Dr. Dorothy Anne Masters, Anthropologist, PO Box 78, Centurion Park, Bitterne Road West, Southampton, SO18 1 GN, UK: This refers to my article, “Open this can of worms (India), the world’s only country practising Apartheid” (DV June 16, 2000 p.17). My purpose is to enlighten most of Western public opinion about the appalling state of the Indian scene. It is shocking. I fear that one day there will be disaster. I hope to write to Mrs. Robinson (United Nations Human Rights), Nelson Mandela etc. Something may come of this. I think the next task for you is to get the entire “lower caste” population under one leader to present a united front. The upper castes will never listen.
D.R. Sori (drsori@sigmaonline.net>: Ram Vilas Paswan is playing in the hands of Hindu nazi brahminical forces. Will this not lead to further division in the society and weaken the BSP? I understand Paswan has been coming to USA frequently. We must ask him what he has done for the society. He has not bothered to rehabilitate his earlier private secretary who was very intelligent, sincere, honest, dedicated for the Dalits. (The then PS was N. Manohar Prasad who served the society with dignity and honour).
Naveed Hussain, 3539 Carter Hill Road, Apt # C211, Montgomery, AL-36111 USA: It has been very fruitful and conscious-awakening reading Dalit Voice this year. In near future DV would be recommended to US libraries for subscription, as it would reach more people, especially the libraries owned by Blacks who fight color discrimination here. They can hardly afford to subscribe for this and those who are rich join hands with the zionists or are involved in bad habits such as drinking and cannot devote their time and attention to vital issues presented by Dalit Voice. Some concrete step has to be taken to face the brahminical onslaught. Their media has got a strong grip on the minds of Indians here, even the Backward Castes, who are not ready to believe what DV has to say. In today’s world glamour, polite manners sell and are inevitably taken to reflect a person’s character. Personally it is hard for me to be polite and friendly on outside while nurturing hatred against others but the brahminical hypocrites are really masters in this art of deceiving people to such an extent that we may in near future view suspiciously every person who is polite and diplomatic. America is a stunning example of diplomacy with sweet words giving a very positive impression while the inside is nothing but an empty shell. Insurance is a broad daylight robbery legalized by govt. and the direct and indirect beneficiary of this legalization are the Jews who have now gone under cover, out of sight of the public view and escape the peoples wrath. Most of the anger of the people is now directed against politicians or the people (slaves) who administer insurance. These slaves have follow the dictates of their zionist masters or else they lose the job. Mostly it is a lady at the other end of the telephone line who politely and sweetly but firmly implements the computerized insurance policy to kick the patients off their benefits. Millions of dollars are siphoned off every year from the government exchequer under the pretense of providing health care to the poor so the public anger is thwarted against this expenditure successfully. But when it comes to implementation of this govt-aided insurance program for the poor there are so many hidden rules and conditions by which most of the hard working poor are kicked off these benefits telling they do not quality under the plan. By this time people do not realize that their income tax has gone down the drain into the pockets of the insurance companies as profits. Something similar is happening in India. In India, our “national” toilet papers churn out the bullshit stories of how Muslims and Dalits are enjoying the various benefits while practically doing the reverse. These stories have been absorbed by Indians here and they cannot appreciate the sufferings of the Dalits as they are living a comfortable life here and if anything happens to them here they think its fate or just bad luck and keep quite instead of blaming the insurance policies which deceive the people here. Whatever happenings to Dalits in India are considered as isolated incidents, which happen in every society. The toilet papers cannot totally bluff and be caught red- handed so they normally mention the atrocities on Dalits as isolated incidents happening in society without ever directly pointing fingers at the guilty.
T.N. Arivarasu, 64-Housing Unit, Chickkana College Road, Tirpur, TN: Your June 1, 2000 Editorial, “Why Aryan rulers hate LTTE: Racial tinge in Sinhala-Tamil war in Lanka“, was excellent. Your analysis of the Aryan tactics towards Dravidian (or) Tamils is wonderful. Your ideas are similar to that of our crusader Father Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy. It is a sad thing that our Tamil people’s leaders are not realising the truth which is vividly descried in your Editorial. I felt sad to note that you have returned from Delhi which is the capital of Aryans. Once the Dravidians ruled the whole India. But now? Anyhow, I am fully satisfied that DV is back in Bangalore. I wish that a Tamil magazine like DV is a must here.
Dr. Ajay Chandra V, Navya Hospital, Sasikala Nilayam, Manchineeti Thota, Pathebad, Eluru 534 002: We in and around this place are happy over your efforts to enlighten our people through your writings. Nobody can save us. We have to learn from your writings and implement them to liberate ourselves. We only have to activate our minds.
P.C. Narayanakutty, Secretary, Bahujan Samaj Party, Palghat dt., Pulleparambil House, Thenur PO, Parii, Palakkad, Kerala-678616: Hope you remember your promise to inaugurate the “Ayyankali Mela” when I met you at the T.K. Narayanan Memorial meeting at Trivandrum on May 18 last. As per your promise we formed a welcome committee under our Dr. Ambedkar Study Centre which is a prominent cultural movement of this district. It is headed by Prof. K.K. Santhakumar. P. Ashokan is the chief coordinator. “Ayyankali Mela” is fixed for 28.9.2000.
You have full four months to prepare. The occasion should be used to invite all prominent Dalit workers and also Elavas, plus oppressed Muslims. Kerala offers the best caste composition for a cultural revolution through a “caste war”. The report of your function must come in three issues of Malayalam DV with a call to the entire state Dalit leaders to attend the function- EDITOR.
N. Murali, chairman, T.K. Narayanan Movement for People’s Educational & Cultural Endurance, “Vaishali”, Mythri Nagar, Thirumala PO, Trivandrum – 695 006: The book, The Budha & His Dhamma, by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was translated into Malayalam by my father, the late T.K.N. as far back as Nov. 1997. He died on Nov.8, 1999 without fulfilling his wish to get the book published. I had approached many publishers in Kerala but in vain. He was very worried over it. Later he gave the book to Aymaji, Trivandrum, for publication at Dooth Books, Ernakulam (c/o Sudesh M.R.) They too could not publish it. After my father’s death I got the MS back from them. One kind-hearted publisher (M/s Maithri Publication, Trivandrum) agreed to publish it. The book may come out by Dec.6, 2000. In this connection I want to appreciate the interest taken by P.P. Lakshman of New York. Even after his Jeminders the Corporate Body of the Budha Edn. Foundation, Taiwan, put some conditions to publish our book. Their letter came only in Jan. last. By then I had already given the book for publication. The Malayalam version of the book comes to about 1,038 pages. The T.K. Narayanan Memorial meeting was held on May 18 last (Budha Pournami day) at Trivandrum. V.T. Rajshekar was the chief guest. He was present for the whole one-day programme. About 500 delegates from all over Kerala took part. His speech was an eye-opener to many. He was disappointed that our people were busy fighting among themselves. They were not bothered about their principal enemy. “Dog eating dog”. T.K. Narayanan had identified his enemies and friends. The seminar on “An understanding of caste identity thesis” was well attended by all. An exclusive seminar on this subject would be conducted later as per the direction of V.T. Rajshekar. There was also a public meeting in the evening. Overall, the programme was a success. The funniest part was that all the toilet papers gave a good coverage to the programme. The whole programme was budgeted for Rs. 20,000. I am thankful to each and every person who has contributed to the cause. The Foundation intends to publish all the unpublished/ already published works of TKN. It also plans to give free English education by which Ambedkarism/ Budhism can be imparted to the “Persecuted Nationalities Denied Human Rights”.
Surjit Kumar Pal, Anthropological Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, CGO Complex, Block-A, 1st Floor, Seminary Hills, Nagpur-440 006: I am rejoicing to read every issue of Dalit Voice which exposes the dark side of our caste system and also the hegemonic attitude of the brahmanic forces. Very interesting. Hope this journal will continue without any interruption under your able stewardship as well as your fearless editorship.
Dr. Kancha llaiah, Associate Professor, Dept. of Political Science, University College of Arts & Social Sciences, Osmania University, Hyderabad – 500 007: For my article, “Spiritual Fascism and Civil Society” in the Deccan Chronicle (Feb.15, 2000), the University Registrar, Dr. Pannalal, has written a letter taking strong objection to my writings. The University wants to censor my writings. In the article I had said: The roots of caste system lie in “spiritual fascism”. The basis of spiritual fascism is the belief, “I am superior to the other”. The concept of aham brahmasmi in Hinduism is based on exclusivism. It also assigns the role of god to one’s own self. The Indian state remains disintegrated because of the anti-people ideology of brahminism. Brahminism can deconstruct itself if it wants a peaceful transformation of the Indian society by integrating itself with SCA (Sudra, Chandala, Adivasi) production culture. If Hinduism wants to reconstruct itself, as the teams of Brahmin pandits went into Adivasis at the instance of Kautilya to divide them into castes, let them now go to Adivasi, SC and OBC wadas to integrate them by eating their food, by sleeping in their houses, by giving up the cultural isolationism and exclusivism of brahminism. The protagonists of Hinduism must accept this challenge.
Brother Kancha llaiah is one of our esteemed DV family members. The Hindu nazis are bent upon shutting his mouth and breaking his pen. Our people in AP and Hyderabad in particular must protest this nazi action by any means necessary. Those outside must write protest letters to the University Registrar- EDITOR.
Fr. Thomas Polackal, SDB, Librarian, Don Bosco Yuva Prachodini, Bannerghatta Road, SOS Village PO, Bangalore 560 076: Please know that you are doing an invaluable service to India through your magazine. It might seem that you are like a child beating its feeble fist on a large rock with no effect to show for all its effort for years. But if enough little fists are employed, even the stubbornest rock will split one day, sooner than later. The Romans had a saying: (Gutta cavat petram) translated more or less would mean: Drops of water falling in the same place on a rock will carve out a hole in it. So, courage, We shall overcome someday.
Rajendra, Dr. Ambedkar Pratishtan, Thoralakki Post, Malur Taluk, Kolar dt., Karnataka 563 137: We celebrated the Ambedkar Jayanti quietly. Devotees assembled before the statue, garlanded it and paid respects to our Saviour. Later, we had mutton masala lunch. Dr. Ambedkar Mandira was illuminated like the Mysore Palace in the night. No pandal, no meeting no speeches. Pure festival, grand birthday feast.
Nani Gopal Das, 17-Duttabad Road, PO Bidhannagar (Salt Lake), Calcutta 700 064: I am so grateful to you that while recommending my book, The British in India-Their Contributions, you have mentioned the name of my book as Was Gandhiji a Mahatma? This is the title of the first edition of my book on Gandhi. The second edition is just out, bigger in size with so many new information about Gandhi. Every Dalit, ST, BC, Dalit Christian, Sikh and Muslim should read this book to understand the true picture of Gandhi and how much harm he had done not only to these communities but to all the Indians. To write those two books on Gandhi and on the British, I got much help from the Dalit Voice of which I am a subscriber since its birth, I request my educated Dalit young friends to read Dalit Voice to understand India correctly.
Dilip Ku. Jena, C/o P.K. Jena, 1-Forest Park, Bhubaneswar 751 009: Brother Ramnath’s article, “From one Pattnaik to another…” (DV June 1, 2000 p.14), is very impressive. I was to get a seat in medicine, physiotherapy (MD). I had already qualified in the entrance exam of the National Institute of Rehabilitation Technology and Research. But due to the late Biju Pattnaik who stopped the interchanging provision among SC/ST, I lost a seat in that medical college. And that seat was given to a non-Dalit student or it might remain vacant for 5 years. So, it is clear that continuously in Orissa the Aryans are ruling (Biju Pattnaik, J.B. Pattnaik, Navin Pattnaik). Aryan rulers do not give a chance to our community leaders like Giridhar Gamang. He doesn’t get a chance. Due to Hindu rulers in Orissa, our people are enslaved by Brahmins through their control over the temples. So, your statement that Puri Jagannatha is keeping us enslaved is correct. In Orissa, the people are interested in Dalit movement but they worship Hindu gods.
S.D. Kapoor, 24-Bhagat Ki Kothi Ext., Jodhpur-342 005: I need some help from you. I am working on a UGC project on Dalit and African-Americans: their predicament and literature. Right now, I am working on a chapter on Dalit and African-American literature and their aesthetics. Could you suggest books on Dalit aesthetics that I need consult? On African-American aesthetics there is plenty of material available, but I have not been able to lay my hands on Dalit aesthetics. Or suggest writers and critics who have done some work in this area.
S. Dhanaraj, Sharon Villa, 58-II Main, Subhashnagar, Mysore-570 007: The New Indian Express published a statement of Franco Gautier calling those criticising the Hindu nazis as India’s enemies. According to him Hinduism never converted anyone. The Hindu nazis are experts in confusing and misleading the people by giving wrong interpretations to words like Hindu. conversion etc. Look how many White people have taken to tuft, saffron dress, Hindu gods names, rudraksha mala, yoga, transcendal meditation, Hare Krishna etc, in their own places? Are they also not flocking to Hindu gods in India? Nazis say they are “followers” of a new concept. Is this not conversion? We don’t accept their deceptive meaning attached to that word. “Following” and “conversion” (change) mean the same. I wish the Hindu nazis read the Dalit Voice publication, Violence in Hinduism, by Prof. Bhagawan. Thomas, a disciple of Christ, came to India to preach the love of god, peace and joy of salvation in Jesus. He was mercilessly killed by a fanatic Brahmin in Madras. During the Sepoy Mutiny, hundreds and thousands of Indian Christians in Delhi and Lucknow were killed along with the foreigners. After BJP came to power, how many churches were destroyed, Indian and foreign missionaries killed or assaulted and Bible burnt in Gujarat, Orissa, UP and MP? Do they prove the “tolerance” of Hindus? Can they prove one forcible conversion by Christians? I visited Ajanta and Ellora. Ellora dipicts only Jainism. Even though a majority of caves in Ajanta depicts Budhism, the last few caves appear to have been tampered with and modified to depict Hinduism. The real essence of Budhism in those caves could not be totally concealed or eradicated. Anyone who closely observes can be convinced with my opinion. After doing such a destructive work, the nazis claim that Hinduism, Budhism and Jainism peacefully co-existed in India. Researchers in history and archaeology should carry out some study and disprove the myth of peaceful co-existence of these three religions.
Gopala Rao, D. No. 1-94, Rayalam PO, W.G. Dt., AP-534 208: In DV June 1, 2000 p.15 in your Editorial Note, you had said:
“Though SC/STs are assured representation in proportion to their population through reserved constituencies, this new political leadership has remained wholly subservient to its upper caste bosses”.
Why? This is mainly due to the joint electorate (JE) system. Dr. Ambedkar says:
“For the present, Indian politics, instead of being spiritualized, has become grossly commercialized, so much so it has become a byword for corruption” (Dr. Ambedkar W & S, Vo. I, p. 227).
The same is the case with our SC/ST political leaders.
“The representatives of the Untouchables were supposed to be the watch-dogs of the Untouchables. But by reason of having joined the Congress, they are muzzled dogs. Far from biting, they are not even able to bark”, says Dr. Ambedkar (W&S Vol. V, p. 345).
This is the defect of JE system. Dr. Ambedkar says:
A joint electorate for a small minority and a vast majority is bound to result in a disaster to the minority. A candidate put up by the minority cannot be successful, even if the whole of the minority were solid behind him. The fact is that a seat reserved for a minority candidate gives a security that the minority candidate will be declared elected. But it cannot guarantee that the minority candidate declared elected will be a person of its choice, if the election is to be by a joint electorate. Even if a seat is reserved for a minority, a majority can always pick up a person, belonging to the minority and put him up as a candidate for the reserved seat as against a candidate put up by the minority and get him elected by helping its nominee with the superfluous voting strength which is at its command. The result is that the representative of the minority elected to the reserved seat, instead of being a champion of the minority, is really the slave of the majority”. (W&S Vol. V, p. 347).
The “Poona Pact” was designed to place the Untouchables under the domination of the Hindus whereas the “Communal Award” (separate electorate) was intended to free the Untouchables from the thraldom of the Hindus. The same is the fate of the system of proportionate representation if the election is to be by JE system. In the SC/ST political leadership we cannot find (1) the worship of knowledge, (2) the stress on character, (3) self-respect and the motivation by the dynamics of social purpose, the qualities of Dr. Ambedkar. It seems that the SC/ST political leadership instead of being a champion of the Untouchables prefers to remain as “muzzled dogs and subservient to their political bosses”. Hence the SC/ST people must demand separate electorate system in the place of present JE system.
Aabani Mohan Roy, President, B.R. Ambedkar Memorial society, Milonsangha, A.D. Nagar PO, Agartala, Tripura 799 003: The Indigenous Peoples Front (IPF) has emerged as the only angry Tribal people movement in Tripura headed by Harinath Debbarma. It captured major votes in the Swashasita jila parishad election held on May 3 last. The victory marks a big advancement of the ideas of Babasaheb Ambedkar on separate settlement and separate religion. The IPF wants to take up the plight of SCs and women who are the worst sufferers in the hands of the Hindu Govt.
Dr. Ashok Adhav, MHB Colony, M36/2521, Yerwada, Pune 411 006: I have read the papers presented by Prof. Jogdand, Eknath Kamble and Dr. Bhosale in the seminar held at Pune University and published in DV April 16, 2000. All the three have told only half truths. Prof. Jogdand says the revolutionary edge seems blunted. On the contrary it is getting sharpened. There was no Dalit movement in the North or the South except in Maharashtra. Now, BSP has taken roots in the North. DSS is active in Karnataka. Dalit Panthers. have started in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Maharashtra, Bahujan awakening began after many decades. Vidrohi Sahitya Sammelan was started by the Bahujans. Prof. M.M. Deshmukh from Nagpur is a staunch anti-Manuwadi writer. He is a Maratha. He says the religion of Bahujans is not Hinduism. Another Maratha writer, Sharad Patil, says Budha was the first to teach equality and brotherhood. Another Maratha writer, Prof. A.H. Salunkhe, is an expert on Charvak and Indian atheism. Bahujans have started taking interest in the work of Mahatma Phule, Chatrapati Shahu and Periyar. These are revolutionary developments. Similarly, non-Brahmin socio-cultural and literary movement was solely limited to Mahars in Maharashtra but now the Tribals have also opened their eyes. Nomadics are trying to come together. A noted writer, Laxman Mane, said at Ahmadnagar and again at Pune that he was cheated by upper caste Hindus insisting that Babasaheb had done nothing for Bahujans. After reading the Writings and Speeches of Dr. Ambedkar, he has decided to work under the blue flag. All factions of RPI have congratulated him and welcomed his decision. Recently, the Matangs declared their decision to join RPI at Pune. Dalit sahitya sammelan, Phule-Ambedkarvadi Sahitya Sammelan, Adivasi Sahitya Sammelan are now more active. Our Editor has said socio-cultural revolution has to precede any political revolution. Many periodicals are being published. Are these not signs. of revolutionary upsurge? Eknath Kamble and Dr. Bosale have mentioned the names of Rajbhoj, Shivtarkar and other Chamar leaders of Maharashtra. But the fact is that they had no Chamar following. Why? The Chamars of Maharashtra were followers of the Jagjivan Ram who was a Congress leader. That is why the Chamars of Maharashtra had to depend on the Mahars. Eknath Kamble has written about leather industry being controlled by the upper castes. This is true. But in Maharashtra, dying cattle in villages are thrown away. Their skin (leather) is not recovered by anybody. Why the Chamars of Maharashtra are not making leather out of this skin? No one single caste or community can have a monopoly on any religion. One can embrace any religion. The Chamars of UP and other states and also many other Dalit castes have embraced Budhism along with Dr. Ambedkar. Our Editor himself embraced Budhism in 1993 and Phoolan Devi (MP) embraced it recently. Even now nobody will stop the Chamars of Maharashtra from embracing Budhism. Therefore, Dr. Bhosale cannot speak of the “Mahar monopoly on Budhism”. A political party stands on the shoulders of its followers. Contesting election is one part of its activities. Party tickets are given to senior and dedicated party workers. Previously many people used to get elected and then switch over to the ruling party. But the situation has now changed. Sayyad Afsar is an Opposition leader in the Pune Corporation. But he is with the RPI for about two decades, Makharam Pawar, a Tribal MLA, is now Minister in Maharashtra Govt. but he is with RPI for over 15 years. In the recently concluded civic elections of Navi Mumbai, Ambarnath and Aurangabad, the RPI has secured good number of seats. Formerly all castes except the Mahars were anti-RPI. Therefore, RPI used to cut a sorry figure. But now many non-Mahar castes are joining the RPI. Therefore, nobody can say RPI is dominated by the Mahars. Dr. Bhosale himself can start another RPI. Mahars will have no objection. Mahars were the first to support Kanshi Ram. Mahars were the first to congratulate Mayavati when she became the first Dalit Chief Minister. I personally express my sincere gratitude to the Editor for initiating Dalit movement in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other states. When the entire Dalit community gets awakened then we can form an all-India federation with help of intellectuals and Ambedkarites like our Editor. Political situation is changing fast in Maharashtra. Each caste is politically divided. The major ruling caste of Marathas is divided into four major factions: Congress (1), NCP of Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena and BJP plus their age-old parties like PWP (Shetkari Kamgar Party) and communist parties and other factions like JD, SP and so on. So is the condition of other castes. Now they cannot endanger the RPI. Dr. Bhosale has accepted in his paper that Chamars of Maharashtra are socially better off than the Mahars. He further writes that Mahars advanced in the education field, numerically. This is true but if we think in terms of percentage it is wrong. Chamars are economically sound. Over 3/4 of Mahars are agricultural labourers and daily wage earners. Most of them live below the poverty line. These are facts. The problem with the Chamars of Maharashtra is they are anti-Mahar. So, they desert any party which forms alliance with the Mahars. That is why they left the Congress and joined the Hindu nazis. Another reason for joining the nazi parties is they think they are Hindus. During the Shiv Sena-BJP rule, the Mahars and Muslims were targeted and the Home Minister then was Bala Nandgaonkar, a Chamar. Whosoever pushes their agenda, whether he is George Fernandes or Sikander Bakht, the nazis don’t mind the caste of the loyal dog. As soon as their job is done then the nazis make them a Waghela and Kalya Singh out of them.
Punnoose Mathen, sub-editor, Malayala Manorama, PB No. 187, Calicut-673001: I am a great admirer of your intellectual views and selflessness. And also a new entrant to the DV family. But sir, some double emerged in my mind while reading your latest book, India’s Intellectual Desert (DSA 1999). You are criticising the West for keeping silent on the Muslim genocide in Kosovo, Algeria etc. (p.38). The case of Algeria may be fine. But was it not the West under NATO which defended Muslims against Milosevic in Kosovo? And recently is it not the West which is helping Muslims in Chechnya?
Every innocent reader of the media like you will get the same doubt. We have published innumerable reports on both Kosovo and Chechanya. Please refer to our back issues to clear your doubts. The whole Western exercise win Kosovo was to see that no Muslim nation emerged right in the heart of Christian Europe. The Serb Butcher of the Balkans, Milosevic, had the full Western support and even to this day he is riding the waves despite such grave charges of murdering thousands of Muslims. He was declared “war criminal” by the UN but to the West he is their dearest darling. In Chechenya, the West is fully behind the Russian racists and the West is doing nothing to stop the murderous war which the Muslims will ultimately win. Just as the Indian media is under the control of the racist Aryans, the Western media is a monopoly of the White Western racists and their zionist masters. The latter are however slightly better. A journalist like you working in India’s largest circulated daily must gain expertise in separating Truth from falsehood. This expertise you can gain if you first study the Law of Contradictions by Mao, a photocopy of which you can get from us – EDITOR.
S.P. Singh, Takiapar, Danapur, PO: Digha, Patna- 800 004: I am enclosing some pages (photocopy) from books on Budhism written by Rhyes Davis and Max Muller. On pages 180 to 188, I find that Budha has challenged the Brahmins, their recitation of mantras from Vedas. I find similar Instructions in the writings of Vyas and Vashishtha. So, if we have to fight the Brahminical Social Order we have to expose their hypocrisy in exact terms in which Budha or many other European scholars and Indian writers like Vivekanand, R.C. Majumdar etc. have done. In my Hindi booklets, I have already shown that according to Vashishtha, the guru of Rama, idolators are lowest of human beings. One European scholar, A.H. Risley, gives us the theory that Rama, Krishna, Budha (all the three) were declared avtars by the wily Brahmins in the 8th century AD, in their fight against decaying Budhism. In these papers you will find (p. 90 to 96) a correct definition of the word Brahmana. This should be published in DV. Dalit Voice as a mouthpiece of Indian Dalits, minorities and Backward Castes is doing no service at all. We have to give a correct history to our people. In my opinion, a proper study of caste is more important than any other study. My story of “A Devil incarnate Brahmin” is a direct hit on the supremacy and pious character of the Brahmins. They are anything but pious. I request the Editor to convene a meeting in Delhi in the 1st week of Sept. We have to create a team of scholars. Many books are now available in reprint. I am spending all my money in purchase of books only. I am awaiting a reply from the Editor.
L.K. Madawi, 6-Beejalinagar, Sadar, Nagpur – 440 001: My book, Patana, in Marathi has been translated into English by Dr. Jamnadas Khobragade, Chandrapur. Now it is on the internet (http:// dalitstan.org/books/patana/), So many literary awards have been declared by various organisations to this book. Out of this, one award for Rs. 5,000 and a certificate was declared by the Vidharbha Sahitya Sangh (VSS) run by the Hindu nazis on 14.1.2000.1 have rejected the award because:
(1) The Hindu nazis are trying to call the Adivasis as Vanvasi. This is an effort to convert our Adivasi people into Hinduism. The Adivasis are not Hindu as per Article 25 of the Constitution.
(2) The Hindu nazis once threatened me on my article on the Patana published in the Daily Lokmat (12.4.98). Today, the same nazis have come forward to give me an award.
(3) My question to these nazis is to point out one single Brahmin killed by the naxalites, (either a po- lice man or naxalite) but the Adivasis are killed by Adivasis (police or naxalite).
Dr. Ambedkar International Mission, Malaysia, has declared the “Literary Award 2000” to the Patana. This award was presented on 8.4.2000 by Ven. Bhadant Arya Nagarjun Surei Sasai. Dr. K. Jamnadas, Wahru Sonwane were the guest of honour at the function. One article in the Patana (English) is my speech at the 5th Fule-Ambedkar Sahitya Samelan (Pardi Naskari, Yevatmal).
Guru Charanjit Singh Lamba <gslamba@vsnl.com>: Can you please enlighten me about the background of the proposal of Dalits becoming Sikhs and the reasons for its not being materialised, with special reference to the role of M.K. Gandhi and Master Tara Singh and others?
Abdul Rouf Banihali, “The Clay Model”, Barzulla, Srinagar. It is my pleasure to help the Editor of DV to increase its circulation in Srinagar as it is the only magazine which publishes the Truth and is committed to genuine socio-political equality and for the emancipation of the downtrodden and prosecuted. minorities.
S. Shafiq Ahmad, Advocate, Plot 3-Street, Opp. Kothi Bhopal, Shyam Nagar, Meerut-2: “Dalit-Muslim unity” is a too much discussed issue for quite a long time but with no fruitful result. Perhaps there is a lack of understanding of the issue in its real sense and concept. It is well known fact that “necessity is the mother of invention” which is generally neglected while discussing any such issue. The concept of unity is often considered just a state for the sake of tolerance for peaceful co-existence and to get rid of any evil and prejudicial behaviour to promote development, progress and upliftment. Unity is also needed and emphasised for adopting same remedial measures to root out the evils and fight any problem arising out of misunderstandings. It is also advocated to evolve a process for friendly, brotherly and cooperative atmosphere which has been poisoned by vested intersts. The unity device has its historical background. It is as old as the human society. In every age at national and international levels, the phenomenon of unity always existed. It has been discussed, pressed and needed for religio-cultural, socio-political and economic reasons. Because every human being needs safe survival, progress and degnified life which is possible only in a civilized, cultured, disciplined, value-based relationship and harmoniously balanced socio-political set-up. Certainly there must be liberties. and freedom and opportunities but with reasonable checks and balances. The unity suits most the weak but the strong oppose it. The privileged few waits and watches to join hands with the group where their interest is served. This section is found in both the groups within the weaker and the stronger. They play a role often sabotaging the plans if their interest is not being fulfilled as desired. This brief analysis gives us a clue that the unity needs a sincere adjustment of mutual interests with give and take policy. Per chance Dalits are more in number, though socially, educationally and financially weaker, they become politically weaker too due to disunity. Whereas Muslims are lesser in number and educationally and financially too are not better. So, politically they lag. behind. The elites among the Muslim perchance, not more in number, have been enjoying pleasures and privileges for long at the cost and name of other Muslims who are educationally and financially weak and also considered socially below status. Among Dalits too there are elite groups which are after power and privileges. Now, the sincere groups of people from both the sides should get together and form out policy to complete the political race in this democratic setup. A party based on caste and religion does not survive longer. But a party based on principles, values, ideology and general human causes can serve the cause longer. Sensible politicians, genuine leaders and honest well-wishers on both sides should realise their duty towards the society. Unity is based on the issues jointly or any one of the exclusively selected points of agreement belonging to socio-cultural, politico-economic, human cause and national interest etc. We must be anxious to know and act for why it is necessary? How it is possible? Insist upon the devotion and sacrifice to the mission. History should be a source of guidance and not for revenge or hatred. Counter forces will certainly manipulate and sabotage the unity of Dalits and Muslims. But where there is a will, there is a way. Start the trial at smaller levels in a limited area. Come close, understand each other, cooperate one another, tolerate and adjust one another’s faults and of laws, if we need unity to survive as a dignified force.
