Dalit Sthree Sakthi celebrates Republic Day annually on a theme relevant to the occasion and educative to the dalit/Adivasi women and general public. This year, DSS celebrated Republic Day by conducting a conference on the theme “Constitutional Values - Politics”, at Press Club, Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh. Sri. Sampath Kumar, IAS, attended as Chief Guest, while the other guests were: Sri. Siva Bhagya Rao, Retd. IRS, National President of All Telugu Praja Party, Sri. Jesu Ratna Kumar, Retd. District Judge, Sri. Saraswathi Iyer, Professor, ANU, Ms. Sanja Ambedkar, Retd. SBI Manager. Jhansi Geddam, National Convener of Dalit Sthree Sakthi, presided over the conference. Dalit Sthree Sakthi coordinators and dalit women collective leaders participated in the conference.
A Telugu booklet titled “Constitution in Brief”, published by Dalit Sthree Sakthi was inaugurated by Sri. Sampath Kumar IAS.
Ms. Jhansi Geddam: We should know about Constitution and Rule of Law and demand for its
implementation, then only there will be transformation in social lives and our lives. We can better our lives only when the governance is carried on in accordance with rule of law. Now a days only those who can spend 200 crores in elections are getting elected as MLAs and MPs and such people can’t be representatives of the interests of the poor.
Sri. Siva Bhagya Rao: Legislators are getting elected with the help of your votes and they are making laws, which are implemented by the executive. Now a days MLAs are dictating the collectors, police and everyone, because he spent crores of rupees for getting elected and now, he wants to collect back the amount. You should think of how the politicians are able to amass lakhs of crores wealth. We can bring true democracy only when we stop selling our votes and demand for constitutional rights. We should be able to demand our share in the resources.
Sri. T. Sampath Kumar IAS: We should know about Ambedkar who wrote this constitution. Recently our Chief Minister inaugurated a 125 feet high statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. You can visit the museum about the life of Ambedkar there. We cannot lead active mainstream life without knowing the constitution.
It is necessary to present the constitution in brief and understandable language. People should be made aware of the constitution, parliament and other democratic institutions. As long as you sell your vote you lose your right to question. It is unfortunate that nearly 35% of urban population are not utilizing their vote, while about 11% in rural areas are not utilizing the voting right. As it stands today among multiple contestants a person getting majority is declared elected, but he may be polling only a small percentage of votes. Ultimately those who got 25% votes are ruling us. It is necessary for all of us to see that 100% people participate in the voting.
Prof. Saraswathi Iyer: I appreciated Jhansi Geddam and DSS for selecting such a relevant topic for
discussion on the eve of Republic Day. Preamble highlights the values of our constitution, like secularism, equality, democracy and liberty. We should be able to utilize the voting rights properly and reasonably. We have the responsibility to elect appropriate representatives. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar provided reservations to achieve equality in reality, so that the oppressed castes compete with the dominant sections. Ambedkar advocated education for all. We should learn more about Ambedkar and go ahead. Only with clear knowledge we can demand for social justice. In courts there is lot of delay in getting justice and justice delayed is justice denied. Corruption is another aspect that we should know and eradicate it.
Sri. Jesu Ratna Kumar: How many of you have studied up to X class and graduation and how many of you have a copy of Constitution in your homes. We can be responsible citizens if we have basic
knowledge of the constitution. In the past when I interacted with medicos, I learnt that none of them have read the constitution. I request Jhansi mam to conduct awareness camps like this about the constitution not only to dalit women but also to IT employees and other educated sections also. Now most of the people are not aware of their rights, hence they can’t demand their rights. I have grown from poverty to the status of Assistant Public Prosecutor and later judge and all this could be achieved through education. Only education can bring transformation in our life.
Article 14 provides equality to all. Dalits who have been oppressed for long can’t compete with privileged sections. For this reason, special provisions have been made in favor of oppressed sections. But these reservations are applicable in government sector only and they are never filled up. Hence reservations should be extended to private sector also. With regard to the name of the country also when there were arguments in favor of and against India, it was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar who decided the name of the country as ‘India that is Bharat’.
Ms. Sanja Ambedkar: My parents got all of us educated and achieve good positions. I appeal to all of you to get educated. Please read the constitution and acquire basic knowledge of the constitution. Educated people should educate others. Women constitute half the population and we should realize that we can change the society if we are educated.
Swapna, State Coordinator conveyed vote of thanks to all the speakers and participants.
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