DV Changed My Very Thinking

A bank employee at Varanasi introduced me to Dalit Voice. The magazine attracted me. I read the Editorial which gripped me so much that I read the whole journal. Its every page, every article, every sentence, every word was so gripping, so true, authentic and thought-provoking. It simply touched my heart. DV changed my line of thinking. It was my first interaction with DV in 2003. My first “Letter” was published in the next issue and since then every two days the postman used to come with some literature from across the country. DV introduced me to the whole national and ® international Dalit intellectuals and activists. From North to South and East to West, wherever I went I didn’t face any problem of accommodation, DV provided me with a huge family. I have been in regular contact with Editor V.T. Rajshekar, an honest, truth- speaking, uncompromising original philosopher and intellectual. We were engaged with some sort of Dalit activism in BHU for 3-4 years, educating, agitating and organizing Dalits and Dalit students. We were holding regular meetings and seminars inviting some Dalit intellectuals. They came, made speeches and turned back. I wrote a letter to the Editor explaining the horrible Brahminical situation of BHU and the plight of Dalit students and intellectual crisis of Dalit professors. I invited the Editor. He came spending his own money, delivered a powerful lecture on “Caste, nation and modernity”. This changed my old understanding of “caste”. For the first time I came to know the power of “caste to kill caste system” and Brahminism. Now I fully support the Editor’s thesis on caste. It is my privilege the Editor has invited me personally to attend silver jubilee function in Delhi on April 8, 2007, but due to my classes unable to attend this very historical event. I wish all success to DV and its editor VTR.