Aug. 1, 1982
Editorial: “The Farce of village security force”
Quoting Metcalfe’s observations on Indian villages, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar told the Constituent Assembly: ” hold these village republics have been the ruination of India … What is the village but a sink of localism, den of Ignorance, narrow-mindedness and communalism”, he said snubbing advocates of Gandhian Gram Raj or the Panchayat Raj. Events have since proved that Dr. Ambedkar was right and Gandhi wrong. The powerful landed gentry belonging to the dominant caste group has captured these village republics and so much so democracy is dead long back in the countryside. It is the tyranny of the dominant community over the rural poor.
Meanwhile, the Govt. of India’s decision to set up a ‘Village Security Force” (VSF) may bring a ray of hope. But the proposal is shrouded in secrecy. There is so much upper caste opposition that the VSF may die before it Is born.
SSS to fight RSS: TN Dalit leader explains.
E.Kadar Karayandi, Dt. President, Anuschita Jati Sangha, Tiunelvell, TN, says Thevars are the traditional oppressors of Dalits and Muslims in South TN. The RSS describes the clashes between Muslims and Thevars as Hindu-Muslim clashes. This is wrong. Thevars are joining Hindu fascist forces in a big way.
Mandal Commission recommendations.
Letters to editor from AP Nirmal, Principal, United Theological Seminary, Pune, N.V.M.Fazalullah, Area code, Kerala, Gurudev Singh, Patiala, Prof. Khader Mohludeen, Trichy, TN.
Assault on DK leader Veeramani sends shock waves.
Veeramani was attacked near Rajapalayam, Ramnad dt ., on the night of July 20, 1982 resulting in bleeding injuries. Veeramani is the topmost DK leader and this attack on him by some papan forces should be effectively retaliated.
