This is for the information of all critics of our Editor’s “caste identity” thesis. In the beginning his thesis did raise a storm. Bojja Taraka, advocate, president of the AP Dalit Mahasabha, launched the first attack on the Editor and thus began the marathon “Jati identity” Debate now nearing three ‘years (DV July 16, 1996 p.5: “Call to strengthen each Jati goes against Babasaheb’s call*, Bojja Taraka).
(1) The opposition to the Editor’s thesis is dying. Because the opponents of the thesis are confined to only Untouchables. No Backward Caste or Tribal reader has so far criticised this thesis. Because, “caste identity” is much stronger among both BCs and Tribals. The Tribal society is divided only on the basis of the identity of each tribe.
Beauty of Tribal society: Identity may divide the Santal, Oraon, Munda and Ho Tribals but they don’t fight each other. Identity does not bring conflict in a “divided” society provided each unit equally shares things with the other.
(2) Brahmins also are divided. There is no interpurchase marriage among them. Each subcaste maintains its identity. Yet Brahmins don’t fight among themselves because of sharing. The Brahmin example is the best to prove the greatness of “caste identity”.
(3) The difficulty is only in the Dalit society — that too the more affluent reservation alas, as the Editor calls them.
(4) The critics say that Dalits are “totally” opposed to the Editor’s thesis. What do they mean by that? Are we (Madi gas) not Dalits? What about the full support extended by the Devendra Kula Vellalar’s? (DV Sept.16, 1999 p.13: “Caste identity Theis benefits Devendra’s”).
Kanchi Ram support: What about Kanshi Ram, leader of the country’s most powerful Dalit party (BSP)? How about Mayawati, twice Chief Minister of UP? What about Ambujakshan, president of the Kerala Dalit Panthers? What about M. Gopinath, BSP leader and a Dalit intellectual of Bangalore? What about S.K. Biswas, president of the Dalit-Bahujan Intellectuals Forum of India, a Nama Sudra from Bengal and author of many books? What about Dr. Kancha Lailah, the author of the great book, Why I am not a Hindu? What about Dr. Suman Akshar, president of the Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, who wants to call a Chamar conference? What about Nanak Chand Rattu, personal secretary of Babasaheb? What about Muttiah Madiga, Manda Krishna Madiga? What about Dr. K. Krishnaswamy, MLA, who has built a powerful party of Devendra’s in TN? What about the “caste identity” seminars held in different parts of India?
Are they not all Dalits? Critics, please answer.
Critics of the thesis please answer the following question: Is there any case in the past 20 years where the DV predictions have gone wrong?
Hegemony in reservation: Only a handful of “educated” among the dominant Dalit subcastes are opposing the thesis beauties the thesis will end their hegemony on reservations. Reservations are dead. Brahmin have killed it. Why should we quarrel on the dead body? Why criticise the Editor?
Caste identity is the greatest contribution of the Editor to the development of the Dalit Samaj. It is fully within the Ambedkar philosophy but a development of the same to suite the changing needs. The problem with some of us is we are not able to understand the Editor who is too fast and thinks far ahead of us.
Editor ready to apologise: The Editor has even promised to apologise if his thesis goes against Ambedkar’s. Please read his article as a footnote to Bojja Tarakan’s (DV July 18, 1996 p.7: “Apology if our theory on Jati goes against Babasaheb’s line of argument”).
Nothing else is needed to prove the efficacy of this thesis except the current Lok Sabha elections which are fought only on “caste identity”.
The Debate must now end because the critics are only abusing the Editor and producing nothing new.
Great intellectual treat: When the Debate began, I wrote an article (DV Jan.1, 1997 p.7: “DV Debate on caste is a great intellectual treat”) congratulating the Editor. Bojja Tarak am is now busy with elections (RPI, Ramdas Athawale faction). Though a Mala, he has now reconciled to the Madi gas’ just demand for proportional share in reservation. Once the election ends, Bojja Tarak am must give a Finis to this 3-year-long Debate which has proved the intellectual calibre and the original thoughts of our Editor. The Editor’s book on “caste identity”, which he said was typeset and ready, must now come out.
