The Dhamma, as Ambedkar reinterpreted it, was a grammar of equality – a moral framework for reconstructing society. Its gods were not divine, but ethical: compassion, justice, fraternity. But in public life today, that language of ethics risks being drowned out by the louder, more performative religiosity of the Hindu Right
In a suburb of Nagpur, preparations were underway for a Buddha Vihar event. Committee members were asked to invite others from the community. When names were suggested, familiar names came up. They have been attending these events for years, listening to these discourses, participating in the chants, absorbing the teachings over and over.