On Thursday, members of the Karnataka State Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) commemorated the 98th anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s historic burning of the Manusmriti by staging a protest in Kalaburagi city. The event took place at Jagat Circle where activists symbolically set fire to copies of the Manusmriti. The protest recalled Dr. Ambedkar’s bold act during the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927, when he burned the text to challenge caste-based oppression and gender discrimination. Activists marched from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chowk to Jagat Circle carrying the Manusmriti before lighting it on fire, symbolizing their rejection of an unfair social order. Arjun Bhadre, State convener of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, said this act "represented the rejection of centuries of exploitation and injustice imposed on marginalised communities." He reminded that Dr. Ambedkar believed, "as long as right-wing ideology dominated society, India could not achieve true progress." Mr. Bhadre stated, "Dr. Ambedkar burnt the Manusmriti on December 25, 1927, during the Mahad Satyagraha to send a powerful message against caste oppression. His struggle continues to inspire us even today." The protesters noted that caste discrimination persists in many forms. They stressed the need for continued ideological and political resistance to protect constitutional values. "We have been fighting caste oppression for centuries. Dr. Ambedkar was the first to raise his voice openly against such practices, and today it is our responsibility to carry forward that struggle collectively," Mr. Bhadre added. He highlighted that out of India's population of about 137 crores, nearly 85 crores live in rural areas where untouchability still exists despite legal safeguards and social reforms. The Dalit Sangharsha Samiti’s protest in Kalaburagi serves as a reminder that the fight against caste-based injustice is far from over.