Over 1.000 Dalits and their sympathisers gathered in Hyde Park here on Oct 25 to demonstrate against the recent atrocities against their brothers and sisters in India. In the village of Kumer and Bharatpur, Rajasthan, were on June 6 1992 over 160 people, young and old, were burnt alive, over 44 cattle-heads and 500 houses were set on fire and more than 50 Dalit girls and women were gang-raped by upper caste Jats of the village. They were also demonstrating against the sacrificial slaughter of a Dalit youth by the Hindus at Chamunda Devi temple on June 11 1992. in the open presence of police officers, MLA, and MPs of BJP and Congress (I). Leaflets distributed also described the massacre at Chunder In Andhra Pradesh.
The demonstration was organised by the National Committee of Great Britain Against Atrocities on Dalits, an umbrella organisation of Guru Ravidas Sabhas, Maharishi Valmik Sabhas, and Federation of Ambedkarites and Buddhist Organisations. It is the first time In UK history that such a unity has been forged. This is indeed a long awaited development.
Despite the near freezing temperature and monsoon like rain coupled with high winds, the people turned up from hundreds of miles around London. Some women even brought their children in pushchairs. The placards carried such messages as brahminism-nazism, castism- racism, caste systemin Apartheid, End massacre of Dalits etc. Slogans could be heared long distance away from the march which was very well disciplined. People shouted “Down with caste system?”, “What we want ? human” rights?”, Down with Indian govt .? ” A delegate presented the memorandum to the Indian High Commission.
The National Committee intends to organise further demonstrations in the future.
For further information: Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Committee of Great Britain Buddha Vihara, Upper Zoar Street, Penni fields, Wolverhampton WV3 OJH.
(Read: History of Hindu Imperialism, Swami Dharna Thirtha, 1992, Rs. 100 write to Daiit Voice office).
