Landeen-ben-ammi-mizraeem-strange, DF-5746, Prisoner of War, PO Box 99901, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, USA: As a “Black African Hebrew Israelite”, I am a POW in the “United Snakes of Amerakkkica”. I read your chapter in the book, African Presence in Early Asia, by Runoko Rashidi and co-Edited by Ivan Van Sertima and I feel the pain that you are going throu with the Aryan Brahmin- Hindu caste system (racism) and was pained to hear about your sufferings. I am 21 years old, and I know my African roots. I am from Ethiopia and from the ancient African He brew Tribe called The Falashas. You might of heard of that. I was born in this country (USA Under Satan’s Arms) but my great-grandparents are from Ethiopia (Kush). Right now, I am locked up and I don’t have any money and need your help. I know that my brothers and sisters of India didn’t practice Hinduism, but they practiced nature worship. Please send me some more books. on the nature worship that you did and the Black Cochin Jews and all Black Indian Jews of India and could you send me your books, Who is the Mother of Hitler? and Why Godse Killed Gandhi? I need to know more about the Dalit the Black Untouchables of India. I love all of you, and fight the power of the White Leviathian Beast.
Runoko Rashidi, USA: Read the Dalit Voice of May1, and I was depressed by the gloomy tone of the Editorial. Kerala Dalit Panthers helped me to get over the disappointment at Nagpur. I am still excited about the trip and consider it to have been a tremendous success. In spite of the few mishaps, I accomplished essentially everything that I set out to do. I went many places where no one had ever met a Black man from outside India before. Ai, things considered, it was a phenomenal trip full of historical significance, so don’t be too disappointed for my sake. What we have to concentrate on in this regard to begin planning for the next trip. It might be worth considering whether or not we should begin publicizing the trip.
Dr. Laxmi N. Berwa, 1215 Kensington, Road McLean, Virginia 22101- 2921, USA: We know that you are doing a marvellous job of uniting Bahujans. I have been busy with my medical practice and recently birthday celebrations of Dr. Ambedkar on April 16 in Washington DC and April 26 in New York City organized by Ravi Das Sabha, May 10 again in New York City organised by International Bahujan Organisation, May 16 in California organised by Guru Ravi Das Sabha and other Ambedkarites, July ’98 in Kualala Lumpur, October 98 at University of Wisconsin. I met with Dr. Picchumani as soon as I received your letter, we both feel that a Dalit “Media Centre” is a must, but everything boils down to finances. I wish to clarify that I don’t have funds for Dalit media individually. I have tremendous amount of expenses since two of my sons are going to college. I will try to generate some funds from people outside India but I will again suggest to meet Dalit leaders like Kanshi Ram or Ram Vilas Paswan. If Dalit Ezhilmalai is unable to help you in getting your passport, I will organise a protest with my Afro-American brothers to make it an international issue.
Dr. Velu Annamalai, 14902 James River Lane, Houston, TX 77084-2112, USA: The Time magazine of April 13, 1998 is devoted to “100 Leaders & Revolutionaries” in which Salman Rushdie on M.K. Gandhi says “…frequently going on hungerstrike so that others might live”. Rushdie should have checked his basic knowledge on Gandhi and his cunning game he played on the lives of the Dalits (Untouchables) and the other poor and persecuted Indians. Gandhi killed the entire future of Dalits by his evil-designed “epic fast and the resultant destruction of lives of the Dalits by keeping them as permanent slaves of the tyrant caste-infested Hindus. Gandhi did everything in his power to save the evil caste-ridden brahminical Hinduism at the cost of Dalits human dignity and simple social justice. Because, Gandhi lived and died a “Evil Caste Man”. This was the reason why Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the greatest intellectual giant and an ardent social emancipator of India, called Gandhi as the No.1 Enemy of the Untouchables. There are over 350 million Dalit sand Tribals in India and Gandhi was, is and will always be their No.1 enemy. Gandhi made the Untouchables not only the permanent physical slaves but also the permanent mental slaves of his evil caste-infested Hindu oppressors. The Time magazine should not have added Gandhi’s name to the list of world revolutionaries, because Gandhi was a 100% counter-revolutionary. He single-handedly succeeded in keeping India a poverty stricken, illiterate, backward, blind, ritualist and beggar nation. He took India to the dark ages by his fanatical and weird beliefs and practices. The magazine has glorified a man who protected the evil caste system, barbarous and inhuman practice of untouchability, world’s most cunning hypocrite, and who killed the future lives of over 350 million people. He was a counter- revolutionary or a fake revolutionary.
Dr. N. Srinivasan & Cllr S Segaren, Oxford Dravidian Amnesty Countil, 33 Rymers Lane, Cowley, Oxford OX4 3JU, UK: We want to start the above organisation to work towards re-establishing the denied human rights for the Dalits in India and other parts of the world. To internationalise the atrocities perpetrated on the Dalits by drawing the attention of the international community, to organise an enlightened force to combat the evils of a divided social order in the name of religion. We need your support.
Rattai, Teacher, St. Benedicts College, Colombo- 13, Sri Lanka: I have resumed my teaching job back in Sri Lanka. I had a mild heart attack due to my mental agony. Still we have been suffering due to the on-going war in Lanka. I need your helping hand to get an admission to a relative in a Indian university.
Mohammed Ayub Ali Khan, Chicago, IL, USA: An Islamic scholar, Rafeeq Zakaria of Bombay, even in his 1995 book, The Widening Divide, said that Sayydna Ali, Radi-Allahunhu, Imam Ghazali and Shah Abdul Aziz allowed the many forms of family planning, including the use of contraceptives and abortion (pp.18688):
“The hue and cry that some of the countries raised, in consort with Catholics, at the UN conference on Family Planning and Development at Cairo in September 1994, was more politically instigated than religiously inspired
Who motivates Rafeeq Zakaria? Surely not politics of common sense, probably politics of money.
There are many Muslim “scholars” and Moulanas like Rafeeq Zakaria who get fame and name by supporting Hindu nazis-EDITOR
Richard Cottrell, Reg. No. 13114-07, Qtr Knox-A, PO Box 4000, Manchester, KY 40962-400, USA: I am in this jail and want to read Dalit Voice in the jail. Send me all your literature.
Ms. Ashira Na’im, Administrator, Masjid Jamaat-al Muslimeen 4624 York Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21212, USA: Last week! returned to my home in Baltimore after a 10 – month stay in The Sudan and was informed by my friends in the African-American community of the slavery in Sudan stories published by The Sun and publicized by WJHU Radio. Aside from being false statements, these abusive attacks on Sudan are so unfair and hurtful to the Sudanese people that I am compelled to respond. I saw a nation struggling to survive the pressures of a foreign-inspired rebellion in the south and intense economic pressure created by sanctions imposed through both Israeli lobbies here in America and the pro-Israeli govt. in Egypt. I see these moves as attempts to weaken a govt. that is trying to follow a relatively independent foreign and domestic govt. policy. I did not see Islam being imposed on Christians or other non-Muslims. My 16-year-old son, like countless other African-American young people, was about to become a victim of American materialism. I took him to Sudan, and he was saved from a fate which awaits many young African-Americans imprisonment or early death. I urge Americans not to be misled by zionist propaganda. The Sudanese people want to be our friends. They welcomed me into their homes and families. We must stand against those forces which were trying to destabilize Sudan.
Mumtaz Hussain, Doha, Qatar: The Muslim India of April 1998 (p.159) has disclosed Priyanka’s RSS connections:
The Vadra family farm in Bagarpur, 12 km from Moradabad, hosts a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghrun school and occasional shakhas. Vadera Farm has a tastefully done-up farmhouse, a swimming pool and Saraswati Shishu Mandir, a school run by the RSS. Om Prakash Vadera, the family patriarch and the uncle of Robert Vadra, donated the school to the RSS in 1995. “I am the permanent chairman of the school”, he says. Priyanka’s father- in-law, Rajendra Vadra is also associated with the school. “Rajendra ji is a regular visitor”, says Principal. An employee of the school says that even Priyanka had visited the premises when she had come to the farmhouse before her marriage… Among the photographs on the walls of Principal’s office are that of the RSS founder Hegdewar and Golwalkar. Copies of Panchjanya, the RSS mouthpiece, lie prominently on the principal’s table. The school has on its roll around 270 children from nursery to class VIII from nearby villages. All teachers are committed RSS workers. In the evenings, the school premises once again come alive with…. extra-curricular activities. “It is a chance for the Hindus to come together play together and think together”, says Singh. RSS shakhas are sometimes held in the school premises. On the other occasions, the children and neighbouring youth hold the shakha at the government primary school nearby. (Source: The Indian Express, March 9, 1998).
Eleanor Zelliot, Laird Bell Professor Emerita, Dept. of History, Carleton College, One North College Street, Northfield, Minnesota 55057, USA: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is better known now that at the end of his life, 1891- 1956. He is a symbol of pride for the lowly group that now calls itself Dalits (the oppressed). But he is much more than that also and the range of his influence continues to spread.
Council of Khalistan, 2025 Eye Street, NW #922, Washington DC 20006, USA: The World Sikh Council will appoint a Citizen’s Commission to investigate the genocide in Punjab, according to the Times of India. Retired Supreme Court Judge Kuldip Singh, President of the World Sikh Council, announced the formation of the commission, which will begin its work next month and is expected to report on its findings by the end of the year.
Shakeel Ahamed, PO Box 40308, Sharjah, UAE: The greater part of Africa was supposed to have been independent for well over a quarter of a century. Yet Africa’s ordeal is far from over. Contemporary African states have, since their creation by European imperialism, been epitomes of economic dependence, political instability and social dislocation. These disabilities were further compounded by ecological disasters, civil and inter-state wars and, perhaps more devastating, the debt burden. The roots of all these calamities go back to Africa’s relationship with the colonialist masters. Since Europe discovered Africa the relationship between the two had passed through three distinct stages: slavery, colonialism and now neo-colonialism. Islam’s relationship with Africa, on the other hand, was a complete contrast to this. It entered Africa and liberated the Copts of Egypt from the shackles of the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century. It had since remained a liberating force. It spread literacy, boosted trade and commerce and developed states of varying complexity. Above all, it resisted and fought the encroachment on the continent. For several years, Abdul-Qadir fought the French in Algeria, Umar al-Mukhtar fought the Italians in Libiya, Umar al-Futi fought the British in the Sudan, Muhammad Abdullah Hassan fought the Italians in Somalia and Sultan Attahir fought the British in Buri in Nigeria. It is difficult to conceive what Africa would have been today but for the resistance put up by Islam against European imperialism.
Ameer, JAMI (UK), 94B Caisford Street, London, NW5 2EH: I have read your three booklets: Brahminism, Islam Prohibits Priesthood, and the Curse of Allah. I have been to Toronto and have already received about 100 copies of the Curse of Allah and Islam Prohibited Priesthood from Br. Shamsul Hassan. I appreciate the articles in Dalit Voice of March 1998, “Will US defy world opinion & Saddam?” and “How every DV prediction on Saddam proved right. Prof. Rahmatullah writes well and I enjoy it. The professor must also remember that Saddam. Hussain started his career as a hireling of the British in Baghdad to destablize the previous governments. He killed over 5,000 Iraqis in a few hours in Halabcha by gassing them for collaborating with the Iranians. Saddam is a dictator and he should not be glorified unduly. During Iraq-Iran war he was the favourite of zionists and Americans. Saddam built the greatest mosque in Iraq, while his countrymen are dying for want of food and medicine, We must, however, support the people of Iraq and fight against zionist-American imposed embargo, Prof. Rahmatullah is a good critic. I have been to Goa and Karwar in the year 1995 and 1996, twice, but when I met and spoke to a few teachers about Dalit Voice, which they have not heard about.
Nicolas Jagul, Centre De Sciences Humaines, 2- Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi-110 011: Even though we have never met, I am writing to you to seek some data about your movement. It is Dr. Ram Nath, Vice-Chancellor of Kanpur Agriculture University, who gave me your address. I am a French student affiliated both to JNU (Delhi) and EHESS in Paris, writing a Ph.D., in Political Sociology on the history of Dalit mobilization and leadership of Kanpur in UP. I had earlier stayed in Lucknow in 1995 to write about the experience of BSP in the UP Govt. Then, I visited Kanpur and took. interest in this city, because the Dalit movement has a long history here (since the days of Swamy Achchutanand) and also because it can help to understand how anti-Muslim riots have been used to create diversion in the consciousness of Dalits. I am looking for any available data and analysis on my topic, be it written documents, but also photographies and films as I am also planning to edit a documentary on the subject, my field of interest are the following. Dr. Ambedkar’s visits to UP, especially in Kanpur in 1946, Kanpur’s Dalit leaders, involvement of Dalits in anti- Muslim riots and conversion ceremony at Nagpur on Oct.14, 1956 (has anyone filmed this event?). I am very much interested in conversion to Budhism in India. So, if anything is organised on the conversions front keep me informed so that I can film it. I will be leaving India at the end of May and come back in October 98. DV readers can write to me also to France: at 12 ter sue Rere Descartes, 31500 Toulouse, France,
Dalit Ezhilmalal, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi-110 011: I have written a letter to Dr. Laxmi N. Berwa, USA, in reply to his letter of April 12, 1998 inviting me to USA. We have heard a lot about Dr. Berwa’s services and also read about it in Dalit Voice. In my letter I have reminded him of the need for “Media Centre”. The Editor of Dalit Voice, V.T. Rajshekar, who is my colleague, has been for long dreaming of setting up of a “Media Centre” in Delhi and his arguments in favour of such a project cannot be questioned because our battle has not been succeeding and Babasaheb’s message has not been reaching the masses because we have no powerful media of our own. We are sure that Dr. Berwa and his friends dedicated to this cause are in a position to make this dream come true. I have asked him to expedite this project before the 21st century, “Dr. Ambedkar Era”, begins and so that the credit goes to Dr. Berwa. I am waiting for his reply.
Krupakar Madiga Ponugoti, Gen. Secretary, Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti, 49-New MLA Quarters, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad: In AP, there are 59 subcastes listed as Scheduled Castes (SC) in the Presidential Order 1956. Since independence very few castes in SC list are enjoying all the constitutional benefits leaving other major castes in distress. Among the 59 castes, Mala and Madigas are dominant subcastes. According to the 1991 census, the Mala population is 40 lakhs and the Madigas are 70 lakhs. But the Malas cornered the major portion of reservations in both education and govt. jobs depriving the other subcastes. The Madigas with its subcastes are the most affected because of this reason. Of the 15% reservations, the Malas are enjoying 13% and the Madigas are left with just 2%. The Malas have 22 MLAs, two ministers and four MPs. The posts IAS, IPS down to the rank of peon both in govt. and public sector have been monopolised by this single Mala subcaste depriving all other SC subcastes. That means the Malas are enjoying more than their share of population. Under these distressing conditions, the Madigas consolidated themselves under the banner of Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) otherwise known as Dandora and demanded sub- classification of all 59 SC subcastes into ABC and D just like the principle adopted for the Backward Castes. Our request was considered by the AP State Govt. and a one-man commission was appointed with the Justice Ramachandra Raju as its chairman. The commission accepted our demand for sub- classification of SCs. But the same was challenged before the AP High Court which quashed the GO of AP State Govt. on a technical ground that the subclassification was done “without consulting” the National Commission for SC & ST, New Delhi, as a statutory obligation. The High Court decision was challenged by the State Govt. before Supreme Court. We demanded the State Govt. to withdraw its plea before the Supreme Court and consult the National SC/ST Commission. The State Govt. finally approached the Commission. The MRPS has been taking a very peaceful agitational path on democratic lines. On April 14 1997, our state president, Krishna Madiga, started a padayatra covering 1200 km from Naravaripalli, the native village of our Chief Minister, to Hyderabad. On June 6, 1997 he reached Hyderabad and culminating in a public meeting of 10 lakhs blocking the state capital. The padayatra was a historical event. The guiding principle behind the “Dandora movement” that fruits of social justice produced by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar should be shared among all the SC subcastes in proportion to the population of each subcaste. The AP State Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution in support of the policy of “categorisation” of SC castes. (DV May 16, ’98 p.7). All political parties supported the resolution and urged the National Commission for SC/ ST to give its acceptance. In view of the injustice done to the certain SC subcastes in the existing reservation policy, we hope the Commission will endorse our demand. The main intention of the new policy is to overcome the imbalance among SCs and that the SCs should be “categorised on the basis of their backwardness and population to ensure a more equitable distribution of statutory rights in employment and admission to educational institutions.
Sudesh M.R. Dooth Books, PO Edavanakkad, Emakulam-682 502: Once you have written that the problem of Kerala is the problem of its Backward Caste Elavas, the single largest Untouchable community of the state. This is true. Today, the Elavas (Thiyyas) have been very much hinduised, that means enslaved by the brahminical religion. They are being discriminated against in every field even today. They have almost. forgotten the teachings of their liberator, Sri Narayana Guru. The upper (evil) castes had nick-named the Guru as “Cement Naanu” earlier but now they have changed it as “Bank Manager” since most of the statues of the Guru are kept in glass cases. Some of our Dalit brothers also use this derogative term unknowingly. What Dr. I.S. Jawahar has written in DV March 1, 1998 p.16, about the Guru is not correct. He may read the book Narayan Guru anthology, edited by P.K. Balakrishnan, before commenting on the Guru. The SNDP Yogam, the caste organisation of Elavas, has virtually no control on the community. The SNDP Yogam has neither a powerful media to enlight the community nor any idea of establishing one. Though the Kerala Kaumudi is an Elava-owned daily, its very executive editor is an upper caste Nambiar. Its “intellectuals” like Nitya Chaitanya Yati, Dr. Sukumar Azhikkode, Dr. T.K. Ravindran, Prof. M.K. Sanu etc., have been corrupted and coopted by the Hindus. A noted exception is Athirunkal Prabhakaran, who translated the History of Hindu Imperialism of Swami Dharmatheertha into Malayalam, died recently. Sivagiri, where the Guru died, has also been captured by the upper castes, B.R.P. Bhasker, Cherai Ramadas, Sankaranarayan Malappuram. Prof. M.S. Jayaprakash, Dr. P.K. Sukumaran, Anil Kumar Vedakara and some others are committed and capable of leading this community to the path of liberation, but the more committed among them are not financially sound to establish a “media centre” for the community. However, we have started a monthly, Uparodham (Annual sub Rs.30, address: Cheral Ramadas, Edit Desk, Kaakkanaat-682 030).
K.N.Kuttan, H. No.92, Burma Road, Kumarapuram, Trivandrum-11: The Letter of P.M. Sureshkumar from Kottayam (DV March 16, 1998 p.14) is purely subjective which reflects his own brand of sensationalism. It is evident that his aim is to malign me personally. Contrary to good journalistic practice, defamatory statements against me had been permitted to appear in DV which should not used for personal vendetta.
Gopala Rao, 1-61, Rayasam, Bhimavaram, AP- 534 208: This refers to S.P. Singh Letter (DV May1. 98 p.15) praising Vivekananda for “revolting against Brahmins and other upper castes”. He might have criticised and revolted against Brahmins (priests) but he was fully drugged with the most powerful potency of religious brown-sugar. He loved to play the role of “Hindu Nepolean”. Please read the following to know the real face of this Bengali Kayasth. (1) “Vivekananda was a stooge of British and slave of brahminism” by S.K. Biswas pp.4 to 10, DV March 1, 1995. (2) Vivekananda’s racism exposed Hindu bid to bring caste to US’, by G.B. Singh (DV p.7-10 Feb. 16, 1996. (3) “Being a sanyasi Vivekananda loved to play the role of Hindu Nepolean” (p.52, 53 in Poverty of Intellectualism in India by V.R. Narla). He did nothing to elevate and render justice to the Untouchables. Vivekananda said:
“This old religion of India is not the vedic but vendatic or upanishadic religion of India. (DV p.8 Oct. 16, 1997).
The following are the Dogmas which sum up the teaching vedanta or upanishads:
(1) Brahman is the only reality. (2) The world is maya or unreal. (3) Jiva (Atman) and Brahma (Paramatma) are identical (same) [p.285 Vol. IV W&S of Dr. Ambedkar).
Why the philosophy of Upanishads became Ineffective? Why this philosophy has no influence on the way of life? Because the philosophers of Upanishads did not realise that to know the truth was not enough. One must learn to love the truth. Philosophy is concerned with only knowing the truth. Religion is concerned with the love of truth. The difference between philosophy and religion are merely two aspects of one and the same thing. Unless religion is dynamic and begets in us, the emotion of love for something, then it is better to be without anything that we call religion. If religion were metaphysics and nothing else, one thing is certain, it would never be the concern of the simple and humble men. “The philosophy of Hinduism is the philosophy of Upanishads. Both are one and the same” (p.84 to 87 Vol.3, W&S of Dr. Ambedkar). S.P. Singh said:
Subhas Bose was a real political leader, who challenged the mahatmahood of M.K. Gandhi and claimed reservations for Muslims in Bengal.
Subhas Bose might have claimed reservations for Muslims but he did nothing for the Untouchables. Bose might have challenged the mahatmahood of Gandhi but he did not challenge the social imperialism of the Hindus. If Bose was a versatile and genius, why did he leave India secretly, instead of mobilising the Indian masses against Gandhi and the British? Why did he join hands with “fascist Japan and Nazi Germany” and invade India with the Army of Japan and Germany? Is this bravery? in the participation of Dr. Ambedkar in RTC in London as a representative of the Untouchables, Bose had criticised Dr. Ambedkar. He said:
“Dr. Ambedkar had had his leadership thrust upon him by a benign British Govt. because his services were necessary to embarrass the nationalist leaders.” (p.67 Dr. Ambedkar’s Role in Nationalist Movement by Dr. D.R. Jatav).
Bose was thus pro-Gandhi. S.P. Singh said:
No SC or neo-Budhist leader is interested in criticising the Brahmins and the dirty role they have played in Indian politics. Instead they are vocal in abusing Rama and Krishna.
Both Rama and Krishna were Brahmins by birth and Aryans. Both very loyally served the Brahmins. They preached and propagated the Vedic Dharma of the Brahmins.
“He (Rama) was begotten upon Kausalya by the (Brahmin) Sage Shrung, although they did not stand in the relationship of husband and wife (p.324 Vol. IV W&S of Dr. Ambedkar).
King Dasharatha was the nominal father of his son Rama. Please read the Narendrapuran by R.D. Paswan, Patna (p.12 DV May 1, 1998). Krishna was. the son of Satyavathi (fisherman) and the father of Dhratarashtra, Pandu and Vidur (p.88 Vol IV W&S). He (Krishna Dwayupayeen) was begotten upon (Satyavathi) Matya Gandha by the (Brahmin) Sage Parashara(ibid p.229).
Sonu Maru, New Delhi: I want to invite the attention of DV readers world-wide to the following. Hindutva’s real face is getting unmasked as days pass. The Brahmana Jati Party (BJP) and its sister-serpents (RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal) were earlier responsible for demolition of Muslim’s sacred place, Babri Masjid, When the situation became too hot and tense, they started pretending that these were not the militant organisations but the social ones, involved in social services to Hindus. In the latest parliament elections, they managed a majority with the help of sundry regional parties and formed the govt. in Delhi. They have also declared a “national agenda” and started showing as if the BJP is a secular/democratic party and concerned about the welfare of the masses irrespective of their faith. The BJP also claims that its sister-serpents are all civilised organisations and concerned only with social services. Few days ago the Bajrang Dal attacked the house of noted painter, M.F. Hussain, in Bombay. Luckily he was not at home. Otherwise, he would have been lynched. The Bajrang Dal complaint was that the painter had maligned the Hindu gods and goddess. M.F. Hussain is also praised by a section of Hindus for his “secular credential and he has devoted his whole life to Indian art and culture. But his creative work cannot be tolerated by the Hindu nazis. Earlier, the same nazis ransacked the art pieces of Hussain at a Delhi exhibition. On another occasion another nazi outfit stormed an art gallery at Ahmedabad, where his works were stored and put it to fire. Such terrorist activities are being undertaken by these nazis under the very nose of their ruling bosses. But not a single BJP boss condemned such violence, leave alone ignoring punishing them. We Indians are heading towards a nazi dictatorial regime. where there will not be freedom of speech guaranteed under the Constitution of India. Any citizen who does not fall in line with them will risk his life.
Saji K. Joseph, GMPH (Boys), Cochin, Kerala – 682 016: I could not come over to Nagpur being a final year LLB student and my examination was on the way Secondly, my financial position was bad. My parents are illiterate coolies. So I failed to be at Nagpur for the DV readers meet. I had arranged Runoko Rashidi meeting at Cochin on April 16 morning as directed by you through Raju Thomas. Early that morning Raju Thomas phoned to say that Runoko was visiting Ayyankali’s birth place and asked me to postpone the meeting to 3 p.m. I did the same. But Runoko came here after 6 p.m. By then our people had left away. Runoko came with Raju Thomas, Ambujakshan and some others. We met Runoko at his hotel that night. Runoko apologised for being late and that he had no control over his tour programme. On April 17 we planned a visit for a tribal area. We took him through dense forest for almost 50kms. But Runoko was not satisfied as he could not meet the tribal whom he wanted to meet. I know I am a product of DV and I am proud of that. I have great respect for you next to Babasaheb. I am sure I have not done anything against my community, against my ideology, against my movement. History will prove it. But I am deeply hurt by certain unpleasant things that happened in the presence of Runoko Rashidi.
K. Ambujakshan, Gen. Secretary, Kerala Dalit Panthers, PO Box 1126. Pattom, Trivandrum 695 004: Runoko Rashidi, the Afro-American leader and world famous historian, arrived here on April 14, 1998. He was given a big airport reception by our Panthers activists and Dalit employees. That evening, he led the massive “Ambedkar Jayanti” rally along with Ramesh Nanmanda. The rally ended at a big public meeting at East Port, Trivandrum city. Runoko inaugurated the rally. I translated his speech into Malayalam. His speech electrified the entire audience. He called for the “global unity of all Blacks. On April 15, Runoko visited the head office of the Kerala Dalit Panthers at Pattom, Trivandrum, and met our central executive members of Prof. Valsala Baby, Mrs. Sali Raju. T.H.P. Chentharaserri (historian), K.M. Kuttan, Prof. Baby, Dr. Sagar, R. Anirudhan were among the participants. Runoko explained how the African Blacks were taken into America as slaves and the history of Black struggle in America. In the afternoon, we organised a Kerala Dalit intellectual meet, Raju Thomas presiding. We had students from different colleges, Dalit employees, journalists, women leaders and Dalit activists. Runoko analysed the Dalit-Afro- American struggle. He said:
When I come to Kerala I feel that I come into my own family. We Blacks belong to one family but we have been separated from each other. The three oldest civilizations of the world, the Egyptian, the Nile Valley and the Indus Valley, were all the creations of our ancestors. The oppression of Black people in India has become a way of life. You are enjoying your slavery. I am impressed that at least the Kerala Dalit Panthers have a different tradition. You are ready to fight. You must resist. If you do not fight, the people will never respect you. We Blacks are fighting the White oppression. Whatever we the Black people gained in America, they gained only because of our fighting. Every human being has a right to fight. I regard Hinduism or brahminism as evil. All religions are practicing social inequality in India, In found this among the Indian Muslims also. There is upper caste Muslim and Dalit Muslim. Islam is supposed to be a religion of universal brotherhood. But in practice there is inequality. Hinduism is fooling the Dalits in the name of karma and re- birth. We want a heaven right here in this earth. Though untouchability has been abolished by law, it is practiced in India.
Dalits in India have great respect for Dr. Ambedkar. They have Ambedkar photos but the question is how many of you follow his life and read his books? What is important is not praising Dr. Ambedkar and worshipping but following his footsteps. Dr. Ambedkar was a man of vision, he was committed to uplift his people. Be proud of your fathers. Be proud of your mothers. Lift your heads. You have nothing to lose. When the White people were living in caves in Europe, the Black people were building the Pyramids. When you fulfil your duty, when you carry out the mission of Dr. Ambedkar, he will look back and be proud of you. The Black people of America, the Black people of Africa and the Black people of India are one people and once we all join hands we become one billion people. We will take the world, we will control this planet, we have to believe in ourselves. Lift your head, brothers and sisters, as shown by Dr. Ambedkar and Marcus Garvi”, he said.
This was followed by discussion. Lot of questions were raised. S. Faizi, a noted ecologist, Prof. Ninan Koshy (theologian) and Mukundan C. Menon (writer) were also present. That evening Runoko was invited to the Asianet Channel TV for an interview at their studio. Prof. Ninan Koshi interviewed him. On April 16, Runoko visited Kerala’s Dalit revolutionary Mahatma Ayyankali’s birth place at Venganur. He paid homage at the grave of Mahatma Ayyankali. He visited the Dalit settlement at Alummoodu, Kollam, were hundreds of Dalit Panther families were attacked by Kerala’s ruling Marxist Party gundas and the police. On April 17, 1998 he was taken to Adimali, Idukky district, to see the tribal areas. Next day Runoko was given a reception by the Ernakulam dt. committee of Kerala Dalit Panthers at MES Auditorium, Cochin. Kerala Dalit Panthers gave him a grand sendoff at the Cochin Airport. He said he was very much impressed by the Kerala Dalit Panthers. “Among all the people, I have met in India, yours is the most oustanding organisation”, he said.
Bhimrao Ganvir, Dr. Bhagat Nivas, Kaji Ward, Hinganghat, MS-442 301: I was shocked to read the Editorial, “Fiasco of Nagpur DV readers meet: Reservationwalas cheat their Father & forget own community. I could not attend that most important meet of April 12, 1998 due to chest pain. I am on leave since March 8 because of my illness. But my friends, B.D. Nanawate of the LIC and Nagesh Choudhari, Editor, Bahujan Sangharsh, gave me full report of the meeting. I expressed my deep sorrow over this poor attendance of our “reservationwalas” describing themselves as Ambedkarites.
Ramesh Nanmanda, state president, Kerala Dalit Panthers, Bhim Bhavan, Nanmanda PO, Calicut-673 613: We organised a massive Ambedkar Jayanti rally and public meeting on April 14 at Trivandrum. Our Black Brother Runoko Rashidi inaugurated the public meeting. Rashidi has created a new hope in our people. But our “national” toilet nazi papers did not report his visit. Runoko announced the all-out support of the American Blacks to the Dalits, the Black Untouchables of India, fighting the Aryan Hindu nazi foreigners. He said:
“The communists can’t save the Dalits, Hindus can’t save the Dalits, M.K. Gandhi can’t save the Dalits. Only Blacks are there to save the Blacks”,
Great message.
B.P. Chandel, Kusum Cottage, Mission Road, Chapra -841 301: D.X. Gnanaraj of Madras (DV April 16, 1998 p.5: “Rise of regional parties indicate surge of Backward Castes”) has very incisively commented that the surge of the Backward Castes is dangerous to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. I seriously challenge him and ask him to read what our Editor had said (Dv March 16, 1998):
“Backward Castes (35%) who lack an all-India leader and philosophy (which Dalits have) are much better…
Backward Castes are not dangerous but some Scheduled Castes under the guise of non-Aryan blood-brotherhood and claiming monopoly of Babasaheb, pose themselves superior to BCs just because they are listed as SCs. If you observe the results of the latest parliamentary elections, it is the BCs who asserted better than the SCs but the SCs succumbed and have become leaderiess. BCs are fully aware of the brahmanic “mumbo-jumbo” rituals, They very well understand its hollowness whereas 90% SCs know nothing of this and hence get spell bound and become blind followers of Brahmins. Only they (BCs) will be the first to slap the BSO.
Uttamrao N. Khobragade, Advocate, 21/253, IAF Station, Pune 411 032: The BJP had no guts to include “the review of the Constitution of India” in its election manifesto. So it has no mandate now from the people to ‘review” the Constitution of India after forming its government at the Centre. Such a life and death issue of the Bahujans can’t be dealt in a casual manner. We want to know (1) what part (Articles) of the Constitution they want to amend and for what reasons and (ii) why they want to review the entire Constitution.
Sadhvi Asha Manav, Humanitarian Thoughts & Practice, Rajghat, Kurukshetra, Haryana 136 118: We read your very scholarly Hindi book, Brahmanvad: Bharat Ka Abhishap, after our swamiji returned from Hyderabad attending 2nd national conference of Indian Rationalist Federation, March 21-22, 1998. This work is no doubt an invaluable piece to liberate our people who had been physically, mentally, intellectually, economically and socially grinded by an inhuman group of people, the self-styled highest class (caste) people of this sub-continent. Further, the value of this work is highly multiplied when you published it in Hindi language when literature of similar merit are very rarely published in Hindi. I am sure that this small book will blow a very effective spirit into the lives of the deprived people. Dravidar Kazgam is doing a highly laudable service by circulating it for the Hindi-speaking people.
M.K. Jos, All-Goa Citizens’ Committee for Social Justice & Action, B/4, Mayfair, 2nd Floor, Dr. Dada Vaidya Road, Panjim, Goa-403 001: Where is Govindacharya. Uma Bharati, Ritambhari, Singhal, Bajrang Dal fanatics and activists, and more importantly the 179 MPs of BJP who got elected in March 1998 on BJP’s election manifesto promising Ram temple, abolition of special status of Kashmir, introduction and implementation of Common Civil Code, ban on cow slaughter, aggressive promotion of hindutva to convert India into a Hindu Rashtra? During his yatra in March 98 towards PM’s kursi, Vajpayee dishonoured BJP’s promises to people one by one. Vajpayee thus cheated 69.3 million voters who trusted the BJP. How would BJP’s 179 MPs face voters in their constituencies and how would they answer their questions? Minus Ram Temple at Ayodhya, BJP would reduce itself to a koka in share market vocabulary. What is the legal status of an election manifesto? Should it not be considered on par with a public issue document such as a prospectus while entering the market? Do the promises in the manifesto (issue document) create a contractual obligation on the part of the party? When BUP discards the promises in its manifesto, should it not be considered as a betrayal of those who elected 179 MPs of the party? We urge MPs constitutional experts, legal pundits and the media to start a public debate over this vital issue for the enlightenment of citizens and to clear their confusion.
Baldev Singh, E-190, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar: Social unity is must for political stability. This is the point I have made in my research proposal for Ph.D. in the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, taking the social and political behaviour of the Sikhs (1699 to 1849). Social behaviour has direct bearing on political behaviour of any caste, community, race, tribe, religion all over the world. People’s social habits, superstitions, taboos, beliefs and disbeliefs, their culture, food and dress, language, script, their matrimonial relations, interaction, treatment of other people etc., all influence their political behaviour. It is the society that make or mars political system of a state and its people. It is precisely for this Reason ten Sikh Gurus for over 200 years stressed and worked for restructuring and rebuilding a new society, so that a new political order could develop to serve the society, In a society where caste, tribal, racial, regional, religious, linguistic hatred exists beyond limits of toleration, it is not only difficult but inconceivable to have a political system and leadership that would emerge to provide peace, prosperity and progress to its people. Nor such a system and state would survive for long. For a harmonious society, Sikh Gurus stressed equality, brotherhood and co-existence. They introduced langar (community kitchen), cooking and eating together by Cople of all castes, tribes, religions, regions. Taking of Amrit by volunteers from the same bowl was the culmination of their philosophy that there is but one god and the whole humankind, imespective of colour or creed are his children and the khalsa are chosen volunteers to serve the society. Social hatred was the main cause of Partition of India (1947) and again the same cause repeated Bangla Desh in 1971-72. There has not been research on social and political behaviour of the Sikhs, therefore, there is ample scope for research in this field. The finding will be presented in seven chapters.
Sada-e-Huq, 126-Surya Nagar Colony, Toli Chowki, Hyderabad 500 008: Take any history textbook, Muslims are described as foreign invaders with Quran in one hand and sword in the other. They went for looting spree in India, forced “Hindu” people to convert into Islam, destroyed temples, built mosques, raped Indian women, unleashed many atrocities upon innocent Indians and.. etc… In a nutshell Muslim rule was described as the slavery of Indians. Communal forces in India are thriving upon this type of hate propaganda. Concocted stories and distorted history is being propagated to malign Islam, to give air to anti- Muslim feelings, P.N. Oak’s book is one such. He wrote that he took the material from Mother India (1966-68) magazines. The editor of the magazine, Babu Rao Patel, said he took the information from British historians and himself did his part of distortion and concoction to create anti-Muslim frenzy. Anti-Muslim riots became everyday affair claiming the lives of thousands of innocent Muslims, particularly the eighties witnessed large scale arson of houses, shops and many people were burnt alive, many women were raped, even children were not spared by the holigans. Kids were thrown in flames, or beheaded mercilessly. All this barbarism was caused by the hatred spread by the unscrupulous writers of propaganda literature. Unfortunately the same psychological tendency is playing major role in our administration also. Many big shots at the helm of affair seems to be infected with this psyche. The govt. need to put a watchdog upon provocative publications that are brought out at the incitement of Sanghparivar to ridicule Islamic teachings with concocted stories. Publishers and writers of such provocative books should be brought before the court of law with no delay to ensure communal amity. The propaganda of hatred against Muslims is a well contrived plan to grabing political power without doing anything positive to the people.
Nooruddin Taherali Mithaiwala (Bohari). Near Post Office, Bohari Compound, Manmad, MS-423 104: 1 was so happy to hear that you have brought out a powerful document to fight the corrupt Islamic priesthood. So, I need your booklet, Islam Prohibits Priesthood, Moulanas a pest on Muslims (S.A. Mujeeb, DSA 1997) if available and its Urdu translation. I am in need of information to fight these mullas for expelling me from my community for not giving property and handsome amount as jakat or otherwise. Just mentioning against maula”. Please move your voice if they killed me. Politicians, the govt. are in the pocket of this syedna group.
S. Haque, Patna: The Aryan Hindus always praise that Nepal is the only Hindu country in the world. Even as the 21st century is approaching man is bought and sold like animals in Nepal. This is the quality of a Hindu state. In the Western Napal (Dang. Banke, Bardia, Kailali and Kanchanpur area) have the Kamaiya Partha (bonded slavery). Men who are sold belong to the Dharu jati. All the 14,000 families comprising 40,000 Kamaiyas are slaves. Rich landlords force them to work 18 hours a day without any weekly holiday. (Hindustan, 28.4.98).
Badruddin Ansari, Post Box No.134, Rly. Station Road, PO Badohi-221 401: It was certainly a pleasure to meet you at Patna and listen your lectures on various social problems which are so deeply rooted in our country. I am quite confident that a day will come very soon when your thinking and philosophy will be very much appreciated by the people who will certainly come forward and will join hands with you to fight these grave social evils which are the main topics subjects in your books and magazines.
Dr. S.A. Hannan, Imarat Shariah, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801 505: Prof. T. Rahmatullah’s article, “Jamate-Islami is upper caste and hence pro-Hindu (DV Dec.16, 1997 p.7) shows the ignorance of the South about North Indians. I was surprised to read it and repent that it is baseless and far from truth. The Jamate-Islami is hated by all class of Muslims who are theologians and scholars of Islamic religion. It is because it deviated from the path of god and Prophet in their policy of establishing a govt. by force and imposing Islamic rules by force through what they call 35. Nezame Mustafa. The quoranic and Hadith says that nobody should be forced to accept Islam by force and also Islam and Islamic system should be preached only by invitation and noble behaviour and also service to humanity, character building. Actually, the Jamate- Islami has adopted the same principle which Dalits want. It is nonsense to say that Jamate-Islami is pro- Hindu. The Jamat believes in material power rather than power of faith in god. So, the remark of the author is quite reverse. To say that Jamate-Islami is an upper caste organisation is a blatant lie. The Kashmiri Muslims are converted Muslims and their leader was a Hindu, Nand Rishi, who became a Muslim saint later. A majority of Kashmiri Muslims are, however, backward. Rahmatullah should know that the main field of Jamate-Islami was Kashmir in Indie and Pakistan. They instigated the Kashmirn’s to fight a suicidal war against the mighty India and the result was massacre of 70,000 Muslims of Kashmir, their women raped, their houses demolished and their religious places demolished. Hundreds of Jamate- Islamic leaders were killed and many are languishing in the jails. The curse on them befell due to foolish and un-Islamic fanaticism perpetrated by the backward (so-called) Muslims. I do not understand this wrong and un-Islamic theory of some fanatics or ignorant people who propagated and divide the Muslims of India as upper caste and lower caste. Caste has nothing to do with Islam. It is totally against the principle of Islam. Our converted Muslims have taken caste from their Hindu ancestors and propagating as their paternal property with Hindus.
Sultan Akhtar, Khanpur-Deh, Gujarat: The Gujarati daily, Sandesh (Baroda edition), had like the Gujarat Samachar, during the dark days of Babri Masjid demolition, displayed its pride and bravery by bordering its front-page with a string of pictures depicting the cracked structure of god’s houses. Overjoyed, perhaps with its march in Gujarat, the April 27, 1998 edition on page 11 gave a detailed full page illustrated account of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS). Describing its nationwide activities in the 12 fields of its infiuence (1) all the three wings of the armed forces, (2) education, (3) spying agencies, (4) farmers organisation, (5) scientists’ association, (6) lawyers’ guild, (7) groups of backward areas, (8) women unions. (9) foreign affairs, (10) social activities, (11) labour problems and (12) world of media the article shows how this work of “serving” the nation is being carried out throughout the country by 39,301 units of RSS in 17 provinces with UP on top. Under the subtitle, Jaasdosi Agencies, the article states that the influence of RSS is great in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) as well as the Military Intelligence -further revealing that these agencies seek the help of RSS for pushing their men among the enemies. The Kashmiri pandits are hand-in-glove with the RSS men who help them in planting their men in the ranks of separatists, that they are taught how to perform namaz and recite quran, that they employ staunch Hindus re siding in Pakistan for any spy work and for the purpose they take help of RSS, that even our topmost spy agency RAW too has to obtain RSS assistance that such work is being entrusted to Hindu agents who are made Muslim, that this requires absolutely trus worthy persons, that the Intelligence Bureau finds out the dens of anti-India underground groups with the help of RSS.
S.M. Aftab Alam, HOD, Physics Dept., Patna Musam Science College, B.M. Das Road, Patna-800 G The word “caste” was never used, and is also still never used in any Islamic countries except Pakistan and Bangladesh due to the premier effects of brahminism in Aryavarta (Indian subcontinents). Between the 10th and 13th centuries, several sufis, majzoobs and orthodox elements arrived in different parts of India for the purpose of attracting even illiterate and superstitious people to Islam. During the 12th century, Al Ghazali Imam endevoured deliberately to reconcile mysticism with Islam orthodoxy. In the 12th century. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the mot prominent sufi arrived at Ajmer to increase the population of the true Muslims. But all of them never brought the caste into Islam. In 1414 AD, after the return of Timurlane to his destiny, Mongolia, his favourite disciple as commander-in-chief of Timur’s army (Khizar Khan) ascended the throne of Delhi declaring himself to be descendant of Prophet Mohammad, and henceforth assigned himself the title of “Syed according to his discreet exploitation policy. However, he was not a descendant of Prophet Mohammad. Nevertheless, he founded a new dynasty i.e, “Syed Dynasty” for sell appreciation and self dignity. The Syed dynasty lasted for 37 years from 1414 to 1451. Khizer Khan’s kingdom zealously encouraged other Arabians and Islamised Turks and even hybrids to adopt treacherous exploitation policy by dint of self-arrogance and apprehension of their own satanic ideas for classification of the Muslim into different categories on the basis of the pre- vailing Hindu caste system in the name of religion During the “Syed dynasty” and Mughal dynasty, some Afghans, Mangolians, even hybrids and Muslim Rajputs were also persuaded to call themselves as “Pathan caste”. During this period the remaining Muslims were forced to call themselves as Backward Castes according to their individual occupation and professions. In the 18th and 19th centuries, during the British period, a majority of Sheikhs and Syeds got zamindari in order to exploit the Backward Castes. That is how the caste system among the Muslims developed in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Now- a-days some Backward Caste Muslims have organised themselves to retaliate against upper caste Muslims and to humiliate the Sheikhs and Syeds etc. particularly in Bihar. By this they are also trying to perpetrate greater sins and crimes against the true laws of Islam to bring about the disintegration of the Muslim community.
N.Hasan, 131-Ist Lane, 4th St., Raj Nagar, Dehradoon, UP: This refers to your Editorial of DV april 16, 98: “Leadership caused fall of Muslims”. I fully agree with the views of Syed Shahabuddin so far as the reciprocation by Dalits towards Muslims is concerned but I do not agree that Mulayam Singh Yadav has not done anything for Muslims in UP. He has actually provided bread and butter to Muslims by giving employment in various schools as Urdu teachers, PAC and police services while all other parties and leaders only appeased the Muslims. More important fact is that Mulayam’s stand against communal forces has been firm. The Editor always refers to verses from Koran and inspires Muslim to “fight and die” to save the oppressed people who are none but SC/ST/BCs. Being oppressed themselves, though, Muslims may not struggle and fight for the Dalit cause, but they definitely do not jeopardise any Dalit movement. In fact, irrespective of party label, Muslim masses and leadership always extended moral support to the cause of the SC/ST/BC whether Mandal or any other cause. On the other hand, Dalit leaders have tried to strengthen the hands of the Enemy of Muslims. BSP-BJP alliances and more recently Dalit Ezhilmalai’s PMK-BJP alliance have proved this. But the Editor never criticizes such an alliances. I agree that India’s “largest community” (15%) of Muslim is definitely fast sinking and the Muslim clergy and its political leadership is to be blamed for this downfall. But the Muslims certainly cannot be blamed for the conditions of Dalits in India. The Editor says in the above referred Editorial:
“Muslims, as our elder brothers and gifted with a wonderful revolutionary religion, had a duty to check the Hindutva forces and keep the SC/ST/BC on their side. What steps have been taken by the Muslims?”
Does he not know that it is only the Muslims all over India who unitedly voted against Hindutva forces and “checked” the march of BJP in parliament? Because this BJP could not form the govt and had to seek alliance of other non-Hindutva parties to form the govt., and dilute its anti-Muslim policies. Muslims, however, are aware that the Hindu nazis have not given up their efforts to conduct the “Spanish Experiment” in India. They are bent upon exterminating Muslims politically, economically and socially. I want to put the same question to our Editor: What Dalit leaders like Kanshi Ram, Mayawati, Dalit Ezhilmalai have done to fight Hindutva forces. Instead they are going with the enemies of Muslims. I need the answer. Dalit-Muslim unity cannot be achieved unless Dalits are sincere to Muslim cause and cease to be opportunistic. All non-Aryan SC/ST/BC (65%) must join the mighty (15%) Muslims to oust the Hindutva nazis forces. But our Editor sided with the Dalits and defended their action to go with Hindutva forces by saying:
“If they have done all these it is because of force of circumstances. These actions are never done consciously.
This is false. The Editor has expressed his fears about the speed with which Aryan Hindutva forces are hinduising (enslaving) the non-Hindu SC/ST/BCs, and In this respect you are again warning only the Muslim religious and political leaders and asking them to take up this issue with no clear suggestions from his side. Muslim masses are not following their religious and political leaders blindly. They are themselves taking “joint action” to check Hindutva forces. The case is reversed in the case of Dalits. They follow their leaders almost blindly. So, it is the duty of Dalit leaders to check speedy hinduisation of Dalits rather than of Muslim leaders. But the irony is that the Dalit leaders. themselves are flirting with the nazis. Still the Editor is warning only the Muslims to fight the Dalit cause. Why? I agree with the Editor that the Muslim leadership is to be blamed for the worst condition of Muslims in India. DV’s sincerety and dedication to the cause of Muslims can never been doubted by the Muslims. At the same time it is the duty of DV to urge upon Dalit leadership to support Muslims in their fight against nazis.
The reply to Brother Nafisul Hasan is already given in our reply to Syed Shahabuddin in issue of DV May 16. 1996 p. 19. I agree that some SC/ ST/BC political leaders have joined hands with Hindu nazi forces to gain political power. To that extent they have been opportunistic. But when we talk about Dalit-Muslim unity and the need for a joint action, we are not talking of vote politics. The Hindu nazi forces took over 100 years to capture political power in Delhi. Even then they could do only with the help of many caste-based parties. Hindu nazis have established dozens of social and cultural organisations and penetrated deep into the country-side and even military and police. They are spending billions and billions of dollars to hinduise (enslave) the SC/ST/BCs by spreading falsehood and resorting to all sorts of tricks Brother Shahabuddin and Nafisul cannot understand the thrust of our argument. We do admit that the SC/ST/BC political leadership is coopted and hinduised. And vote politics means comuption and compromise. Forget about the vote politics and the small fraction of politicians. The country consists of crones and crores of innocent SC/ST/BCs who have nothing to do with vote politics What has the Muslim leadership done to save these crores and crores innocent SC/ST/BCs from the havoc of Hindu nazis? Islam has prescribed certain duties for the Muslims. It is this duty we are reminding them about the religious duty of Muslims on the social and cultural front. Instead of answering this point, both our brothers talk about the “opportunistic behaviour of SC/ST/BC political leadership Politics means opportunism. Did not the Muslim League, born to fight the Congress the original brahminical party of India, Join hands with the very Enemy No. 1 in Kerala? Is it not opportunism? If we start finding fault with political opportunism, there will be no end – EDITOR
Nushad Ansari, PO Box No. 1797, 1017/387, K.R. Garden, Bangalore-560 017: This has reference to the Debate on your two reports: “Enemy sees Spirit of Islam more dangerous than Rituals of Islam” (DV March 16, 1997 p.7) and “Is it possible to ban Spirit of Islam? Western blunders in Turkey (DV Feb.16, 1998 p.6). Islam claims that it is capable of solving every problem of humanity. This capability comes because it is not a religion alone but a way of life, a code of conduct, a doctrine. It revolutionises the whole life. The worship under Islam is not a ritual as seen by many but the “Spirit” of worship lies in one’s obedience for the pleasure of Allah. The different rituals. like namaz, roza (fasting), zakah (poor-due) and haj (pilgrimage) are a means to come to that life of total worship which is complete surrender to the will of Allah. The ultimate objective of Islam is to abolish the lordship of man over man, and to bring him under the rule of one god. Moulana Moududi points out the importance of jihad in these words:
“…All acts of worship have been reduced to their spiritual content… Merely exhortations and good counsels will not help if you want to eradicate exploitation of men by men, prevent misuse of human wealth and talent, stop oppression and establish justice, erase exploitation and immorality, corruption, stop bloodshed, give dignity to the downtrodden, restore equality, prosperity and peace for all… Stand up and fight against corrupt rule, take power and use it on God’s behalf. It is useless to think that you can change things by preaching alone”. (Let us be Muslims, p.285-88).
This is the revolutionary message and “Spirit of Islam“. Unfortunately most of the Muslim scholars are sitting over these and refuse to propagate. The result is before all of us to see. The neem Mullahs have got us immersed in rituals alone. They are hopelessly ignorant of the essence of our great faith. Islam is to be rediscovered, at least, by its followers and its Spirit to be regained.
