There is a narrative that Ambedkarite Buddhism is not real Buddhism.
The objective of Mahayana Buddhism is to combat suffering. It is also to be like a Bodhisattva and assist all sentient beings in duress. In this context, if one does see Ambedkar as an earthly Bodhisattva who is championing the cause of the world's most oppressed people - i.e Untouchables - then no one can deny that Ambedkarite Buddhism is very much bonafide. However, when viewed through a Hinayana/Theradava lens, Ambedkarite Buddhism does have its critics.
Breaking with tradition
“Navayana Buddhism does not have a link to traditional Buddhism as all traces of an Indian Buddhist lineage had become extinct in India & Babasaheb passed away soon after his conversion. However, we can address this issue to fortify the position of Navayana as Babasaheb dreamed” .
Babasaheb was very fond of the Mahayana mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" and wanted his disciples to use it instead of Namaste. Furthermore, Babasaheb emulated the Way of the Bodhisattva and the Mahayana ideal of making a difference in the real world by wearing a suit and engaging real world issues instead of the Hinayana/Theravada ideal of "forfeiting the real world and meditating in a monastery". Furthermore, Babasaheb championed equal rights for women which is strictly a Mahayana ideal where nuns can even lead the congregation. Hence, by combining Ambedkar's vision with a traditional Mahayana lineage, we can answer any critics of the Ambedkarite Buddhist Movement.
Combining Ambedkarite Buddhism with Mahayana Buddhism
Babasaheb Ambedkar dreamed that Navayana Buddhism would one day forge alliances with the mainstream Buddhist communities of the world that would help the Dalits find emancipation from caste tyranny via Buddhism. Furthermore, Mahayana Buddhists of Japan are by far the most active worldwide and in India. As Mahayana is the largest school of Buddhism worldwide - and the form of Buddhism that best represents what Babasaheb stood for, we are merging Ambedkar's vision with Mahayana practices as a 2.0 Reboot of Babasaheb Ambedkar's vision.
22 vows with Mahayana practices
“ Jai Bhim! Namo Amitabha! Om Mani Padme Hum!
We uphold the 22 Vows of Ambedkar that essentially make it clear that Dalit Buddhists are not to worship any Hindu gods, or participate in any ceremony conducted by a Hindu priest, or follow any other religion but that of Buddha. Along with this practice, we are teaching Ambedkarite Buddhists the art of meditation and mindfulness based on the Shaolin and Samurai practices of Japan. We will also be teaching them martial arts and honoring the great Buddhist master Bodhidharma (founder of Kung Fu) as well as the highest Buddha Amitabha -- the eternal form of Shakyamuni and the most revered Buddha of Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan,Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau - the world's most highly developed nations that also have a Buddhist majority.
Ambedkar 2.0 - for a Globalized world
By keeping the 22 vows of Babasaheb, but adding the martial arts and meditative practices of Bodhidharma - and the devotional practices of Mahayana Buddhism, we can enable Dalits to be fully empowered as Buddhists that can relate to and associate with any Buddhist sect in the world. Any further allegations that Ambedkarite Buddhism is not legit will thus be easily debunked.