Dr.B.R.Ambedkar’s influence and
Neo-Buddhist Settlements in Belgaum District
Praveen
Bagewadi.
Research Student
Dept of History and
Archaeology
Karnataka
University, Dharwad.
Introduction:
Overview:
Karnataka “The priceless gift of indulgent nature” is a
unique blend of a glorious past and a rich present, situated on the lower west
coast of south India. Karnataka has its neighbours such as Maharashtra in the
north, Andhra Pradesh in the East, Tamilnadu and Kerala in the south and the
Arabian Sea on the west. It is the land were various religious faiths like
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity, and various philosophies
followed and practised. In this state we find the people of different languages,
castes and culture. The religious
reformers like Kanakadas, Purandardas, Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and
Madwacharya have preached their principles.
The freedom fighters such as N.S.Hardiskar, Gangadhar Rao Deshpande and
Nadakarni contributed a lot for the cause of Indian Independence, Gandhiji has
presided over one session of Indian National-Congress at Belgaum in 1924, which
influnenced the people immensely.
Belgaum
district is the fourth biggest district, situated in North Karnataka, Known for
its district geographical features, historical back ground and composite
culture. In this border district between Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Marathi
and the Kannada cultures have their harmonious Co-existence. It is the refine centre of
Social,Political, Economic and Religious reformist activities.
Statement
of the Problem & its meaning:
Every
research Problem needs to be analysed. The problem is clearly analysed, the
reformist influence of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar on Neo-Buddhists.
The
meaning of the above statement of the problem is that influence of impact of
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar on Neo-Buddhist settlement’s in Belgaum District.
Importance
of the study of the problem:
Any research Work should have two uses
1. Societal use .
2. Academic & Research use.
Societal use is
nothing but the use to the people (Depressed -classes) who have tremendous
influence of Dr.Ambedkar’s thoughts for their reform and renovated life.
The
study of the problem has Academic & Research value also. Dr.B.R.Ambedkar,
his life and his services (Mission) to India in general and to the Depressed
classes in particular is worth study for the students, teachers for that matter
for every Indian and every human on the Earth, He is the greatest ‘Role Model’
to the World.
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar and the circumstances leading
to his conversion to Buddhism:
1.
A brief note of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar’s Life, education
and Mission:
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
was born on 14th April, 1891 at a village Mohi(Mhow) in present Madhy
Pradesh. His parents were Ramji Sakpal and Bhimabai. He was the fourteenth
child of his parents. His grandfather
(Malhoji) and his father were ex-service men. He studied his primary and
Secondary at Dapoli, Satara and Bombay(1907), BA in Elphinston College,
Bombay(1912),MA, Ph.D, M.Sc in Columbia University (1916), D.Sc in London-
University (1922) and Bar-at-law in
Bonn University, Germany(1923).
He
worked as Military Secretary (1916) at Baroda, Professor (1930) and Principal(1935)in
Law college, Bombay. He was member of
Bombay Legislative council (1927), member of cabinet of central Assembly, and
Law Minister in free India (1947-51).
His
procession to open chowder Tank (Mahad) to SC’s(1927), to Kalaram temple of
Nasik (1930-35), Communal award to SC’s& ST’s (1932), attending Buddhist
conferences in 1945, 1950(Delhi), 1954 (Ceylon) and his conversion to Buddhism
at Nagpur on 14th October 1956 were the mile-stones in his social
reform movement. He died on 6th
December 1956.
In
fact, he determined to fight against those prejudices, ill-treatment,
inequality and injustice through acquiring knowledge and Logic.
2.
The Circumstances leading to Dr.Ambedkar’s
conversion to Buddhism.
Dr. Ambedkar has minutely studied Hinduism and
Hindu customs and traditions such as caste system, untouchability, inequality,
inhuman discrimination, allotment of menial services to them, ill-treatment,
denying education and unhygienic life outside the villages. He also personally experienced a swallowed
unbearable insults right from is being a student to Minister.
When
he was a student in primary and secondary schools at Dapoli and Satara, he and
his brother was asked to sit outside the classroom and listen the lessons, but
not to sit along with caste Hindu Children in the class. When he was studying
BA in Elphinston College at Bombay, he was not served a cup of tea by the
Savarna hotel owner. His hair was not
cut by a barber, but his sisters did it.
After his return from Columbia University (1916), he worked as Military
Secretary at Baroda. Then, the peons
used to throw files on his table to avoid untouchability. He did not get a rented house at Baroda as he
was a low caste man (Mahar). Thus, on
one hand, he studied Hinduism, its customs and traditions thoroughly and on
other hand, he personally experienced the unbearable insults by the caste
Hindus. Hence, he said, “I was born as a
Hindu but, I never die as a Hindu”.
His
conversion.
At the advice of Shankarananda Shastri,
Dr.Ambedkar, with his five Lakh followers embraced Buddhism between 9.00AM to
11.00AM, on 14th October 1956 at Nagpur. It was officiated by Bikku Chandramani. It is
a Red letter day in the annals of Indian history.
The
converted depressed class people are called the Neo-Buddhists who are immensely
influenced by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar and find solace in Buddhism, the religion of
equality, humanity and compassion.
In
fact, Dr.Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism was symbolic oppressive and
discriminatory Hinduism, silenced the caste Hindus.
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
wanted to strengthen the Neo-Buddhists, striving for their peace, equality, and
justice, and to bring profound change in their life.
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
was a great admirer of Lord Buddha has written many books like ‘Buddha and his
Dhamma’, ‘Revolution and Counter Revolution in India’, and ‘Buddha and Karl Marx’.
Aredent
followers of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar:
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar has visited most of the
villages in Belgaum district to bring awareness among the depressed classes and
educate them. He had many ardent followers in Belgaum district, important among
them were late Shri Datta Katti (Member of Parliament), Shri.B.H.Varale (Ex.MLA
of Bombay Karnataka) of Nipani. Both were contemporaries of Dr Ambedkar who
actively took part with Ambedkar in his movement to uplift the dalits.
Dr.Ambedkar consulted them on important Political, Social matters and even took
suggestions during formation of Indian Constitution. Devarai Ingali another
tall leader of dalit community, M.B.Kamble, Ningappa Varale of Khadakalat,
M.D.Kamble of Examba were staunch followers of Ambedkar. At present, the retired teacher V.D.Malage,
M.G.Devarushi and M.B.Chitale are active in Neo-Buddhist movement.
Most
of the people of border villages in Belgaum district such as Nippani,
Kadakalat, Chikodi, Examba, Galataga, Sadalga, Kadapur, and Nerli were very
much influenced by Dr.Ambedkar.
Neo-Buddhist
Settlements in Belgaum District.
After
being influenced by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar’s thoughts, many Dalits in Belgaum district
followed the footsteps of their leader. They inturn tried to influence the
people to embrace Buddhism.
Nipani,
Khadakalat, Chikodi, Examba, Kadapur, Galataga, Sadalga, Nerli and Jaisingpur taluka
(Maharashtra) are the active settlements of Neo-Buddhists in Belgaum
district.
Neo-Buddhist
Activists in Belgaum District
The
pioneers who persuaded and influenced Dalits to embrace Buddhism in Belgaum District
were Late Datta Katti (Member of Parliament), and Shri.B.H.Varale (both were
his close associates) of Nippani,M.B.Kamble (teacher) and Ningappa Varale of
Khadakalat, M.D.Kamble of Examba and Devarai Ingale. At present the retired
teachers Shri.V.D.Malage, M.G. Devarushi and M.B.Chitale of Examba are active
in Neo-Buddhist movement.
Neo-Buddhist
activities in Belgaum District.
Nipani:
It is
an important city of Belgaum district having large Dalit population, was much
influenced by Dr.Ambedkar himself. Shri. Datta Katti and Shri.B.H.Varale, the
close associates of Dr.Ambedkar in 1956 embraced Buddhism along with
Dr.Ambedkar. Both influenced many villagers in Belgaum district to embrace
Buddhism. They created new young and
energetic leaders like Shri.Avinash Katti, Varale brothers, Achyut Mane,
J.D.Kamble, and others who are carrying forward the legacy of Dr.Ambedkar.
Kadakalat:
Mr.Ningappa Varale
(he got Shramana Diksha and Changed his name from Ningappa Varale to Banteji Dipankarji
Bikku) was a coolie by profession, with only two years of schooling, he was
immensely influenced by Dr.Ambedkar’s speech at Nippani in 1950. He walked 15kms to attend it. After Dr.Ambedkar
embraced Buddhism in 1950, Ningappa Started Buddha Vandana in his hut by keeping
the photos of Buddha and some people made fun of him, still he continued
it. He also took the responsibility of
spreading and popularising Neo-Buddhist ideas in Examba, Galataga, Sadalga and
Nerli. Mr.Nignappa Varale who is also called Bikku Banteji Dipankarji is also
responsible for spreading Neo-Buddhist activities in the neighbouring taluka Jaisingpur
(Maharashtra) and led to the socio-economic and cultural changes among Dalits
of the area.
Examba:
Examba village in Chikodi taluka is known for
its Neo-Buddhist population. Most of the
Mahar community people have embraced Neo-Buddhism.
And
other follower of Dr.Ambedkar a dedicated teacher by Profession was
M.D.Kamble. His efforts led to the
founding of ‘Maha Bodhi Sangha’, at Examba, which is trying to abolish blind
faith, caste system, superstitions, and making the people to live with
self-respect.
In
1992, a chaityalaya’ based on ‘Sanchi Stupa’ model is built in the
village. Neo-Buddhists of the village
perform Buddha Vandana, Sangha Vandana and Dhamma Vandana’.
Kadapur:
About 200 families
of Kadapur village in Chikodi
taluka also follow Neo-Buddhist tradition.
The people of Examba village influenced people of Kadapur village to
come to the path of Neo-Buddhism. The young leaders of the village Chandramani Machendra,
Subhash and Raju Kamble and others are leading the activities. They are also visiting neighbouring villages
to create awareness among Dalits. They
too visit Nagpur every year. They also
have established “Jyotiba Pule Co-op
Credit Society’ to uplift the Dalits.
Nerli:
Nerli village in Belgaum district is other
important Neo-Buddhist Settlement in Belgaum district. Late Datta Katti influenced the people of the
village in 1982 to embrace Buddhism.
They have founded “Subodhi Buddha Vihara”. In 1991, the people of that
village conducted, ‘Naming Ceremony’, ‘House-Warming’, ‘Marriage’ and Funeral
Ceremonies in Buddhist tradition. There
about 300 families are following Buddhism.
The Neo-Buddhists visit Nagpur every year to Commemorate Dr.Ambedkar’s
conversion to Buddhism.
Neo-Buddhist
institutions in Belgaum District.
Other
than the various institutions mentioned in the context, there are some
Neo-Buddhist institutions in Belgaum district.
They are: a Chaityalaya at Examba, Ambedkar Bhavan at Kadapur, Ambedkar Bhavan
at Nippani, and recently a beautiful Ambedkar Bhavan was inaugurated in Belgaum.
Dr.Ambedkar Sanskar Mandal at Kadakalat, Bharat Ratna Dr.Ambedkar Samajik Samskritik
Sangha and Ambedkar Samata Manch at Jatrat (a village near Nippani) are working
to help Dalits and spreading Neo-Buddhism.
Conclusion:
It is learnt from the study that the
Neo-Buddhist villages in Belgaum district are trying and moving towards a more
human, Just and Casteless society. They
are spreading education and striving their best to bring Socio-economic
political and religious awareness among Dalits.
With education
and awareness, there is certainly a great hope for the growth development, and
spread of Dr.Ambedkar’s Buddhist thoughts among the Neo-Buddhists in Belgaum
district. That is enough for their
reform, revival and renovated life.
Bibliography
1. Dr.J.J.Shukla. ‘Dr.B.R.Ambedkar on Hinduism
1993. Ahmedabad Global Books and
Periodicals.
2. Dhananjay Kheer. ‘Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Life and
Mission’ 1987. Bombay popular prakashan Pvt Ltd. 35-C, Pandit Madan Mohan
Malaviya Marg.
3. March of Karnataka, Monthly issue,
‘Dr.B.R.Ambedkar- The legend of the century’ April 1994, Regd KRN-BG GPO-2.
4. S.P.Myageri. ‘An illustrious son of India’.
(Article) 1995, Chinchani Chikodi taluka, District Belgaum.
5. Gazetteer of Belgaum District
6. Discussion by Research Scholar with Resource
persons and contemporary leaders of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar.
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