Jagjivan Ram declares War Against Brahminism

Once in a way Jagjivan Ram, India’s most famous leader of the Untouchables, gets angry. Described by Charan Singh as India’s richest politician, Babuji, as he is called, is today a very frustrated man. No doubt a brilliant, well-read razor-sharpminded leader who had been occupying Central Ministership ever since the country became independent and even before that. This is the first time in his life that he is without power. He would have been Janata party’s first Prime Minister had there been an election for the office but the RSS with the help of JP and Kripalani sabotaged his chances and brought Morarji Desai, a Brahmin. The caste Hindus of India voted against the Janata in the last general elections fearing that Babuji would become the Prime Minister. The RSS itself worked for the Cong. 1. All these things have made Babuji a bitter man against the high castes but those who have read his interview in the Calcutta weekly, Sunday (Oct. 4) will be disappointed that Babuji has not given up compromising with the high castes. Why is he willing to wound but afraid to strike? Because he has not lost hope of becoming the PM. It is indeed shocking that so knowledgeable and versatile a man like Babuji is still nourishing the hope that the high castes would tolerate an Untouchable to rule them. Recently he got locked in a big controversy that exploded even in Parliament where a member produced a poster announcing Babuji’s conversion to Islam. Stung by the severity of the blow. Babuji quickly denied the charge. It is true that Babuji has the capacity to shake the country and teach a lesson to the high castes. But he is afraid lest he be exposed of his several weaknesses That he could be intellectually dishonest could be made out while reading his latest book, “Caste Challenge in India,” How can anybody write on caste challenge in India without mentioning Dr. Ambedekar and Periyar? But there is no mention of both in his book. Not even a vague reference. To that extent he could deceive himself. How could such a person have the moral courage to face the high castes who could be really merciless with him? It is in this background that we have to read his interview in the Sunday in which he confesses that; “In fact the group i have helped most in my life is Brahmins” “A Sunday reporter who visited his mansion in Sasram (Bihar) said that there was no admission to it to Untouchables (Chamaras) but only Brahmins and other high castes. That does not mean that Babuji can be dismissed so easily. The high castes of India know it and that is why they always keep him in good humour. Babuji has his wealth but his name will not enter history like Ambedkar. If he wants to enter history he must give up his crores and do something before it is too late. Already he is ageing, health failing. Better late than never. We sincerely hope that Babuji will not miss the bus, it is in the light of these things that we have to read his definition of Brahminsim, the curse of India: “If you are happy, worship Brahmins; if you are sad, worship them; if you are employed worship them; if you are unemployed, then too worship them; that is barahminism”. A very ingenious definition of barahminism from so experienced a leader of India and himself a victim of brahminism. We are watching with interest how Babuji We will destroy brahminism and save India.