were also not special, they were ordinary and old and dirty and torn in some places. Which clearly indicated that these young men were not from good or rich families but were from families where they were engaged in labour, street sweeping, rag picking etc. And they too must have been doing the same work.
Some of them had a blue flag in their hands with Ashok Chakra in the middle. The youth at the back of the motorcycle was standing on the motorcycle holding the flag, the middle one was holding the legs of the one at the back and preventing him from falling and the one at the front was driving the motorcycle. That group was raising slogans like 'Jai Bhim' and 'Baba Saheb Amar Rahe'.
The youth riding behind holding the flag would raise slogans and the rest would raise slogans in support of him. They came to the main square and raised slogans loudly for about 5 minutes. They were seen moving forward like this, stopping at some distance, raising slogans, then moving forward again. People around were looking at them in surprise, wondering who these people were?
They had a blue flag and a blue band around their neck which was more expensive than their clothes. It was quite surprising because the cost of that flag was more than their entire day's earnings. They looked very happy, perhaps they would not have been this happy even if their wages were increased. They were labourers or people doing some small work. But they were not afraid of anyone, neither the fear of high caste or low caste, nor the fear of the police or the government. They reached 'Ambedkar Park' raising slogans and demonstrating. I also followed them to Ambedkar Park. Those people garlanded the statue of Ambedkar in the park.
I was watching all this and also thinking that no one cares about these downtrodden people! Then what did Ambedkar do that these people are so devoted to Ambedkar. Although India has been the land of great people, but it is Dr. Ambedkar who has done the work of giving these people the status of humanity and rights and perhaps that is why the poor and the laborers have more inclination/dedication towards Dr. Ambedkar.
I was thinking all this when I saw a woman coming from the front who was wearing a white saree with Panchsheel strip, her age was around 50 years. She also looked very happy, perhaps she had come to know that it was Dr. Ambedkar who had given gifts like security and respect to her and millions of women like her. If we look at the reality, the status of women has improved only because of Ambedkar's strategies and efforts but most women are unaware of this. They do not know that a person like Ambedkar gave them the rights that today they can get the highest education, can do the highest profession, can do any work according to their status or their own free will.
Most women hate Ambedkar because of his caste. If Ambedkar had been born in a higher caste, then perhaps we would not have seen this hatred in the society. It is not the fault of women but some cunning men have made it fit in the minds of women that Ambedkar was a Dalit, untouchable person who deserved hatred and not any kind of respect.
Thinking all this, I headed towards the main market. The main market was about 1 kilometer away from here, I started walking. Today there was a lot of hustle and bustle in the main market. Everywhere blue flags and a crowd of people were seen. It seemed no less than a festival. When some poor and downtrodden people try to express their happiness, then this kind of atmosphere is seen in the society, which may be new for some people but it is not new at all.
After going some distance, I saw a motorcycle decoration shop. Here colourful 3D pictures or writings were put on the motorcycles. A motorcycle was parked outside this shop, behind which a 6 feet high blue flag was tied. When it fluttered in the wind, it left an image of a flying blue bird. This scene was quite thrilling. The owners of that vehicle were two young men. They were talking to the shopkeeper about getting something printed. One was a very thin man, his face looked red due to gutka, his old and shabby clothes were telling his status. He and his friend were probably talking to the shopkeeper about getting ‘Jai Bhim’ written on the vehicle. This could have cost them a lot but they did not care at all.
If economically and educationally weak people are so fearless, then what are the people blessed with weapons like money and education afraid of?
-Nirdesh Gautam
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