After UP, Bhim Army set to rock Maharashtra

The Bhim Army Bharat Ekta Mission, aka Bhim Army, which shot into prominence after caste clashes in Uttar Pradesh is looking to put down roots in Maharashtra, the home state of Dalit icon Dr Bhimrao ‘Babasaheb’ Ambedkar.

To that end, the Dalit group has enrolled the services of Ambedkarite shaheer (balladeer) Sambhaji Bhagat, his team and students to form a rock band that will campaign across the state to demand the release the release of founder Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan’. Azad was arrested after clashes between Thakurs and Dalits in Saharanpur.

“We will soon launch a ‘Release Chandrashekhar Azad’ campaign across Maharashtra. We have formed a rock band and will campaign till the time he is not released,” said Ashok Kamble, the head of the Maharashtra unit, claiming false charges had been foisted on the lawyer by the Uttar Pradesh police.

The band, which first performed during the Bhim Army’s meeting at Nehru Nagar on Sunday, will initially have protest gigs in Mumbai in locations like Bandra Bandstand, Marine Drive and Juhu beach, which are popular with the youth, as well as areas like Ramabai Nagar, that have a substantial Dalit population.

Dalits form around 14% of Maharashtra’s population with Buddhist Dalits (erstwhile Mahars who converted to Buddhism) comprising a majority.

The group’s Maharashtra unit was launched June 18 at Chaityabhoomi, the memorial of Dr Ambedkar and was attended by representatives from 22 districts. As part of its outreach, the state unit will publicise helpline numbers for oppressed women across communities and students who face discrimination and malpractices like capitation fees.

Leaders of the Republican Party of India (RPI), which currently enjoys the status of the sole Ambedkarite political party in the state, grudgingly admit that the new kid on the block may attract youngsters frustrated at the state of Dalit politics, but doubt if they can create a sustainable organisation.

“Maharashtra is the cradle of the Ambedkarite movement. Trends from outside are not accepted here. On the contrary, the Dalit Panthers and RPI were launched in Maharashtra and spread elsewhere,” noted senior Ambedkarite and RPI leader Avinash Mahatekar.

Meanwhile, the Bhim Army plans to launch a membership drive soon.