Metamathematics Matai, P.O. Box 11075, Atlanta GA 30310, USA: Atlanta is America’s Black Mecca. It has been eight months since I have arrived here. This is my new home. While in California, I was one of a large number of people who were leaving the golden state. Many were relocating to Utah, Arizona, Seattle and as far away as Mexico, Brazil and West Africa. This great exodus from the west coast is fuelled by a changing social and economic environment, ecological and even prophesy. After the 1989 earthquake, the Los Angels social unrest, Hollywood hill fire, Oak-land hill fire, floods and other social and environmental catastrophes, many began to view California as a bad omen. Major stores closed. There was increasing homelessness and inner-city blight. The return home means a lot for many African-Americans. It means a return to our motherland, language, indigenous culture and cosmology. It means living among Black people participating in Black culture and politics. It means cultivating a Black mind. Moving to the south of the US definitely feels more like home. Atlanta and most of Georgia is primarily Black and has a lot of Black history and ancestorial feel to it. Living in the south, you can feel the history. It is everywhere and one comes to appreciate the ongoing struggle and effort by Blacks to resist oppression. I live in the areas that are landmarks for Black civil rights struggles and economic triumphs. This is also a place rich in Black music – jazz, blues and soul – Black food. Black colleges. African-Americans are experiencing a cultural renaissance. Within the last 5 years, many have turned their attention to rediscovering African values and traditions. In the market place, products culturally designed and advertised are increasingly successful and are in demand. This also is creating a lot of opportunities for not only African-Americans but iron Blacks throughout the diaspora. Thanks to the hard work of African-cantered scholars here and abroad, conscious Blacks see the solution to many of their local and’ global! problems in cosmology. African or Cushitic cosmology is all at once Black science, Black sociology, Black history, Black religion, Black moral law and Black psychology. It is these truths which are at the heart of African (Black) survival. For the greatest power and treasure the Black has been her or his soul. It is through this tremendous ancestorial soul that Blacks are able to comply to universal rhythms and to convert with nature and heaven. This is what makes Blacks the Power. This is what makes the Blacks the Centre. Blacks from everywhere are planting seeds and enjoying the fruits of a growing awareness and abundance. Almost 100 years ago, my grandparents moved from the South to the North and West of America. They were leaving then a Klan-dominated South with all its wholesale abuse of Black culture and life. My grandmother and grandfather were searching for economic opportunity and safe neighbourhoods when they decided to leave the old South. Settling in San Francisco, California, seem like a much better place. They started a family and slowly took root in a post- World War Il industrial community. Racism did not dis- appear. It was still there but it was not as vicious as that displayed in the South. Two generations later, racism is still a problem. Atlanta has become Ameri- ca’s Black Mecca – increasingly the home of Blacks on the move, moving away from an uncomfortable past into a hopeful but sometimes unsure future.
William Francis Jr, Reg. No. # 03232 – 015, Box PMB, Atlanta, Georgia 30315, USA: I received in the jail my complimentary copy of the Dalit Voice (March 1, 1 997). To say the least, it was very informative. I am interest- ed in your books: DALIT: The Black Untouchables of India, Emancipation of Untouchables, History of Hin- du Imperialism, The Emergence of Indigenous Peoples and Recipe for Revolution. The prison officials are sticklers for details. I want to contact Dalit youth to exchange cultural information and to bond in friend- ship. Once success is attained by me in regards to my legal case, I would like to visit with a few friends. I will send some of our literature very soon. You have indeed educated me to what I would have never known, had I not written.
Dr. A. H. Mahats, 13-5th Avenue Grassy Park 7945 UK: It is always a great pleasure to read your magazine. It is sad that the “creamy layer” of the Muslim and Dalit communities do not identify with the plight of their people. Instead, they try to stand on the shoulders of the communities for their own personal aggrandisement. Being a Muslim, I completely identify myself with the plight of the Dalits – the most downtrodden communities of the Indian society. The Koran is unambiguous on this fundamental principle. In Sura Mamun®, the Allah says that the person who is cruel with the destitute and who does not strive to create a society where the poor will have their needs, is a demon. I was particularly impressed with the arguments of Babasaheb Ambedkar (DV Jan. 1, 1997) that to re- move an evil like the caste system and the inhuman treatment of the “lower castes”, it is important to destroy the very foundation of the belief from the minds of the people. Prejudices, like war, start in the minds of people first. The upper castes use ideas and ideologies to enslave the minds of people – many of whom internalize their own oppression (on the basis of their beliefs). Although material conditions influence con- P scouse’s, real liberation can only come by liberate four minds from mental slavery. These are the first chains which have to be broken. Reforms, like charity, are a poor substitute for social justice. Leaders like Babasaheb will go down in history as one of those great luminaries who inspired his followers and other downtrodden people in the world – to become self- reliant, build up their self-esteem and resist unjust forces, and fight for their rights. In this sense his message and his ideas are universal. They deserve to be widely known throughout the world. Having said that let us examine how the “upper castes” mentally dominated the Indian society. Firstly, there is the doctrine of karma which tells the Dalits that the latter’s condition is the result of their previous birth. This makes them docile and fatalistic. It makes the perpetrators of exploitation callous towards the suffering of the poor. All unjust privileges are looked upon by the “upper castes” as their just rewards. While we talk of tolerance and brotherhood at the level of thought, we have the most heartless social system which no number of reforms can change, unless, in the words of Babasaheb, we destroy the root-cause. We have to destroy the octopus and not the tentacles. It will be a sad day if Dalits and Muslims don’t listen to the advice of Babasaheb. It is a pity that certain privileged Muslims have turned Islam into a ritualistic religion and conveniently ignored its dynamic message of revolution against tyranny. In its historical context, Islam revolted against the tyrannical super powers of the time, namely the Kaiser of Eastern Rome and the Khusro of Persia and the Quresh of Arabia.
H. Rahman, 19-Treaty Street, N1 OXG, London: I like your vigorous campaign against most ruthless Brahminism to free our Untouchable brothers and sisters. I pray to Allah to protect you and your energy. We the “Dalit Support Group” have congratulated Mildred Gordon, MP, for nominating Phoolan Devi for the Nobel Peace Prize. We have written to Gordon and good number of people and councillor’s and we have asked her to invite Phoolan to Britain and speak about her ordeal to the people of Britain. V. T. Rajshekar and Phoolan Devi are not alone: The people of the world will fight one day on the side of Untouchables.
M. Zafaryab, 82-Saimon Street, London NW9 8PU, England: A friend gave me your two books including the Class-Caste Struggle by V. T. Rajshekar. I am pretty impressed with it and wish to read your other publications as well.
Dr. Velu Annamalai, 14902-James River Lane, Houston, TX 77084-2118, USA: I have written a letter to Ram Vilas Paswan, India’s Railways Minister about his indifference on your passport. My letters to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Chief Justice, etc., have not produced any results. Everything has so far fallen on deaf ears. However, I was confident that Paswan would take up this issue as something very personal. He also promised that he would do this when we met him in Chicago. I know that no one else will work to get your passport as most of them have Brahminical affiliation. But I had lots of hopes that Paswan would definitely take up your case, as it should be rather easy for him. But, alas, he had completely for- : gotten our Editor.
Dr. Dorothy Anne Masters, Anthropologist, C/o T. Osram, P.O. Box 78, 59-High Street, Southampton, SO 14 2GA, UK: The Bishop of Madras, the Rt. Rev. M. Azariah, gave me your address. In 1987, I was shocked when I heard that a Hindu widow was going to be burnt alive. And she was. I decided then and there that India needs the help of the West. I witnessed too much suffering in your country and surprised the majority of Indians carry on their day-to-day lives as if they are the greatest race on the earth. Of course, I refer to Hindus. Dr. Ambedkar said (I believe) Hinduism is not religion but a disease. Absolutely true. I am old. This Letter is being dictated. Bishop Azariah tells -me you have written about Apartheid in India. A BBC reporter did a programme about India and described the wicked caste system as nothing less than Apartheid. I am trying to persuade S0Omeone more competent than I to write a scholarly work – the caste system (the cruellest form of Apartheid known to man). Mate- rial is needed. I should be pleased to get hold of your book. The whole world must know what is happening to Hindu women and the low castes and the gross abuse of human rights. Through information technology it is possible. For 5,000 years the Brahmins have had it their way. We must expose them.
Khalid Sabir, gen. secretary, All-India Muslim Majlis, Post Box No.9760, New Delhi-110025: It is highly regrettable and deplorable that the Islamic Sudanese Govt. headed by Omar Hasan al-Bashir is threatened and Sudan virtually besieged by the US-backed Christian militia in southern Sudan headed by John Garang and inimical, hostile and anti-Islamic forces of the neighbouring Ethiopia and Eretria while the attitude of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and other Islamic bodies as well as of the govts. of the 56 Islamic nations is marked by lethargy, inaction and lack of attention. Weapons are pouring into Sudan for the “rebels” and the rockets are fired from outside the boundaries of Ethiopia and Eretria and the Islamic nations are coldly apathetic to contain the Christian menace. The situation today urgently demands a direct intervention of the Islamic nations particularly OIC.
Ashra Bin Ali, Convenor, National Conference on Human Rights, ITS, Kathakali Road, Manjari, Kerala-676121: We want you to attend our seminar being organised by the National Development Front on May 10 at Calicut.
We have accepted the invitation as the seminar is organised by Muslims whose persecution by Hindu nazis is being ignored by Inada’s upper caste human tight alas – EDITOR.
Isa Haque, Madhupur, PO Hoe rah, Hooghly Dt., WB- 712 147: Life devoid of social intercourse and social interaction may perfectly fit in with a recluse but not with a man who is bound to society by numerous bonds. As regards his social intercourse there is not much to complain against a Muslim but with regard to his cultural dealings there is lot of controversy. For his bread he mixes freely with men belonging to other communities while for his cultural necessities he shuts all the doors and windows of his mind to the external world and depends exclusively on what he has or what his legacy has handed him down. For this reason, a vast chunk of Muslim religious leadership is unenthusiastic about studying, knowing and collecting information on other religions, particularly Hinduism and the vast store of their literature. It is a pity, many of the Muslims, elite and laymen alike, do not even touch these books, let alone taking them home for reading, for fear of committing the sin a “shirk”. Thus, they segregate themselves from the influence of others and stay away, knowingly or unknowingly, from the mainstream of life characterising Muslim society as impervious to change in an ever-moving divine system. So, what is inevitable has been happening with accurate precision with Muslim society not moving an inch forward despite efforts being made by numerous religious outfits. A rot seems to be somewhere and it must be stopped at any cost.
The recent Bhatkal anti-Muslim riot meticulously planned by the Hindu nazis offer years of preparation s exactly because of the Muslim ignorance of the society in which they live – EDITOR.
P.N. Imbichi Koya, Lecturer in Commerce, SARBTM Govt. College, Kailani, Calicut: This is with ref. to the DV article in March16, 1997, p.9 :”Kerala Savarna Muslims must explain how they dare insult Bilal”, which was a reaction to Mukundan’s article “Savarna Muslims of Kerala get handguides and became deadly enemies of Islam”. (DV Jan. 16, 1997 p.3). There is no Savarna or Averna Muslims in Kerala. Mukundan in this regard is totally baseless and therefore cent percent false. Fortunately, Kerala Muslims live peace-fully when compared to the Muslims of other states without any threat from Brahminical forces. Hazrat Bilal is highly respected among Muslims all over the world.
Kerala Muslims also do respect him. I do not know from where Mukundan got the notion that Kerala Muslims insult Bilal by calling those people whom they hate ‘‘Balal’. This is really wonderful research which Mukundan has done. He has to explain the source from which he got this nonsensical idea. My inquiry with the learned scholars in Arabic reveals that this term ‘Balal’ has been derived from the Arabic term balaua meaning ordeal or trial. When this term began to be used by the common Muslims of Kerala it became distorted as Balal and is used in order to reproach wretched or mischievous people who irritate somebody by foul words or deeds in a manner testing his patience. Educated Muslims very rarely use this term. Usually Muslims pray-“Oh God, please protect us from all balaua muse bath”, meaning not punish we cannot bear. I us by giving problems (ordeals) which can assure that nowhere in Kerala this term Bilal is used to insult Hazrat Bilal. I request the Editor of DV to probe before publishing false and sensitive allegations like this. If not, it will tarnish the image of DV and we will be compelled to call your fortnightly as “Devil’s Voice”.
A.R. Komodo, Islamic Research Centre, H.O. Kokerbagh, Nowshera, Srinagar-190011: We are seriously studying your different literature and the journal. Our institution is still young but like yours, it is also working for the liberation of the oppressed. I
Md. N. H. Laskar, c/o Markaz Academy, Main Road, Hoai, Nagaon, Assam-782435: Recently, I read a book, Sergeant-Major M.K. Gandhi, by Dr. Velu Annamalai published by your Academy and just after reading few pages of this small booklet I was inspired to write to you and I am eager to read your other books. had never read such publications before. I am a journalist but I have never seen such a bold paper like Dalit Voice.
Shameful Haque, Mohammadpur, Mahendru, Pat- na-800 006: Aryan nazis believing the European propaganda dubbed the jizya tax as a ‘measure to oppress non-Muslims. Non-Muslims tried to escape the burden of this tax by embracing Islam. This propaganda was meant to denigrate Islam and reinforce the theory that Islam spread under the shadow of sword. Even Muslims believed that jizya was a forced collection of taxes from non-Muslims. Jizya is an Arabic word derived from jazz, meaning exchange or compensation. Long before Islam came, King No Shirvan collected jizya in Persia and extended it to Yemen etc. Under the Islamic law, every Muslim may be compelled to serve the army but non-Muslims in a Muslim state cannot be complied. But their life and property were © under the state protection for which jizya was collected. Fellow Muslims were exempted from jizya. I request DV readers to read the book, Jizya, Capitation Tax, written by Maulvi Muhammad Shibli Nomani, Professor of Arabic, MAO College, Aligarh (1984). This is a good reply to the Brahmin-Bania propaganda.
M. Igbal, 228-Bismillah Manzil, Gandhinagar, Ratlam, MP: I need information on the (1) position of Muslim voters in all Lok Sabha constituencies (percentage) and (2) Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes voters. Will somebody help me?
Niyaz Ahmad Saif, advocate, Sarai Rahman, Aligarh- 202 001: A convention of Backward Muslims will be held here at Jawahar Bhavan on March 15. It will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Non-conventional Energy, Capt. Jai Narayan Nishad, and will be presided over by Ghulam Sarwar, MLA and former Speaker of the Bihar Assembly. The chief guest will be Dr. M. Ejaz Ali, convener, All-India Backward Muslim Morcha. This is the first time that such a conference is taking place in Aligarh, the city of late Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and seat of Aligarh Muslim University. The convener of this convention is Prof. Mahmoodi Haque of AMU and organising secretary is Prof. Humayun Murad of AMU.
Ruby Nishat, S-6/B-2, Doshi Apts., 1-Secretariat Colony, Awabakal, Madras-600 088: Though I am a “fundamentalist” Sunni Muslim, I strongly endorse some of the points raised by Shamsul Arifin (DV March 1,’97 p.19). As a student of Islamic history, I find that the difference between Sunni and Shia are more imaginary than real. These are based on different ways of interpretation of Figh. The groupism based on these differences are more political than religious. All the first four Khalifa’s (governors) of Islam respected each other and had no rift at all. Like any other democratic set-up, they, sometimes, had different opinion and interpretation of Islamic law (Figh), but happily accept- ed and admired the decisions of the governor of the time. It is only in the later age that some of their followers, solely for their political gain, established different sects and sub-sects. Once there is a common belief in Allah, in the prophethood of Muhammad, in the Holy Koran and in the traditions of Prophet, is there any room for ill-will, hatred and enmity? Islam was completed during the life-time of the Prophet. As such there is no possibility of any additions or interpolations. All the new inclusions to the basic faith of Islam are wrong. The Islamic Revolution of Iran has opened the eyes of Muslims and the oppressed all over the world (except India). It provided a new spirit and zeal in their struggle. The revival of Islamic fundamentalist movement in different parts of the globe is solely or – partly the results of Iranian revolution. What we know about the developments in Iran is far from the truth.
The media maligned Imam Khomeini as a fanatic leader. V. T. Rajshekar has correctly stated in his Editorial (DV March 1,’97) that “the media has resorted to two things: suppress truth and publish falsehood”. The rulers feared that if the message of Khomeini reached to the oppressed people, there would be a revolution worldwide. Imam Khomeini’s heart was bleeding not for the freedom of Muslims alone but for the oppressed of the whole world. In India, the oppressed are Dalits. But unfortunately, his message did not reach India correctly. Khomeini was a staunch advocate of Muslim-oppressed-Dalit (Mostafaei) unity.
Shamsuddin Ahmed, Quazi Mohalla, Sher Ghati (Gaya), Bihar-824 211: Many epoch-making personalities were born in India between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Their achievements brought the country into limelight but there have also been such personalities who were silenced for ever by none other than our own countrymen. Even after the lapse of 50 years of “independence”, the mystery of such deaths has not been revealed as yet. Among these personalities the names of Abdul Bari and Jagdeo Prasad come on the top. Abdul Bari was born on Jan.21, 1889 in village Koel war of Bhojpuri dt., Bihar. His father migrated to village Kassowal in old Gaya dt.(now Jahan Abad) and settled there. His father gave him the best education. He did his M.A. in history. Instead of joining the govt. he took to service of the labourers. It was 1923. He became MLA in 1930. He was so popular among the “national” leaders that he was made the Dy. Speaker of the Bihar Assembly. Gandhi nominated him as a member of the Satyagraha Committee from Bihar. He , soon, realised that the Congress Party was anti-labour. He became the president of the Tata Workers Union and declared war against the Tata management. Bihar witnessed horrible “communal violence” in-the name of partition in 1946 in which Muslims suffered heavy loss of life and property. Shri Krishna Sinha was the Chief Minister of Bihar and Bari Saheb was the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president. M. K. Gandhi was coming to Patna on March 28, 1947 to address a public meeting in the Gandhi Maidan. Bari was rushing to Patna from Tata and Dhanbad. As Bari’s car reached Khairpur Fotuhi, near Patna, the police stopped his car with a road-block already put up there. It was around 5 pm and Bari Saheb asked the police to clear the road-block. He was dragged out of his car by the police and shot dead. This was the first political murder in India at a time when the British had not even announced the transfer of power. Bari fell a victim to a political conspiracy as it was feared he was a contender for the post of the Bihar chief minister. Curfew had been imposed in Patna an hour before his murder. This was what Bari got in return for his self-less social service and sacrifice. Today, Bari’s two daughters and a son condole their father’s death every year on March 28. No countryman, not even Congressmen, care to condole his death on his death anniversary. His son, Shahabuddin Bari, is leading a life of obscurity in village Erki in Jainabad dt. This is the sad tale of a freedom fighter and a labour leader who sacrificed everything for the sake of the country. It was Bari who had challenged the British by joining the “Quit India Movement”. But sorry to say, our people did not give him the place he deserved.
Mohd. Moinuddin, secretary, Sada-E-Hug, 126-Suryanagar Colony, Tol chowki, Hyderabad-8: We have brought out some English folders on menace of dowry, Babri Masjid reconstruction. Readers may write to us for copies.
M.H. Jawaharlal, president, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munindra Kashagan, Head Qtrs. Il Floor, 36-Thacker Street, Parasail wakame, Madras-84: We appeal to the “secularists” to visit TN to probe the alleged ISI presence. We condemn the report submitted by the BJP MPs delegation after its recent visit to TN. They are trying to malign the Muslims of TN. They have come out with anything but facts. This is proved by its allegation that I1SI agents were behind the blasting RSS office on Aug. 8, 1993 and the Hindu Munn ani office on April 4, 1995. The CBI which probed the RSS office blast case has not found even a shred of evidence to prove the involvement of ISI. It has arrested 14 Muslims in this case and the chargesheet filed against them do not charge them of acting as Isla agents. The Jayalalitha Govt. had handed over the investigation of the Hindu Munn ani office blast case to the CBI which had reported that there was no involvement of any outside agencies or persons in the blast and the case does not deserve investigation by CBI. These facts prove that the bogey of Isla in TN is raised by BJP only for cheap propaganda. But the same delegation has forgotten the anti-national speeches as well as violent deeds of Hindu Munn ani which has con- verted the traditionally peaceful haven of TN to a communally sensitive state. Expectedly it has also failed to mention that the number of Muslims killed during the last 10 years in TN is more than those of the Sangh Parivar’s. (The number of Muslims killed during the last 10 years being 42).
A Sunni Muslim student, Bangalore (address withheld): The Iranian Students’ Assn. in Bangalore recently celebrated the anniversary of Iranian Revolution at which top Muslim leaders of Karnataka and Iranian Embassy officials were present. Our Editor, V. T. Rajshekar, was also present. The Iranian envoy spoke on various subjects ranging from Islamic Revolution, the present state of Iran and other parts of Muslim world especially Bosnia, Chechenia, Kashmir, Algeria, etc. Our Editor was the only non-Muslim in the entire gathering of about 500 invitees. The reason for the invitation was quite revealing. Iranian sources said DV, being read carefully in some intellectual circles in Iran, has helped them to understand the Indian society in its true perspective. DV has also enlightened them about the true nature of the “sociological wonder that is Brahminism”. Further, DV has played an important role in protecting the Islamic revolution in Shiite-majority Iran in its true essence, which otherwise had been written off by pro-Saudi Muslim leaders of India as a Shia Revolution. DV has thus helped the Sunni-majority Indian Muslims to understand the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s role in Muslim world today. By this, DV has bridged the gulf between the Sunnis and Shias.
Shakeel Suleman, 16-Bibibai Terrace, II Floor, Spencer’s Road, Byculla Bridge, Bombay-400 008: I had gone for Umrah to Mecca/Madinah during the Ramazan. The brotherhood I have seen among the different classes of Muslims brought out tears of joy in my eyes. During the fast-breaking time in the holy mosque, you should see the people (Black Sudanese or fair-skinned Pakistani or Chinese/Indonesians or White Turks) all forcing you to join them in breaking your fast. I was amazed. What a revolution Islam can create in a person. You are given so much respect only because you follow the religion of Islam. I am proud of being a Muslim. You speak of Dalit-Muslim unity. Let us first analyse the need for Muslim-Muslim unity. Yes, it is there. The way the Muslims rose like one mass to meet the destruction of Babri Masjid just proves it. But which Dalit joined us to fight shoulder to shoulder? Brahminesses Dalits were responsible for spilling our blood. I spoke to lots of Muslims about the need for Dalit-Muslim unity. They ask: “How to sup- port someone who is against us?” Is there a Dalit unity? No. It does not exist. I have great admiration for your work but you will not achieve your objective. Without roots no tree can grow. Most of the Dalits are highly handguides. They are groping in darkness. You have to denounce idol/human worship. You need to give a powerful shock to these brahminesses Dalits first. Otherwise, they will follow their Brahmin lords, and always be their slaves, will always lick their boots, and get brainwashed by the Brahmins. But the same Brahmins cannot totally brahminess the Muslims because the foundation of Islam is anti-idol worship, brotherhood of mankind. I read your article (DV Jan.16, ’97 p.9) : “Why Muslim leader Shig refuses to use Koran to fight Brahminism?” Yes, we Muslims should follow it. But this will be applicable 1o us when we are in strength. Even Prophet “Mohammed had to leave Mecca in the early days of his preaching. How can we gain strength? As long as our Dalit brothers are brahminesses, we Muslims cannot gain strength. You have a tough task ahead. Only a leader of your calibre can transform Dalits. The faster you do it, the faster will be the revolution.
T.R. Azad, All J&K SC/ST Emp. Assn., 29-A, Rajinder Nagar, New Company Bagh, Jammu: This concerns reservation in promotion. Proportional reservation in jobs and promotions is the basic human right of all deprived sections guaranteed under Section 16 (4A) of our Constitution, under the 77th Amendment (1995) which came into effect on June 17, 1995. Recently, the Gujjars and Backcrawls expressed their serious concern over the move to usurp the benefits of special status of Scheduled J Tribes (Gujjars and Backcrawls) of J&K State. Fake certificates are secured by upper castes claiming ST status. In J&K, only posts carrying a maximum pay of Rs. 3,800 or below to.be filled by promotion, shall be reserved for SC/STs. This order violates the Constitution thereby depriving the SC/STs of further promotion. This anti-Dalit order of the Muslim Govt. of J&K has deeply disturbed us. Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah must give special attention to the non-implementation of constitutional safeguards Lo abolish it as non-implementation is giving unbearable pain to our people.
H. Vijayaraj, Gen. Secretary, Mangalore University I SC/ST Emp. Assn., Mangalagangothri-574 199: This concerns persecution of K. Purushothama Naik, a Dalit employee, and deliberate violation of reservation norms regarding promotion of SC/ST candidates. Mangalore University authorities have been consistently violating all norms pertaining to recruitment and promotion of our people. A leading Dalit employee and activist, K .Purushothama Naik, has been suffering from lots of personal, professional and legal agonies created by upper castes in this university. He joined the university as a First Division Clerk in 1982° and promoted to the post of- Superintendent on 28-12-1992. The next promotion- al post for him is Asst. Registrar. Unfortunately, the university authorities promoted Abdul Kareem against the backlog promotional vacancy and did TN justice to Purushottam Naik. He was not pro- moted and he filed a writ in the High Court of Karnataka which directed the University on 8-11-1994 to consider the case of Naik with Abdul Kareem for promotion. But the university promoted only Abdul Kareem and placed Naik as Asst. Registrar on in- dependent charge with certain oblique motives. Later, he was subjected to all sorts of persecution. False cases were filed against him.
M.N. Acharya, Ambedkar Bhavan, 1st Ward, Satanically, Guntur, AP: The AP Dalit Mahasabha has broken into pieces. The two pillars, Bojja Tarak am and Kathi Padma Rao, fell apart. Sabha was born in 1985 from out the blood of Karamchand Madi gas who were brutally murdered by Kamas of the very village. At that time, the Sabha was led by Tarak am and Padma Rao who became the darlings of the Dalits. They made us conscious of our rights and strength. Though the Sabha was dominated by Malas, the Madi gas also co-operated with it. From 1985, this state resounded with the slogans of the Sabha which became a bone in the throat of the upper castes. The once strong body has become weak. Both Tarak am and Padma Rao are not for unity. They are for disunity. Tarak is resigned from BSP. Padma Rao is not co-operating with- BSP. He is fading away from the Dalit screen. It is time for us to remember Babasaheb’s warning to Mangs and Mahar’s. He said:
Do not make a distinction at this stage between the Mang and Mahar. Do not give any importance to narrow caste loyalties, we are all one people and this true feeling of unity we must keep in mind always and earnestly. (Thus Spake Ambedkar, Vol. I, p. 146).
Mahar’s are Madi gas, and Mangs are Malas. In AP, E.V. Chinnaiah propagated Dr. Ambedkar as a Mala. This is a mistake. Mahar’s and Chamars are sub-castes in Maharashtra. It is time for Dalits ‘ to stand united.
G. Sad dharma, 25-1-1458,Rajagriha, Gautam Na- gar, Nellore-524 004, AP: This has ref. to our Editor’s remarks on the Letter of Dr. Ramendra and Dr. Kanwaljeet (DV Jan. 16, ’97 p.20). Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia is a great personality. But we certainly do not agree with our editor’s opinion that he (Dr. Lohia) is one of the three greatest personalities of “independent” India. Because Dr. Lohia does not deserve the appellation “greatest’ because he was a great devotee of M.K. Gandhi, the fake mahatma. His devotion to Gandhi was so strong and supreme that he portrayed Gandhi as one who had the intellectual honesty to rise against his very Hindu value system.
J.S. Patil, president, Maharashtra Rajya Magas- Varaiya Vidyut Karma Chari Sanghatan, Neelkamal complex, Mahajan Market, Sitamarhi, Nagpur : This is an appeal against the recent judgment, Vir pal Sing Chauhan v/s the Union of India & R.K. Sabbarwal v/s Panjab Govt. given by Supreme Court of India. Our union has decided to hold a demonstration in Delhi in May or June.
Pravin Rashtra pal, B-1, Knemani Chambers, Opp. Bahai Centre, Shahpur, Ahmedabad-380 001: 1 had requested Dalit poet Nirav Patel to prepare a report on your recent tour of Gujarat in January last week. It will cover the following important aspects: – (I) Your visit to two villages in Mehsana dt. where separate settlement colonies have come into existence due to migration of Dalits from their home-land owing to atrocities by Hindus, (I) your talk to Dalit writers at Gandhinagar, (iii) discussion which took place with Muslim intellectuals of Ahmedabad on Jan. 28, (iv) main function on Jan. 26, and (v) your lecture at Baroda Town Hall. I have also asked Nirav Patel to pre- pare a newsletter on Gujarat every month.
Dr. Chandramohan Wagh, ‘Guha’, Old Kutubpura, Behind Dr BAM University Gate, Aurangabad-431 004: Dr Ambedkar University, Aurangabad, has awarded this year the Ph.D. for my thesis: “Radical and Literary Ethics of Black and Dalit Movements”. Although I was ailing from paralysis for the past 10 years but with inexhaustible enthusiasm, guts and continuous hard work, 1 achieved the success. I have authored so far 25 books. I was for the past 12 years the associate editor of Clarity, Bombay. ] want to work as your representative from Aurangabad covering the seven districts of Marathwada and neighbouring Nasik and Ahmednagar districts.
Dr R.G. Meshram, Gurunankpura-53, Nagpur-440 017: The world has not yet seen such a famous philosopher like Nagarjuna (DV Letter by Hatekar and Sandesh Bhalekar, April 16, 97, p. 18) who was the chief philosopher of the Mahayana. He had written two books, Madhyam Karika and Vigrahawyawartini, in Sanskrit language. He was born in Vidarbha (MS). When he was born, he fell sick and his parents thought that he would not survive. They presented him to Budha Vihar (Sang haram) at Ram Giri. He mastered the Tripitakas within 90 days and went to Taks Shila and Nalanda for further studies. He was a professor in Nalanda University for some time and taught Budha’s philosophy and returned to Ram Giri (Ramteke) where he selected a hill nearby and remained till his death. He wrote 20 books of which some are translated to Chinese. He was a great physician. He was a friend of the Satavahana king, Yaegashi. He wrote a book, Suttalekha, in 166 or 196 A.D. During the British rule, Cunningham, a noted archaeologist, has mentioned in his record about the Nagarjuna Hill. He wrote a book on medicine called Ratnasamuchaya on the theory and method of preparing Bhasma’s. This book is pre- scribed by all Anuretic colleges. On the Nagarjuna Hill, there is a small Vihar where Nagarjuna used to sit. Vidarbha was inhabited by Naga people. Nagpur dt. was inhabited by the Naga race at that time.
K.B. Ram, 1-CH-13, Sector-1, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan-302 004: This refers to the Letter of Feb.16, I 97 by Dr. V. Annamalai who wants to know about Back- ward Castes. These people are not Hindus although they are called castes. They are also Untouchables and oppressed. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar fought for the human rights of these people also. He got reservation for these Backward Castes in the beginning of the “independence” of the country and included them in the Constitution. The Shudras belong to the lowest fourth rung of four-fold varnashrama dharma of the Hindus – Brahmins being at the top. They serve in various capacities the three “twice-born castes” known as Savarnas. On account of the very nature of their occupation, the Shudras are also backward, educationally and socially. Therefore, they also got reservation in services according to the recommendation of the Mandal Commission.
Dr Achintya Biswas, Calcutta: On March 23, there was a discussion on “Dalit journalism” at Prof. Nurul Hassan College, Firaki. At least 75 Dalit journalists and editors attended the workshop. This is the first time Dalit journalists formed an organisation. Soon there will be an All-Bengal convention in this direction.
A society’s progress depends on Ifs honest intellectual But Dalit society has hardly produced any intellectual because in search of security our “educated” people mainly seek govt. services. Intellectual professions like journalism etc. don not attract our people. Because has suffered. Lack of. English knowledge is yarding another serious handicap – EDITOR.
A. Ramaiah, Gen. Secretary, Tata Institute of Social Sciences SC/ST Emp. Welfare Assn., Sion-Trom Bay Road, Deodar, Bombay-400 088: The president and members of Amour Association. Thank\you for exposing our Institute: (DV April 1, 97 p.17: We have taken your suggestions “Dalits in Tata Inst. expose Brahminical reign of terror”). “Abderite’s are ashamed of TISS Dalit slaves”, very seriously and have been thinking on that line.
Babasaheb has told us that it was better to die young for a great cause than to exist like that old oak tree. Self-respect is more important than life itself. Your report proves that TISS Dalit leadership is not living but just existing as worms. Babasaheb has supplied us all the weapons, including bombs. Use them. Those who want to live must first learn how to die. Dalit leaders of TISS must set the example by sacrificing for a great cause so that the TISS is tide of such anti-national terrorists. We will continue to be ashamed of you until you prove that you are not slaves enjoying your slavery but heroes willing to die to save your self-respect. – EDITOR.
S.K. Kur eel, Lucknow University, Lucknow: The little Chamar woman has frightened the upper caste rulers of this country’s most important state (UP). All upper caste officers have been packed off to far off useless posts. Barring two districts, in all others Dalit and Backward Caste officers have been posted as District Magistrates. This has made us (Bahujan’s), particularly the Untouchables, grow two inches taller. There are 133 Dalit officers in the 542 IAS cadre in UP. Brahmins, Thakurs, Banias, Kayasths (total 413) are mercilessly transferred. If Mayawati rules UP for a decade, the upper castes will run away from UP.
E.V. Chinnaiah, 2/ 206, Surya Saroj Aptos, Hyderabad-560 035: The BSP-BJP coalition formed in UP is being hailed as an alliance of Jai Bheem and Jai Sri Ram. But there was a small-scale war on the very day of oath-taking. A great multitude of Abderite’s shouting Jai Bheem which drowned the Jai Sri Ram slogans. The moment Mayawati took over, the Hindu social system in UP started shivering. It’s protectors in power and authority in civil and police were shunted to nook and corner of UP. BJP protested but Kanchi Ram warned “BSP will not tolerate unnecessary interference in govt. If nagging continued the alliance won’t last long in UP.” In UP Jai Bheem has gained speed and fast spreading. Jai Bheem is more revolutionary than the Lal Salam of caste-conscious “communists”. All political parties headed by Hindus are one and the same. It is foolishness to think that this party is Left and that party is Right. As long as you remain a beast of burden it mattered very little whether the load belong to this master or that master. Our woman in UP is now the boss. It is an art of exploiting the exploiters.
Arun Khore, president, Dalit Literature Research Institute, C-14, Tejal Kunj, Opp. Sangam Press, Karve Road, Kothrud, Pune-411 029: Recently we formed his Institute. Our approach is academic and social. I take this. opportunity to start dialogue with you, we want to convert this Institute into a “deemed unitarian Marathi, the spoken lar Guage of more than 8 crore Indians, the Dalit literature has made a major impact by its revolution an , explosive and progressive thought. Thus, it enjoys a distinct identity among many other Indian language literature. We intend to stud Dalit literature in Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Oriya, Malayalam, Telugu, Assamese and Guage’s and bring out their translations. Senior leader Sharad Pawar is our president. It has already « functioning under the guidance of Marath Dr. Bhalchandra Radke.
White: welcoming she sire OF Ve Institute anew SROIBSSSING Sinistration Quern Your agency Arouser would Ke to Express our years . upper castes jading interest in our issue Nave expressed cur no-confidence I he Brahminical Social Order and its mistouches or do-gooders headed by MK Gandhi o walk in f cosies for work as our servants. Solidly even: e clothing of sheep. We want the . audited by cur oppressors cannot be G e BSY Delco of work. This is our experience ang we want you ‘o explains how for your fit Hon will fulfil these require resits – EDITOR
AL, Ukay, ATPS: MPEB, Chachai, Shahadol 484 220: Once again, Kanchi Ram must clear his stand respect of BSP-BJP Govt. in UP. Being in Abderite’s, we are forced to follow BSP since I have popularised Jai Bheem all over India. We are forced to adopt its ideology since it talks about Bahujan’s (SC/ST/BCs & minorities). We are forced to follow Kanchi Ram Sirica his fight, as he said, is against the Brahmanical Social Order. No doubt, political power is the master key which can unlock every problem, but is it safe to share power with our age-old blood- suckers?
Kesar Bai, president, Mahila Vikas Abhiyaan Satin Karma Chari Sangh, 408/2, Anas agar Gha Ganj, Ajmer-305 001: Rural areas of Rajasthan have witnessed the emergence of a significant women’s paw- er during the last decade. The Sath ins, working at the lowest rung of the women’s development programme in Rajasthan, have managed to mobilise rural women into playing an active role in the development process. The task has not been an easy one. In a feudal, caste-ridden and backward state like Rajasthan, trans- forming traditional social structure has met with a great amount of resistance. In the face of enormous personal risk, the Sath ins, with women from the villages, have faced this opposition with tremendous courage.
However, despite their deep commitment and success 1 their work during the past 12 years, the Sath ins have been the targets of constant exploitation. Under the guise of being a “voluntary worker”, she is given a paltry honorarium of Rs 250 a month.
Baji Rao Kamble, advocate, “Anjali Hospital”, 12, Tadawul Road, Pune-411 001: I have started the work on our proposed Marathi edition of DV and as soon as it is ready I will let you know the date of releasing it. The possible dates will be third or fourth week of April 1997.
Brother Baji Rao’s efforts deserve full support from Dalits, BCs and Muslims in Maharashtra. It is easy to start a journal but very difficult for keep it going. Our experience in Kerala, AP and in MP has put us for great shame. Baji Rao must keep DV above all party and factional pulls. DV is devoted to promoting Ambedkar’s and fighting the Brahmanical Social Order. The date of release of Marathi DV can be fixed for the third week of May -EDITOR.
Gopal Rao, H. No 1-61, Ray Alam, Bhim avaram, WG dt.-534 208: This is with ref. to the Letter of Raju Tho- mas (DV March 1, 1997). He says: “Those who oppose reservations to Dalit Christians are the real enemies of Dalits. Why this hatred between the Dalits and Dalit Christians?” Raju Thomas being a Dalit Chris- tian had criticised Buddhism in a Malayalam weekly, Prabhada run by Kerala Muslims. Is he is not showing hatred towards Buddhism and Dr. Ambedkar? Is he also not the enemy of Dalits? Abderite’s are not the enemies of Dalit Christians. It is the Dalit Christians who isolate themselves from Dalits and especially the Abderite’s. They do not respect Dr. Ambedkar. They do not cooperate with us in any movement.
P. Parida, advocate, At/po. Sova Rampur, Dist. Balasore, Orissa: The recent ritual conference of Nigam Ananda at Barriada, Orissa, on Feb. 23, 97 came to a tragic end. Over 200 devotees have been burnt to death and many hundreds are serious. Ignorant people are fooled in the name of religion. Baba’s and Matas who are exploiting, fooling the innocent people in the name of God and religion must be punished. Those conducting such rituals should be prosecuted.
Iqbal Anand, Ropar, Punjab: This is on the lengthy Letter of Md. Kamran of Patna (DV March 1, 97, p.20 & 2). While comparing with other faiths, Kamran has highlighted and glorified Islam only. No doubt, Islam is one of the greatest religions. But the facts remain that out of the five world Powers, no Islamic country finds place. Christianity and Buddhism are dominating. \ (n India too, Islam like its other counterparts – Christianity, Dravidian Social Order (Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism) is a dead force. Instead of going into the merit and demerit of each religion, need of the hour is to unite them under the following common factors: (I)The basics of Islam and its counterparts are one and the same. (I) Most of the 85% Bahujan’s of India (SC/ST/ BCs and Muslims, Christians, Sikhs) belong to same & family, children of this soil. (iii) All the aforesaid six segments of Bahujan’s are common sufferers in the hands of Brahminism. (iv) As all are equals, friend- ship will be everlasting between two equals.
Chintala Joshua, 26-1500, New Military Colony Extn., Nellor-4, AP: Our organisation, “”Dr Ambedkar Dharma Perata Samiti”, will hold its first district conference here on April 14, when we propose to undertake mass conversion to Buddhism. We expect 4,000 people to embrace Buddhism on that day. In our conversion ceremony here on Feb. 4, 1996, 3000 people embraced Buddhism. You, as the chief guest, were an eyewitness to it. Now, they are all practising Buddhists. In a very short period, just in one year, we became a leading force under the leadership (not co-opted and corrupted) of our state convenor, I . Ramachandra Rao. By next year, we will be the deciding force in political arena in this area. We are also planning an il massive rally of our “Sanki Dal” wearing our uniform and a 5-feet stick in hand.
K.M. Tanti, Govt. Qtrs., No. D-28, Block No.5, Jayadev Vihar, P.O.R.R.L-13, Bhubaneswar-751 013: It may not be a matter of pride for the Bahujan’s, who constitute over 85% of our population, that Mayavati has once again becoming the Chief Minister of UP. BSP is the party of the Bahujan’s who are the deprived since thousands of years. The cause of their deprivation has always been the Brahminical Social Order which is opposed to the Constitution of India. BJP stands for Brahminism which is exactly opposed to the ideology of BSP. That means the two belong to two opposite poles. Yet they have joined hands in UP again. How and why? Who is going 10 benefits out of this coalition?
B.B. Halder, Netaji Nagar, Kanta Toly, Ranchi-843 001: To bring about social justice there is a Himalayan obstruction. Hindu mythology, the Geeta and Manu smriti, are the main . These so-called scriptures created the ugly word “Untouchable” in Hindu religion. The original Indian people were called Untouchables by the Aryan infiltrators who made us into slaves. Political parties are giving the sweet slogans of social jus- tice, but not telling us a word as to how to remove these obstacles. That means social justice will never be established.
K.N. Damodaraji, Emakalim P.O., Ranny-689 672: Dr. Ambedkar Mission has purchased 4 ‘/, cents at Kambasha, within the Pathani theta municipal area, to build the Ambedkar Bhavan. K.K. Nair, MLAY laid its foundation on Jan. 26, 1995.
