Dr.Ambedkar Symposium – 2011
April 16, 2011 University of Calgary
The Dr. Ambedkar Symposium -2011 was held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Rosza Centre at the University of Calgary. This biennial event has been held at the University of Calgary since 2005 and coincides with the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Ambedkar was the greatest human rights champions of the Dalits and Tribals of India; he worked tirelessly to eradicate injustice against the impoverished and oppressed. While his work in writing the constitution of India was of vital importance to the building of modern India, his work in the context of social justice has been widely unrecognized and unpublicized due to issues of institutionalized systems of discrimination. This is event and previous symposia have been working to raise awareness of Ambedkar's contribution to modern India and to inspire people to work toward equality, equity and justice.
The event started with presentations by Prof. Marc Galanter of University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA and by Dr. Peter Smith of Athabasca University, Alberta.
Dr. Marc Galanter is the John and Rylla Bosshard Professor of Law and South Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA. Galanter spoke on Dr. Ambedkar in the age of Mandal. His presentation highlighted the emergence of the backward classes’ movements in India in the context of affirmative action plans. The backward classes represent a shocking 52% of the Indian population who have been marginalized through the caste system of India.
Dr. Peter (Jay) Smith is a professor in Political Science and is a long standing member of the Athabasca University. Smith spoke on "From Global Connection to Freedom: Dalits and the Fight for Social Justice". he highlighted the struggle of Dalits in the last decade from a Canadian national level through the United Nations, the NCDHR (National Coordination of Dalit Human Rights) and the World Social Forum (WSF). His presentation provided in depth information about the social justice movement in India and across the globe.
The latter part of the symposium focused on the past 30 years of Ambedkarism in Canada. Presentations were made by participants across Canada. Many pioneers of the Ambedkar movement in Canada were present to share insights and plans for the future.
At this time, a presentation was made by Advocate S. L. Virdi. Virdi is a well-known activist, writer and Ambedkarite from Punjab, India. He has written numerous books on Ambedkar and the social injustice he fought against. Virdi spoke about Ambedkar in the past, present and future. He provided great insight into the Ambedkar movement at the grass root level in India, in particular in Punjab. In addition advocate S.L. Virdi’s most recent work (book) “Ambedkarism: Past, Present and Future” was released at this event by Dr. Peter (Jay) Smith of Athabaska University.The quality of the lectures and discussion of Ambedkarism in Canada at this symposium were outstanding . This successful event was organized by Ambedkarites International Mission Society- Canada (AIMS) and Guru Ravidass Society of Calgary