Jai Bhim is a greeting phrase used by the Buddhist people in India, especially by the ones who converted to Buddhism with or by inspiration of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Though mostly used by the Dalit converts to Buddhism, it is not religious by its origin and meaning. It was never considered as religious word and has been used by the long-exploited and down-trodden class as a word of greeting as a mark of respect towards their ideologue Bhimrao Ambedkar.[1] Jai Bhim literally means "Victory to Bhim," i.e., to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. The phrase has also been used as formal slogan of Bahujan Samaj Party.[2] It fell into controversy in February 2009 after Dar-ul Uloom Islamic seminary issued a fatwa declaring the slogan "un-Islamic" and "violative of Shariat."[3]
The term Jai Bhim was coined by Babu L. N. Hardas, a strong follower of Dr. Ambedkar.[4] Many alternatives, such as Jai Rama-pati and Bal Bhim, were considered before deciding on the term Jai Bhim. Babu Hardas promoted this method of greeting with the help of workers of Bhim Vijay Sangh[5]