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[[Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States]]
[[Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States]]
[[Category:Civil rights organizations]]
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[[Category:Ambedkarite organizations]]
[[Category:Ambedkarite organisations]]

Revision as of 04:27, 22 September 2021

Ambedkar International Center (AIC) is a civil rights advocacy group formed in 2012 to fight against caste discrimination in the United States. AIC's mission is to strengthen the unity among scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs) and other backward classes (OBCs) living in the United States of America.[1] The organisation is named after the leading Indian social activist and caste reformer, and also architect of the Constitution of India, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.[1][2]

According to B.R. Ambedkar, caste is a birth based hierarchical system wherein people are divided into four varnas or categories: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, in an order of descending value.[3][4] As Yashica Dutta writes in the New York Times, Dalit, meaning oppressed, is a self-chosen identity for a quarter of India’s population who have been at the receiving end of centuries old systematic and institutionalised discrimination and disenfranchisement.[5]

Ambedkar International Centre
Named afterBabasaheb Ambedkar
President
Sanjay Kumar [6]
Vice President
Rakesh G [7]
Websitehttps://ambedkarinternationalcenter.org

Context

See also: Caste discrimination in the United States and Anti-Brahminism

According to B.R. Ambedkar, caste is a birth based hierarchical system wherein people are divided into four varnas or categories: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, in an order of descending value. [3][4]

A person's caste is determined at birth and that channels them into that caste's occupation. Dalits, who technically fall outside the caste system, do the dirtiest jobs — cleaning sewers, taking away dead animals, tanning leather and other tasks that are considered to pollute a person in Hinduism.[8] In the United States as well, caste follows[9], as a 2018 survey by Equality Labs reveals that 67% of Dalits in the Indian diaspora within the United States admitted to facing caste-based harassment at the workplace.[5] 25% of dalits also reported facing verbal or physical assault based on their caste.[10]

Vision

Ambedkar International Center works for the emancipation of Dalits in the United States.[1] In a context where a majority of Indians living in the United States are upper-caste[11], caste-Hindu practices such as performing a supremacist threat ceremony that is only for Brahmin men, lionizing vegetarianism as a virtue and in effect demonising the consumption of meat are some practices through which upper-caste Hindus establish their cultural presence as a community.[12]

This results in a bias towards a nostalgic and celebratory view of Hinduism.[13] Scholars such as Kancha Illiah have argued that Dalit practices do not fall within the umbrella of Hinduism,[14] and that Hindu practices have stemmed from the oppression of Dalit communities, where and all aspects of dalitbahujan social life are denied respect.[15][16]

According to AIC, caste is also downplayed within these Hindu practices[17], as is clear from the argument a 'Hindu supremacist' organisation made in an injection in the Cisco caste discrimination case, that the State could not interfere in such matters, "effectively claiming impunity for bigotry in the name of religious freedom."[12][18][19]

History and organization

Ambedkar International Center is part of a coalition of American Ambedkarite Organizations which have been active in the anti-caste lobbying for over two decades in America.[20] The civil-rights organization[21] was formed in the United States in June 2012, to strengthen the unity among scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.[1]

In May 2013, AIC acquired the 13.2 acre property near the capital of the USA, Washington DC, to establish the world's first Ambedkar International Center in the west.[1][22] [23] As per the organisation's website, the site was inaugurated by former Chief Justice of India Hon’ble K. G.Balakrishnan on 21st July 2013.[24]

The organization is run by an executive council that is elected every two years. As of September 2021, the current executive council was elected in February 2021.[1]

Executive council members

1. Sanjay Kumar, President

2. Rakesh G, Vice President

3. Archana G, Secretary

4. Mahesh W, Treasurer

5. Ramkrishna B, Board Member

6. Mahesh G, Board Member

7. Chitra B, Board Member

8. Mahendra K, Board Member

9. Takshak N, Board Member

Advocacy

As a American Ambedkarite organisation, Ambedkar International Center has been advocating for caste-issues that arise in the United States[20], and has also protested against the murder of George Floyd.[25]

Cisco caste discrimination case

On 30th June, 2020 the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit[26] in San Jose against Cisco Systems on behalf of an employee who alleged that he had been discriminated against on the basis of his caste.[27] On 2nd March, 2021 AIC approached the California Supreme Court to be admitted as an amicus curiae in the matter.[28][29][30][31]

Sought UN's support for Bhima-Koregaon activists

Ambedkar International Center has been a prominent signatory amongst organisations and individuals that mounted concern over the alleged illegal detention of civil rights activists in India.[32][33][34] The organisations allege that the evidence against Anand Teltumbede, a prominent Indian scholar, has been fabricated and urged the United Nations to engage with the Government of India to immediately withdraw all charges against Dr. Teltumbde.[35]

Rohith Vemula's death

After Rohith Vemula, a notable dalit scholar died, AIC organised a protest in Boston,[36][37] and was part of a protest in San Francisco.[38] The Ambedkar International Center was quoted by the Deccan Chronicle, saying that "Rohith’s death was a sad day for the Dalit movement."[36]

Covid relief

AIC-funded initiatives organised medical camps and online awareness programs in over 50 locations in remote rural and slum areas in 10 states of India.[39] AIC also facilitated the procured of oxygen concentrators, which were shipped to Chandrapur in Maharashtra.[40]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Who We Are". Ambedkar International Center. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  2. ^ "Books by 'Father of Indian Constitution' B.R. Ambedkar - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  3. ^ a b DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR WRITINGS AND SPEECHES VOL. 1. https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/attach/amb/Volume_01.pdf: Dr Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India. 1979. ISBN 978-93-5109-064-9. {{cite book}}: External link in |location= (help)CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. ^ a b "THE ANNIHILATION OF CASTE" (PDF). ccnmtl.columbia.edu. 10 September 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 10 September 2021 suggested (help)
  5. ^ a b Dutt, Yashica (2020-07-14). "Opinion | The Specter of Caste in Silicon Valley". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  6. ^ ambedkarinternationalcenter.org "[1] Archived September 2, 2021, at the Wayback Machine". Accessed September 2, 2021.
  7. ^ ambedkarinternationalcenter.org "[2] Archived September 2, 2021, at the Wayback Machine". Accessed September 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "Even with a Harvard pedigree, caste follows 'like a shadow'". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  9. ^ "California example". The Indian Express. 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  10. ^ Naik, Raqib Hameed. "US students pass resolution to end discrimination against Dalits". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  11. ^ "All Come to Look for America". The Indian Express. 2016-12-10. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  12. ^ a b "AMBEDKAR INTERNATIONAL CENTER POST-PRESS CONFERENCE BRIEF" (PDF). Ambedkarinternationalcenter.org. 2 March 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Why is the Indian Diaspora in Denial About Caste?". Economic and Political Weekly: 7–8. 2015-06-05.
  14. ^ Samuel, Joshua (2020). Untouchable Bodies, Resistance, and Liberation. https://brill.com/previewpdf/book/9789004420052/BP000006.xml?pdfJsInlineViewToken=1782819820&inlineView=true: Brill. p. 80. ISBN 9789004420052. {{cite book}}: External link in |location= (help)CS1 maint: location (link)
  15. ^ "Dalits". Minority Rights Group. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  16. ^ Kolappan, B. (2017-10-09). "Oppressed by Dalits: living as the lowest among the lowest". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  17. ^ "Why is the Indian Diaspora in Denial About Caste?". Economic and Political Weekly: 7–8. 2015-06-05.
  18. ^ "California's case against Cisco Systems violates Hindus' religious freedom". Hindu American Foundation. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  19. ^ Karthikeyan, S. "The Hindu American Foundation's warped position on caste in the Cisco case". The Caravan. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  20. ^ a b "American Ambedkarite organizations condemn caste discrimination at Cisco". The News Minute. 2020-07-04. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  21. ^ Osgood, Brian. "Calls to tackle caste-based discrimination in US gather steam". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  22. ^ TwoCircles.net (2013-05-14). "Ambedkar International Center (AIC) acquires 13 acres of land in Washington DC area". TwoCircles.net. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  23. ^ "DR. AMBEDKAR INTERNATIONAL CENTER (AIC) ACQUIRES PROPERTY IN WASHINGTON DC AREA" (PDF). Ambedkar Times. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  24. ^ AIC (2020-05-05). "Bodhisattva Dr. Ambedkar Memorial". Ambedkar International Center. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  25. ^ "American Ambedkarite organisations demand Justice for George Floyd; draw parallels between racism and casteism". TheLeaflet. 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  26. ^ "California Accuses Cisco of Job Discrimination Based on Indian Employee's Caste". The Wire. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  27. ^ "How Big Tech Is Importing India's Caste Legacy to Silicon Valley". Bloomberg.com. 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  28. ^ "California's Legal Ground in Battling Caste Discrimination Takes Centre Stage in Historic Cisco Case". The Wire. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  29. ^ "Ambedkar International Centre moves California court to join caste discrimination case". OutlookIndia.com. 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  30. ^ "US-based Ambedkar International Centre moves California court over caste discrimination with Dalit Indian". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  31. ^ "Ambedkar International Center Moves Court to Join Cisco Caste Discrimination Case". The Wire. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  32. ^ "Mounting international concern over detention of civil rights activists in India in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic". The Caravan. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  33. ^ "Global Solidarity Statement for Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha – India Civil Watch International (ICWI)". Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  34. ^ Wasnik, Mahesh. "Statement in support of twelve Bhima Koregaon activists". Round Table India. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  35. ^ "UN's Support Sought for Withdrawal of Charges Against Anand Teltumbde". The Wire. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  36. ^ a b "HCU suicide: Rohith protest goes abroad". Deccan Chronicle. 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  37. ^ "Ambedkar in America". Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's Caravan. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  38. ^ "San Francisco Protest - "Caste Apartheid" Responsible for Death of Dalit Scholar #RohithVermula - Kractivism". Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  39. ^ "COVID-19 and Vaccine Awareness Camp Organized at Over 50 Locations". Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  40. ^ "आम्बेडकर इंटरनेशनल सेंटर तसेच बोधिपथ मल्टीपरपज सोशल ऑर्गनाइज़ेशन तर्फे ऑक्सिजन कॉन्स्ट्रेटर मशीनची भेट". www.news34.in. Retrieved 2021-09-17.

External Links

Caste in the United States: A survey of Caste among South Asian Americans, Equality Labs (2018)

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches Vol 1

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