SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
Ramesh Chander
The writer is A Retired Career Diplomat.
I wrote a letter on May 27, 2026 to BJP President, Nitin Nabin on the celebrations of the 650th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass and the roadmap of celebrations by the BJP and GOI and the GOI decision on the proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality and solicited his help and facilitation on these two important issues. The text of the letter is appended below. Whereas, most of us, would stand to support and appreciate the decisions of the GOI and the ruling elite of the BJP in this regard but, I may write, most of us in the community are disappointed and rather annoyed on the delay and considered neglect of these important issues particularly on the International Day of Equality which is resting with the MEA/PMO for the last 11 years or so. I thought of making it public as the issues involved are of interest and concern to the followers of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The GOI and the ruling elite should take note of it and deliver coming out of the lip service. People are getting restless and are on the verge of losing their patience and confidence in the establishment. The second purpose of sharing it here is to caution and alert the Dalit masses and their socio-cultural and spiritual leadership of the machinations of GOI and the ruling elite which they intend to deploy in garnering their support in the elections. The Awards and Security umbrellas should not be enough to please us. We should ask for our share in the pie. I only hope that the GOI and BJP take due note of what I have put in the public realm.
Nahin Minnatkash-e-Taab-e-Shaneedan Dastan Meri
Khamoshi Guftugu Hai, Be-Zubani Hai Zuban Meri
My story is not indebted to the patience of being heard
My silence is my talk, my speechlessness is my speech
Text of the letter of May 27, 2026 to BJP President, Nitin Nabin
May 27. 2026
Respected President of BJP,
Will you kindly allow me to write on an important socio-political issue pertinent to BJP’s role with regard to the Dalit masses in Punjab and also in other parts not only in India but abroad too? I am a self professed suuporter and proponent of an inclusive society as visualised by the RSS in its Samrasta agenda. I have been occasionally talking and writing on these matters in my blogs and otherwise in the recent years. This time, I thought of engging with you with regard to two imortant aspects pertaining to Dalits of Ravidassia/Ad-dharmi communities and also Amedkarites living in India and beyond not as a political person but as an ordinary Indian citizen interested in Samrastra in the society.
It is my considered opinion, Sir, if BJP could take due note and act on these two issues pertaining to Dalit communities, it would garner a good response and support in the festivals of democracy that is elections: –
i) Long term issue – April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the aegis of UN – The proposal is pending with the GOI (MEA/PMO) since June, 2015. I have been regularly reminding EAM/PM and other stake holders but still the proposal is confined in the cupboards of the high offices. My latest blog on the subject may be accessed for more details:
https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/04/babasaheb-ambedkar-declare-his-birthday.html
https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/04/international-day-of-equality-engaging.html
ii) Short term issue – Celebrations of 650th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass, February 2027 – The Ravidassia community was expecting hat GOI under the stewardship of PM Narendra Modi would come out with a definite roadmap and agenda of observing and celebrating the Gurpurab in a befitting manner. In spite of the fact that PM Narendra Modi visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar on February 1 but refrained from making any firm announcement in this regard. No firm plan to celebrate the greatest Guru’s Gurpurab has been announced to date. The followers of Guru Ravidass are disappointed. It would only be appropriate if an early decision is taken in this regard. My blog on the subject which gave some suggestions in this regard may accessed at:
https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/02/dalit-vote-bank-in-punjab-and-political.html
https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/01/guru-ravidass-revolutionary-harbinger.html
In the given demographic position and fast changing scenario in Punjab and beyond, an early decision and announcement on the two issues, I have mentioned, would go a long way to engage with the followers of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dalit voters are still looking for someone with impeachable and credible credentials. BJP may fit the bill and value the aspirations of Dalit masses in Punjab jumping on the Caravan of Guru Ravidass ad Babasaheb Ambedkar with its agenda of ‘Samrasta’.
I conclude his letter with the hope and confidence that my submissions would receive a due consideration and an early decision before it gets too late.
With assurances of my highest consideration,
Yours truly,
(Ramesh Chander)
Shri Nitin Nabin.
President of BJP
New Delhi
Copy to: –
i. Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of RSS
ii. Shri B.L Santhosh, BJP Hdqs
iii. Shri Tarun Chugh BJP Hdqs
iv. Shri Ashok Mittal MP
v. Shri Sandeep Pathak MP
vi. Shri Sunil Jakhar
vii. Shri Avinash Rai Khanna
viii. Shri Ashwani Sharma MLA
ix. Shri Vijay Pratap Singh MLA
x. Shri P.K. Mishra, PS to PM
