SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
Ramesh Chander
The writer is A Retired Career Diplomat.
One may observe that in a short span of a month or so, I have written several blogs on Punjab politics and Dalits and also related issues. Whereas the concerned authorities and agencies are blissfully silent and seems ignorant; it appears that Dalits; followers of Guru Ravidass an Babasaheb Ambedkar are increasingly getting restive and are completely disappointed, if I go by the comments I got on my blogs. One may also say that I am getting unduly obsessive on these matters as the wheel of time does not stop –
Meri Ada Ko Dabana To Khair Mumkin Hai
Magar Nai Jamani Ki Awaaz Kaun Rokega
The ruling elites with whom I tried to interact with a view to reach the corridors of power in Delhi with regard to the two issues of which no one has taken any note of my submissions, it seems. My last blog will give you some detailed information: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/07/focus-on-punjab-pm-narendra-modi-comes.html
PM Narendra Modi’s visit and speech in Jalandhar on July 17 utterly failed to address the issues. We are at loss to understand the thinking and strategy of the ruling elite with regard to the Dalit constituencies. The spiritual Deras like Sachkhand Dera of Ballan and others are important centers of power, no doubt, but the enlightened intelligentsia who generally reads me and understand the issues as awakened stakeholders are to finally decide and give much needed direction in the days to come. They are watching the situation and on goings with a quiet interest. I wrote on the Facebook Handle of PM Narendra Modi where he shared his photos with Sant Niranjan Dass ji of Dera Sachkhand Ballan at the inauguration of train to Kashi Barares at Jalandhar Cantt. Railway Station on July 17: –
“Thanks Hon’ble PM Sahib. You invoked Guru Ravidas:s name thrice in your speech in Jalandhar today but it was short of the crux. The followers of Guru Ravidas and Babasaheb Ambedkar were disappointed. You should have come out of ‘sweet nothings’ and said something concrete about the 650th Gurpurab of the great Gurus and about the International Day of Equality. It is getting too late. I tried to sensitize the BJP about this. But I don’t think they could gather courage to brief about the ground realities. I am sorry to say. Jai Bharat.
ਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ। ਅੱਜ ਜਲੰਧਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਾਸ਼ਣ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਤਿੰਨ ਵਾਰ ਲਿਆ, ਪਰ ਗੱਲ ਦੇ ਮੂਲ ਮਸਲੇ ਤੱਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ। ਗੁਰੂ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਬੇਡਕਰ ਦੇ ਪੈਰੋਕਾਰ ਨਿਰਾਸ਼ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ।
ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਮਿੱਠੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਸੀਮਿਤ ਰਹਿਣ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ਮਹਾਨ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੇ 650ਵੇਂ ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ ਅਤੇ ਅੰਤਰਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਸਮਾਨਤਾ ਦਿਵਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੋਈ ਠੋਸ ਐਲਾਨ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਸੀ। ਹੁਣ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੇਰ ਹੋ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।
ਮੈਂ ਇਸ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਬਾਰੇ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਵੇਦਨਸ਼ੀਲ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ, ਪਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਜ਼ਮੀਨੀ ਹਕੀਕਤਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਜਾਣੂ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਹਿੰਮਤ ਜੁਟਾ ਸਕੇ। ਇਹ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਅਫ਼ਸੋਸ ਹੈ।
ਜੈ ਭਾਰਤ।“
Here I share some assorted comments from my readers and friends (without mentioning their names) from which one may draw one’s own conclusion to read the writings on the wall.
– Sir, it is against their ideology. How can they do so? If they truly believe in the teachings of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji and in the principles of love for humanity, liberty, equality, and justice, then they must take meaningful and constructive steps for the welfare and upliftment of the community—not merely announce the name of a train after Sant Guru Ravidass Ji.
Our people have long been expecting concrete measures such as better educational opportunities, employment, social justice, protection of constitutional rights, and the development of institutions that genuinely empower the weaker sections of society. Symbolic gestures alone cannot fulfill the aspirations of the community.
– – Former Ambassador Hon’ble Ramesh Chander ji always remained optimistic about the Prime Minister of India Shri Narinder Modi and the RSS. But they never gave concrete results for the benefits of Scheduled Castes. The request of Shri Ramesh Chander ji endorsed by various Scheduled Caste, Buddhist and many other Dalit Organizations to declare the birthday of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (14 April) as ‘International Day of Equality’ is lying in the PMO , in the office of Ministry of External Affairs and Home Affairs since more than 10 years. Shri Ramesh Chander Ji is giving reminders and following up constantly to the concerned authorities. There are currently 131 Members of Parliament (MPs) belonging to SC/ST communities in the Lok Sabha but nobody bothers. We had great hopes that the PM Shri Modi ji will announce and declare the birthday of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (14 April) as ‘International Day of Equality’, when he came Jalandhar to inaugurate Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station on 17th July, 2026 but nothing except sweet-nothings. Now this is it, Hope sustains life.
– Can’t expect anything worthwhile. Let’s keep in mind their approach towards the poor and the downtrodden. Nothing could be expected from the conservative, reactionary, retrograde and unprogressive people. Best wishes, sir.
– Don’t expect anything except promises. You have vast experience of life with these people.
– A cordial request to SC leaders close to Modi ji: Request Modi to declare Baba Sahib’s birthday as ‘National Equality Day’.
– ਭਾਜੀ ਉਹ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਣਾ ਕਿਉਕਿ ਸੱਚੇ ਅੰਬੇਡਕਰੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਨੰਗਾ ਕਰ ਦੇਣਾ ਮੋਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਇਸਦੇ ਕਾਰਨਾਮੇ। ਇਹ ਤੇ ਅੰਨੇ ਭਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਟ੍ਰੇਨ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਰੱਖਣ ਚ ਹੀ ਝੋਲੀ ਚ ਪਾ ਕੇ 2027 ਚ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤੇ ਕਬਜ਼ਾ ਕਰਨਾ। ਜਿਹੜੇ ਡੇਰੇ ਦੀਆ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਕਰਵਾ ਰਹੇ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਕਿਸੇ ਘੜੇ ਦੇ ਕੋਲੇ ਹਨ ? ਦੂਜੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੁਣ ਅੰਨੇ ਭਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਸ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਦਿਖਾਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਤੇ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਮੋਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਭੰਡਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਵੀ ਟ੍ਰੇਨ ਦੇ ਬਹਾਨੇ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਡੀ ਚ ਬੈਠ ਕੇ ਫੋਟੋ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਪਰਚਾਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਆ ਰਹੇ। ਇਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ 2027 ਚ ਜਲਦ ਨਤੀਜੇ ਦਿਖਾਈ ਦੇਣੇ.
– They are not taking us serious at all. Won’t get any substantial benefit except lollypop—
– Thanks for favour of information and the innate interest taken by you by conveying the much- needed requirement of attaching due importance to our spiritual and international level only revered ICON in the larger interest of the community. It matters little whether your assertion has received the due attention and had the desired effect despite having been brought to the notice of adequately high- level BJP stalwarts closest to the PM…Well done. Highly appreciate your deep concern and consistent stand..
– Great sir and Hats off to you .You are pride of the community. I pray to God for your long and healthy life.
– Good. Punjab leadership didn’t mention all this. Appreciate your views.
– ਦਲਿਤ ਹਿੱਤਕਾਰੀ ਕੋਈ ਠੋਸ ਨੀਤੀ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਦ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ ਜੀ
– Good 👍
– In BJP, nobody has the courage to say anything to P.M. Your good self is doing a great job to remind the concerned authorities. Thank you very much. Regards
– Great heartfelt response. One doesn’t expect any meaningful response.
– We should not expect miracle. BJP is concerned with our votes only.. During the last 12 years, no special drive was conducted for the Govt jobs. Rather our rights are being weakened. The Constitution is being followed for election only.. Anyhow this is a govt. of the day, we should hope for the best.
– Thanks Description: 🙏 Ramesh ji, you are doing good job.
– Not only one day but let all days of the year bring equality on earth.
– RSS is not programmed to respect anything or anyone that does not fall to their thoughts and machinations. What made you think that they will follow your advice or suggestions?
While more comments are being received, it is becoming all the more evident that the coming scenario will be intensely interesting and decisive with regard to the Dalit vote banks and the Dalit issues. The concerned authorities sitting in chairs of authority and decision making should not be oblivious of the ground realities. I conclude with an Urdu couplet of Allma Iqbal –
Mujhe Raaz-e-Do Alam Dil Ka Aaeena Dikhata Hai
Wohi Kehta Hun Jo Kuch Samne Aankhon Ke Ata Hai
(My heart’s mirror shows me both world’s secrets
I relate exactly what I witness before my eyes)
