An
Open Letter To Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Of India
By Nishikant Waghmare
02 August, 2007
Countercurrents.org
Dr.Manmohan Singh
Hon'ble Prime Minister
Republic Of India
7 Race Course Road
New Delhi-110011.
Most Respected Dr. Manmohan Singh
Ji,
I am happy to know that our
Nation's Government of India celebrating the 2550th "Buddha Mahaparinirvana
Anniversary" is being commemorated with great solemnity throughout
India. Government of India for this purpose in the Ministry of Culture
has set up a National Committee under your Chairmanship.
The Minister of Tourism &
Culture, Mrs. Ambika Soni, is the Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee
and also heads the Implementation Committee entrusted with the task
of implementing the various programmes chalked out for a year and for
the whole country. 2550 th Buddha Anniversary programme was inaugurated
on 13 May 2006 (Buddha Purnima Day) by yourself and was attended by
many important leaders including religious leaders.
A number of events have
been planned including an important International Conference at Bodhgaya
on the theme of Buddhism and the 21 st Century from February 4 to 6,
2007. The closing ceremony will be held at Kushinagar (the place of
the Mahaparinirvana in eastern Uttar Pradesh) on the Buddha Purnima
day.
It gives me great pleasure
to inform you that The three Sub-Groups of Implementation Committee
has set –up and for Conferences and Publications Committee Convener
Dr. Bhalachandra Mungekar invited me to attend Bodhgaya International
conference on February 4-6, 2007 on this historic occasion I wish to
hand over my "Resolution relating to Ambedkarites and Buddhist
of the World." Along with Dr.Bhalachandra Mungekar in Conference
at Bodhgaya on February 4, 2007.
Mr. Prime Minister, after
60 years of Independence we must give due justice and human face to
Buddhist people of India in the land of Buddha and Nation of Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar who has given us one of the finest Constitution in the world
which we all love and respect Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for
his contribution and Chairmanship.
Dr. Ambedkar's role as a
prominent constitution maker of India is quite well known. However,
his views on religion, particularly his reasons for renouncing Hinduism,
the religion of his birth, are not as widely known. Ambedkar who was
born in an "untouchable" family carried on a relentless battle
against untouchability throughout his adult life. In the last part of
his life, he renounced Hinduism and became a Buddhist. What were his
reasons for doing so?
A detailed answer to this
question can be obtained by studying his the Buddha and His Dhamma,
Annihilation of Caste, Philosophy of Hinduism, Riddles in Hinduism etc.
Nonetheless, some of his articles, speeches and interviews before and
after his conversion to Buddhism throw some light on this question.
Ambedkar's statement in 1935
at Yeola Conference is quite instructive in this regard. Ambedkar believed
that the untouchables occupied a "weak and lowly status" only
because they were a part of the Hindu society. When attempts to gain
equal status and "ordinary rights as human beings" within
the Hindu society started failing, Ambedkar thought it was essential
to embrace a religion which will give "equal status, equal rights
and fair treatment" to untouchables. He clearly said to his supporters
"select only that religion in which you will get equal status,
equal opportunity and equal treatment."
The Government of India must
hand over the management of one of the Holiest Shrines of world the
Mahabodhi Temple, amending the Management Act of 1949. Millions of Buddhists
across the world are upset as non-Buddhists have the control over the
Holiest Shrine of Buddhists. We Buddhist must have control over the
management.
We the Buddhist of India
wish to make an appeal to all the world's religious and political leaders
to demand immediate dissolution of the temple management committee to
hand over control of MahaBodhi Temple in the hands of Indian Buddhists.
If the management of Hindu
Temples, Churches, Mosques and Gurudwaras are not under the control
of other sects, then why not so in the case of the Mahabodhi temple
in the hands of Buddhists. Buddhists had been given very little role
in managing the affairs of the temple for over five decades. Mahabodhi
Temple was given a UNESCO Heritage...
Wisdom and Compassion –The
way forward !
May peace prevail in India
!
May peace prevail on Earth
!
Yours in the Mission,
Nishikant Waghmare, Director-Asia
& Pacific, Airline Ambassador UN NGO USA. [email protected]
,www.worldpeace.org www.airlineamb.org
"Resolution
Relating to Ambedkar Samaj and Buddhists in World"
1. It has been the long-term
desire of the Buddhist religious Minority to be entrusted with the responsibility
of the management of the important Buddha Gaya Temple known as "BodhGaya
Mahavihara" At present there is a managing Committee consisting
of 9 Members, of whom 4 are Buddhists and 4 are Hindus, with the D.M.
Gaya as the Chairman (provided that if he/she is not a Hindu, then the
ADM.) The Bihar Act 1949 has to be amended to provide for a Managing
Committee with Buddhists as Chairman and Secretary and the other Managing
Committee Members to be Buddhist.
2. Buddha Poornima(Vesak
Day) should be declared as a Public Holiday under the Negotiable Act.
Vesak Day (Buddha Poornima) is declared Public Holiday by United Nations
three years back.
3. Government of India officially
must declared Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as the "Father of the Constitution"
if there is a need to amend the article 18 (1) since Article 18 (1)
of the Constitution specifically provides that "no title, not being
a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the State."
4. Every Year on January
26 President of India coming from Rashtrapati Bhavan in Open Car or
His Special Horse Chariot must offer a floral tribute to Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar Statue at Parliament House,( Since Dr. Ambekdar is the Chief
Architect of the Nation's Constitution) main entrance. Than President
of India take a National salute at Rajpath.
5. Work on the Establishment
of an International Buddhist University, in New Delhi should be taken
up vigorously and completed early, utilizing the Grants made by the
Japanese people and Government of Japan. In December 2006, Dr. Manmohan
Singh, Prime Minister of India, made agreement on the issue in Japan.
6. Special 2550th Mahaparinirvana
Buddha Anniversary Celebration Indian postal Stamps four Images of Buddha
as Shown Rajgir "Vishwa Shanti-Sutpa"
7. Special Indian Coin and
Currency Notes with Buddha Images .World is changing we must change
our mindset after 2550 th year of Buddha's Enlightenment since we all
call our civilization 5000 years old in the world.
8. Ministry of Culture must print all important books of Buddha's life
during the year long Celebration and Indian Buddhist must not be called
"Indian Dalit Buddhists."
Presented by: Nishikant Waghmare-Dhammadutta.
Director-Asia & Pacific-Airline
Ambassador, United Nations N.G.O.USA.
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