Seoyun Tessema, PO Box 92, Park Orchards 3114, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: I recently dis covered your writings when I read a book by Ivan Van Setima and Runako. Rashidi, African Presence in Early Asia. I am an Ethiopian although I have been living in the West for quite some time now and I have found it amazing the connection of peoples and history through these books. I want to read all your books.
Kemo R Nelson, PO Box 2481, Pasadena, CA 91102, USA: I love Dalit Voice because I am very much concerned about your problems. Because that is where it has all started from racism, caste system etc. throughout the whole earth wherever the Aryan people have gone. Please, as an African American man born in the US, “hold on to your visions within one’s self’. Black Americans are becoming more aware of your problems because of your writings. S. Islam, 24Wilderton Road, London N16 5QZ: I have been to my native Bangladesh and stayed about 3 months and came back about 2 weeks ago. I have not received DV for whole of Dec/Jan/Feb and very disappointed to miss the valuable news/ letters/articles. How I can get my copy which I do not want to miss?
R.D. Kamble, 4-Jalan Bukit Indah 3/11, 68000Am pang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: We are few followers of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar here in the South-east Asian region. We had launched a scheme of free distribution of Dr. Ambedkar’s literature from Aug. 1994. In 1995, we donated 26 sets of Dr. Ambedkar’s Writings & Speeches (published by the Govt. of Maharashtra) to various libraries all over India. We would donate the sets this year also on requests. We also contributed our bit to the “Media Centre” of Dalit Voice. We could have contributed more this year but looks like “Media Centre” is a nonstarter. We donated one set of Writings & Speeches to Malaysian Dravidian Association in Kuala Lumpur. We have also carried our few schemes of donating school/college books to SC/ST students hostels in Madras and Nagpur. We plan to continue with these schemes.
Brother Kamble s right. ‘”Media Centre” needs good sum or money. And as the prices are sky rocketing in India an ally, more delay means more money. About 50 years of intensive Brahminical propaganda has brainwashed everybody in India including Dalits. When mushes themselves are not gearing Angry despite destroying their Babri Masjid, what for speak of the more handguides (enslaved) Dalits? No doubt DV is India’s largest circulated English Journal of the Dalits and other “Persecuted Nonalleles Denied Human Rights”. Bui the same Little Voice could have been made louder had our readers contributed row the “Media Cen free”. But these sieves of India enjoying rehearse very are not at able 1o understand the importance of media. And without the media, it is impossible for launch any human righties war on our oppressors. We have done our best by starting a Hindi and Kannada DV. We want for do more. We have everything except! money EDITOR.
Dr. D. Yadaiah, Dalit Sahitya & Cultural Academy, 11 6767, Red Hills, Nam ally, Hyderabad 500 004: We are happy to inform that we have at last pub lashed the first issue of Telugu Dalit Voice on March 15, ’96. Its formal inauguration will be done by you in the middle of April. The date will be fixed shortly. From May, there will be two issues a month.
Savera, Dalit Chaitanya Vedika, P. Agraharam, Amalapuram533 201: I have just published a book, Jai Bheem Ganita Bodhini (Telugu), to mould our children as future Abderites. It has 20 poems and 20 quotations which could serve as powerful weapons for Dalits. It has brief sketches of Mahat ma Phule, Dr. Ambedkar and Jamaican Ram, total 34 pages, Rs.10 for five copies.
Surendran Chaukidar, Rangatira PO, Area code 673 639: I am a Dalit student and a regular reader of DV. I have a problem. I have passed the BLI Sc. exam (third rank 74.7 marks) and got admission to MLI Sc. course at Calicut University. This is a self-financing course and I have to pay Rs.7,000 in the beginning itself. The amount will be reimbursed in the case of SC/STs students. Hostel accommodation is not available, nor the food. I belong to a very poor family and I seek your readers’ support. Earlier, I was supported by M.N. Mazumdar and T.S. Talukdar in BA and BLI Sc. courses.
Miss K. Sarada, Madras University, Madras: I have been wanting to write this note for quite some time. But was delaying until I fully investigate the sub jest. I am a Dalit research student here and both at my research centre and in the hostel, I am sick of hearing the escapades of upper caste girls with some Muslim boys. These lustful Hindu girls have a great passion for Muslim boys for some strange rea son and this is one of their favourite gossip topics. These “liberated” women go around the city hunting Muslim boys after having “finished” those Muslims in their own colleges and work places. it was even worse in Delhi where I studied for 2 years. The nearest is that a good number of Muslim boys ruin their studies, simply wasting their time pleasing their rich girl friends. Perplexed by this behaviour, I have discussed it with some close friends to find out the reasons for such a preference. I intend to write a research paper on this in due course. The key findings are: (1) The girls regard Muslim boys as highly romantic, seriously committed to the business. (2) The Urdu cultural background of ghazals, mushaira, music etc. is good attraction in their romance. (3) The belief that Muslims are aggressive by nature gives them a macho image. (4) The mis conception that meat-eating gives certain special abilities. (5) And for them a small difference in the anatomy of Muslim men is a big attraction. (6) Adding to these is a disrespect for the abilities and make .4 up of the men of their own grass eating castes. The menace is serious. This is very strange especially as Islam claims to have high moralities. Those who have concern for Muslim educational upliftment should concentrate on this moral crisis which destroys the usefulness and education of Muslim men. Since DV is respected by Muslims, you should warn the Muslims. May be this is yet another upper caste conspiracy to “finish” Muslims, as you said in your famous Editorial on “Spanish Experiment”.
Abhijit Roy, 931Jawpur Road, Calcutta700074: I am very grateful to you for giving me some time, while in West Bengal there is none to answer my queries. As I read your books, I found them very much thought-provoking. I am requesting you to sell these books in Calcutta. In this Manubhai Marxist * rule, the Bahujan’s are facing deadly blow more than in UP/Bihar. The Muslims are also cheated here. The latest is the “Waqf scam”, where the Manubhai Marxists cheated to the tune of Rs.1,000 crores. WB is the second highest Muslim populated State in India. The 1st is Kashmir according to the 1981 census report. (2) Least percentage of upper caste live in WB. (In WB the population of SC is 22%, ST is 6%, BC is 44%, Muslims 22%, all these data are given by WB Government). But the interesting thing to note is this 94% so-called outcaste, low caste has a very little share in every sector of WB. People know that how the Manavati Marxists have cheated the BC by not recommending the Mandal Commission’s directive. Now the latest blow to the ‘w BC is that the government has put a very strict norm for the “creamy layer” of the BCs. Here the upper caste is only 6% but they have the lion’s share in the govt. The 22% of Dalits are given only a Minis Teri charge. But the ‘slaves are enjoying their sla very here. So, in this situation your Dalit Voice and DSA books can serve a great job for the 22% SC, 6% STs, 44% BCs and 22% Muslims in WB. Your book, How Marx Failed in Hindu India, is a master piece. The Marxist view that the caste is a super structure is 100% wrong. Caste is the infrastructure in Indian situation. I got great weapons by reading your books. From the back cover of your book, I find that you are about 63/64. I am just 21. Let God (though I don’t believe in God) give some of my age to you. The 85% Bahujan Samaj needs you very much.
Krishnan Kutty, Trivandrum University, Trivandrum: As DV is the only paper in India having the courage to criticise Justice V.R. Krishna lyre, praised by the Brahminical press as the greatest human rights lead er of India, I am sending a document on this Kerala Brahmin’s (lyre) alleged corruption as published in the Hindu (Dec.7, 1995), India’s chief Brahminical daily. The charge is made by the Kerala’s most respected Marxist leader, Mrs. K.R. Gowri, MLA. She says: This is a rejoinder to the essay titled “Lawful corruption” by V.R. Krishna lyre published in the Hin du dated Oct.18, 1995. I know of one Ex jurist Krishna lyre himself who had written to the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly to establish that drawing his pension as a former judge does not make him ineligible for the pension, he should get for being an MLA before he took up his judicial assignment. According to the rules, a person getting salary or another pension from the govt. is not eligible for the MLA pension. His contention, which was accepted by the Speaker, was that, “no judge draws a salary or pension under the Government of India. On the contrary, he derives his right to salary or pension by virtue of a constitutional provision, which is be yond the reach of the Central or State Government” (quoted from his letter dated April 24, 1994, to the Speaker of Kerala Assembly). If he is so much against the concept of this pension, why should he go to the extent of invoking the constitutional provisions to establish his right to draw it along with his judge’s pension?” Gowri Amma said in her article.
B.K. Biswas, A/E 513 Salt Lake City, Calcutta64: In the Dec.1, 1995 issue of DV, a report appeared about a “Dalit Bahujan Intellectual Forum of India”. What indeed makes a Dalit forum so intellectual and what this block of people are going to furnish for their tangible credentials of intellectualism? Intel textualism is the didactic web of oppression, an elitist threshold. This prima facie does not seem to be the preserve of the Dalits, even if some are called elite by proxy. The so-called Dalit elite is non-existent alanyl a few have become marginally well off. Much of their wellbeing is due to one generation’s limited occupational mobility and hence, it is apparent, not real. Their wellbeing has been grossly blown out of proportion by their cattiest detractors. Their moves and apprehensions are, therefore, conditioned by these overreactions of the society at large towards them. Dalit and Bahujan awareness are quietuses to blaming certain exogenous privileged castes and communities for their historic suppression. These can hardly extenuate the comprador (touting) roles played by a section of the upward moving Dalits themselves. It is they who are busier compromising the Dalit cause for paltry personal gains. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar himself took a very serious note of this development, when he moaned at the roles of Dalit educated employees and said:
“Whatever I have been able to achieve, is being enjoyed by the educated few, who with their deceitful performance, have proved to be worth less lot, with no sympathies for their downtrodden brethren. They have surpassed my Imagination; they live for themselves and their personal gains. Not one of them is prepared to do social work. They are treading the path of their ruination. I now wanted to divert my attention towards the vast illiterate masses in the villages who continue to suffer…
Little did we know then how prophetic was this ad moshing.
Advocate U.N. Khobragade, No.4PuneBombay Road, Shivaji Nagar, Pune411 005: Babasaheb Ambedkar to whom politics was key to all reforms dreamt of a powerful Opposition party to strength the Indian democratic fabric in the context of an undemocratic society divided into numerous grad ed castes and nationalities. His RPII became a laughing stock, a commodity for purchase and a prostitute to sleep with day and night. This was the position of RPI and status of the rejected leaders before Dec.6, 1995. Seeing total Panipat of the RPI at the hustings, the Ambedkar youths forced these defunct leaders to unite, under threat of lynch, they meekly submitted as a ploy to get public recognition and formed a presidium where ail are equal and none inferior. The collective leadership was panacea against their background of breaking the unity again and again though nobody obeyed them to publicly beat them with chapels”. The present leadership should not have formed the presidium mediately at the public outburst and should have formed it after consultation with all Dalit leaders. The principle of equal representation to major communities on the presidium has not been adopted with the result that only Emaar’s became heavy weights to appropriate and grab political power at the cost of other communities. Inequality of riper sensation of all BCs and Dalit converts on the pre sodium will make it a slow coach. I will end this with the following prophetic words of our Editor (DV ¥ Dec.1,1995 p.4):
“If there is one section of the population in India which can shape the future of this country and guide the country it is the Dalits. Dalits, therefore, can be considered as the natural leaders of Indian revolution. This is the result of Dalit resurgence, the awakening that has driven the upper castes people to virtual madness”.
Let light dawn upon the Republicans and their leaders.
G. Sad dharma, 2511458, Rajarhat, Goutam Na gar, Nellore4, AP: Every Hindu is a social Tory and a political radical. He is loyal to his caste rather than to his duty, said Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Here is another proof of this with H.D. Deve Gowda, Chief Minister of Karnataka. Recently a Dalit engineer Dhananjay, was denied promotion due to him by the State Govt. Supreme Court came to his rescue. Vasudevan, a Brahmin IAS officer and the concerned Secretary, had denied this promotion, thereby he committed “contempt of court”. He was arrested and jailed for 30 days. But Deve Gowda, was deeply depressed and considerably annoyed at this action of the apex court. {DV Oct. 1, 95 p.5: “Hindu logic in Vasudevan case”). Without taking Vasudevan to task for deliberately disobeying the apex court order he shamelessly moved earth and heaven approaching the Law Ministry as well as the President of India to get the dismissed Vasudevan reinstalled not on humanitarian grounds but on considerations of the high status of the post he held and the community he belongs to. He did this because he continues to be a Hindu and as a Hindu he cannot escape, not only from being a social Tory and a political radical, but also from being loyal to caste rather than to duty, as said by our Saviour.
S.S. Gautam, Gautam Book Centre, “Chandan Sadan” C263A, Hardevpuri, Delhi110093: In 12th World Book Fair here Dalit literature was sold as a hot cake. Total sale touched Rs.50,000 from our stall which was not even a stall and it was in Hindi language only. Therefore, now we can say with confidence that the 21st century shall be ours. We must write and tell our people about our capabilities.
Dr. W.C. Deb, A42, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi 19: Thank you for announcing my book which_ speaks of the crimes perpetrated by Brahminism. M.K. Gandhi was the No.1 Enemy of the Indian people because he was not only a class collaborator but also an exponent of Chatur varna, the greatest impediment to the unity of the exploited class in our country.
Nand Kishore, Osian (Bijapur) Unnova dt, UP229 503: I have no personal introduction with any Sikh leaders. It is only due to your paper that communication developed with them. Even now we know one another through only correspondence. But I am happy that they are taking my writings very seriously and they are getting them published and circulating in Hindi area. I have written an article on the prophecy of Guru Gobind Singh. You will find, that they did it practically, which you are preaching. Sikhism is the practical and concrete shape of that, I firmly believe that the so-called Shudras and Muslims following the way of Sufi saints can unite again the divided country. That is why I am vehement ally taking and writing about Sikhism.
I. K. Singh, Secretary, All India Backward Classes Federation, Saraswati Bhawan, North Mandira, Patna 800001: A conference of workers and leaders of Backward Castes of Bihar was held here on Feb.25. R.L. Chanda Puri, our president, inaugurated it. Maiku Ram, a Dalit IPS officer and ex-DGP, presided over the conference. Chanda Puri spoke about his meeting with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on March 16, 1948 and how he got inserted Article 340 in the Constitution of India under which the Kaka Kaleka as well as the B.P. Mandal B.C. Commissions were appointed. He condemned the Bania Brahmin press whose only aim was to keep Dalits and Backwards enslaved for ever. Maiku Ram demanded a “second war of independence”.
Dr. Ambedkar Mission, Ambedkar Marg, Chittora, PO Anisa bad, Patna2: Abderites and Buddhists are very few in Bihar. Scheduled Castes “educated” persons are slaves of Brahminism. Our literatures they never take and read. Their only concern is reservation in appointment and promotion. After getting reservation these brahminesses SC/ST officers are now crying for reservation in promotion. The Bihar Govt. has finished the facility of reservation in promotion. SC/ST students are not getting stiped: in Bihar State. Though there are huge allotment, but the amount allotted are kept in fixed deposit. Boys are suffering. The number of dropouts has become double in aloo raj. This is the sorrowful story of Bihar. In the coming election SC/STs will go against Laloo. Laloo is dancing to the tune of Kayasths.
K.M. Tanti, D.M, OSFDC Ltd, Keonjhar758 001: How many upper castes people are catching your point and how many non- Dalits have become subscribers of DV?
Why Brother Tanti is interested in making the upper castes read DV? As property and sofa Tus holders in society, they are least bothered Aboul what is happening around them. The first of Babasaheb’s “Three Commandment/s” /s for “educate” our people. And that is what DV is doing. Once own people get “educated” in the burning though is of Babasaheb, they ger “alarmed” which in fern will fake fathom for “organise” themselves. Once rhesus three fisks are completed, we gelt automatically fiberized. Why should we bother about our oppressors? They have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. Don’t bother about upper cosies. They are a Tiny (16%) for. This Bahujan Saray (85%) /s not aware of its strength. DV aims at hibernating the Bahujan’s EDITOR.
Gurdial Singh, 179180, Model Gram, Ludhiana 141 002: I am thankful to K.B. Ram of Bombay and Igbal ‘Anandpur’ for their comments on Sikhism and Sikhs (DV Feb.1, p.14&15). We welcome such comments for it helps remove misunderstandings. Dalit Voice binds us by providing a chance to understand each other and work jointly for the common cause of removing caste hatred and to belong to only one caste, “humanity”. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism etc. is all good in their own way. We must unite but not pull in different directions. Our Trust is pledged to do and sacrifice everything for the sacred cause that Dalit Voice and many others have undertaken. Dalit Voice is our Voice. We are already suffering. Let us not open more fronts. We face a strong, wealthy, saucerful but cunning and mischief vows enemy.
Rev. Mubiru Haqq, Christian Centre, Behati PO, UP247 121: I am a Christian with a Muslim name. My murdered father was a master of Urdu language and he loved Urdu. He was a man who loved de bating with Maulvis and Hindu pundits. He gave me this name so I have it. Moreover, the Christian faith does not depend upon the name of the individual. The Bible says Christ worked for the whole human kind. Not only for those who have Christian name.
Ms. Suman Suman ‘Kirat Puri’, Rupar, Punjab: This is in response to the letter from Dr. Gurmeet Singh “Aul akh’ from US (DV March 1,96 p.12). Everybody worships the rising sun. India’s ruling class, less than 15% Aryan/Hindus, are well organised by virtue of their control over media, money power etc. Under such circumstances who will bell the cat? Whatever heinous crimes they have been committing against the 85% non- Aryans, including Sikhs, are supported by their existing system and the same are being executed. The 10% “creamy layer’ among lye Bahujan Samaj (SC/ST/BCs and Muslim/Chris tian/Sikhs) is the biting dog of its slave master. Instead of criticising this ruling class let us first correct ourselves. Strategies and tactics adopted by inciting the masses for agitation alone in the name of Anandpur Sahib Resolutions, without the support from media, economy, organisation etc. cannot be justified. Losing 1.2. lakh cadres after the 1984 Hin du assault is a substantial proof for this senseless blunder. (Philip M. Crane Letter from Washington, DV Nov.16, 95 p.16) refers to this. What has the Sikh leadership done before and after 1947 to establish a “Media Centre” to unite the Bahujan Samaj and to propagate the mission of our Gurus which has been kept under cold storage for want of a prop er communication? Hence the need of the day is to establish a powerful “Media Centre” on a war footing on the lines of Dalit Voice. Dr. Aulakh must give a deep thought to this powerful weapon and convince all Sikh institutions and others world over to come forward and perform kar seva in this noble cause.
Iqbal Ahmed Shariff, advocate, 94/1, Tank Garden, Jayanagar, Bangalore11: You published the full text of Syed Shahabuddin’s letter on “Cow belt Maulana’s” (DV Edit Feb.16,1996). the same letter is published in Shahabuddin’s Muslim India (Feb.1995). A won der to note is that Shahabuddin, whose Muslim India contains only writings from other journals, has not cared to publish your Editorial in his journal, but very confidently publishes his own. This a peculiar journalistic disease, which all Aryasatya Muslims have got. They do not want their readers to know the viewpoints of others, but impose theirs upon others. At least, when his letter was in response to some writing, he should have made his readers know what it is or he should not have published at all. You are cent percent right when you say that Aryasatya Muslims consider the rest of the Muslims as their slaves.
Dr. N. Sirajuddin, Bazaar Street, Neela Sandra, Bangalore560 047: This has reference to the Letter of Jameel Pasha (DV March 1, 96). The basic Islamic concept is universal brotherhood, equality and social justice. Islam does not permit hereditary priest hood and discrimination on the basis of colour, caste, creed, race and territory etc. Prophet Mohammed liberated a Negro slave and elevated him to the rank of Moua Zane in the holy mosque. He is known respectfully as Hazarat Bilal in religious texts. There are no separate seats in mosques for Black, Yellow and White Muslims. It is, therefore, wrong to call the converted Dalits as “Dalit Muslims”. Fifteen percent of Indian Muslims are having a representation of mere 1.6%. We should not di vide the Muslim community further in anticipation of representation which the BSO will never allow.
Syed S. Ghaziuddin, Advocate, 209, Shani war Peth, Sholapur: I read my DV and then it is circulated among various Dalit and Muslim brothers for intro duction. I am sending a Bangkok datelined report from the Hindu (Nov.26, 94) headlined, “Buddhists fear invasion®’. It says a seminar on Buddhism and Hinduism scheduled for Feb.57, ’96 at Bangkok was cancelled because the Thai Buddhists feared that it was a bid to devour their religion. The report high lights the havoc being played by the Hindu nazis even in far off Thailand. The Buddhist clergy and the local media said “if the VHP was responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid and was banned in India itself, how can we allow it to do this in Thai land?” The Thai media said it was a grand plan to_ “consume” Buddhism and dub it as a mere offshoot of Hinduism. India and Hinduism considered Budha as one of the “Avtar’s” of Lord Vishnu and was therefore only a branch of Hinduism, the Hindu report said.
India’s Aryan rulers suffer from a peculiar men fall disease. They ger a supreme pleasure in end slaving others and making them and their religions subordinate for theirs. This attitude of the rulers has created enemies all around India. Even the “world’s only Hinau country’, Nepal suspects Hindu India EDITOR.
Dr. M. Hashim Kidwai, Ex- MP, D88, Preet Bihar, Delhi92: I fully share your concern for liberation of Dalits. However, the tern “backward” and “forward” Muslim is unfortunate as it will destroy the Muslim unity and strengthen the hands of antimuslimism forces.
Nizamuddin, Advocate, R/o A 39/280, Hazi Ra him Ullah Ka Bara, Sirayan Lothario, Varanasi 221002: I am reader of Dalit Voice for 45 years. I have employed myself in promoting your revolution of system change in the region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Aliaha bad and Faizabad). Liberation to Dalits, Backwards, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists as well as women from the brahmana is my work. Due to the prevalent social system only, there are Dalits and Backwards in the country and India is suffering from the illness of inequality and social, political and economic in justices. My friend, Afsar Ahmed of Varanasi and myself are very poor in respect of money but are rich in respect of determination and in spreading ¥ your thoughts. We are loyal to the purpose and have goals of Islam in the mind and heart.
