Dear Shri Prakash Ambedkarji,
I write to you with respect and concern, as your influence as a leader carries immense weight in shaping public discourse. Your recent remarks regarding the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the unfortunate incident involving an attack on him have caused me to reflect deeply. With utmost humility, I urge you to reconsider the narrative you’ve presented, as it risks perpetuating misinformation that can fracture our society’s unity.
Firstly, I must express my disappointment at the claim that the CJI is a Shudra or Ati Shudra. This assertion is factually incorrect. The CJI, like many who have embraced Buddhism, follows the path of Lord Buddha, a philosophy that transcends caste divisions. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, your revered grandfather, may have been born into a community labeled as Shudra, but his life’s work and eventual embrace of Buddhism were a rejection of caste hierarchies. He did not die as a Shudra—he died as a global icon of justice, equality, and intellectual emancipation. To label the CJI in such terms undermines the very legacy of Dr. Ambedkar, who envisioned a casteless society. I humbly request, sir, that you verify your facts and correct this narrative.
When leaders of your stature make statements without due diligence, the consequences ripple far beyond the immediate context. Misinformation spreads like wildfire, sowing division and mistrust in society. Your remarks, perhaps made in haste, have the potential to fuel misunderstanding, particularly among those who look to you for guidance. The incident of someone throwing shoes at the CJI is deplorable, but linking it to caste without evidence is dangerous. It risks inflaming tensions and painting communities in broad, unfair strokes. When people like you spread rumors, misinformation spreads far in society, distorting truths and deepening divides.
Moreover, do we know the caste of the attacker? Is it possible that the individual who committed this act belongs to the Shudra community, as you seem to imply? Without concrete evidence, such assumptions are baseless. The CJI, as a member of the general category within Buddhist society, represents a position of impartiality and justice, not caste-based identity. To frame this incident through a caste lens without substantiation is to perpetuate a cycle of prejudice that Dr. Ambedkar fought tirelessly to dismantle. When people like you spread rumors, misinformation spreads far in society, and it erodes the principles of equality and reason that should guide us.
I implore you, sir, to lead with the same rigor and commitment to truth that Dr. Ambedkar exemplified. Your voice has the power to unite or divide, to clarify or confuse. The incident with the CJI should be condemned unequivocally, but it must not be reduced to a caste-based narrative without evidence. Let us focus on fostering dialogue that uplifts, not divides. Let us honor Dr. Ambedkar’s vision by rejecting casteist assumptions and embracing facts. I respectfully ask for your forgiveness if my words seem harsh, but they stem from a deep desire to see our society progress toward unity and truth.
In closing, I urge you to retract any misleading statements and lead with the wisdom and integrity that your legacy demands. Let us work together to build a society where justice, not rumor, prevails, and where every individual is judged by their actions, not their caste. With hope for a brighter, united future, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Ashish Kumar ‘Anshu’
Delhi
