The problem of India is the problem of India’s vast backward classes comprising 52% of its population as per the Mandal Commission Report. Not only the OBCs (Other Backward Classes as they are referred in the Constitution) are creating all our problems, they are a problem unto themselves.
Economically and educationally they are as backward (if not more) as the Untouchables and tribals. The only difference is while the last two are not part of Hinduism, the OBCs are proud that they are Hindus though the place assigned to them is that of the wretched low caste shudra. But they are enjoying this life sentence awarded to them as prisoners of Hinduism. They are not able to liberate themselves because they are in love with Brahminism. No doubt, Dalits and OBCs are both victims of Brahminism, but the fact that they are touchables has given the OBCs a swollen head. This false pride that they are ritually higher than the Dalits, though it means nothing (to the Brahmin, even the shudras are untouchables), has brought them into sharp conflict with the Dalits. So much so, the atrocities going on all over India on Dalits are mostly the handiwork of the OBCs. They are the willing tools of the RSS and every other communal force. That is why Dalits naturally hate OBCs more than the Brahmins or other high caste Hindus. As the invisible enemy, the high castes are always in the background and hence take the maximum advantage of this perpetual enmity between the OBCs and the Dalits.
But who is the actual culprit? Is it the leg that kicks or the brain that gives the order to kick the Dalit? Who is the brain, who is the leg? Brahminism is the brain and the OBCs the leg. But some Dalits don’t try to understand this point. The dog that is hit by a stone does not chase the stone and bite it. But it rather chases the person who throws the stone and catches him. The dog at least has that much of brain to identify the enemy but not some of our Dalits who still go on saying that we should not support the OBCs. They resent our support to Periyar EVR and his powerful Dravida Kazagham. Such critics would do well to seriously study the most scientific analaysis of caste made by Amarjit Singh, a Dalit intellectual from London, “Caste and Contradictions”, appearing inside.
Be that as it may, this is the fourth time we are commenting on this problem. The third national conference of the OBCs held in Delhi (April 13-14) which has fixed Aug. 9 as the deadline for the Govt. to implement the Mandal Report, recommending a modest 27% reservation to 52% of OBCs, Home Minister Sethi’s meeting with the Chief Ministers on the Mandal Report, and an intriguing front page report in the Statesman (April 13) made us revert to this subject. During the April 4 CMs meet, press reports said the North Indian CMs opposed the Mandal report. Even the Marxist CM of W. Bengal is reported to have criticised it. When it comes to reservations, a socio-cultural problem, the Hindu-Nazis and our communists think alike. Why the CMs have no courage to issue a public statement to this effect? Why did they express their opinion within the closed doors? These cowardly CMs must be taught a lesson. Can they come to power without the OBCs who constitute over 50% of the voters? Hence we call upon the OBCs, if they have the guts, they must gherao these CMs and not allow them to move until they publicly state their opinion. Further steps may be taken on hearing their views.
Another point – the Mandal Com. was appointed by the Govt. of India which is responsible to Parliament, not to the CMs. In Parliament, this report was debated and not a single MP had opposed it. Further, 150 MPs belonging to all parties including the ruling Congress have signed a petition demanding its immediate implementation. President Zail Singh, also an OBC (Sikh goldsmith), has more than once expressed his sympathy to the Mandal, The Southern CMs have on bloc supported it. This means all roadblocks are cleared. When that is the case why did the Govt. appoint an official committee to “scrutinise” the report? Are these officials above Parliament? Does it not prove that the Govt. under the influence of 10% of the Ruling Class is trying to scuttle the Mandal? Can such a small fraction bulldoze the wishes and aspirations of 52% of the people? We must stop this nonsense.
We are sorry that when the situation is so serious, the Delhi meet of the backwards – presided over by Brahm Prakash, president of the National Union of Backward Classes – has not offered anything promising to the OBCs. The only silver lining was the 200-strong contingent of black shirts from TN sent by DK. The OBC leaders of the stinking Hindi heartland have to learn a lot from the South. It is only when these Southern leaders spoke that the Delhi-wallahs got some enlightenment. It is they who told them bluntly that OBCs can’t hate Brahmins and at the same time love Brahminism. They can’t run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. It is because they are the prisoners of such a dichotomy (slaves enjoying their slavery) that they are not able to solve their problems. And as long as the OBC problem is not solved, India’s problem itself will remain unsolved. That is why we say that India’s problem is the problem of the OBCs. They must take a militant posture this time.
Angry speeches were made by the North Indian OBC leaders at the Delhi meet denouncing the Brahmin hegemony. This is a fact. But they must know that Brahminism is more dangerous than Brahmins. Are not the OBCs in love with Brahminism? They invite Brahmin priests to conduct their weddings, go to temples, celebrate Brahmin festivals, use Sanskrit, worship Aryan gods, their “sacred scriptures”, observe caste rules and respect the cross thread. Because of this love for Brahminism they are pitted against Dalits, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs. In all anti-Muslim and anti-Christian riots, the muscle power is provided by OBCs. How can they do both? They must select between the two things. If they want to put down the Brahmin exploiters, they must reject Brahminism. They can’t win their battle for Mandal by loving Brahminism and hating Brahmins. The moment they accept Brahminism, they are automatically accepting their status as fourth class citizen. Who can save you? That is what we mean when we say in India slaves are enjoying their slavery. “The OBCs must, therefore, religiously cut their connection with the cross thread (yajnopavita) in order to free themselves from the degradation. Though this may mean dethroning Rama and Krishna as gods, it has to be done in order to live with self-respect and honour” warned Prof. A.M. Dharmalingam, president of the Karnataka Rationalist Association, Bangalore, at the Delhi meet. This is the first time the hare brained North Indian OBC leaders are hearing such a sane voice of Ambedkar and Periyar EVR.
A bold resolution said “if the Mandal report is not implemented by Aug. 9, a peaceful, constitutional struggle will be launched all over the country”. What does this mean? Earlier (DV June 1,1982), we had asked whether the, OBCs are ready to die for Mandal? The Delhi resolution does not indicate any such willingness. But, on the other hand, we have reports that some of the organisers of the Delhi meet may use it as a stepping stone to gain entry into the ruling Congress Party. Already one OBC leader. Dr. D. P. Yadav, MP, has joined it. But do they know that Indira Gandhi has categorically stated that “backwardness” should be measured not on caste basis but poverty? Is this not the opinion of the Ruling Class also? And into her party these OBC leaders want to jump like those flies rushing to the burning lamp to die. We pity them.
We want to impress upon OBCs as well as Dalits that their problem is not political. Their problem is not even economic (see Mandal Report, Part-1, page 30). Not Even lack of education. Theirs is a cultural problem. It is a problem created by Brahminism, This is what the Mandal Report has also clearly stated : ” ... the lower castes were backward not only socially but also educationally, politically and economically“, and adds, “in the traditional Indian society social backwardness was a direct consequence of caste status and further, that various other types of backwardness flowed directly from this crippling handicap” (Ibid, page 17) There are many OBC leaders who have not even read the Mandal Report. Hence, what the OBCs [and Dalits too] need is a Cultural Revolution to liberate themselves from Brahminism. Since every party is led by Brahmins, there is no hope for them through political parties. It is also proved that economic improvement of their position is no solution at all. Therefore, it is an all-out virulent Cultural Revolution that is needed to destroy Brahminism. And those wanting to protect Brahminism will do everything to confuse the shudras and Dalits, as K. V. Kumaran, a Dalit leader of Kerala, has pointed out (DV May 1). Muslims will do well to take the suggestion of Haneef Jawaid (May 1. DV) and rally round Mandal which for the first time has united the Dalits, OBCs and all minorities.
Meanwhile, we don’t know how far the Statesman (April 13) is correct in saying that the Govt. may accept the Mandal Report. Since no other press has reported such an important piece of news, it looks all the more intriguing. May be an inspired report to soothe the OBCs.
Whatever it is, OBCs joining with Dalits and minorities must get set for an all-out, do- or- die battle keeping in view the Aug. 9 deadline. The brave Sikhs of Punjab have proved that the Ruling Class will yield only to those who have the strength. We salute the Sikhs and ask the OBCs to emulate their noble example. A million people must fill the jail in different parts of North India and 10,000 in Delhi alone. OBC MPs must be forced to resign if they don’t voluntarily quit like the Akali MPs. Northern CMs must be gheraoed. While OBCs shall remain peaceful and non-violent, they must be ready to die for Mandal Report. Remember, the high castes who launched the “Gujarat Caste War” to oppose the reservations even to Dalits cannot be expected to put one more knife into their own stomach by accepting Mandal, So we can expect them to resist with all their might. Remember what happened to Karpoori Thakur. That means the Mandal Report has to wade through rivers of blood. This is certain, particularly, in the North. Are the OBCs ready to die? Are the OBCs willing to bury Brahminism? We have our own doubts.
