Vancouver: The planning for the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Equality Day and his 133rd birth anniversary celebration on May 6 at Parliament Hill in Ottawa is currently underway, evoking immense gratitude and joy among proponents of social justice from across North America for this historic gathering.
"We are grateful to our members of parliament, MP Don Davies, MP Sarai, and MP Jasraj Singh Hallan for hosting the celebration this year," said Manjit Bains and Param Kainth, co-chairs for the steering committee tasked with planning the historic event at Parliament Hill.
Bains represents the Chetna Association of Canada, while Kainth represents the Ambedkarite International Coordination Society or AICS Canada, two community organizations inspired by the philosophy and approaches prescribed by Dr. Ambedkar.
In 2018, Sarai made history by hosting a ceremony at Parliament Hill and arranging for patrons to pay respects to Dr. Ambedkar on his 62nd death anniversary.
"Dr. Ambedkar's vision inspires us to build an inclusive society where every person is fully respected, treated equally, and discrimination is relentlessly challenged," said MP Don Davies, Vancouver Kingsway.
Similar sentiments were shared by MP Randeep Sarai, Surrey Center.
"Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s goal was to create a secular and equal India, in which every individual - irrespective of caste, religion, or other identity - would be treated with fairness," said Sarai.
According to Jai Birdi of the Chetna Association of Canada, the primary purposes for hosting the event at Parliament Hill are, to "enhance awareness of the parliamentarian and staff on caste, and many intersects that may impact equality, equity, and inclusion, so that effective and proactive measures and safeguards can be created, and caste-related slurs, hatred, discrimination, and segregation be prevented and addressed."
Dr. Chinniah Jangam, Professor in the Department of History at Carleton University, is on the agenda to share highlights of the caste equity movement in North America.
According to the organizers, "It has been pointed out that the issue of caste discrimination is no longer practiced only in one religion or one region; they agree.
"We also agree that many people of the South Asian Diaspora live in harmony with each other. Our approach is to celebrate equality and inclusion - and highlight where caste discrimination creates barriers to inclusion so proactive social reforms and legislative or policy frameworks are strengthened, clarified, and complaints related to caste discrimination are effectively addressed," explained Birdi.
In April, the Province of British Columbia proclaimed April 14 - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Equality Day. It also proclaimed April as the Dalit History Month.
The City of Surrey, a home to many people of South Asian heritage, also proclaimed April 14 as the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Equality Day while the City of Burlington proclaimed this as the Dr. Ambedkar Day of Equity.
In response to the motions passed by the City of Brampton and the Toronto District School Board, the Ontario Human Rights Commission issued a policy statement in October 2023 stating that while Caste is not a protected category in the Ontario Human Rights Code, there are many intersects; and, organizations have a responsibility to take measures to address caste-related issues and complaints.
Members of the steering committee are as follows:
Jai Birdi, Executive Director of Chetna Association of Canada
Manjit Bains, Chair, Women Empowerment Committee, Chetna Association of Canada
Surjit Bains, Treasurer, Chetna Association of Canada
Param Kainth, Vice President, AICS Canada
Manjit Kainth, General Secretary, AICS Canada
Manoj Bhangu, Member
Ryan Hurley, Parliamentary Assistant
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