Bangalore: We received a complaint that our Lucknow DV workshop (Jan.23 – 25, 2004) was a Chamar show and that we ignored the Passis and other small Dalit subcastes when we held the “caste identity” seminar on the last day of the workshop.:
But the workshop was confined only to seniormost Dalit readers from UP but the seminar on the last day was open to public. Some Passis were present.
When we selected the Dalit invitees to the workshop, we did not know their subcastes. If the Chamars were in a majority or the Passis were ignored it was just an accident.
Why DV supported Madigas: Our “caste identity’ thesis aims at strengthening every subcaste within the Dalits or BCs or for that matter every jati. In fact, we are more concerned with the smaller and weaker jatis. Hence our heart goes to Passis.
In Andhra, we backed the Madigas because they complained of discrimination at the hands of dominant Malas.
‘We always go with the numerically smaller and weaker jatis like the Passis. This is the secret of the popularity of the “caste identity” thesis which aims at strengthening the roots of the weakest jatis and making them stand erect and fight for their share in » A proportion to their population.
Only some jatis have come up leaving a majority of jatis behind. This is the case with the majority of subcastes among SC/ST/BCs. Even Muslim/Christian/ Sikh jatis have similar complaints.
Glorious history of Passis: We are fully aware of the glorious history of the Passis who the rulers of Lucknow and several other parts of once UP were. We have read Chief Minister Mayawati’s preface to her Passi Minister R.K. Chowdhury’s book, Passee Samrajya (1997). –
In our book, Grave Diggers of History (DSA-2001), we had called upon Dalit writers to.do research into the roots of each Dalit subcaste and trace its glorious history and rewrite the history of each jati. DV supports the weakest of the weak. If the Passis are weak, we will fight for them.
Brother R.K. Chowdhury has done such a work. He says before 800 years Lucknow, Allahabad and Faizabad were under Passi kings.
Population suppressed: We learn that the Passi population figures are very much suppressed in the 1991 census, the Scheduled Caste population of undivided UP was 2.93 crores (22%). In this, the Passis constitute 1.5 crore which includes all the different sub-subcastes of Passis. One claim puts the Passi population at 2 crores out of the total SC/ST population of 4.5 crore. Subcaste-wise population census will verify the truth.
If the Passi population is so high and its history is so glorious, why the Passis have fallen? What caused their fall?
What should be done to put pride into the Passi hearts? This is the job of the Passi intellectuals. DV is ready to support honest intellectuals among Passis and hold a seminar of such intellectuals at Lucknow to exclusively discuss steps to strengthen the “caste identity” of Passis.
There is no doubt that the Passi population figures have been suppressed, and their glorious past is erased. DV will assure the Passi Samaj that it will see that justice is done.
Another important aspect of the Passis is they are not confined to UP alone. Passis are found in all the North Indian states and even Bengal. It is possible that Passis may be an all-Indian community. This needs research.
Lucknow named after Passi ruler: Maharaja Bijlee Paese is the most famous name in the Passi history. He was the ruler of Awadh during the 12th century. Maharaja Lakhan Paasee was a famous ruler of Lucknow which derives its name from him. The King George Medical College of Lucknow stands on the ruins of his palace.
There were many other famous. Passi rulers. Veerangna Uda Devi was a brave Passi warrior who fought the British. She died in the battlefield sometime in the 1857.
The work of digging out the Passis’s glorious past and reconstructing it has. to be done by Passi-scholars. Each subcaste (ethnic identity) must produce its own historians and intellectuals. This is the job of all subcastes among SC/ST/BCs. This is the meaning of “caste identity”.
Each subcaste (identity) must find ways to strengthen itself. This is- the job of honest intellectuals of that ‘subcaste. What are the Passi intellectuals doing? The Passis can’t expect other jati people to support them.
Why Chamars galloped: If the Chamars have galloped it is not because of their numerical strength. Brahmins are just 3%, why are they dominating the society despite being a micro-minority?
So, the charge that Passis and other smaller subcastes are left behind because of lack of population strength is wrong.
Passis must hold caste conferences in different UP districts. Political leaders should be kept out. It is now proved that the solution to the problem of a caste cannot be found in political power or economic development. It is social and cultural development of a particular caste that can take it forward.
Weakest link in cycle chain: DV is here to support the weakest link in the cycle chain. If the Passis are weak, we will take up their cause. Unless the weakest, the rusted link (ethnic identity) in the cycle chain is repaired, rejuvenated, well-oiled and made fighting fit, the chain will not work. If the cycle chain does not work, we can’t ride the cycle, that is India. The Indian cycle has come to standstill because 90% of its links in the chain are rusted. This is “caste identity”.
We assure the Passis and all other weaker ethnic identities (subcastes) all over India that DV gives the top-most priority to strengthen their identity.
