Pseudo-Ambedkarites with their affiliations ranging from Janata Dal (G) to Congress (1) to BJP to what not are now busy enjoying Dalit mushairas and tamashas organised by the over-extended Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Celebration Committee formed by the Patidar Patel leader, Chiman Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat. But for the Dalits there is no respite from atrocities.
A Dalit police constable, Umedbhai Chaturbhal Purabia (20), lost his life during one such tamasha. He was on a bandobust duty at the Sardar Patel Stadium here where a govt-sponsored film stars cricket match was organised. On the ominous wintry-day of Dec. 15 last, he wanted to close the window of the police van in which he was heading towards the stadium together with other constables. The accused, Udesingh Bhimsingh Parmar (Kshatriya), did not like this “mischief” coming as it was from a lesser being -an Untouchable recruit. And he started beating the Dalit boy on his vital parts till he vomited blood and finally died before reaching the hospital.
A case is registered, thanks to the savarna police fraternity, in such a manner that it can later on be proved as an unintentional homicide. And the accused can go scot-free. Already he is granted bail.
No promotion in Hinduism: Umedbhai belonged to the Bhangi jati, the “lowest” armong all the Scheduled Castes. What a demoralising effect this incident would have on this meek and poor community? Who would venture to educate their children and offer for human sacrifices? They would be contented to remain in their hereditary occupation of sweeping and scavenging. Under Hinduism no occupational mobility. no status elevation. Born as the “wretched of the earth and to die as the dirt of the earth.
Who cares for human dignity in this semi-feudal caste-ridden society? Who bothers for social justice in this Social Justice Year? None.
Valjibhai Patel, a crusader for social justice, wants to prove just that that nobody is serious in Hindu India for the emancipation of Dalits. Neither the legislature, nor the judiciary, nor the executive, nor the press.
A brief look at the post-independence history of Dalit legislation will expose the apathy of Parliament. By Article 17, the Constitution of India “abolished untouchability in 1950. But it took five years to make it an offence punishable under law called Untouchability (Offences) Act, in 1955.
Elaya Perumal report: To provide it with some real teeth and plug some real loop-holes, Elaya Perumal Committee was appointed in 1965, after another 10 years. Although the Committee submitted its report the same year, the amendment Bill took another seven years to be introduced in 1972. And finally with much fanfare, Indira Gandhi made it into law to be rechristened as “The Protection of Civil Rights Act in 1976. And again after 13 years, another law called “The Scheduled Castes and The Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act came in 1989. Who knows how many years will be taken for the introduction of the term “casteless society in the guiding principles of the Indian Constitution.
But again how this snail-speed legislation remains merely on paper is well exposed by Valjibhai patel, Secretary, Council for Social Justice, Gujarat.
Leagal battle: After the first phase of militant agitations and the second phase of Dalit literary movement, the Dalit Panther leader Patel has mounted a legal battle.
He has filed several cases throughout Gujarat against leading dailies/periodicals and publishing houses which through their articles and books encourage and justify “untouchability”, in violation of the PCR Act provisions which prescribe punishment for the offences arising out of “untouchability”, in violation of the PCR Act provisions which prescribe punishment for the offences arising out of “untouchability”. To quote:
(i) “If he directly or indirectly preaches” untouchability or its practice in any form; or (ii) if he justifies, whether on historical, philosophical or religious grounds or on the ground of any tradition of the caste system or on any other ground, the practice of “untouchability in any form”.
Police fault: Despite his painful drive nothing came out of the cases. Patel has now moved the High Court of Gujarat with the plea that the police officers are never taking any action and the cases drag on for years. Quoting another provision for “Abetment of offences Patel maintains that “a public servant who willfully neglects the investigation of any offence punishable under this Act shall be deemed to have abetted an offence” and “whoever abets any offence under this Act shall be punishable with the punishment provided for the offence.
Offenders protected: But Patel faces the biggest hurdle from one 1 such provision which states “no court shall take cognizance of such offence of abetment except with the previous sanction of the Central/State Government”. And no Government obliges Patel to prosecute its savarna officers.
And the climax of the case is to knock the doors of Supreme Court. No case under the PCR Act has reached the highest court of the country and this heroic battle of Patel’s is going to become a historical struggle.
Valjibhai Patel succinctly puts his ideology into 3K’s. First ‘K’ for Karuna preached by Buddha failed to melt the hardened hearts of Hindus. Dr. Ambedkar came with the second ‘K’ for Kanoon (law). We are experiencing how the second ‘K’ is made to remain in law books. And the only alternative left to the oppressed and exploited and persecuted is the last ‘K’ that stands for Kall (Killings). Let us hope the Dalit masses are not driven to the wall and compelled to take to arms to kill and establish a new era of equity, peace, progress, fraternity and liberty.
