Everett L. Holland, C-63557, California State Prison, PO Box-3476, 4A4L 30L, Corcoran, Calif, 93212-3476, USA: I am a 36-year-old African – American man, now in the California State jail. Recently I came to know of your famous journal and organization and the plight of the Dalit people through an obscure publication. Since I am always in the process of raising my consciousness-not to mention having a compelling interest in other cultures, particularly those related to mine – I felt compelled to write to you in an attempt to obtain more information about the Dalit – The Black Untouchables of India. it would appreciate any and all information you can provide me with. It would be especially delightful if you could provide me with a pen-friend that | could correspond with on a regular basis. I am due to parole soon and would love to visit your country.
Allen Marcelin, 5229-Music St., New Orleans, 70177, USA: In response to your April 16, 1997, article concerning Christians and Jews: “Why Nietzsche rejected Christianity & followed Brahminism”, by Raju Thomas. Roman and western scholars falsified history to sell myths and fables justifying and creating a White-Euro cantered cultural supremacy. They fabricated idea that civilization of Africa was founded. and developed by Whites. The recorded and documented fact is that Egypt, Babylonian and the Indus Valley were founded and peopled by the Blacks, Samite’s and Hamites who presently in varying degrees occupy their land. Fortieths of the world’s population are of African descent. Egyptians were indigenous Africans or Cushite’s from the interior of the continent. The African Hebrew taxi states that Egypt is the land of Ham. The White Euro-Roman man wrote himself into histories and events when in fact he was absent. He assumed identities where he was not identified particularly as related to biblical teems. Abraham came from & land founded by Cushite’s and he was called to a land founded by Blacks. When Abraham came to Africa, he found the – people there speaking Hebrew and worshipping ElShaddi at Bethel or house of God. From one man, Abraham, and one descendant, God raised a nation of over 2 million in the midst of the people of Egypt a Black African Hebrew people of Black lands. What about the European White Jews who today control the world? Media, news and the movie industry? How they have written themselves into peoples, nations and histories when no trace of them can be found? A Jew of today can be any one who adopts Judaism as a faith. Whole nations accepted Christianity and the religions which did not change their national identity, only their religious identity. Therefore, there is. no mystery behind the Jews joining the Aryan Brahminical Hindus of India. They also have affiliation with the racist South Africans who practised the anti-god system of apartheid. Race and racism based on colour was born as a child of the Roman Empire to force its economic and military world dominance. There is no such ‘thing as distinct racial divisions among the world’s nations. All ethnic nationals possess pigment in various degrees depending on climatic geographical conditions.
Dr. Laxmi N. Berwa, 7700-Old Branch Avenue, Suite C-101, Clinton, Maryland 20735, USA: On July 21, 1997, 62 Dalits of various affiliations in America protested in front of the UN Headquarters in New York City. Condemning the desecration of the Dalit Messiah, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, merciless killing of 32 Dalits in Bombay, merciless beating of Dalit leaders from Dalit Sena and Janata Dal in Delhi during a peaceful protest, a Dalit woman was stripped naked and made 10 walks in public by the upper castes. This protest was an expression of anger against police brutalities and the demonstration of solidarity for the Dalits in *India. Dalit men, women, and children came not only from New York city but other states like New Jersey, Philadelphia, Illinois and Washington DC. Notables among them were Virendra Chaudhri, who was the coordinator of the march and a dedicated and self- less worker, P.N. Arya, president of Vision, and Pyare Lal, president of Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, and Dyal Kalra, president of International Bahujan Organization, were also present. Dr. Rahul Deepankar, a medical doctor, flew from Chicago to address the gathering. On April 27, 1997, during a “Passion for Truth” panel discussion on Cable TV channel 10 at 9 a.m. Syed Adeeb, Editor of the Information Times, Washintone-based daily online newspaper, TV commentator and Member of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), presented his comments and investigative information about the situation of human rights and civil liberties in India, Pakistan and the rest of South Asia.
P.P. Lakshman, 11-Fort George Hill, Suite 9G, New York, NY – 10040: Dalits from 11 different organizations staged a demonstration on July 21 at the Hammarskjold Plaza before the United Nations in New York. It was in protest against the desecration of Dr. Ambedkar statue and the police-firing on Dalits at Bombay on July 11, 1997. The slogans raised on the occasion were loud and clear: “Stop killing Dalits”, “Dalits’ rights are human rights”, “No more caste wars”, “Caste system, India’s shame”, and so on. The protest meeting was organised by Vision, International . Bahujan Organization (IBO) and nine other organisations including four religious bodies affiliated to Buddhism and Sikhism. One of the placards read “Hindu chauvinists! Hand-over Bodh Gaya shrine to Buddhists”. Speeches made displayed emotions aroused by the trauma over the garlanding of shoes on the statue and the police-firing on Dalits at Bombay and other places. Speakers included Dr. Laxmi N. Berwa from Washington D.C., Dr. Rahul Deepankar from Chicago, Suraj Pal from Philadelphia, P.N. Arya, ; M Har Dayal and V.K. Chowdhury from New Jersey and Pyare Lal, Om Prakash and Dayal Kaira from New York. The meeting lasted for three hours and a memo- randoms signed on behalf of the 11 organizations was submitted to Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, UN.
Dr. Sangeeta Ahuja, South Asia Team, Amnesty international, International Secretariat, 1-Easton Street, London WC1X 8DJ: Unfortunately, we have been unable to visit India again for research, since our visit in July and August of last year. In November 1996, we proposed a research visit to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal for January 1997. To date we have not received a formal response. We will shortly be writing to the Indian authorities, again suggesting that we visit these states for research later in the year. On July 24 and 25, the Human Rights Committee (a body of independent experts) heard India’s report on its adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Khaleem Kawaja, Coordinator, Phoolan Devi International Defence Committee, 11649-Masters Run, Ellicott City, MD 21042, USA: It is with disgust and anguish that we have learnt that Phoolan Devi, Member of the Indian Parliament and prominent leader of women and Dalits in India, is being harassed by the courts and police in India. They have instituted false criminal cases against her and are making it very difficult for her to lead a normal life. Her history is an open book. From the tender young age of 11, this woman from an impoverished “low caste”, has been systematically persecuted by the police, judiciary and other organs of the govt. Because she chose to resist such oppression and demanded justice that she has been subjected to gang-rape, torture, humiliation, jail and other forms of coercion. In 1983, she surrendered before the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. The settlement required her to serve 8 years in jail and be released subsequently. All court cases against her were to be dropped. She actually spent 11 years in jail. Now, after more than having paid her dues to society, having become a true leader of the oppressed and women and a distinguished Member of the Indian Parliament, she is still being persecuted by the police restore her and only because she is a woman and a Dalit woman. Clearly, violating Phoolan’s human rights and right to live her life in freedom flies in the face of India’s 5,000-year-old egalitarian culture and tradition. We the individuals in North America who cherish human liberty and dignity appeal to you to stop-the violation of Phoolan Devi’s human rights by dropping all court cases against her, letting her to live in freedom and to a position of dignity befitting a prominent social and political leader and MP.
Arun Kumar, 19-Henderson Way, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8NN, UK: Further to the article by Alibhai Patel regarding the Templeton Award to a Hindu nazi, Pandurang Athavale (DV June 1, ’97, p.15), | wish to inform that the Abderite’s in the UK have already protested against this award. The Federation of Abderite’s & Buddhists Organizations of UK has demanded the withdrawal of the award. The Duke of Edinburgh has already written 1o The Federation that inquiries are being made about Athavale’s nazi views. The protest by the UK Abderite’s have widely been covered in the news-papers. However, the chenas of Athavale say that he doesn’t believe in caste system but in “some sort of hierarchical system” which is essential for the survival of society. In other words, in one way or the other, he justifies the division in the society based on high and low (Varna Dharma Ashrama). | request the Dalit Voice readers to write a protest letter to the Templeton Foundation, USA, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Buckingham Palace, London SW1, so that the people should know the true face of these bogus spiritual leaders.
V.T. Hireker, 42-Broxholm Rd., West Norwood, Lon- don, SE27 0LZ, UK: This refers to Vaibhav Patel’s article (June 1, ’97 p.15) against the US-based John Templeton Foundation Award of $1.21 million to Pandurang Shastri Athavale for his book, Sanskritic Chintan, meaning cultural thinking, 1994 edition. | thank Patel and appreciate his struggle. The Eastern Eye of May 16, ’97 has an article by Sharad Danda ate defending this Hindu nazi Athavale whose supporters in the US manipulated to influence such a big Foundation to grant the award. The Foundation did not properly study Athavale’s book, based on the Manu smriti. Previous award-winners were Mother Teresa and the famous Christian preacher, Billy Graham, but the award to Athavale angered Ambedkar organisations in UK. Yogesh Varada has sent a copy of Athavale’s book to Krishna Gamer, co-ordinator of Ambedkar Centre for Justice and Peace, and to me with instructions to condemn Athavale in England. Accordingly, Gamer wrote to Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, requesting him to cancel the Award to Athavale. Some Dalits went to see the Duke at the Queen’s residence in Buckingham Palace but could not meet him. The Award ceremony was held on May 6, ’97 in Westminster Abbey, London.
Dr. Velu Annamalai, PO Box-842066, Houston, X 77084-2118, USA: It is unfortunate that the “Media Centre” issue is still in its infant stages. Kanchi Ram’s recent promises are encouraging, and | am only hoping that he will put his words to action.
As already announced in DV Aug. 1, 97 pp.: “Media Centre in Delhi – Last & Final Appeal’, we will no longer raise this subject. If the slaves of India want for remain as slaves, enjoying their slavery, what can we do? These Brahminical motional” tolled papers are poisoning every mind though ifs readership Is confined for not even 30% of the Indian population. Yet its havoc is unbearable. Kanchi Ram knows it and he himself was ifs victim – the latest being Laloo Prasad Yadav. But not one “leader” among the Bahujan’s has any plan 1o launch a media or counter the poisonous media. Dr. Laxmi N. Berwa has the money but has no will. This is the case with all others. Kanchi Ram is busy with his politics. | am fed up. Disgusted – EDITOR.
M. Naushad Ansari, Post Box No. 1797, Bangalore – 560 017: On a careful study of the results of various exams conducted by the UPSC, SSC, BSRB, Rail- ways etc., | find that despite the inclusion of Back- ward Muslims (BM) in the 27% OBC quota, their representation has not at all increased. There are enough data to prove that Muslims are the most backward group of India. The BM are worse still. In the common quota for OBCs, BM are not in a position to compete with the more advanced other BCs. The groups which are more educated, powerful and influential corner the 27% quota. The remedy lies in fixing a sub-quota for BM in proportion to their population and degree of backwardness.
Aftab Ahmad, Advocate, Dept. of Law, AMU, Aligarh, UP: There is a dictum that the law that is not living is dead. TADA is such a law because it has expired long ago. But it is quite strange that the Designated Courts under TADA are still functioning. Ours is not a monarchy or dictatorship under which any type of law may be framed and continued because it suits the rulers. India is a “democracy” and that too the “largest democracy in the world” where such laws as TADA have no place and particularly when it has expired and has become a dead law. The present govt. in Delhi has also declared that it is not going to frame any such law in future. TADA has been described by the media as a draconian law. However, the Designated ” Courts are still functioning. It amounts to a mockery of democracy if such laws or courts under such a draconian law exists. Section 1 of the Act says:
“(d) Any investigation, legal proceedings or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced, and any penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if this Act has not expired.”
Now, in law there is no “if” and “but’ and it is quite mathematical, that is 2+2=4 and nothing else. So, the TADA law having expired there is no legal justification for the continuance of the Designated Courts under TADA. These courts should be abolished and the cases pending before such courts should be transferred to criminal courts to be tried according to Law. Those innocent persons who are languishing in jails without any trial must be set free.
Mujibur Rahman, teacher, Govt. HS School, Yazali PO, Arunachal Pradesh – 791 120: | am spreading your message in North Lakhimpur (Assam) and Malda (West Bengal). DV readers in North-East may contact me. Please note that a real war has started in Tripura with the Tribals kicking out dozens of upper castes *every day. These brave Tribals are badly in need of moral support.
S. Haque, Patna: Aurangzeb is a famous book writ- ten by Dr. A.M.S. Moghni and published from Makasi Makamba Islami, Delhi-6, in 1992. The preface of the book written by a former Governor of Orissa, B.N. Pandey, a Brahmin says it is the best book on Aurangzeb based on the facts . Dr. Moghni is now the Vice-Chancellor of L.N. Mithila University, Darbhanga, Bihar, where a naked dance of racism was staged. Muslim students of the university protested against ] I\ such racism. The Aryan Manu Vadis are protesting against Dr. Moghni for writing this book, demanding a ban on it. Meanwhile, the Delhi Govt. has banned this Aurangzeb book.
S. Bablu, Islami Book Library, at Senapati, biarmed ~Sambalpur dt., Orissa – 768 101: | read your book, the Curse of Allah. Dalit Sahitya Academy must pub- lish its Hindi translation so that Muslim masses will know the ideology of our Editor.
Mohd. Nasiruddin, 22-1-482/3,Chandarghat, Hyderabad – 500 024: Your review of the book, Excessive Force (DV July 1, 1997 p.7), was wonderful. When the Whiteman set his foot on the American soil in 1498, there were about 45 million Red Indians (original inhabitants of America). And after 200 years of . Whiteman’s occupation, their number is reduced to only 2.5 million as a result of systematic genocide by the White Christians. The genocide of Red Indians and the origins of Australia is the worst crime in the history of man’s cruelty against fellow human beings. My study reveals three groups among the Whites – (1) totally insensitive and unconcerned about the plight of the oppressed an origin, (2) a sympathiser group which pays only a lip service and stages dramas of sympathy and (3) one which carries out the genocide. All the three groups are equally guilty of the crime. The most shocking thing about this crime against humanity is that it is carried out in a planned way. The media and the govts. maintain strict silence about the whole genocide. The West calls this “human rights democracy’. DV should broaden its scope by publishing articles about the struggle of all coloured people belonging to different parts of the world. An enlightening book, Birth Control, by the great Islamic thinker, Maudie, on the subject of family planning is worth #gading. Write to Makasi Makamba Islami, 1353-Chitli Qabar, Delhi – 6.
Issalah-Uddin Ashraf, D19/268-DMS Colony, Hari Nagar, New Delhi – 110 004: | am a student, doing my PG in English. My friend, Shameful Haq from Patna has informed me about your book, Curse of Allah, and that it is worth reading.
S.M. Pasha, 22-Barracks Road, Perimeta, Madras – 600 003: No true Muslim can willingly sing the Vanden Maharam as it is an un-Islamic song nor can anyone lawfully compel anyone else to sing it. Hence the action of the Kutchi youths who manhandled the Muslim League leader and Member of the Lok Sabha, G.M. Banat Allah, for his opposition to the singing of the song in Parliament, deserves to be condemned and the erring culprits deserve to be awarded stern and deterrent punishment.
Qazi Abdul Hameed, Media Research Centre, PO Box No. 93-Tagore Marg, Lucknow – 226 007: | am shocked to read that “Ven Ali Miyan… received a gift of a fabulous luxury flat worth Rs. 50 lakhs…” (DV July 1, 1997 p.12). It is a downright lie as Maulana Ali Miyan has not received any gift from anybody. There is some property in Bangalore and Mangalore which belongs to Darul Uloom Nadwat-ul-Ulama, Lucknow, and it has been purchased by it and not gifted. | find that the readers of DV are very fond of quoting verses from the Koran whether there be occasion or not. | would like to invite the attention of Khaleel Ur Rehman to the following two verses of the Koran. He would now realise where the Curse of Allah lies.
O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth lest ye harm people unwittingly and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.
(Ch. 49, ver.6)
O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible); for suspicion in s0mMe cases IS a sin… nor speak ill of each other behind their backs…
(Ch. 49, ver. 12) I Hadith-e-Qudsi
Narrated Abu Huraira, Allah’s Apostle said, “Allah said, will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of mine…”
The book of Arriaga chapter 38, no.509 (Bukhari Sharif).
Abou Mujahid, Arivoli Mahipala, 81-Angappa Nikken Street, Madras – 600 00t: | am deeply indebted to you for the remarkable review of the book Indhumathi Arabiya Parnami (DV July 1, 1 997). 5 years ago, | had translated and published two of your excellent articles, “How for Exterminate the Indian Muslims” and *Who made the Indian Muslims Communal?’ For this | was subjected to much police interrogation and surveillance. Yet, | have not budged from creating awareness among the public.
We request you for translate and publish our two latest works – Curse of Allah and Islam Prohibits Priesthood: Maulanas, a peso on Muslims – info Tamil – EDITOR.
Shamsuddin Ahmed, Quazi Mohalla, PO Sher Ghati, Gaya Dt. – 824 211: The slow but steady growth and rise of Ambedkar forces has undoubtedly been a constant source of worry to the Brahminical forces. And their think-tank is always busy finding steps not only to subdue but also destroy them at any costs am, dan, bed and Dand. Dalits must, therefore, see through this new-found love of the Hindu nazis for Babasaheb. Kapildev Singh, a “socialist” leader of Bihar, recently ridiculed Babasaheb. The Aryan leaders and writers are spitting venom against Babasaheb only because there is no effective retaliation. To bag Dalit votes, Brahminical forces are putting on a show to adore Babasaheb but they hate him from their heart.
Naushad Tottenham, PO Killer, Meladi, Kozhikode, Kerala: The Brahman Jati Party (BJP), Veera Hawala Parishad (VHP) and the Rastriya Savarna Sena (RSS) opposed the election of Dalit President, K.R. Narayanan. By this they showed their real racist face. Their one objection is about his education in a Christian school. Another objection is about his Burmese wife. Third is that he never participated in Dalit activities.
K. Karuppiah, 63-Thirunagar, Karu mandapam, Trichy – 620 001: The latest violence in Southern Tamil Nadu has disturbed me. The ghastly murder of six Dalits in a running bus near Melur, Madurai dt., has shocked me. The latest conflict between the Pallar’s and Thevar’s may be a welcome one (DV Edit June 1, ’97: “A Dalit subcaste acquires identity, becomes proud & pride turns it militant’). But it is an emotional conflict but not an ideological one. If the Thevar’s had not resisted the naming of the Transport Corporation after Sundara lingam, there would have been no conflict. Hence, it is not an ideological battle. Fora depressed community, liberation comes through cultural identity. Simply by insisting that the Pallar’s are the descendants of Cheran, Cholan and Pandiyan kings will not help their liberation. For want of a right ideology, Dr. Krishnasamy is behaving like a politician and exploiting the feelings of his community. Dr. Gurusamy Siddhar’s article in DV (July 16, ‘97 p.5) is also an example of ideological bankruptcy. From an Ambedkar viewpoint, any depressed community fighting for its liberation must first revolt against Hinduism. But the Pallar’s or Devendra leadership never advocated such a revolt. At Kailath (Tirunelveli dt.,) the Pallar’s fought Hindus demanding equal rights to perform pujas at a temple. The Pallar’s have many names: Kurumba, Panada, Mopan, Kaldi etc. The people may choose any one name. But the name they have chosen, Devendra kulan, is from the Hindu my- theology. That means they want to say they are Hindus. Dr. Gurusamy Siddhar criticises the Pariah’s for not supporting them in the Pallar-Thevar conflict. As a co-sufferer, the Pariah’s should have supported the Pallar’s. For want of a proper leadership among the Pariah’s, they failed. The Pariah’s have to regret this mistake. The Pallar’s in certain pockets of TN commit the mistake of acting as superior to Pariah’s. This has hurt the feelings of Pariah’s. Educated PA liars have become arrogant and are alienating the Pariah’s. Dr. Gurusamy Siddhar did not mention a word about this alienation. When the Pallar’s put on a superiority complex over the Pariah’s, they in turn have to accept the superiority of the Thevar’s. Whatever may be our past, all the depressed communities must ire at each other as brothers and jointly fight for their liberation. Dedicated Abderites from both the sides should take up the leadership even while maintaining the Jati identity of both Pillars and Pariah subcastes. Both must take the minority Arunta thenars also as their brothers. Dr. Gurusamy Siddhar had given some wrong meaning to the word “Dalit” which means depressed and oppressed. The word “Dalit” will apply to all people racially oppressed by Aryans. S.R.- Talukder had pointed out that the Pallar’s did not accept Babasaheb as their emancipator. This is true. On that, the Editor had commented that as Abderites we should not insist upon any persecuted community to be Ambedkar first before extending our support. it is the duty of Ambedkar to support a persecuted community without any condition. This is the opinion of our Editor. But in India whichever community wants liberation it must be an Ambedkar first and then only they can get liberation. This is an established fact. At a Madurai meeting comprising mostly Pallar’s, Chandra Bose, & young, dedicated worker from that community, declared that these Devendra Kula Vellalar’s would get liberation only if they accept Dr. Babasaheb as their leader and follow his principles. Your Editorial said the all-Dravidian parties failed to eradicate caste feelings. Not only that. These parties were the root cause for the hegemonic attitude of the Thevar’s, Kullars, Vanier’s and Grounders. The Dravidian parties are worried about them. Vote banks. Only for public consumption they say that they are sincere followers of Daniyar. The sad fact about these Backward Caste people is they are very proud to be Hindus and hence they become the backbone of the RSS and BJP. All Dravidian parties failed to point out this grave mistake of the BCs fearing loss of their vote banks. The Bahujan concept is the only way 1o eradicate caste conflicts and fight the BSO. The PMK started well by taking the lead in South TN. Since Dr. Krishnasamy exploited the Kodi yan kalam incident, the emotional Pallar’s went over to him. But for this the PMK would have created a good base in South TN.
Ramdeo Vishwa Bandhu, Gen. Secretary, Bihar State Backward Classes Federation, Girardi – 815 501: On June 29 last, the Hindu Nazi leader, Uma Bharti, came here along with other leaders like Kailash Pati Mishra and the Opposition leader, Sushil Kumar Modi, etc. to take part in L.K. Advani’s Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra. ¥She addressed a huge public meeting at Jhana Maidan and emphatically said that the base of exploitation in India is casteism and not religion. She said she would fight for Dalits and Backward Castes. Thus, Uma Bharti has accepted our editor’s view on “caste”.
Rai Haran Das, Talaitha, Kharagpur, WB – 721 300: For translating the English book, Oh Hindu Awake, into Bengali as Jago, Hindu Jago, and publishing it | have received lot of congratulatory messages from Muslims of Bengal. Some had invited me to attend their meetings. But it is difficult to say something in their religious meetings. I am still to read the book, Misconceptions about Islam, which | have ordered for. Dalits here hate Muslims because of the Hindu nazi party. We tell Dalits that Muslims are our blood brothers. The SC/8Ts do not get even half the quota of jobs among the 100 employees of the SB1, Kharagpur. There is not a single Muslim, though there are English medium B.Com. passed poor Muslim boys remaining unemployed.
Dr. Vinod Wanjiru, Scientist, National Research Centre for Qila-Palm, Ashok Nagar, Elora – 534 002: | was shocked to read the review of the boak, Excessive Force (DV July 1,’97 p.5). It is a fact that for Dalits, food, clothing and shelter come first before any other needs. Your point is that the Aryans are giving precedence to family planning and relegating to the backseat basic needs of the Bahujan’s. So, we must be aware and cautious of their tactics. When you say 2hat the “Aryan evil castes” are not a virile race and are losing their potency, then what is the reason for us to worry? If the secret of our virility is “melanin®, then who can destroy it? Hence, even if we procreate at the rate of a single child per couple can we not tilt the balance if the need so arises? We will certainly be able to outnumber the Aryans. Then why harbour such an absurd fear? This is one point. Another equally important one is that at present we are. A majority (85%) but a minuscule minority in terms of quality (i.e., in order to fight the Aryans effectively). We are already living under the condition of abject poverty. Hence, producing Farge number of children would impoverish us further resulting the slavery of mind owing to Hinduism as most of the Dalits feel proud calling them- selves Hindus. This is the reason why the Hindu nazi parties are getting hold over our innocent people, SC/ ST/BCs. Do we aspire to have such a majority? in what manner such a majority would help in our fight against the Aryans? Instead, will not the same gullible majority help the Aryans to ignite a war 1o make the Dalits fight Dalits? It is already a tough task to rescue the Dalits from the clutches of Hinduism which the Aryans have been cleverly imposed on us. This ‘opium’ of Hinduism is keeping our ignorant masses in a perpetual state of anaesthesia. Although the pro- duction is rising, the 15% Aryans are still eating the resources of 85% Dalits and we are left to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Hence, it is not at all in our interest to produce more children. | can’t comment on whether or not our Dalit brothers in America should go for family planning, but under Indian conditions it is not at all advisable for our people to have larger families. Babasaheb had realised it long ago and was the first political leader in India to advocate family planning. | don’t think that the theory “what Hindus love, we should hate” is appropriate in this context.
S.B. Kolpe, Editor, Clarity, Barrack No.3/2-3, Adarsh Nagar, Prabhadevi, Bombay – 400 025: | am glad to bring to your notice a courageous articles defending Laloo Prasad Yadav of Bihar, published in the Nation and The World (Editor: Syed Hamid). The article written jointly by Syed Wasim Imam and Mousavi Jaleel says that Laloo with his audacity “has made a great change in the socio-economic climate in Bihar during his seven-year rule”. It says,
“Now that he is besieged, there is a great glee over his impending doom (meaning perhaps his arrest). Little do his foes realise that they may not find enough evidence against him and might let him off like others. A Laloo that would return after baptism of fire would be a much taller person.”
His first attempt was to break the upper caste hegemony in the state administration and politics. Thanks to the long years of rule by leaders like Srikrishna Sinha, and Jagannath Mishra, the Bhumihar-Brahmin clique in the state came to rule the roost. Whenever there was a Rajput interregnum – Chandrashekar Singh and Satyendra Narayan Singh – the other powerful caste lobby came to the fore. Top bureaucrats felt sidelined by Laloo and that was how they involved him in the “fodder scam”. Only a Muslim journal could have the courage to publish such a courageous report in defence of Laloo. The ways of the Bania-Brahmin Raj are strange. In the same hawala case, Shahabuddin is put in jail while others are free. For the JMM bribe-takers are in the Tihar jail but for P.V. Narasimha Rao, who master-minded it, there is honourable retirement from premiership. Please accept my compliments for the bold attempt you have made to defend a brave BC warrior who fought for social justice.
K.C. Sulekh, H.No.503-Sector 15-A, Chandigarh: The Parliamentary Committee set up under S.N. Chatterjee has invited suggestions from people on the question as to how to improve the quality and the working of Door darshan. The subject is very important and needs to be given a careful thought not by the committee members or TV wallets alone at official levels but it should be debated by all of us. Almost all the TV programmes are heavily loaded in favour of Hinduism alone. Come morning, the TV brings an array of gods in different forms or guises, godmen of one brand or another accompanied by a rich extravaganza of devotional” songs sung in praise of gods, and long sessions of religious sermons. Tele serials like the Ramayana, Mahabharat, etc. that hit the small screen a few years back and held the millions of curious TV viewers across the country spell bound for years on end proved far more efficacious in Hindu sing the ordinary men and women and promoting their superstitious beliefs, customs and rituals than hundreds of religious teachers and preachers put together. If one softens one’s stood a bit to accept the extended definition of secularism that it stands for an equal respect for all religions, then also the question would beg for an answer. Does the TV setup spends the same amount of time, talent and energy to prepare and present the programmes on other religions as it does in the case of Hinduism? TV in short has become nothing but a Hindu propaganda machinery. The Hindu society is notoriously rigid, orthodox and conservatives. As the things stand, Door darshan needs a thorough shake-up to make it a really useful instrument for social change.
Dr. N. Suresh, X/1183-A, Fort Kochi, Veli – 682 001: Guna’s argument (DV June 16, ’97 p.16) of a “Tamil nation” is not convincing. Even our Editor once spoke of a “Tamil nation”, “Malayalam nation” but later he too has revised his opinion. In this caste-ridden India language, religion, region do not go to form a “nation”. In India, only caste (Jati) forms a nation. “Dalits” become a nation on the common cause of untouchability which may bind them. Besides, Dalits are the Adi-Dravida’s, the original inhabitants and creators of the Mohenjo-daro-Harappan (Indus) Civilization. The touchable Backward Castes form another nation. And the Savarnas form an alien nation inside India. Who killed the 10 Dalits in Bombay on July 117 It is the non-Dalits. If the Maharashtrians are a “nation”, why should the Maharashtrians kill their own “nationals”? This proves that language does not constitute a nation. In South TN, it is the Tamil-speaking Thevar’s (BCs) who are killing the Tamil-speaking Pallar’s (Devendra’s). When the Dalits in Maharashtra got kited, train blockades and bundhs were enforced in Kerala by Dalits whatever may be the issue behind the Killings. Language did not come in the way of Dalits of other states expressing solidarity with Bombay Dalits. This one single incident proves that Dalits constitute one nation. Dalits are the only people who keep India united. And they will keep it united despite the best efforts of Aryans to break it. Dalits hate division of India because as the original owners of India, they Jove this country. “Khalistan” formation failed because 2,000 Dalit Sikhs were massacred by the Aryan-so-varna-Sikh conspiracy. In Lanka, the Sinhala Aryan Buddhists oppressed all Tamil Dravida’s as their enemies. Most of “Black” Tamil Tigers are Dalits. Dalits ‘and Bahujan’s support the Tamil Eelam demand. But, if the Dalits get persecuted in a free “Tamil Eelam”, India will be the first country, under the leadership of Dalits, that will break the “Tamil Eelam”.
Dr. A.V. Choudhry, FRCS, FACS, FICS, FRCSE, Padhan, Dist., Betul, MP – 460 005: | am absolutely delighted that you have taken the mantle to support Dalits and fight for justice and equality. Centuries of oppression, exploitation and dehumanisation of the Dalits by Hindus on a mammoth scale is unprecedented in human history. | agree with most of the things you have said in your various writings. | have also read some of the books by Dr. Ambedkar and have been his great admirer for a long time. 1 also took time to study various religions and tried to get to the bottom of their basic beliefs. This includes various scriptures of the Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists etc. and am still studying the ancient history of India and various human mass migrations that took place in the dim past in our country. | have spent a lot of time meditating the root causes of the present situation and the solutions to them. My thinking is on very similar lines as yours except on Buddhism as the final solution to this massive human and spiritual problem. *In the final analysis man’s inhumanity to man is a spiritual problem and so the solution has to be finally spiritual. With due respect, Buddhism is not the answer. It depicts God as zero, in the form of a circle and offers peace of the graveyard. | gather from your writings that you do not mince words. So, | am taking the liberty to write frankly to you as a brother without being offensive. | have been to many villages in Vidarbha and Nagpur region which is not too far from my place. Most of the villages have statues of Dr. Ambedkar and Budha. Dalits look upon Dr. Ambedkar as their saviour but their knowledge of Buddhism is next to negligible. In any case, the Hindus still consider the neo- Buddhists as Untouchables and so de facto no social or economic upgradation has taken place. But when the same Untouchables become Christians then the same Hindus shake hands with them and offer them Yochai and tea. You already know the transformation that has taken place among the head-hunting Nagas of the North-East and the Orion’s and Santhals of Bihar who now sit in the highest offices of the govt. because they accepted Christianity and got highly educated. Christianity insists on quality education on a mass scale even for the poorest and rapidly transforms the society. Our top priority is education of the Dalits without which no movement can succeed especially against the Brahmans. The simplest way to get quality education is not through govt. schools run by Hindus but through the mission schools and that can only happen when Dalits accept Christ on a mass scale. If Dr. Ambedkar had accepted Christ, then today, the Dalits would have been something other than exploited bidi-makers of Vidarbha. It is true that Dr. Ambedkar went through terrible turmoil when he decided to “quit” Hinduism and change his religion because he could not see salvation of his people under Hinduism. It is unfortunately not well known that he spent several days with his old friend, Bishop Niles, and wanted to be baptised. Unfortunately, this British Bishop wanted to be clear that it was on faith and not just for political reasons. Dr. Ambedkar assured him that he and millions of his followers will catch up with the faith later on. The bishop was to write in his memoirs that this was his biggest mistake as millions of Dalits would have come to know Jesus as the only true Dalit avatar. Since you are Bangalore-based I am sure you can check this information locally. Accepting Buddhism was an afterthought. The Hindu word “Dalit” comes from the Hebrew word “Dahoon” which means crushed. In any case, we cannot find a better Dalit-oriented mission and vision statement in all the human history by any other so-called gods, prophets, saints or leaders. Jesus confirmed this by his blood on the cross, not just for any particular community but both for the Jews and the Gentiles alike. The entire teaching of the Bible is openly biased in favour of the poor and the marginalised. Why we should go around looking for other gods when the claims of Christ as the Dalit avatar, is beyond question. Christianity is falsely branded by the threatened Hindus as a Western religion. But we know that Christ was an Asiatic like us and Christianity has been here for the last, 2000 years and therefore an indigenous religion. The Dalits have come of age and for the first time are fighting boldly for their rights and the Hindus are on the defensive. This is not necessarily a good or a bad sign but certainly a prophetic sign- which the Jesus prophesied when he said “nations will fight against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms” (Matthew 24:6-7) as one of the signs of End Times. So, the long-term solution to the Dalit issue is Jesus. Please do not look at the so-called Christians but focus directly on Christ and you will see light at the end of Dalit struggle as only Christ offers holistic solution to the otherwise insoluble problem of Dalits. There is nothing the Brahmans fear most than a Dalit accepting Christ because in that instant that person becomes free from bondage. As Jesus succinctly put it that “You shall know the Truth and Truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The vice president of the Bahujan Samaj Party in Punjab visited me when I was the Director of the famous Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC) at Ludhiana. He challenged me to join the party and preach the dynamic message of Lord Jesus Christ to the Dalits. At that time | was too busy looking after the broken bodies of the injured people in the blood- bath in Punjab. I have never been a member of any political party but my deepest sympathies have always been for the physically, socially, materially, emotionally and spiritually lost sheep of this country. To this end | will pray for you and for the people you and | have chosen to serve. May God bless you. I am a native of MP. I graduated from CMC Vellore. Later spent eight years in London studying advanced surgery. I returned from there and came to work in a small tribal village in my native state among the most deprived people. Apart from surgery, I was involved in many community health and development projects in the surrounding villages and have first-hand knowledge of the dynamics of the rural and urban poor. I have abandoned surgery and top management and returned to our native Tribal village and have taken up full time spiritual ministry. 1 find this far more challenging than the blood and thunder excitement of the operation theatre with which I was associated with, most of my life.
We are so happy for get acquainted with such o distinguished medical doctor devoted to the service of those oppressed by the Aryan upper castes. We welcome you into our DV family world-wide, we have great admiration for the egalitarian religion of Christianity and the great services rendered by Christion missionaries – particularly the Western ones. The services rendered by the Church for liberate the oppressed Dalits have for be written only in words of gold. But old these have become Things of past – though there are exceptions for the rule like yourself. Exceptions only prove the rule. The rule is that the Church leadership has forgotten all those noble directives of the Bible which you have quoted. Today, the same Church-run educational institutions, particularly expensive convents, are educating the children of our oppressors – keeping out Dalit Christians. The Syrian Christians of Kerala, the Mangalorean’s and Goan Catholics who control the entire Church machinery in India are facing a re void within the Church itself. Dalit Christians who constitute over 86% of the country’s Christian population are oppressed by their upper care Christians within the Church. As a-fop Christian leader, you must be fully aware of this Un-Christian side of the Indian Church which is also the title of a book that we published. We have fully supported the Dalit Christian struggle in which we are facing stiff opposition from the upper caste Christians. Even the World Council of Churches did not stand by us. This is a long story which you will know If you read our back issues. When we hear about your going back to your village in ME we are reminded of one good old American friend, Dr. McGivern of the Fuller Theological College, who served Satnami Dalits of interior MP for many years. He was a great admirer of DV until he died a couple of years ago. He used for show every Indian Christian who went for him seeking funds a copy of DV and ask him for first steely it and then come back the next day. Such great Christian theologians committed for the cause of Dalits are dead and gone. Today’s church leadership Is running a business empire enjoying the enormous Western funds that flow info their coffers – EDITOR.
Josey Kanuka SJ, Chief. Publication Officer, Indian Social Institute and Head, Programme for Scheduled Castes, 10-Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110 003: | have seen the Letter of Manmohan Singh (DV June 16, ’97). | do not know what he has in mind but here are the facts. The I8! since its inception in 1951 has been on the forefront in supporting Dalit struggles. We invite different types of people for seminars and discussions. This does not mean that ” we support their views. The particular seminar referred to by Manmohan Singh was organised by the Programme for Scheduled Castes. Various party leaders were called. K.R. Malkani (BJP) talked against Dalit reservation and the “creamy layer”. Mani Shankar lyre (Congress) and C. Narayanaswami of Janata Dal opposed his views. Isle is publishing books on various Dalit issues. The latest, The Emerging Dalit Identity, edited by Dr. Walter Fernandes was rated highly in all the reviews. We also have with us the Director of Bihar Dalit Vikas Samiti who has done commendable work with the Dalits in Bihar for the last 18 years and the Dalits themselves (over two lakhs’ members) claim that he has helped them to claim an identity themselves. The journal, Hum Dalit, was started by him and today it is acclaimed by the Hindi journalists as the only journal in Hindi for Dalits. Manmohan Singh is making wild charges without any real basis. We have never stopped inviting people to our sessions but we will not like the people to look at every issue only from particular limited point of view. The whole purpose of this institute is to explore further and we encourage people to openly place their ideas for discussion. But our bias certainly remains towards the Dalits. We are indeed surprised that you as an Editor of a popular and responsible magazine could make such Editorial comments basing yourself on one Letter that has reached you without really checking the facts.
S.R. Talukder, New Delhi: This is the first time in Indian history that a President of India after taking oath of office straightway went to the Parliament House to garland the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Father of India. Only after that he visited the Rajghat to show respect to the “Father of the Nation” (which nation? India is not a nation). Is this not the beginning of “Dr. Ambedkar Era” which you predicted? Five years ago, the same Narayanan after taking over as the vice-president first went to the Rajghat to pay homage to M.K. Gandhi. He garlanded Babasaheb statue only after some Dalit organisations asked him to do. His behaviour then had inflicted a big wound in my heart. Adder five years, this wound has healed by this memorable beginning of the new Rashtra Pati.
R.K. Dakshakanya, Neuro-Cardio Mechanical Engineer, Vill. Simari (West), Ararat, Madhubani, Bihar – 847 222: In the name of gender equality and women’s Sa representation in legislature and employment, the privileged upper castes are trying to have a monopoly over economy, education and employment. | thank Sharad Yadav who despite being an MP of the treasury benches stood single handedly in Parliament to oppose and unmask the conspiracy behind this Women’s Bill. The women’s representation should be in proportion to the degree of exploitation faced by the different castes (DV Edit June 16, ’97: “Bahujan’s ready to face Manu wadi MCP’s caste war on women’s quota Bill’). 1 had an opportunity to read the Yadav Kuf Deepika (annual No. 1996). The first freedom struggle (1857) was led by Mangal Pandey who was hanged on April 18, 1857, before May 10, 1857 when the fire of first freedom struggle broke out. It was Rao Kishan Gopal who fed that freedom struggle in Meerut on 10.5.1857. Pandey, a sepoy of 34th Native Infan- try in Barrackpore (WB), fired on two British officers and tried to commit suicide, on 29.3.1857. He did not die and was arrested. After a court martial, he was hanged on 18.4.1857.
J.R. Antwan, RZ-51, South Extn., Part-III, Uttam Nagar, New Delhi – 53: Former Union Minister Madhav Rao Scindia says the “cantiest policies of political parties are diving societies”. This is just half the truth. Scindia has nothing to say on the pyramid of caste system which benefitted him by placing him at the top as a Thakur. It would be in our best interests if the caste system is abolished but he does not demand it. It was not the “caste” but the “untouchability” that was “abolished” under Article 17 of the Constitution. Untouchability embedded in the caste system can only be eradicated by the abolition of the caste system but Scindia wants the caste system to continue because it helped him to acquire high social status.
Pramod Meshram, 24-Kamla Nehru Road, Freegan, Ujjain – 456 010: This has ref. to your report, “Dead Babasaheb proves more dangerous…” (DV April 16, ’97 p.7). Gradually the corrupted and coopted leaders of the RPI are being eliminated. The real Bahujan leadership is yet to come up in Maharashtra.
Harish Ch. Mandal, 167/1-Agapur West, New Barrackpore, WB – 743 276: 1t appears from the Letter (DV May 18, ’97) of N.G. Das that he is very proud of preserving a photograph of Subhas Ch. Bose, a Netaji (leader) of the Savarnas. He proposes to sell Netaji’s picture since he expects that it will fetch him good money. If so, he proposes to donate a portion of the amount to Dalit Voice. Das being a member of the Untouchable community cannot indulge in such a hobby that pleases our oppressors. There are many evidences to show that this “Netaji” used to look down upon the Untouchable community. May be, this picture is a valued document to our enemies but how it can be so precious to us? Das may sell pictures of our Saviour, Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as many as he can to enlighten the members ‘of our own community who are still groaning in the darkness of illiteracy and ignorance.
Dr. M.K. Mohandas & Dr. P. Shanara’s, Kerala Dalit Medical Assn., Trivandrum: Dalits constitute 18% of the Kerala population (SC 10%, ST 2% and Dalit Chris- tian 6%), BSO 15%, Eleva 25%, Muslim 23%, Savarna Christian 12% and Most Backward Communities and others 7%. When we seek “Dalit unity”, we mean the solidarity of SC/STs and Dalit Christians totalling 18%. There are two ways to solve the Dalit Christian issue. (1) Give them 6% reservation outside the existing SC/ ST quota or (2) increase the total Dalit reservation o 18%. Dalit Christians and Scheduled Castes are blood brothers and should not fight each other but fight our common Enemy unitedly. Who is our oppressor in Kerala? Our No.1 Enemy is the BSO. But the Marxists, Savarna Christians, Savarna Muslims and those Eleva stooges of the BSO are also our enemies. We have to fight all these enemies simultaneously. There is no compromise on this. This should be our strategy. There are also some Dalit stooges of the BSO. But we leave them for the time being because they are enjoying their slavery due to ignorance. Those who want to fight the BSO and create a new culture should have culture, patience, and understanding. We are only in- ferreting Ambedkar’s. Don’t pretend to be Dr. Ambedkar. Religion is the private affair of an individual. We can’t live for religion. Babasaheb has given us a call to go over to Buddhism. But the ground realities in Kerala are the Dalits here are not so religious as Dalit Christians. But these poor fellows think that they are Christians rather than Dalits. The Savarna Christians never accept them as brothers. So, we can’t divide the Dalits on the basis of religion. Both Dalit Christians and SCs should realise that they are primarily Dalits (Pulayan, Patayan, Kuravan etc.). The BSO is fully organised behind the RSS and BJP. Top leaders of all political parties are from the BSO. BJP is increasing its influence among the Leaves also. Top govt. officials are from the BSO. About 90% of Dalits are the tails of the two communist parties, Cpl and CPM. They provide the muscle power. Yet there is no Dalit in the state secretariat of the CPM. The “AKG Centre” is the den of the Savarnas. “Marxist intellectuals” have suddenly started taking interest in Ambedkar’s and evolving strategies to destroy the Dalit movement in Kerala. The Kerala Karshana Toshiaki Union is exclusively reserved for the Harijans. Kerala Player Mahasabha (KPMS) is a tail of the CPI. Every year, e KPS gives a memorandum to the govt. That is its only work. Our Enemy no.2 is the “communists”. They may not be our open enemy but are more dangerous than the open enemy – BSO. The Savarna (Syrian) Christians have plenty of funds, network of educational institutions, hospitals, media, officials and political parties. They are betraying Christ and their Dalit brothers. Church is the strongest and the richest establishment in Kerala. Hence, these Savarna Christians are the No.3 Enemy of Dalits in Kerala. The Church must give 1/3 reservation to Dalit Christians in its institutions. Savarna Muslims have the money and the media. Like the Brahmins, they are not bothered about the sufferings of their Dalit brothers. Hence our Enemy No.4 is the Savarna Muslims. The tragedy of Kerala is that there is no leader among the Backward Eleva’s who once produced revolutionaries like Sri Narayana Guru, Saho Dharan Ayyappan, Kumaran Asan, Dr. Palepu etc. Now, the SNDP leadership has become the stooge of Savarna parties. Only after the “Sivagiri bloodbath”, Eleva’s have realised that they are hated by the upper castes. The tragedy of Eleva’s is they are slaves enjoying their slavery. They want to join the BSO but the BSO is not accepting them. What Dr. Purushothaman wrote in DV about Sivagiri is somewhat correct. The main culprit in the “Sivagiri bloodbath” is Swami Swahananda. There are enough Savarna swamies in Sivagiri but there is no Dalit swami there. Hindu nazis could capture Sivagiri only because of Swami Swahananda and other Eleva leaders. The “Sivagiri bloodbath” was a great historic lesson to these slaves. Still the Eleva’s think they are Hindus. When will M.S. Mani, editor-in-chief of the Kerala Kaumudi and son of K. Sukumaran, boldly write that Eleva’s are not Hindus? Conly on that day the Eleva’s will be liberated. Dalit Muslims of Kerala are our brothers. They also love us. They are ready for the Dalit-Muslim alliance. So, we need (1) an honest intellectual group, (2) a political party of our own and (3) a force to fight these four enemies listed above. In this, the political unity comes first. BSP is the only Dalit political party suitable to us. Our aims and objectives are (1) separate electorate, (2) separate religion (Buddhism), (3) separate political party (BSP), (4) land for Dalits, (5) reservation in judiciary and private sector, (6) reservation for Dalit Christians, and (7) autonomous tribal council for STs. Towards this our strategies are: (1) Dalit unity, (2) Dalit alliance with other most backward communities, (3) Dalit-Muslim (minus Savarna Muslims) alliance and (4) Dalit-Eleva (minus elite Eleva) alliance. Any alliance of Dalits in Kerala should be under the leadership of a bold, honest, com- mitted Ambedkar. Dalits alone can liberate Dalits.
