(Samaj Weekly)
14 April, 2022
Her Excellency, Mrs Gaitri Issar Kumar
The High Commissioner of India
Your Excellency,
14 April-An International Day of Equality
Today Dr Ambedkar is widely accepted as one of the greatest champions of equality and human rights. His contribution in the matters of equality is recognised worldwide as equality matters to everyone. It helps in creating inclusive societies where everyone is able to make contributions and advance interests of humanity. That is why the premier institutions around the world take pride in honouring Dr Ambedkar. World-renowned universities have already installed his statues in their premises. Recently a room Ambedkar Room was named after Dr Ambedkar at Gray’s Inn where Babasaheb was called to the Bar. His contribution to social equality is as significant as that of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and Dr Nelson Mandela. The time is ripe for , Indians to also accept him as our national treasure and actively pursue to declare the date of his birth – 14 April as the International Day of Equality.
Ambassador Ramesh Chander (rtd) has been writing regularly since 12 June, 2015 to the External Affair Ministry to make a demarche to the UN to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality. The proposal was made with a view, not only to get much deserved honour and recognition to the Indian iconic figure, but also to promote and strengthen India’s ‘soft power diplomacy’ in line with India’s successful initiatives on International Day of Non-violence and International Day of Yoga.
We at the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK (FABO UK) have supported the Mr Chander’s proposal with a letter to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 10 August 2015. Since then we have made a number of follow-up requests. Sadly there has been no response from the Government of India. It is a matter of pride for all Indians that Dr Ambedkar’s enormous contribution towards a just society and equality has been recognised in many countries and around the world and
honoured him by declaring 14 April, a day of equality. First City of Burnaby in Canada proclaimed in April, 2020 and declared 14 April as “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality” followed by Province of British Columbia of Canada in April, 2021 and reaffirmed it again in April, 2022. In the US, the state of Colorado has also declared as a ‘Day of Equity’. In the United Kingdom, the City of Coventry, the local council is celebrating 14 April as a Day of Equality.
In the past, India has been in the forefront of fighting injustice around the globe whether it was in Palestinians, America or in South Africa. By honouring Dr Ambedkar at the UN, India will not only be strengthening its /soft power’ in diplomacy but also promoting the UN goals of just world order based on equality. We urge the government of India to recommend to the United Nations to declare 14 April as an International Day of Equality. It would be wonderful tribute to Dr Ambedkar.
We hope you will send this proposal to the government of India with your recommendation.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Arun Kumar, C. Gautam
General Secretary, Joint Secretary
