The Centre for Justice Studies, JGLS is organizing a screening of the documentary, Chaityabhumi (67 min, 2023), followed by a Q and A with the Director, Somnath Waghmare, on Thursday, April 10th, 2-4 pm, Big Bang Conference Room, First Floor, Prithviraj Jindal Academic Block (T1-F1). 

Film Synopsis:
Chaityabhumi is a holy site that holds immense importance for the Dalit movement in India, as it is where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s last rites were performed after his passing on December 6, 1956. Dr. Ambedkar, often called the father of the Indian Constitution, dedicated his life to fighting the chains of caste oppression and bringing revolutionary change. He was a guiding light for the oppressed who dismantled discriminatory barriers and empowered them to reclaim their dignity and their rightful place in society. 

This musical film will bring to light the history and cultural politics of how people commemorate December 6 at Chaityabhumi, Mumbai and what is the relevance of this public event in contemporary India. It explores how the Dalit community comes together to honour this day and the political implications it holds for their identity and empowerment.

About the Director:
Somnath Waghmare is a documentary filmmaker and film researcher.  Born to a rural Dalit-Buddhist family in Malewadi in western Mahrashtra, India, Waghmare is committed to documenting the political, cultural, and social assertion of historically marginalized communities in India through his research and filmmaking.  He completed a BA in Sociology from Shivaji University Kolhapur, an M. Phil from TISS Mumbai, and a Masters in Media and Communication from Pune University.  His past films include I am not a Witch(2016), The Battle of Bhima Koregaon: An Unending Journey (2017), Memories of Mangaon (2022) and There is No Caste Discrimination in IITs? (2023). He is currently working on a documentary biopic on sociologist Gail Omvedt.

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