Canada’s British Columbia Province Declares April As ‘Dalit History Month’

The month of April now marks ‘Dalit History Month’ as per Canada‘s British Columbia province. The official website of the government of British Columbia professed the historic step taken by the New Democratic Party-led (NDP) government.

Dalit History Month is an annual observance as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the Dalits or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It is celebrated in April all over the world by followers of B.R Ambedkar.

The month is even more significant for the community because of the birth and death anniversaries of other tall Dalit leaders like Jyotirao Phule, Mangu Ram Mugowalia, and Sant Ram Udasi.

“April is a significant month for Dalit communities because it commemorates the birth and death anniversaries of important Dalit leaders and social reformers in the movement against systemic caste discrimination, such as BR Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Mangu Ram Mugowalia, and Sant Ram Udasi,” the government declaration read. 

The British Columbia proclamation not only recognized these individuals but also acknowledged “the strength and resiliency of the Dalit community in overcoming hardships and advocating for social justice and equality for all”.

Decreed in the name of Queen Elizabeth II, the proclamation noted that the province is “a culturally diverse province comprising many peoples and communities”.

“Indigenous people, Black people, and people of color in British Columbia continue to experience systemic racism, injustices, discrimination, and hate, and the government of British Columbia is committed to addressing all forms of racism.”

Last year, the province celebrated ‘Equality Day’ on April 14 the 130th birth anniversary of Ambedkar.