CU Jammu Commemorating the Legacy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Panel Discussion on “Ambedkar and the Idea of Nation”

Jammu, 16 April 2025: To commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Department of Educational Studies, Central University of Jammu, organized a thought-provoking panel discussion on the theme “Ambedkar and the Idea of Nation: Reconciling Democracy, Justice and Identity” under its academic platform, Shiksha Shastrarth. The event was conducted under the esteemed patronage of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sanjeev Jain, and was held at Pt. Malviya Shiksha Bhawan. It brought together distinguished scholars, faculty members, and students for a rich and reflective engagement with the intellectual and political legacy of Dr. Ambedkar. The event commenced with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp (Deep Prajwalan) and a Pushpanjali ceremony, invoking the spirit of reverence towards Dr. Ambedkar’s contribution to the nation.

Prof. Asit Mantry, Head of the Department, delivered the welcome address wherein he warmly welcomed the distinguished panellists and participants. He highlighted the significance of the Shiksha Shastrarth platform as a meaningful space for academic dialogue and critical engagement. Prof. Mantry also reflected upon Dr. Ambedkar’s profound contributions to the fields of education and social justice, emphasising how Ambedkar envisioned education as a powerful tool for empowerment and social transformation. The panel discussion was presided over by Prof. Ritu Bakshi, Dean of Students’ Welfare, who chaired the session and offered insightful perspectives on the enduring relevance of Ambedkar’s thoughts in the contemporary socio-political landscape.The distinguished panellists included Dr. Jai Bhawani Singh, Dr. Rahul Thakur, Dr. Abhay SD Rajput, and Prof. Pawan Kumar, who explored various dimensions of Ambedkar’s idea of nationhood, particularly his emphasis on constitutional democracy, social justice, and identity politics. Each panellist brought a unique lens to the discussion, drawing from Ambedkar’s writings and their applicability in present-day India. The panellists, during their talk, threw light on various aspects on which Dr. Ambedkar has emphasised, such as: education, society, democracy, politics, nation, nationality, caste, equality, etc. The panel discussion was followed by an open interaction session, where students, research scholars, and faculty members engaged directly with the panellists through thought-provoking questions and reflections.The event concluded with remarks by the Chairperson, Prof. Ritu Bakshi, reiterating the critical importance of Ambedkar’s thought in academia and public discourse.

A formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Yad Ram, acknowledging the contributions of all participants and collaborators. The event was successfully coordinated by the organising team comprising Dr. Yad Ram, Dr.Ravail Singh and Dr. Arvind Kumar, Mr. Vivek Kumar, and class representatives whose collective efforts ensured the smooth execution of the programme. The proceedings ended with the singing of the National Anthem.This academic gathering served as a fitting tribute to the vision and values of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and reflected the University’s commitment to fostering inclusive and informed dialogue.