Surendar Valasai, News Editor, Daily Financial Post, 106-C, Phase-II (Extn.), Main Khayaban-e-Ittehad, DHA, Karachi: I have read the Letter of Brig. (retd.) Usman Khalid (DV Jan.1, 2004 p.14). He has raised some questions about the Scheduled Castes (SC) of Pakistan:
(1). The term SC is used in Article 260, section 3 of the 1973 Constitution. (2) There are over 36 castes listed in the Declaration of SC Castes Ordinance, 1956. (3) There was a 6% reservation for the SCs in the federal services including those under the Federal Public Service Commission. The said quota was recently undone in 1998 by Nawaz Sharif presumably on the instigation of the then Hindu Federal Minister of Norcotic, Rana Chandar Singh. However, a 3-year age relaxation in upper age limit for the SC candidates to the Federal Services is still effective all over Pakistan.
This proves that there are SCs in Pakistan also. My NIC No. 479-86-023309, permanent resident of Kaloi, via Naukot Tehsil Diplo, Tharparker dt. Sindh. I belong to the Meghwar subcaste under SC. I am the only SC member of Pakistan’s largest Karachi Press Club. Brother Usman Khalid must note that Dalits are treated as Hindu under the census so that maximum number of upper caste Hindus could become MNAs and MPAs on their population strength. Majority of scholarships, reserved for minorities that includes the Hindu and SCs go to Hindu students. SCs have separate utensils in rural areas where they mostly live. Majority of them have no proprietary rights to the plots, piece of lands, they dwell since centuries. SCs are thus clubbed with Hindus as “Hindu & SCs” in the Constitution which is clearly against the Vision of Qaid-e-Azam. Hindus who are a minority here became the overwhelming majority because of the inclusion of SCs. In the Qaid’s view a religion which treats millions of people as Untouchables, discourages inter-dining and inter-marriage among the four upper castes, comprising the Hindu society, must be described by some adjective other than “catholic”. The rulers of Qaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan have made Hinduism a “catholic” religion. Because of this the SCs have lost their political and social rights which the Qaid- e-Azam had assured to uphold. Though it looks absurd talking against Hindus in Pakistan the fact remains that almost the entire parliamentary representation allocated by LFO and subsequently by 17th Constitutional amendments is with this tiny propertied class of Hindus left behind in Pakistan. It is against the fact that almost 70% of the people constitutionally identified as “Hindu and SC” are Scheduled Castes alone. Brahmins, Khastriyas and Vaishyas rule Pakistan as far as the minority politics is concerned. The Sindh province has the biggest SC population. Yet out of the nine seats reserved for minorities, 7 went to Hindus, one to Christians and one to the SC in the 2002 general election. A more or less similar scenario can be seen in the > National Assembly also. On Aug. 15, 1944, the Qaid-i- Azam told a press conference:
I can tell my friends of the Scheduled Castes that at no time have I overlooked their interests and position and I may claim that in the past I have done all I could to help them, and I shall always stand for their protection and safe-guarding in any future scheme of constitution for I think that the wrongs and injustices inflicted on them for centuries should not be allowed to continue under any civilised form of government.
The Scheduled Caste Federation of Pakistan wants the 36 SC subcastes in Pakistan to be identified as a separate minority group from those of Hindus and given concessions in the economic, educational, political and social fields “to remove the wrongs and injustices done to these people”, as the Qaid had pledged. (pakdalits@ 7 yahoo.com)
Anita Paryar, FEDO, PO Box No. 4366, Kathmandu, Nepal: On March 20, 2003 I was at Geneva to share the painful story of Dalit women in Nepal. I told the international society that we are facing cruel and inhuman treatment simply because we are Dalit women. I was attending the Geneva Training Course on the occasion of 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The International Service for Human Rights of Geneva had organized it. I was representing the Feminist Dalit Organization, and was financed by Dan Church Aid- Denmark, through the Lutheran World Federation of Nepal. My special concern was the Convention to End Racial Discrimination. The training was a very good opportunity to make links with people and learn about the UN system. The Nepalese people are divided by caste. In this hierarchy, the Dalits lie at the very bottom. This practice is deeply rooted in Hinduism. Untouchables or Dalits are at the bottom of the society. To date, there is no Dalit representation at the higher levels of the bureaucracy. The majority of Dalits are poor and deprived of their basic needs. Many do not have access to sufficient food, healthcare, housing and most importantly education. In many villages Dalits live outside the main village and are prohibited from taking water from the village well, entering temples, or eating in public ? restaurants. Despite the planned development in Nepal – for about 50 years and the prevailing “democratic” political regime, the quality of the lives of Dalit women is substandard when compared to the national levels. Dalit women comprise about 30% of Nepalese women. Their families are very poor and comprise about 80% of the very poor of Nepal. The Dalit women’s literacy rate accounts for 9% (Insec 2001) of the 42.9% of the national average (source: CBS 2001). Their life expectancy remains the lowest among Nepalese women, at 42 years (Mushar women), while the national average stands at about 59.8 years (source: UNDP Human Development Report 2001). The high rate of birth mortality and high rate of maternal death among Dalit women are serious and common health problems. Besides, some of the young Dalit women, a small tribe among the Dalits called Badi, are still forced to continue traditional prostitution, suffering from trafficking and sexual harassment from the upper castes due to their poverty and lack of societal prestige. Although the constitution has provisioned a 5% quota of seats in parliament the national parties have ignored Dalit women. Dalit women themselves have not been empowered to grasp the opportunities privileged by the constitution. Thus, there are no Dalit women political figures. Nepal’s upper caste women movement hardly pays any attention to violence on Dalit women. The situation of Dalit women in Nepal persists due to the feudal structure and a strong patriarchal system that contributes to the discriminatory and irresponsible governmental laws and policies that are primarily responsible for these problems. To overcome this situation, a group of Dalit women rights activists came together and committed themselves to eliminate all forms of discrimination against Dalit women. Their commitment resulted in the formation of an organization in 1994, named the Feminist Dalit Organization. This organization has been registered as an NGO.
Chanan Chahal, (cchahal@aol.com): The BAMCEF conference held in Bombay from Dec.27 to 31, 2003 was inaugurated by me. On the first day it was attended by over 8,000 govt. employees. It was a disciplined show. The subjects covered by the conference included:
(1) Position of Valmiki community after 56 years of “independence, (2) liberation of Bahujan Samaj from the clutches of Brahminism, (3) Scheduled Tribes exploitation by upper castes, (4) Brahminisation of Dalits, a conspiracy to obliterate their identity, (5) safronisation or Brahminisation, (6) role of Backward Castes under Brahmin influence, (7) Brahminic conspiracy to delude OBCs, (8) religious and secular slogans, (9) Hindu and Muslim conflicts.
I was pleased that such a mass of Dalit intellectuals can be gathered and made to spend five days from 8 am to 9 pm addressing the current issues. We must not forget for a moment that no matter how strong any one particular caste can become it cannot threaten Brahminism. The only thing the Brahminism is afraid of is people forming a united front by ignoring caste barriers. The Indian society, Dalits in particular, should take a leaf out of BAMCEF’s programme and hasten the establishment of such a united front. I am grateful to Waman Meshram, president of BAMCEF and Bahal for giving me this great opportunity.
Daljit Singh Khankhana, Gen. Secretary, Dalit Literary & Art Council, No.5 – Albion Ave ., Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 INW, UK: We would like to congratulate you as your name has been included in the list of honours for the “Dalit Awards-2004.” We want to honour you for your dedication. The UK residents Ram Lal Jassal, K.C. Chauhan, Avtar Aheer, Shankar Lal Maman, Central Valmik Sabha UK, Sudesh Minhas, Satpal Kaler, Kamleshwar Education Trust – have sponsored these awards. The committee members are: Chairman – Jagdish Rai, vice-chair – Sudesh Minhas, president – Satnam Bilga, vice-president – K.C. Chauhan, asst sec. – Ram Dass Chahal, treasurer – Lalit Banger, auditor – Avtar Aheer, advisers – Ral Lal Jassal, Dr. Ravinder Ahir, Atma Singh Birdy, Satpal Kaler, H.P. Randhawa. In all six Dalit Awards are announced:
1.Dalit spirit of social transformation – Satguru Ravidassji Award. (2) Dalit spirit of awakening – Bhagwan Valmikiji award, (3) Dalit spirit of Wisdom – Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar Award, (4) Dalit spirit of bravery – Baba Jiwan Singh Rangretaji award, (5) Dalit spirit of co-operation – Baba Moti Ramji Mehra award, (6) Dalit spirit of understanding – Baba Sangat Singhji award.
Each will go with a cash award of Rs. 10,000. At the first stage we have decided to honour V.T. Rajshekar, Prof. Gurnam Singh Muktsar, Ms. Gail Omvedt, Paul Diwakar, Chandrabhan Prasad and Selwan. The awards will be conferred on Babasaheb’s birth anniversary 2004.
Mark Weber, Institute of Historical Review, PO Box – 2739, New Port Beach, CA 92659, USA: The past year has been a time of struggle for our Institute. Although we’re still understaffed and short of funds, we’re upbeat about the future. We’re encouraged by what we’ve achieved during the past year in spite of adversity and pleased that our educational outreach has never been greater. By far the most important way of reaching people has been through our website. Since we launched ihr.org in 1998, our site’s impact has grown steadily. This past year it has ranked among the top one percent of the world’s most-visited sites. To make it even more effective, a few weeks ago we launched a new, dramatically redesigned website: (http://www.ihr.org/index.html).
It is not only more eye-catching and professional- looking, but also, for the first time, the home page has photos and provides a continually updated round-up of current news items from around the world. Also for the first time, it offers audio capability, so that lectures and speeches can be downloaded. Still accessible, of course, is our tremendous IHR archive, which includes hundreds of articles, essays and reviews from back issues of our Journal of Historical Review. Encouraged by the very positive response we’ve been getting to the site’s new look, we’re hopeful that viewership will grow significantly this year and, with it, the IHR’s global impact and influence. (weber@ihr.org).
Gopal Gurung, PO Box 2828, Kathmandu, Nepal: I am enraptured to read your book, DALIT — The Black Untouchables of India, published from America (Clarity Press, 1987). I was to extend my cordial congratulation to you on knowing that this book is now used as a text at Binghamton University, New York State. (DV Feb.1, 2004 p.15).
Murali Shanmugavelan, Communication for Development Programme, Panos Institute, 9 – White Lion Street, London N1 9PD: The engine of India’s new era of a dynamic and privatized economy is thought to be the information technology sector where a revolution is reported to be taking place. But, beyond convenient images of a developing nation making giant strides on the back of economic reforms and technology, the question remains: just who is benefiting from the IT boom? Not, argues the author of this piece, the millions of Untouchables and low castes: http://222.panos.org/uk/newsfeatures/ featuredetails.asp?id=1177
Panos Features targets editors and decision-makers in media houses, media practitioners and policy makers across the globe. Please remember, your feedback encourages us. (muralis@panoslondon.org.uk).
India’s micro-minority Brahminical rulers are making a high tea of their IT miracles because they also control the media to manipulate our mind. We had warned about their mischief long back in our Editorial (DV Dec.1, 2000): “Beware of IT: Computer can’t replace food, clothing, shelter – warns software guru Bill Gates” – EDITOR.
Raju Kamble, 262 – Citadel Crest Green NW. Calgary AB, Canada T3G 4W3: We thank you for publishing the “Dr. Ambedkar International Mission Literary Awards 2002” (that is last year’s awards) in DV Nov.16, 2003.
We are continuing with these awards. This will be the fifth year. Also we have added one more award in the category of “Dr. Ambedkar International Mission Literary Tamilnadu State Award”. Total awards now seven with cash prizes totalling to Rs. 60,000. Hearty congratulations to you for completing 24 years of DV’s publication. Wish DV long life. (See also p. 27)
M.C. Gautam, 200/5, Part-VI, Gurgaon, – 122 001: I had met you long back, about five-six years ago, at your residence in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. I had done some translations for Hindi DV at that time. But I must confess I was not mature enough then to understand the importance of the work which you were so sincerely pursuing in the interest of Mulniwasi Bahujans. Two years back I joined the BAMCEF and understood the importance of your work. I have completed the study of your great work, Why Godse Killed Gandhi? (DSA- 1997), which has a mine of information. This book deserves wide circulation among the masses who have a right to know the truth suppressed by the Brahmin-Bania press. Hence the book should be translated to Hindi so that the Mulnivasis know the Truth and that Truth shall make them free. I want to translate this book into Hindi to fulfill your prophecy that the 21 st century will be “Dr. Ambedkar Era”.
Brother M.C. Gautam has made a wonderful suggestion. Please go ahead with the Hindi translation which has to be faithful to the original. But before doing that we want him to join our DV family world-wide – EDITOR.
J.C. Mandal, 88 – DDA Flats, Sector-1, Part-II, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110 045: During the dark days in the 19th century, two great brothers, Sidhu and Kanu Murmu, were born in the village Bhagwandihi in Santhal Parganas of Central India. They were born in a tribal family of Santhalas, the great warrior race after which the place was named. Sidhu and Kanu were the pioneers of the Indian freedom movement who worked for inspiring and uniting the common people of India against the British oppressions. They paved the way to over-throw the British rule. Their movement was much before the official Indian Freedom Movement commonly known as the Sepoy Mutiny (1857). The persecution of the tribes of Central India peaked during the middle of 19th century. The British put the Santhals to work in Central Bihar inside dense forests. They were forcibly brought to this area in 1790. They turned the uneven, rocky, barren forest terrains into plain, cultivable assets and started growing crops. Though they were promised that no rents or taxes would be charged for use of the land the British later imposed heavy taxes. When production went up, as a result of their toil, money-lenders started infiltrating into the Santhal settlements. The traders, later turned exploiters. Once the dense forests were converted into fertile land the oppressors snatched away the land by cheating, torture and even killing the Adivasis. Sidhu + and Kanu took the lead to undo the wrongs. They united the Santhals. They clashed with the police and one incident turned violent. Recognizing the extraordinary leadership of Sidhu and Kanu, the revolutionaries of Bengal and Bihar who launched the Wahabi Movement, offered to join them to enlarge the resistance. Muslims and other native Indians also joined the movement though the majority of them were Santhals. They destroyed the palace of Pakur’s Zamindar on July 12, 1885. The next day, they attacked the zamindar’s house of Ambar Parganas. The rebels occupied some areas of Birbhum, Bankura, Murshidabad and Bihar too. Consequently, all British officials, zamindars and traders fled away. The British rulers under Major Barak, a regular military officer, stepped up their offensive. After a five-hour fierce battle the British force was defeated by the Santhals on July 16, 1885. Governor General Dalhousie sent a large force from Danapur and another force was sent from Calcutta to Raniganj. The Santal forces, under the leadership of Sidhu and Kanu, suddenly attacked the camp at midnight on the very day of the arrival of the force and captured all their firearms. Once again the British suffered a setback. A bigger confrontation took place later and this great combat was called “Bhagalpur conflict.” A total of 50,000 Santhals participated and 25,000 of them died martyrs. Two great leaders, Chand and Bhairab, died in this combat. The loss of two great commanders curbed the strength of the rebels. Yet the freedom struggle went on. Sidhu and Kanu later adopted new strategies. Sidhu took charge of Birbhum area where he defeated the British forces. Sidhu took his force to the area from Murshidabad to Kalgang and Rajmahal along the Ganges. All the Neel Kuthis and English settlements of the area were successfully smashed by the force of Sidhu. But finally in a fierce battle at Maheshpur, the British forces overpowered Sidhu’s force. Sidhu, captured by the British, was shot dead. The rebellion of this phase got a jolt and temporarily stopped. The Great Santhal leaders, Sidhu and Kanu, thus established themselves as the greatest warriors for human rights by launching and sustaining a rebellion of ,unprecedented dimension for one and half years. The beginning made by Sidhu and Kanu later caused the second Santhal movement in 1871. Another movement broke out as a follow-up in 1880-82. The Santhal movement launched by Sidhu and Kanu virtually worked as a guiding force for the Sepoy Mutiny which is otherwise regarded as the first freedom movement of India.
Sayyad Habib, Dongaon, Buldana dt ., – 443 303: I read the article of Brother Gurnam Singh Muktsar saying that BAMCEF is divided. Gurnam has also explained the present situation of BSP and our social movements. He says how we are going down day by day. Dalit movement is badly divided. I am worried. At this rate how will we get our liberation? How to fulfil our forefathers’ (Phule, Ambedkar, Shahu, Periyar) dreams? Who will liberate our people from slavery? We have all become soldiers without a commander. This is because we have not studied Dr. Ambedkar’s Three Commandments – Educate, Agitate, Organise. According to my knowledge, our Editor, V.T. Rajshekar, and Nagesh Choudhari of Nagpur, are perfect in their line and following our forefathers footsteps. DV must become the spokesman of all the oppressed. Dalits and Muslims should understand our identity and our existence.
R.K. Mandal, HQ Training Command Indian Air Force, JC Nagar PO, Bangalore – 560 006: You may recall that with the collaboration of Dalit Voice and the All-India Forum for Development of Rajbanshis, New Delhi, we had a meeting on our Mahapran Jogendranath Mandal at the Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, on March 7, 2003. We had S.K. Biswas of Calcutta, a noted historian, as the chief speaker. We could have a similar meeting this year also. S.K. Biswas is ready to attend. The convenient date is March 21, 2004.
Harmesh Manav, Advocate, Dr. Ambedkar Dalit Sangathan, Lamba Pind, Jalandhar – 144 009: I share the worries of Brother G.S. Bal over the weak Ambedkarite movement in Punjab (DV Jan. 16, 2004, p. 20 -21). Bal comes under the category of thinkers. The main cause for the weakness of Ambedkarite movement is that we Punjabis have neither studied Ambedkarism properly nor we have any commitment towards it. Ideas need propaganda as plants need water. Even Lenin said:
Without revolutionary theory there is no revolutionary movement.
In Punjab, most of our Dalit leaders indulge in mixing Ambedkarism with other ideologies to the extent of finishing the separate identity of Ambedkarism. They mix it with Sikhism though the Sikhs have been committing atrocities against Dalits in Punjab just like the Hindus elsewhere. The problem with G.S. Bal and his colleagues is they have been mixing, rather merging Ambedkarism with secularism (humanism) and propagating a mixture of it. History shows that secularism has been a thorough failure in India like Brahminism. BSO also advocates secularism. The sense of casteism has got also propagates secularism. Dr. Ambedkar has asked the different subcastes of Dalits to get united for formation of their own govt. Clarity in Ambedkarism, commitment towards it and sense of proportion for getting support of other like minded ideologies, are must for launching any successful movement and carrying it to its logical end.
Paul Divaker (pdivakar@satyam.net.in): Our 45-day “Dalit Swadhikar Rally” concluded on Jan.16, 2004 at the Chaitya Bhoomi, the samadhi of Dr. Ambedkar. The rally began on Dec.6, 2003, the birth anniversary of Babasaheb, with the resolve to continue the struggle that Babasaheb waged on the caste system and Manuvadis who enslaved Dalits in the subcontinent for thousands of years. Ex-President K.R. Narayanan, while formally flagging off the rally on Dec.5, 2003 from Delhi, described the rally as a beginning of a new revolution. On Dec.6, four teams of rallyists started from four locations i.e. Jammu, Delhi, Calcutta and Kanyakumari to cover 20 states/union territories across the country covering 33,000 kms. The rally was initiated in the context of WSF 2004, by NCDHR to create awareness among Dalits communities about globalisation effects and organise them to fight casteism, imperialism, patriarchy, militarism and communalism which are the main themes of WSF 2004. Over 5,000 organisations movements and leaders participated in the rally from the planning stage in Oct.2003 to its conclusion on Jan.16, 2004 at WSF 2004 Bombay.
Pitambar Naik, LEAD, Christian Street, Jeypore, Koraput – 764 001: We must talk about religious conversion freely. And the idea must be disseminated to the untold and unknown. “I shall not die a Hindu”, our prophet, Babasaheb, had said his prophetic words. He told this because he had detected cruelty, inhumanity, wickedness, corruption and many more heinous things in the world’s most heinous religion of Brahminism. Over 3,000 years have passed and yet we can’t liberate ourselves from the jaws of Brahminism. We suffered all these years, tears flooded, blood over-flowed, our properties snatched, our rights demolished, our happiness collapsed and our mothers and sisters raped. Alas, still it is continuing. Is there any value for this “independence”? Is there any meaning for this “democracy”? Is there any meaning for the human rights in this “Hindu India”? We continue to lead a dangerous and futureless life. We are slaves in this so-called democratic, socialistic, republic and sovereign country. We produce a huge quantity of food and nourish our motherland, but, alas, we go to bed empty stomach. Our forefathers did have an estate but today our people have become nomads without a roof over their heads. This three-tier Panchayat Raj system has become a big joke. People believe in every new law that is passed but every time they get cheated by these crafty vaidiks. In every instance this blood-sucking class applies a new trick to enslave us. They manufacture new and newer yojnas:
IAY (Indira Avas Yojna), OAP (old age pension), WAP (widow age pension), AAY (Antoday Anna Yojna), BSV (Balika Samrudhi Yojna), MBS (Maternal Benefit Scheme) and so on.
Do our people get any iota of benefit from these yojnas? This Hindu nazi Govt. in Delhi dreams to make India a “developed country” by 2020. According to the 1991 census, over 87% people are living below the poverty line in the tribal belt and 82% people in rural India. Has this nazi govt. seen the tribal people of Kasipur (Orissa) dying eating years-old mango seed? Has this nazi govt. seen a mother selling her innocent baby to feed herself? Has this nazi govt. seen lakhs of children carrying foul smelling garbages on their shoulders in place of school bags? Yes, this govt. has seen and the government prior to this has also seen. All the suffering people are blood brothers and sisters. All the oppressed masses are the Mulnivasi Bahujans. Our predecessors could not see a single glorious day in their lifetime. We have been deprived of all our rights. No hospital facility nor any proper education. Police and judicial services have been corrupted and co-opted by our mind-manipulator Brahmins. They want us to be good, truthful, non-violent and serve the society. This is what their scriptures tell us. But those who wrote this scriptures do not follow this rules. Our Editor, V.T. Rajshekar, has rightly said:
If at all the Brahmins get credit for anything it is for producing a philosophy called Brahminism which is the word for corrupting and co-opting the innocent, hard working natives of this country and subjecting them to the hegemony rule of the most cunning and crafty alien which knows nothing more than sheer manipulations and mind control. This is Brahminism.
Brahminism is nothing but hell, a den of sins. Hinduism is its by-product. So, we Dalits have nothing to do with this hate-mongering philosophy. Hence, we Dalits must destroy this monstrous monarch ruling us. We must condemn Brahminism and must go back to our own religion. We must say with pride: “We are not Hindus”, as our saviour has said. The vaidiks created the Varnashram Dharma and confined us within its four walls and called it temple, placed us at the bottom of their caste pyramid and crucified us 3,000 years ago.
They also appointed millions of agents to propagate Hinduism.
“Budha did not reject Brahminism. Gandhi idealised it. Brahminism is not a caste but a mental disease. Jainism, Bhudhism, Veerashaivism, Sikhism and every other religion was born to fight Brahminism but it swallowed and defeated all of them. Brahminism is today reigning supreme. All other religions which came to destroy it got Brahminised. Even Christianity and Islam also got Brahminised. No religion has escaped the influence of Brahminism. Today India is suffering only because of Brahminism”.
This is what a Lingayat Swami said presiding over a seminar on Brahminism in Bangalore.(DV April 16, 2003 p.7). Christianity, Islam and Budhism liberated millions of our suppressed people. These religions enlightened our people. Our people embraced them and led a dignified life. They conferred prestige, progress, prosperity and right to protest against the injustice. Therefore, we must talk about conversion boldly and freely, we must become and also create millions of Dalit missionaries to spread the message of conversion. Conversion is the strongest weapon to kill Brahminism.
We request Brother Pitamber to study Babasaheb’s speech, Why Go for Conversion? our latest book, Weapons to Fight Counter– Revolution, DSA-2003) in which there is a chapter on “Religious conversion” also our ; speech “Conversion as the best, cheapest and most effective way (DV Jan.1, 2003 p.20) – EDITOR.
Revanasidda Koli, Vill. Gulagunjanal, KO Bobalad, Tal Jath-Sangli – 416 412: Congratulations to Dalit Voice for the successful completion of 24 years. I would like to study your literature but have no money. You have gifted me some books which I am deeply studying to detect the Brahminical tricks. We have to ignite our mind. That is the only best weapon to eliminate Brahminism. Our “educated” Dalit brothers are not attending to our problems. They are in deep slumber in the cradle of Brahminical operators. They do not bother about us. Millions of Dalits like me are languishing because of deprivation and poverty created by this inhuman Brahminical society. My father and mother are working as bonded labourers. Although I have a degree it is no use. My blood is boiling over the current socio-economic system. This has to be changed. We can’t get any govt. job without bribing. Wherever we go, there is a barking dog. These upper castes want to keep us out. To protect our identity, to conserve our cultural richness, we have to prepare sophisticated weapon. That is the only way. Please continue your support to me by sending Dalit Voice and your books. I also want to read your Brahminism book.
Brother Koli may be a poor Dalit but he is a thinking person with brilliant ideas. The existing cruel Brahminical society has crushed the genius of many millions of such Kolis all over India. For want of opportunities, millions of such Kolis have languished. Dead. During our tour we meet such people and we also get letters but we are equally poor. Helpless. Deprived people have no other go but to fight back. But to fight, it needs strength. Besides, a single individual standing up to fight will be mercilessly crushed by this cruel Brahminical Social Order. The only solution for this is to build a powerful media and forge a network of such angry, burning Kolis. But, alas, nobody is listening to us. We too are silently burning. We have included Brother Koli in our mailing list for one year. We want to ask him what he can do for us in his area – EDITOR.
Kasukurthi Venkateswarlu, Asst. Manager, State Bank of India, Ongole Main Branch, Prakasam dt. – 523 001: I want to know if the second part of the film, Balaka Ambedkar, made by S. Swatantra Rao, IAS (retd), is available. If so, how to get it. I have part one of the film, received from your office when there was an advt. in DV.
We checked with Brother Swatantra Rao who is here. He says he made only one film and that is the end of it – EDITOR.
Lalit Chutia, Borpataria Gaon, PO Dhemaji Gohain Gaon, Dhemaji dt. Assam – 787 057: What is the historical background of the people with the title “Shetty” in Karnataka? Perhaps you yourself used to have this surname earlier. Are they OBCs? Are they of Dravidian origin? Did they migrate from the Indus Valley long back when there was the spread of Aryans? If my queries are positive, you please name a book relating to this matter. My surname “Chutiya” is a corrupt form of Swatuas who migrated from Indus Valley pushed by the Aryans long back. May I presume that “Shetty” is another corrupt form. My presumption may be wrong. However, this has been an obsession with me since long. I have been a member of the DV family since long.
“Shetty” was also our surname which we dropped when we started the Dalit Voice in 1981. The Shettys belong to the West Coast district of South Kanara and their jati name is Bunts which come under the Backward Caste. Bunts are not migrants from the Indus Valley but the children of the soil at least for several centuries. They are agriculturists. The Bunts have several surnames including Hedge, Rai though “Shetty” is the most common of them. Bunts are essentially ancestor-worshippers which is a tribal quality. Hence they are not Aryan but Dravidian – EDITOR.
Tony Herbert, Prerana Resource Centre, Suresh Colony Mor, Hazaribag, Jharkhand – 825 301: We are very old members of the DV family. DV is refreshing, challenging and unique. PRC is a small institution that has grown out of a decade of field work among Dalits of Hazirabag dt. It aims to provide a needed infrastructure for those engaged in field work which still wisely continues. It is a church (Jesuit) organization. Activities are education (formal and non-formal), SHGs, social justice advocacy, organization – all with the aim of creating spaces where they can collectively claim for themselves a new identity other than that given by Brahminism. We have guided them to form and run an organization of Dalits themselves – they, not us, will be the subjects of their own uplift. We have done nothing very revolutionary but can claim that over a number of years innumerable Dalit communities have changed their attitude to themselves, have demanded (and received) change from others, and although still poor, have much more control over their own lives. The Dalits of the area are themselves scattered in hierarchy. We focus on the largest of those at the bottom but Bhuiyas (related to Musahar). DV’s ongoing discussion on “jati identity” was very pertinent for us. We stress the “jati identity” as where they really belong but as I say above redefine it in new light. Yes, hard times clearly loom ahead. The focus is mainly to be on the tribals, but our Dalits too will get caught up. Will be happy to keep contact with you.
Glad to note you are impressed by our “jati identity” thesis. Have you read our book, Caste – A Nation Within the Nation? (Books for Change, 2002) which deals with this subject? Will it be possible to organise a seminar of all important jatis in your area? We would like to come – EDITOR.
Principal, Satya Sodhak Vidyapeetham, Gudur (V), Palakurthi (M), Warangal Dt. – 506 252: We started this institution (2001) to propagate the ideology of Mahatma Phule and Dr. Ambedkar. We promote scientific temper and develop a rational thinking among the students and try to shape their perspective in a right way. Our Correspondent is a qualified and experienced journalist who also worked in the Vartamanam, a Telugu daily, the first issue of which was released by you in Dec. 1995, at Hyderabad. We need DV.
We have put you on our complimentary list for one year – EDITOR.
Niyaz Ahmed, No. 92, IT Qtrs ., Jayamahal, Bangalore – 560 046: The earth belongs to the family of solar system.
The life of the solar system is estimated to be 12 billion years of which 7 billion years are over. The remaining life is expected to be 5 billion years. The earth is a product of sun separated from it some 6 billion years ago. The earth earlier was 20 times bigger in circumference than today and looked like a fire ball. It took a further half billion years to become cool and look like a solid shape of minerals and water. After the formation of land and water, living beings began to occupy the land and water. Originally India was a part of Africa. After its separation a million years ago, the India subcontinent was in the equatorial region. Gradually our geographical conditions changed as the entire subcontinent started moving towards north to merge with Asia. The inhabitants (original Indians) were in confusion because of the changing geographical conditions. The confused Indians were about to settle in the northern hemisphere touching the Tropic of Cancer. (They were unaware that an incurable cancer would attack them). This incurable cancer was brought by the invaders from the Khyber Pass of the Himalayas. They came in search of food and y shelter. They entered India. They are the Aryans. The original Indians were made Untouchables and shudras. The cock and bull stories called epics manufactured by the Aryans had no evidence, no historic background. The original Indians with sound mind and good thinking straightaway rejected these stories and went in search of Truth. They were led by Mahaveera, Budha and Ashoka. Dark days are ahead if we Indians allow these invaders (Aryans) to flourish.
M.M. Satpute, 4/1 – Dinanath, Near RTO, Andheri (W), Bombay – 400 053: My heartiest congratulation for completing 23 years of DV publication, a real record in journalism specially educating the Dalits and Muslim “educated” people and make them aware of the thoughts of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and also contribute towards to their society in all respect. Though your achievement is great, in spite of all threats, trouble and persecutions from upper caste, but sorry to say that the result is in vain. From the article (DV Jan.1, 2004 p.8: “DV is 24 years old”) I can read your mind and heart, sincerity, honesty and the devotion towards the thoughts of Dr. Babasaheb. DV is our best friend, guidance and always furnishes real information of our life-story to enable us to form a unity within SC/ST/BC and Muslim to fight the upper castes.
Moses Parmar, OM India, 5 – Wazir Hassan Road, 1 Lucknow – 226 001: We greatly appreciate your initiative to come here and be with us for three days. Here are some impressions from me and my colleagues on our meetings :- 1.DV has given us good exposure in the Dalit world and I have gained so many friends whom I did not know before.
2.We were greatly encouraged by the response of the people present, there eagerness to do whatever possible to help us in progressing our movement. I don’t know how long people will hold their excitement but I like to believe the best. Several of them and those who missed keep calling us expressing their desire to get involyed.
3.The subject of “Caste identity” seems to have created lot of thinking and we will need to give some time for people to face these issues and think about them realistically. Most people presently are not thinking in the line of your book but we need to continue the dialogue. Most of these issues are new for me and want to learn about the real weapons to fight the evils of slavery.
4.Some people just love to talk and attend meetings but others are action-oriented people and we will definitely benefit from their inputs.
5.The issue of Dalit-BC unity needs to be followed very closely and need some solid action. The Mandal Commission is one which can bring the two people together. The real challenge will be to mobilize the BCs. If we end up having mainly Dalits in these meetings it won’t serve the real purpose. Our BC contacts are still very limited’and we need to work on expanding that network. In that sense we are not really ready for a successful Dalit-BC meeting.
6.We would love to have you here in Lucknow again and that would surely encourage to bring together our people divided in many different groups. You have a huge respect here and people want to easily associate when you are involved.
Jayant Gokhale, Gopika, 128 – National Hsg. Society, Baner Road, Aundh, Pune – 411 007: I saw your magazine in Dubai. There was an item which said that all Brahmins are like snakes. The writer had mentioned that he asked M.K. Gandhi, show me a good Brahmin. Then Gandhi replied that Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one. I am amused why all Brahmins are snakes. In my opinion Dalit, Untouchables, etc. is a shame on Hindu religion and we must work to remove it. There is no point in harping on the past. Let us look at future. Some people have a habit that whatever happens they want to blame Brahmins. Example, Chagan Bhujbal, who was Dy. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said there are about 0.5% Brahmins in Maharashtra Govt. but they are responsible for bad things happening in the govt. How could just the half percent people in the govt. influence 99.5% of other people and motivate them to do bad things? That means Brahmins must be very powerful. I subscribed your magazine to read it. What I feel is not important because I do not even vote in election. I am a silent majority in this country who only watch what is happening.
We liked your frankness. We publish views of all sections as we cover 85% of India’s population. We also publish criticisms of Brahmins and also the Brahmin criticism of others. If untouchability is a shame on Hindu religion, its custodians must do something to change it. But no Shankarachari has ever condemned it, let alone making a Dalit as his successor. You say we should not “harp on the past”. The Jews went on talking of Holocaust and earned billions and billion of dollars by “harping on the past”. They are doing it even today. Nobody has criticised this. In fact Jews are praised as a model by the Brahmins. Why everybody is criticising only the Brahmins? Why they are not criticising the Kshatriyas, Vaishya, Shudras, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians? Why only Brahmins? Are they all insane? – EDITOR.
Sher Singh, Flat no. 32, 247/1 – Minto Park, Alipore, Calcutta – 700 027: Kanchi Shankarachari’s attempt to have a peaceful settlement of Ayodhya “dispute” ended in fiasco, as it was based on only one demand – “Muslims must give up their title over Babri Masjid- Ayodhya land. “The Supreme Court in its judgment dated 24.10.1994 in “Acquisition of certain area at Ayodhya Act 1993” said:
Section 8 of the Act … does not apply to the disputed area, title to which has to be adjudicated in the suits”, as per law. Nothing more, nothing less. (AIR -March 1995, SC p. 645).
Hindu nazis know it well that there is no way to get this title suit in their favour without the Muslims agreeing to give up their title over the Babri Masjid land. Hence, under the US pressure a second attempt at peaceful settlement was made by the Dalai Lama with the same demand that “Muslims must give up their title over the Babri Masjid site”. Not admitting for a second that the Hindu god Ram was a historical personality, for the sake of argument let us consider Hindu point that Ram was born at Ram Kot in Ayodhya. The question is where is Ram Kot? The British Govt. in 1870 had the map of Faizabad municipality, including Ayodhya to the scale published. It was prepared by P. Carnegy, Officiating Commissioner & Settlement Officer, and was published/ printed at the Oudh Govt. Press, Lucknow (1870) under the title:
“A Historical sketch of Tahsil Fyzabad, Zillah Fyzabad, including Parganas Haveli-Oudh and Pachhimrath, with the old capitals Ajudhia and Fyzabad”.
I have a copy of this book in my library. P. Carnegy has clearly demarcated Hanuman Gurhee Ayodhya complex as Ram Kot. How could this Ram Kot be shifted to the site of Babri Masjid Ayodhya, 800 metres away over the next 100 years? The US Govt. and the Dalai Lama must consult this map in the National Archives of India, Janpath, New Delhi-1 and ask this question to the Hindus.
Dr. Abraham Mathai, vice-chairman, State Minorities Commission & Gen. Secretary, All-India Christian Council, Bombay: If ever there was a cheap way of getting publicity, this is one. Hitherto, Tarun Tejpal was highly rated. However, in his very first issue of the Tehelka journal (Feb.) he has sought the easy path to appease his afflicting demonizers among the Hindu nazis. In what is being termed an “expose” he has sought to cast aspersions on Christians and has categorized the vast spread of Christians as nothing less than a band of marauding CIA functionaries. In a fantastic conspiracy theory setting, he has sought to align the Christian movement in India to George Bush’s agenda and the spreading of an American faith. But the Christian faith is not American or British but it centers on the person of Jesus who lived and walked 2,000 years ago in the dusty streets of a Middle East habitat. Jesus didn’t need George Bush then and Christians certainly do not need him now. In projecting George Bush as a common link he has sought to play on the anti-war sympathies of Indians and subsequently to vilify the Christian faith as a result. He talks about communal harmony elsewhere through the first issue of Tehelka though it appears he seeks to provide fodder for the canons of Hindu nazis and further blood- letting at its hands. He perhaps condones the killing of Graham Stains too and put it down to a casualty of missionary zeal and a price that George Bush is willing in exchange for gaining ascendancy over all of India. In a classic case of painstakingly one-sided reporting, he has sought to play on everything that seems decidedly negative and out of context and relate it to a larger conspiracy hatched by the CIA and, therefore, lend it some credence. Wonder if “three months of research” threw up all of this or if this is rather the handiwork of careful networking with the top bosses of the Hindu nazi organisation and editors of its mouthpiece, The Organiser. It appears that in the midst of the agony of setting up the Tehelka one more time, he somehow had the luxury of time to draw up George Bush’s entire Christian strategy, gain information on funding sources, and was able to scan the Indian landscape from Madras to Karla in search of Christian fundamentals. Perhaps the CIA will be too willing to fund his newspaper too, given its resourcefulness in exhaustive research. Perhaps he forgot one little detail, in the midst of the born-again assault on ignorant India, our educated missionaries are also beaten up, burnt alive, raped and dispossessed.
Prof. Shrawan Deore, 5 – Mangesh Apt ., Datta Colony, Vidyanagari, Dhule – 424 005: Each and every issue of DV is a treasure of wisdom and knowledge. The line of movement that you have traced in each Editorial is, correct. But in the view of OBC there are some differences. I am working among the OBC since 20 years. I founded the Phule-Ambedkar Philosophical Institute, like a parallel university. I am conducting examinations on the thoughts of Phule-Ambedkar. This programme of exam is successfully run for the past 12 years. I am a member of the DV family for the past two years. But I am not very new to DV. I have been reading it for the past ten years. The movement of Phule – Ambedkar and its study is not new to me. I have written books on Mandal Commission etc. My experience says it is easy to awaken the Dalits than the OBCs. We need to distinguish the differences between the religion of Brahmins (Hindu) and the religion of OBCs (and also of all non-Brahmins) which is the original Hindu religion. We need to study the real culture and tradition of OBCs. Customs and rituals of OBCs are very different (like Bali Pratipada). Brahmin festivals (like Ganapati) are imposed on the OBCs forcing them to lose respect for their own customs and culture. That is how they forget their identity. To fight Brahminism, it is not necessary to change the religion and become Budhist, Christian or Muslim etc. Religion was used to fight Brahminism. Many religions fought Brahminism. But all these religious revolts were digested by Brahminism. Why? Another important thing. Our education system is dominated by Brahminism. That is how they can easily sow the seeds of Brahminical values in young minds. We deliver lectures, publish magazines and books to awaken our people. But these & efforts are aimed only at the adults. But the Brahmin minds defeat us by indoctrinating the young minds. The Brahminical culture gets easily absorbed into young minds. Keeping this in mind, I founded a Satyashodhak Dyanpith (like a parallel university). We chalk out a syllabus based on Phule – Ambedkar philosophy. During the past 12 years we have conducted examinations on our own syllabus. I will send a special article on this topic.
Dr. Kawaljeet, President, Bihar Rationalist Society, 216/ A – S.K. Puri, Patna – 800 001: We organized a seminar on “The role of rational humanists in the sphere of education” here on Jan.26. Introducing the subject, Dr. » Ramendra, HOD, Philosophy, Patna College, emphasized the need to safeguard and strengthen the secular and scientific character of education. He asked humanists to work both as citizens and educators to promote logical and scientific thinking as well as commitment to democratic and human values. He condemned attempts to foist subjects like vedic astrology, karmakand, etc. on students by the Union Govt. Dr. Kiran Nath, a former president of the Bihar Rationalist Society, said the « arbitrary changes brought about by the Vajpayee Govt. in history textbooks to bring it in conformity with the brahminist ideology.She asked the humanists to expose and resist such changes. Jitendra Verma, a journalist, said the only way to prevent the BJP from destroying the secular character of the education was to throw it out of power. He said the kind of “education” which the BJP was now trying to force on the whole nation was all along being propagated in the RSS-run educational institutions. According to him, the humanists must have a long-term strategy for countering this trend. Ms. Sumitra, a member of the Bihar Women’s Commission, supported the views expressed by Dr. Ramendra. Rajniti Prasad, Ram Chandra Singh, Anuradha, Saraswati Nath and Anamika Nath too expressed their views.
Gurnam Singh Muktsar, 2 – Bhagat Singh Nagar, b/h Bus Stand, Muktsar – 152 026: Our Bahujan scholars in different parts of India are confined to their respective state and not going out to linkup their struggle with their counterparts. Lack of a common language and our own media mainly in Hindi and English languages is contributing to disjointed efforts. Nor do we have a common platform like the Brahminical people have. A Bahujan leader of one state is not known outside. Dalit Voice is the only media which can do this service by linking up everybody and providing their addresses and photos, their caste and religion-wise. The newly-started Bharti Dalit Chintan Sahit Sangh will fulfil this need. A Dalit writer from Bombay has sent me a pamphlet giving details of over 100 Dalit-papers in India in various languages. I request the Editor of DV to devote one page to give information on Dalit intellectuals. His or her name, work, address, books published, caste or subcaste, religion. Publication of such names with addresses will promote the work of BDCSS. We need at least 100 scholars with solid achievements. On April 14, we should hold our first national convention under the presidentship of V.T. Rajshekar. Our workers in Rajasthan are organising a meeting there to recognise the BDCSS and you are its first president. In the coming years I will complete this job. Our brothers in Maharashtra and Bihar are very keen.
S.P. Singh, Takiapar, Danapur, PO Digha, Patna – 800 012: I agree with your correspondent saying: Mahatma Phule asked the SC/ST/BCs to give up the Brahmin priests. (DV Feb.1, 2003 p.22: “Phule’s prophecy of Brahminical imperialism comes true”). The Tribals never cared for the Brahmin priests because they were never a part of the Hindu society. The real Dalits (pig-rearing Mushars and Doms doing scavenging works) were too ignoble to get the services of Brahmin priests. Only the Untouchables like the Chamar and Dusadh used to get Brahmin priests. But the real income of the priests came from the BCs. The only person who took positive steps in this regard was Sahu Maharaj of Kolhapur State. But today’s Marathas still engage the Brahmins for social and religious purposes. The next important BC castes are Vokkaliga, Vellala, Kapu, Khamma, Reddy, Patel, Goala, Shepherds, Kurmis, Kahars, Ghatwals etc. What Mahatma Phule said was that Kunbi and Mahar are blood relatives. This theory was finally established by Rev. Father M.A. Sherring in his three volumes, The Hindu Tribes and Castes. Phule did not have many books before him to study the Indian castes. Today, not less than 1,000 volumes are available. It is true the British rule has been replaced by the Brahmin rule. It is also true that Mahatma Phule rarely used the term Hindu or Hinduism. The fact is that this term was given to us by the Indian Muslim rulers. The Brahmins never called themselves Hindu. They took advantage of this term after 1885 when the Britishers tried to give some political power to the natives in district boards and municipalities. In Bengal, at least the Brahmins were confronted with a vast Muslim population. To get non-Muslim votes and catch these disposable people in the net they took cover under this name Hindu. This matter has already been examined in DV by A.R. Biswas of Calcutta. Babasaheb has already written a lot about it. Our tragedy is that we do not study Babasaheb’s literature properly. Important points mentioned in your article are: (1) “Phule’s entire life and mission was an attempt to re-write Indian history”. This is what I am also trying to do for the last 10 years with no help from my own castemen or BCs in general. Ambedkarites are trying to destroy Hinduism or Brahminism through Budhism. They have failed so far and I feel that they may not succeed. Why DV is devoting so much time to Vipassana which simply means meditation. Christian, Muslim and even Budhist saints and Hindu saints have been doing meditation. Since convert Christians and Muslims are our blood brothers, the doors of SC/ST/BC unity movement should keep the doors of Islam and Christian open for these classes of people. (2) “He (Phule) was not writing history but rejecting the Brahminical history”: There is nothing like a Brahminical history in India. Vyasa wrote our history in the form of puranas. In this he has criticised the Brahmins and the priestly class in the filthiest language. And a more correct history was written by British scholars. We intellectuals from SC/ST/BC classes even do not know each other. How can we write our history? It is a part of Indian history that many Brahmins and Rajputs have joined the professions of carpenters, smiths, weavers and even Chamar. People of the same caste or tribe, having gone up in wealth and political power have tried to declare themselves Rajputs – these are your Scindias, Bhirwas, Reddys, Vellalas, Rajgonds and Ghatwals etc. Many Kurmi princely houses and even Munda chiefs call themselves Rajputs. (3) “He (Phule) was a great admirer of Islam and Christianity, the two egalitarian religions”: I have already stated that if we cannot embrace Islam or Christianity, we should have some respect for these two religions. We should at least honour the British, French and German scholars who have already written our complete history. We have only to study them and make use of them. Among Indian writers we have to thank men like R.C. Dutt, R.L. Mitra and Dr. Jadunath Sarkar for having written our correct history. R.C. Dutt says:
Caste exists in India to upgrade the Brahmins and downgrade all other classes of people.
Since we are trying to destroy the BSO, we have to take note of one particular point: the priestly class and the temple pandas have a very low status under the BSO. No respectable Brahmin shall ever give his daughter to a priest or a panda. We can destroy the BSO but we cannot destroy the Indian Brahmins who have been soldiers under the Muslims, under the Marathas and even the British rulers and have freely indulged in dacoity and other illegal acts. They have gone up in education and through political power after “independence”. Marxist parties in India are under their absolute control. Vajpayee, the police informer during the 1942 movement, is today the Prime Minister of India. (4) “A number of Brahmin women took his protection”: This is most true. Phule gave shelter to many Brahmin widows who were pregnant due to illegal sex. Why worry about Brahmin girls? There was a time when a Brahmin had the right to have free sex with any non-Brahmin woman. Today, they are freely having non-Brahmin husbands like M.G. Ramchandran, N.T. Rama Rao and even great Babasaheb. They are even having Muslim husbands – Aruna Asaf Ali is one important example. Anyway, I thank your correspondent for having written such a good article. I also thank your Letter writers like S. Singha Choudhary and A.R. Biswas for having a correct approach to the study of India’s past. Caste in India has existed since long – there are subcastes within caste. Indian Dalits or BCs cannot rise unless they make some more efforts get good education and some wealth. Nehru has written in his Discovery of India:
“The priestly class have neither learning nor virtue”.
Our Upanishads say: “No one is a Brahmin by birth. Character alone makes a man a Brahmin” (Vajrasuchika Upanishad). Political power is also necessary. But what ‘ can we do when Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharati and Vinaya Katiyar join hands with BJP? Our own leaders have failed us.
