5th MARG -Dr. Anand Prakash Memorial Lecture on “Stocktaking of Untouchability: Reimagining Dignity Beyond Caste and Patriarchy.” – Mr. Bezwada Wilson
On 26th July 2025, MARG organized the 5th Dr. Anand Prakash Memorial Lecture at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, on the theme “Stocktaking of Untouchability: Reimagining Dignity Beyond Caste and Patriarchy.” The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Bezwada Wilson, National Convenor of the Safai Karamchari Andolan, whose powerful reflections highlighted the persistence of untouchability, manual scavenging, and the deep intersections between caste, labour, and patriarchy. Speaking with honesty and urgency, he reminded the audience that while laws exist, the will to implement them with dignity and justice often remains absent.
The programme opened with Ms. Sana Siddiqui, Executive Director, MARG, who reaffirmed MARG’s commitment to making the law meaningful for marginalized communities.
Mr. K.K. Rai, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court and Chairperson of MARG, also addressed the gathering, recalling the values and legacy of Dr. Anand Prakash while acknowledging Mr. Wilson’s lifelong dedication to justice and equality.
The event drew a diverse gathering of over 100 participants including students, lawyers, social workers, activists, media professionals, and manual scavengers. The presence of those directly affected by caste-based discrimination added a powerful dimension to the dialogue, reminding everyone that these are not just policy issues but lived realities. Participants were visibly moved as Mr. Wilson spoke about continuing deaths of sewer workers, the casual use of casteist slurs, and the layered invisibility faced by women from marginalized communities.
The discussion extended well beyond the Q&A, with participants engaging in smaller group conversations that reflected both discomfort and determination. Many shared how the lecture challenged their perspectives and reinforced the urgency of action at both personal and systemic levels. An internal reflection by the MARG team further underlined how the session stirred critical self-awareness about everyday casteism and the responsibility to drive change.
The lecture was not merely an event but a collective moment of truth-telling, reflection, and resolve. Through this series, MARG continues to honour the legacy of Dr. Anand Prakash while advancing its mission of promoting dignity, equality, and access to justice for all.
