Thousands of People, Including Ambedkarites, Observe Constitution Day in Karnataka

Thousands of people who had come from all over Karnataka to Bengaluru to observe Constitution Day on Friday, November 26, rallied behind music director Hamsalekha, who is under fire for his comments on the late Pejawar Mutt seer Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji.

Questioning the seer’s visit to Dalit houses, Hamsalekha had told a gathering in Mysuru recently that “what is the big story if dominant people visit homes of the oppressed?”, adding, “Pejawar Mutt’s Swamiji used to visit the houses of Dalits. However, that is all he could do. If they had served him chicken, would he have eaten it?”

A rally from Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station to Freedom Park was held where Ambedkarite groups and activists from various regions of the state extended support to Hamsalekha. 

“Dr Ambedkar gave us a Constitution to enable all communities to live under the same roof. Similarly, addressing the inequalities in our society, Hamsalekha had said that merely visiting the house of an oppressed person will not bring about equality. He said that inter-caste dining and eating the same food as an oppressed person indicates a desire to bring change. This has been blown out of proportion,”    

Dr Kodandaram, state president, Ambedkar Swabhimani Sena, who had arrived from Bidadi with fellow activists, said.

Venugopal, an individual who is invited to programmes because of his close resemblance to Ambedkar and dresses like him with a mock copy of the Constitution, was also present at the rally.  

The tempo of the celebration was set by musicians who were playing drums known as Thammate in Kannada. One of the musicians was Kumar, from Bidadi, who is also a member of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti. “Around 30 of us have come from Bidadi to send a message to Hamsalekha that he can always count on our support,” he said. 

At Freedom Park, a stage was set up for the rendition of Bhim Geet (Ambedkar songs) and speeches. Students from various state universities had pooled in their resources to set up a mutton stall. Ambedkarite literature in various languages was also available for purchase.

SG Siddaramaiah, a retired professor and former president of Kannada Development Authority, referred to the Lingayat question and the movement to establish Lingayat as an independent religion. “Basavanna, the founder of Lingayat tradition, had envisaged an egalitarian society free from caste discrimination,” Siddaramaiah told the gathering.

“Basavanna protested Brahminism in the 12th century. Similarly, Buddhists, Charvakas, Jains, and Sikhs broke out and established traditions outside Hinduism. Even Lingayats are not Hindus. It is an independent religion. But the youth of today has been brainwashed to follow Brahminism,” Siddaramaiah said.