VACNOUVER: Approximately hundred delegates are expected to attend a week-long symposium in Vancouver from April 21 to 26, 2023 from India, the United Kingdom, France, Middle East, the United States, and of course, from across Canada.
The symposium is organised jointly by Chetna Association of Canada and Ambedkarite International Coordination Society long with various academic partners working in the field of South Asian studies and caste like UBC, Hari Sharma Foundation, South Asian Studies Institute, Institute for the Humanities at Simon Fraser University, KPU etc.
“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 organise these events in partnership with our academic and community partners”, continued Birdi.
Some may wonder why the Dr. Ambedkar International Symposium is taking place in Canada?
“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”, says Birdi.
In the lower mainland of British Columbia, there is already a strong foundation and partnerships created with academic, community, media, and other organizations.
City of Burnaby was the first city in Canada to proclaim April 14- Dr. 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 – 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 penalised the offenders close to ten thousand dollars to cover a portion of legal costs.
The symposium will feature discussions and talks on Dr Ambedkar’s contributions in the field of Dalit emancipation.Dr. Ambedkar’s great grand nephew, Rajaratna Ambedkar, will be one of the key panel members to discuss this topic.
It will also bring together people who have faced caste based biases outside India. “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 ColumbiaThis session will be tributed to Dr. Pamposh, Rohith Vemula, and others who experienced extreme caste-oppression in academic settings and lost their lives.
On 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.
On April 24, 25 and 26 Equality Day Celebrations will be hosted at various universities Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.
Along with theatrical performance by Simran Kranti, City of Burnaby will be honoured for being the first city in North America to proclaim April 14- Dr. B.R. Day of Equality in Burnaby.
People are encouraged to visit www.ase2023.ca regularly.
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