The Centre started functioning from September 2006 onwards. Since inception, the Centre has initiated a few activities in Jammu Region of Jammu and Kashmir State. They are as follows:
SPECIAL LECTURE SERIES
The centre has organized following lectures on the broader themes of Ambedkar’s philosophy and his works. The distinguished speakers and the specific theme of the lecture series were:
· “Dr. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution” and “Social Justice: Ambedkar’s Vision” on 19-20th Dec. 2006 by Dr. Sushma Yadav, Professor, Dr. Ambedkar Chair in Social Justice, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi.
· “Dalit Leadership and Role of Ambedkar” and “Different Shades of Dalit Assertion” on 9-10th Feb. 2007 by Dr. Vivek Kumar, Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
· “From Status Improvement to Social Inclusion: Changing Paradigm of Dalit Mobility in India” and “Ambedkar, Dalits and the Urban Social Space’ on 19-20th Feb. 2007 by Professor Paramjit Singh Judge, Department of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
· “Ambedkarism and Ongoing Social Revolution” on 26th Oct. 2007 by Professor Kancha Ilaiah, Osmania University, Hyderabad.
· “Ambedkar’s Concept of Political Power” on 23rd Nov. 2007 by Professor Gopal Guru, CSSS, JNU, New Delhi.
· ‘Dr. Ambedkar and Scheduled Castes: Could Equity be Preferred over Reservation’ on 10th Nov. 2008 by Professor Satish Sharma, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.
NATIONAL SEMINAR
· A two day National Seminar on “Ambedkar and Social Justice” on 7-8th March 2007. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, hon’ble Minister of Chemical & Fertilizers, GOI, was the chief Guest and Prof Anand Kumar, CSSS, JNU, New Delhi was the Key note speaker. Dr. Sanjay Paswan, former Union Minister delivered the Valedictory address. The sub-themes of the seminar were:
· Marginalization and Gender Justice
· Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy
· Reservation Policy in India
WORKSHOP/PANEL DISCUSSIONS
· The Debate on Reservation Policy: J & K State was organized on 30th March, 2007. The Chief Guest for the Inauguration was Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister of Health, J&K. The key speakers were Prof. Sushma Yadav, IIPA, New Delhi; Mr. B.R. Kundal, Financial Commissioner, J&K ; Mr. K.C.Bhagat, former Director, Social Welfare; Dr. Sanjay Bhasin, Member, Ambedkar Education Foundation and Bansi Lal, Convenor, All J&K Backward Classes Commission.
· A workshop on ‘Awareness generation and Capacity Building about Sanitation among Sikhligars in Jammu’ in September 2007. On the occasion, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma was the chief guest. In the workshop various members from sikligars community shared their views about their problems.
· Workshop on “Reservation for Paharis: Justified or not?” at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium on 4th April, 2008. Shabir Ahmed Khan, Vice Chairman, State Pahari Advisory Board was the Guest of Honour, The workshop was inaugurated by minister for social welfare, Abdul Gani Vakil.
· A Panel Discussion on ‘Weaker Sections in J&K State: Problems and Prospects’ on 5th of Feburary. The key panelists were Advocate Shah Mohd. Chowdhary, Member, J&K Advisory Board for the Development of Gujjar and Bakkarwals; Dr. Sat Paul, State President, National Bahujan Party; Mr. Madan Lal Kashyap, Ex-Member, J&K State Backward Classes Commission. The occasion was presided over by Prof. Kulwant Kaur, Director, Centre for the study of Exclusion & Inclusive Policy, University of Jammu. The three panelist highlighted the concerns of SC, ST and OBC community of J&K state.
Dr. AMBEDKAR MEMORIAL LECTURE
· The lecture was delivered by Prof. Satish Deshpande, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University on “Caste, Social Justice and Higher Education in the 21st Century” on Birth Anniversary of Dr. B. R Ambedkar (April; 2007).
· The lecture was delivered by Prof. Valerian Rodrigues, JNU, New Delhi on “Text and Tradition” The Gandhi-Ambedkar Debate on Birth Anniversary of Dr. B. R Ambedkar (April; 2008).