A week-long international symposium and Dr. Ambedkar Equality Day planned by Chetna Association of Canada and Ambedkarite International Coordination Society

APPROXIMATELY a hundred delegates from India, the United Kingdom, France, the Middle East, the United States and Canada are expected to attend a week-long symposium in Vancouver from April 21 to 26.

“We are very excited to welcome delegates and community members to these gatherings and facilitate interactive dialogues on Dalit emancipation through inclusion, meaningful representation, and enhanced social, political, and economic equality,” said Jai Birdi and Param Kainth, co-chairs of the steering committee mandated to host these events and appointed by Chetna Association of Canada and Ambedkarite International Coordination Society (AICS).

“We are also very pleased to organize these events in partnership with our academic and community partners,” said Birdi.

The symposium will feature:

* April 21: from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Asian Center at University of British Columbia. A session on “Buddhism – as envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar, and outlined in his noble book, ‘Buddha and His Dhamma.'”

Dr. Ambedkar’s great-grandnephew, Rajaratna Ambedkar, will be one of the key panel members to discuss this topic. The session will be moderated by Dr. Jessica L. Main, Associate Professor with The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Chair in Buddhism and Contemporary Society, Department of Asian Studies, University of British Columbia.

* April 21: from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at CK Choi Building, University of British Columbia. Session – “India’s legal framework and how it enables human emancipation.”

Los Angeles County Judge Neetu Badhan-Smith will be a key member on this panel. The session will be moderated by local lawyer, Lovleen Gill.

* April 22: All day program at Sauder Business School at University of British Columbia, Room Number 492.

Sessions will include:

9 a.m. – Opening and introductory remarks

10:15 a.m. – Dr. Ambedkar Manifesto.

11:15 a.m. – “Caste in academic settings in Canada and other jurisdictions” will provide opportunities for students and faculty to share their experiences and suggestions on addressing caste-based discrimination in academic settings. The session will be moderated by Dr. Priti Narayan, Director with Center for India and South Asia Research at University of British Columbia. Note: This session will be a tribute to Dr. Pamposh, Rohith Vemula and others who experienced extreme caste-oppression in academic settings and lost their lives.

1:30 p.m. – “Caste and entrepreneurship”: entrepreneurs will discuss how they are leveraging opportunities to enhance inclusion through entrepreneurship both in Canada and India.

3 p.m. – “Women and Youth Empowerment” – a panel discussion highlighting women and youth spearheading discussions on caste oppression and strategies moving forward. Moderated by UBC Law Professor, Dr. Brenna Bhandar. Meera Estrada, a Toronto-based journalist, will be one of the key panel members.

4:20 p.m. – A summary of issues and strategies heard will be reported by Dr. Rita Dhamoon of University of Victoria at the end of the session.

* April 23: A pilgrimage to the Guru Ravidass Community Center in Burnaby will be arranged for the morning of April 23. In the evening, a gala reception to celebrate Dr. Ambedkar Birth Anniversary as ‘Equality Day’ will be hosted at Fraserview Banquet Hall in Vancouver.

April 24: Equality Day Celebrations will be hosted at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. Along with a theatrical performance by Simran Kranti, the City of Burnaby will be honoured for being the first city in North America to proclaim April 14 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality in Burnaby.

* April 25: Equality Day at the University of Victoria. A short visit to the BC Legislature and a meeting with the House Speaker, Raj Chouhan, the first person of South Asian background to achieve this position, will also be arranged.

* April 26: Equality Day Celebrations at the University of Fraser Valley in Abbotsford. A discussion will be held on partnership opportunities for enhancing inclusion and preventing discrimination on the campus.

As some of the information is subject to change, people are encouraged to visit www.ase2023.ca regularly.

Some may wonder why the Dr. Ambedkar International Symposium is taking place in Canada.

Birdi says: “Metropolitan cities of Canada are now evolving and have a stronger visibility of the South Asian populations. Similar to what is being reported in other jurisdictions, incidents of caste-based oppression are surfacing. A need to assess and develop proactive measures is critical for preventing caste-based discrimination and providing safer places are critically needed in Canada.”

In the Lower Mainland of British Columbia there is already a strong foundation and partnerships have been created with academic, community, media and other organizations.

The City of Burnaby was the first city in Canada to proclaim April 14 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality. Similarly, the Province of British Columbia was the first provincial or state level government to proclaim Dr. Ambedkar Day of Equality and April as Dalit History Month.

Presentations to local cities and BC Human Rights Commission on the need to assess caste situation and take appropriate actions have also already been made. Legal cases were presented before the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and recently, the tribunal found the incident of caste oppression was valid and penalized the offenders.