The story so far: On October 5, Mission Jai Bhim and The Buddhist Society of India organised a public meeting in Delhi to commemorate Buddhist Conversion Day. Every year Dussehra is also celebrated as Ashoka Vijaya Dashami to commemorate Buddhist Conversion day. On October 14, 1956, B. R. Ambedkar along with more than half a million followers had embraced Buddhism in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This year, a Minister in the Aam Aadmi government in Delhi, Rajendra Pal Gautam, participated in the event in his personal capacity. Along with the thousands of people assembled, he recited the 22 vows, which is part of the ritual. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to Mr. Gautam’s presence at the event and his recitation of the vows. He was accused of spreading anti-Hindu sentiments. The BJP sought the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and following the uproar, Mr. Gautam resigned on October 9.
Are the 22 vows controversial?
Modern history has admired Ambedkar as a revolutionary social reformer. His writings on social questions offer deep intellectual and critical inquiry about the problems of an exploitative Hindu caste order. He wanted to end the inhuman practice of untouchability. His academic work is well-known for the scrutiny of Hindu philosophical texts. Though several nationalist leaders, including Gandhi, disagreed with Ambedkar, they accepted him as a committed leader who wanted to liberate socially marginalised communities from the stranglehold of caste.
