DR. M.N. JAVARAIAH, DEPT. OF KANNADA MYSORE UNIVERSITY, MYSORE
Brother Sao’s suggestion to stop using the word Dalit (DV Dec. 15, 91) attracted me. He has in fact raised an important issue making all readers of DV think seriously. Though late, it is high time to decide whether to continue to use the word ‘Dalit or not. No doubt, “Dalit” is another name for Untouchables. Besides, even the word “Bahishkrit” used by Babasaheb Ambedkar is also related to Hinduism. However, it would have been highly appreciable if Sao had sugested an alternative word.
‘Dalit’ is very widely and universally used in most Indian languages, especially in the field of literature. Though appearing a bit vague, the word ‘Buddhist may be used in place of Dalit; but I am afraid that it would introduce some religious limitations as the ideological platform of DV covers all those “religious minorities” of India as well as tribals. Nevertheless, the “Buddhist” word may be popularised to signify and represent the original cultural values of the Untouchables. DV must start reproducing one or two paragraphs from Babasaheb’s Buddha and His Dhamma as it deals with almost every burning problem of the contemporary world, and particularly for the benefit of the Buddhists.
PARTHIRIPALY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-5
With reference to Sao’s suggestion on the “hated Hindu word Dalit”, I learn the word is not Hindu and has no connection with Hinduism. It is not in the Sanskrit language. If he doesn’t like the word “Dalit” he should suggest an alternative name. The name has become so famous it has attained international fame because of the Dalit Voice. However, I do admit the Untouchables were Buddhists.
KP.S. SHANKARAPPA, BELGAUM
Sao is wrong. The word “Dalit” has acquired a new meaning, new connotation and a new denotation after the Dalit Voice popularised it.
Words, images and concepts, as DV Editor has said, are manufactured by the ruling class in every society. They are like an empty box. You can stuff any meaning into the empty space. A balloon can be given any shape and size we want. The “Dalit” word had acquired a new meaning, new connotation and denotation because of the historic Dalit Panthers movement. And DV stuffed a new meaning into “Dalit” and it is no longer the “Dalit of Sao’s conception.
“Dalit” means hate Hindus: That the Hindus of India and its Hindu “national” toilet papers still do not use the word “Dalit” proves that not only they do not like this word but indeed hate it.
“Dalit has acquired a special meaning because it conveys our protest, our anger-nay our hatred for Hindus. Sao is referring to the good old dead word “Dalita”. The new word, “Dalit” as popularised by the Dalit. Panthers, is the sign of our revolt and our rebellion. The very word “Dalit brings a shivers in the Hindu heart. Hindus hate Dalit. What the Hindus hate we must love and what the Hindus love we must hate, said our Editor. All the more, I like the debate started by Sao whom I respect and consider as my senior brother being a Buddhist.
S. R. TALUKDAR, NEW DELHI
M.M. Sao is right regarding the date of untouchability (DV Dec. 1 91), but I cannot agree with him in his detestation of the word “Dalit”.
Dalit means oppressed. It has got nothing to do with Hindu religion. This word is there in Hindi, Bengali and may be in some other Indian languages also. But it is not there in any of the brahminical scriptures. When it is not there in any of the brahminical scriptures, how it can be said that the word has got connection with Hinduism?
The word is there in the languages spoken by the Hindus. But then all these languages are not the monopolies of the Hindus. We also speak those languages and we have also contributed to the growth of these langauges. So, there is no harm in using the word “Dalit” in identifying ourselves.
Babasaheb did not reject “Dalit”: I have studied. all the writings and speeches of Babasaheb. I have studied them more than once. Babasaheb hated the word Harijan but he had never disapproved of the word Dalit. Dalit does not mean only SCs and STs. It covers all the 85% of the Indian population who are oppressed by the Aryans. There are Dalit Christians and Dalit Sikhs.
Those left over Dalits are only “called” Hindus but not accepted by the Hindus. Dalits are the Nagas of the pre-Aryan India. And as Engineer Sao should have been more practical. He has suggested that all the Dalits should be called ‘Buddhists. That is our ultimate aim. But is it possible at this stage? I do not think it is possible.
Common identity first: Babasaheb has advised us that we set your ultimate objective and achieve that in instalments. Are we strong enough to achieve our objective immediately? We are not.
So, we must go in for instalments. The common identity as ‘Dalit is the first instalment in this direction. First we must try to bring all the oppressed non- Hindu peoples of India under the banner of ‘Dalit’. That should be the beginning. We will have common Dalit culture, Dalit literature and Dalit politics. Once we form and consolidate all our 85% of the pre- Aryan Nagas into one community then only we can go for the next step. But that doesn’t mean conversion to Buddhism must stop. But conversion alone cannot be our main objective at this moment. Political and social polarisation under the banner of Dalit will, also accelerate the pace of conversion. “Dalit” is the name chosen for our selves by us. It is totally free from brahminism. Let our identity be only as Dalit.
