London (Samaj Weekly)- The meeting commenced with serving food to the invitees, followed by Buddhist prayer offering refuge to Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
The President, Ms. Santosh Dass MBE (SD), welcomed the attendees and chaired the meeting. The session started with a review of activities from the past years. SD provided an update on the activities and events from the previous years. She highlighted that this meeting marks the first one post the COVID-19 pandemic, occurring after a gap of several years. Given its significance, there was a plan to review FABO UK’s and the member organisations of the Federation’s activities.
During the meeting, SD informed the attendees about the Public Inquiry in 2019 into the museum status of 10 King Henry’s Road, London. Where Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar lived whilst studying at the London School of Economics and Gray’s Inn. SD shared details about the Inquiry, legal representation and witnesses on each side. Our representation included a planning expert Jamie Sullivan, Professor Dr William Gould, SD, and third-party witnesses from the public. The discussion brought to light substantial pre-inquiry preparations, culminating in transforming the property into a museum.
SD explained the acquisition, renovation and conversion of a property at No. 10 King Henry Road into an Ambedkar memorial and provided historical context. She highlighted FABO’s instrumental role in the public inquiry, helping to secure approval from Camden Council, and cited the organisation’s provision of witnesses and critical support. It was also brought to notice that C Gautam (CG) helped dig out the relevant material to establish Dr Ambedkar’s connection with the house.
SD also provided an update on the ongoing deliberations on the campaign to outlaw caste discrimination in the UK. In addition, she provided an update on the government’s position in response to the 2017 public consultation on caste legislation. The movement advocating for legislation against caste discrimination reaffirmed its commitment and welcomed the progress made on the issue in the USA, Canada and Australia.
It was also shared that one of FABO’s significant achievements is the creation of the Ambedkar Room at Gray’s Inn and installing a new portrait in the room. The initiative began in 2014 when discussions were initiated with Gray’s Inn to establish a memorial. They agreed to refurbish a room and call it the Ambedkar Room with FABO offering a generous donation of twenty thousand pounds towards the refurbishment. However, due to the impact of Covid-19, the project was delayed, when work recommenced Gray’s Inn agreed to pay all the costs and FABO’s proposed financial contribution was waived.
Gray’s Inn suggested they install an existing portrait of Babasaheb, donated by the Government of India in 2016, in the new Ambedkar Room. SD advocated for a new portrait. Subsequently, a new portrait was commissioned by FABO from a UK-based artist David Newens and FABO members contributed towards the costs. The Ambedkar Room and the portrait were officially inaugurated on 30 June 2021 by Ali Malek QC (now KC) Master Treasurer of Gray’s Inn, in the presence of numerous FABO members, Lord David Alton, Dr Ambedkar’s great-grandson – Sujat Ambedkar, and the artist David Newens. An event commemorating the centenary of Dr. Ambedkar’s being called to the bar was also organized by FABO UK on 28 June 2022, gaining considerable interest from the public.
FABO UK remains dedicated to commemorating Babasaheb’s birth anniversary and other events significant to his life. SD, in her roles as Chair of the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance UK (ACDA) and President of FABO, actively advocates for caste legislation across various platforms. Furthermore, S D highlighted the book ‘Ambedkar in London,’ (2022) she co-edited co-authored included a chapter on the history of the Ambedkar movement in the UK, a chapter on the Ambedkar Museum, and Dr Ambedkar’s time at Gray’s Inn, and the London School of Economics. Arun Kumar (AK), General Secretary FABO UK contributed a chapter on the Ambedkar Movement in the UK to this historical record.
AK shared that he recently had an interview with Mooknayak, discussing the activities of FABO UK. Additionally, he has authored the foreword for Ambassador (Rt) Ramesh Chander’s upcoming book titled “Some Random Thoughts on Babasaheb Ambedkar and his legacy – The Bits and Pieces.” AK mentioned being interviewed by Dr. Gaurav Pathania, a professor from the USA, who was accompanied by Sat Pal Muman, for an upcoming book. Dr Pathania (who has recently played the role of Dr Ambedkar in a new film ‘Origin’) is actively collaborating with Mr Muman in this project.
In a separate update, C. Gautam (CG) elaborated on the challenges and difficulties experienced during the global pandemic crisis. Additionally, he shed light on the struggles encountered and the issues inherent in the mission’s operations. He also revealed his personal efforts in addressing these challenges, a side not openly shared with everyone.
Ram Pal Rahi (RPR), Vice President FABO provided an update on his and the FABO office bearers’ participation in diverse events and activities conducted over the past four years. These included significant events such as Buddha Jayanti and Sangh Daana in May, the Diksha Day meeting at Ambedkar Museum in October, Parinirvaan Day at India House on 6th December, the Republic Day Celebration at Guild Hall on 26th January, and Kathina celebration at Ambedkar Hall in Southall. Additionally, we were involved in Ambedkar Jayanti at India House, the Centenary celebration of Ambedkar being called to the Bar in 1922 at Gray’s Inn, and Sanvidhan Day at Ambedkar Museum on 26th November.
Regarding the Ambedkar statue project, several members directly donated to the Ambedkar International Center in Washington, D.C., USA. Harbans Lal Virdee (HLV) shared details about a function organized at Ambedkar Bhavan, Jallandhar, where, on behalf of FABO, he presented the book “Ambedkar in London” to the late Lahori Ram Balley and Ambassador Ramesh Chander. Ram Pal Rahi initiated an education program for students, conducting competitions on Bahujan icons, and has distributed one crore of Rupees as prize money to successful students so far.
Kanu Parmar suggested that Ambedkarites should adhere to Babasaheb’s Buddhism in line with Buddha and his Dhamma, highlighting the importance of aligning with the original principles rather than incorporating various rituals and ceremonies. The topic of Empowerment of Dalits, initially proposed by Partap Tambay and Balram Sampla, was added to the agenda for discussion. AK informed that whenever MPs or political leaders visit the Ambedkar Museum, FABO UK present memorandums, advocating for establishing Ambedkar scholarships at institutions like the LSE to empower the community.
Santosh Dass and Arun Kumar announced they had decided to step down as President and General Secretary of FABOUK after fully packed 10 years (completed in September 2023).
The new executive body for the term 2023-25 was elected under Election Commissioner Devinder Chander. The attendees extended a warm welcome to the newly elected office bearers: President: Mr Ram Pal Rahi, Vice-President: Jajdish Gaware, General Secretary: Pankaj Shamkunwar, Joint Secretary: C. Gautam, Treasurer: S. L. Gindha, International Coordinators: H. L. Virdee and Dr Pradeep Jagtap.
Executive Members: Santosh Dass MBE, Arun Kumar, Kanu Parmar, Ravi Gautam, Satpal Paul, Jaswant Sunda, Hansraj Sampla, Bakshi Birdi, Milind Kaul, Naresh Mehmi, Dhampat Rattu, Н.С. Mehmi, Chaman Lal, Ms Shalaka Ahire, Charanajit Chumber, Devinder Chander, Daulata Bali, Gurdevinder Kumar, Mehar Chand Jassal, Mulk Chand, Rahul Gindha, Nisha Gindha, Deesh Jassal.
The meeting ended with an expression of a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation from Ram Pal Rahi, newly elected President, to long-serving Santosh Dass and General Secretary Arun Kumar. A vote of thanks was proposed by Pankaj Shamkunwar, newly elected General Secretary, and he announced the next Executive Committee meeting would be held in the last week of December 2023.
Pankaj Shamkunwar
General Secretary
Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK
Mobile – 07466661855
Email – pshamkuwar@gmail.com
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