Palaka Dasa, <palakad@hotmail.com>: I am an African-American who has been studying the Dalit Panthers, it’s origins and goals. I was wondering if there are any institutions I could contact in America that could give me more information about what is going on and how I could help. Or when I go to India what places I could visit to see some of the other activities and goals of the Dalit people.
Akhil Hussain, c/o Ismail Sahab, 3945 – Blackburn way, Duluth, GA – 360 096, USA: I know you from your day in the Indian Express, Bombay, and I am also a great admirer of your cause. I am also a avid reader of Dalit Voice. You are carrying out a relentless battle against casteist and oppressive system in our country.
Kaukab Siddique, PO Box – 356, Kingsville, MD 21087, USA: The Jews occupied Palestine. They drove out the people and tried to make servants and slaves out of the people they did not drive out. The Palestinians tried to resist but were disarmed. The only option left to the Palestinians (if they do not accept slavery) is the martyrdom operation. Now Israel under Sharon indicates that it will kill the leaders of resistance even if it means killing children. Sharon is under the illusion that by killing Islamic resistance leaders, it can snuff out the ability to fight back and force the people to get down on their knees. The July 23 “demonstration by hundreds of thousands of people at Salah Shehadeh’s funeral” showed clearly that Sharon’s move has backfired. Even Bush is worried. Does Islam have any scope for peace with Israel which has taken over the land of Palestine by force. The quran has the following answer:
“And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out: for oppression is worse than slaughter. But fight them not at the Sacred Mosque unless they fight you there. But if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith”. (2:191).
India’s dependence on Muslims: (1) India imported almost $2 billion of oil and chemicals from Saudi Arabia and $2.27 billion of oil and kerosene from Iran in 2000. In total 38% of the crude that India needs is imported from OPEC countries of the Gulf i.e. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu-Dhabi. (2) There are over 3.5 million Indians working in the Gulf countries, they contribute substantially to India’s foreign exchange reserves through their remittances, which is officially over $4 billions annually (unofficially it may be double or triple this figure). Considering that 300 million people live below the poverty line (i.e. $1 a day), the number of Indian working abroad and the remittance they send home is a significant factor in the Indian economy. (3) Also India’s exports to Muslim countries amounted to 22% of its total ($19 billion) exports and its imports from Muslim countries amounted to 40% of its total ($24 billion) imports. Muslim countries are a major trading partner with India and hence can exert a considerable economic pressure upon India. The geographical location of India is such that it needs to utilize the waterways and the auspace of Muslim countries for its trade as it is almost surrounded by Muslim countries. Also the combined military strength of the Muslim world cannot be matched by any nation, it has an available military man power exceeding 320 million and a defense budget of over $54 billion. (4) Considering that Indian has a coalition govt, and with almost 25% of its population being Muslims, the Islamic world could exert immense economic and political pressure on India to change its policies towards the Kashmir issue, not to mention the general treatment of Indian Muslim population within the other Indian y states. The rulers of Pakistan have made the Kashmir issue a bilateral matter involving only India and Pakistan, However it should be an issue for the whole Muslim ummah. (5) Likewise no ruler in the Islamic lands has taken up the cause of the Muslims of India.
C. Perianayagam, Headmaster (Retd.) Main Road, Ayandur PO, Tirukoilur, Villupuram, TN – 605 755: Our workshop on the “Role of Dalit intellectuals and activists making the Dalit leadership work in the interest of the ordinary Dalit” was very interesting and fruitful. Participants from all over Tamil Nadu attended. Two participants from Kerala and one from Karnataka also participated. Dr. Bharat Jhunjhunwala from Delhi gave valuable suggestions and made the workshop very f interesting and lively. The whole proceedings of the workshop will be published in the form of a small booklet very soon. The responsibility is entrusted to Dr. Bharat.
V.C. Munuswamy, 13/7 -Vigneshwar Nagar 1st Street, Madipakkam PO, Madras – 600 091:1 have the pleasure of going through your latest book, Brahminism (Dalit Sahitya Akademy, 2002). I hope you will appreciate my comments and criticisms on your monumental work. The impression I get on reading the book is that Brahminism is so powerful that it animates, motivates and dominates everything, national and international. You lionise Brahminism, which is nothing but Brahmin orthodoxy — Sanatana Dharma, a Brahmin way of living. You even seem to imply that this demon of Brahminism is ever growing by leaps and bounds and the fight against it is quite unrewarding and unsuccessful and may fail ultimately. Is that the way to organise, motivate and lead any onslaught on this bastion of orthodoxy, obscurantism and oppression of mankind? The fight against Brahminism is not so easy, anyone may agree but should it be given up on that account?, Should one despair and get demoralised or disheartened? The fight must go on at any cost, it may take even generations to accomplish it successfully and yet, it should not be given up. Brahminism conquered Dravidanism and like any other conqueror imposed its own culture to enslave the defeated. And hence the only way for emancipation of the enslaved is revolt and rebellion. And that is the way shown by Mahavira and Budha. When you free yourself from the faith in god, soul, karma and dharma, you become free, independent and invincible. Go back to your past. It was glorious indeed. In a desperate fight,-one should never underestimate the power or potency of the enemy and similarly it should not be overestimated and become overawed either. I hope you agree. Brahminism has allied itself with zionism (Israel) and World Capitalism (the USA) and is consolidating itself within this country to wipe out all resistance to it, in any form or in any hue. Then, as you suggest, it is becoming indomitable, invincible and incorrigible. So what? Should we succumb? We must pursue the goal with redoubled vigour and indomitable spirit and determination. For, we have nothing to lose in this historic fight: we have everything to gain. We may lose our chains and gain a world, free from oppression, exploitation and discrimination. By perusing the book one gets the impression that Brahminism is an octopus, superhuman, omnipotent and hence invincible or immortal. That is not true. It may collapse like the former Soviet Union and what is needed is a good, sustained strategy and leadership. We need Periyarism (rationalism, atheism and humanism) to demolish Brahminism. You have stated that Periyar was the foremost and the most successful fighter against the dark force {sanatanism). It is therefore necessary to revive and revitalise and regroup these forces under the banner of Periyarism to carry on the crusade. Can you see? The enemy looks powerful because we are weak. How to weaken the enemy? And how to improve our own strength? If you grow strong, the enemy could be challenged without any fear or fright. Go back to your own culture and draw inspiration. As you say “the core elite group” or “the strategic minority” or the “ruling class” is just 3%, a microscopic minority. But they oppress, enslave and exploit the rest of 97%. What a disgrace and a shame. This small minority is able to divide and rule by sowing seeds of suspicion and hatred and jealousy among the majority. It employs various ruses, ploys and stratagems according to the needs of the situation and succeeds in its game. Why should the victims get themselves cheated, defrauded and defeated? As in the fable, the lion separated the bulls and killed them one after the other but it could not take on them when they gave resistance unitedly. Each stick could be easily broken but as a bundle it cannot be. We thus forget the elementary truth. Let us unite and offer a united front that is invincible or irresistible. That should be our endeavour. How to achieve this unity among this scattered, dis-spirited opposition? You attack the shudras (landed),’who sometimes fight the Dalits or the Untouchables by calling them bum-lickers. You know they are misled or misguided missiles. How to bring them to your fold? How to put sense into their blockheads? That should be our endeavour. You scare them and scold them away. This is neither prudence nor wisdom. Please think over. Ram killed Ravan by weaning away Vibishana, he also killed Wali by putting Sugriva in the front but himself hiding from behind a tree and aiming the deadly arrow. That is the strategy of Brahminism, as you know. Our own people are used as pawns in the game. Dalits are the most oppressed by Brahminism and hence they must be the most uncompromising in their fight against the oppressor. But what do we see in India today? The Bahujans (Mayavatis) are making a common cause with Manuvadis (BJP) in UP. They think that fighting Mulayam Singh is more urgent than fighting the Hindutva forces. Is it correct? Again, look at Bihar. Laloo Prasad is the proclaimed enemy of Hindutva forces in Bihar and India also. But Ramvilas Paswan and his cohorts join with the Hindutva forces to finish him off, politically. Is it wise? Why not Dalit Voice Educate these Bahujans who are enticed and engaged and entrapped by the Hindutva forces? Similarly, as you had admitted, Brahmins are using the Dalits, Adivasis and sudras to fight for them and their narrow ends. Why not the Dalit Voice Educate these poor people and wean them off? As you rightly pointed out the non-Brahmin movement was clearly split by the Brahmin conspiracy. The Dravidian parties weaken themselves by their internal and personal feuds and they also vie with one another in swearing allegiance to the forces of Hindutva – a common enemy and age-old oppressor. Why not the Dalit Voice Educate them and enlighten them? In my considered opinion the Dalit Voice seems to commit the same blunder as the great Jewish scholar, Pojiakov, did in his Aryan Myth by only diagnosing but not suggesting a cure for the raging malady or scourge called Brahminism. And further, today the Dalits of Tamil Nadu are pitted against the Most Backwards like the Vanniyars and Thevars. They are dead set against each other and the enemy thrives on their quarrels. Why not the Dalit Voice bring them to their senses and make them offer the united front? Finally, you also suggested that even the Ambedkar movement is getting weaker and may be “swallowed up” by Brahminism. Why not Dalit Voice prevent this disaster? Here I am anguished and also amused to read your kind reference to “Sister” Uma Bharati in the enemy camp. Has she not led the vandalism on the Babri Masjid? Has she not praised the role of Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister, during his mayhem, pogrom, carnage and mass murder? Of late, no less a person than our President, K.R. Narayanan, is a victim of Brahminism. He was deprived of his second term for the simple reason that he expressed some opinion unpalatable like the need for a quota for the SCs and STs in the higher judiciary of the land. Having become a victim, will he come out openly against this vicious Hindutva? Will he carry on a crusade? He must and the Dalit Voice should urge him to take up the gauntlet. The need of the hour is unity, sanity and solidarity among the 85% of the non-Hindu population first. Then they should bridge their differences with the sudras whom the Dalit Voice derides as bum-lickers.
k. Prakash. TGT (M), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chikkajogihalli – 583 126: A common Brahmin of today who sticks on to rituals prescribed by his forefathers often has the following three myths or assumptions:
(1) Brahmins have preserved the glorious heritage of India over centuries. (2) Brahmins have made significant contributions to the native society. (3) Brahmins are victimised by reverse discrimination occurring due to constitutional reservations for weaker sections.
Such a Brahmin will be altogether shocked to see the deep criticism on the ideology of Brahminism which he confuses for an attack on the Brahmin community itself. In a way V.T. Rajshekar proves correct when he says that the Brahmin-controlled media has been brainwashing the common man in the name of glorious past. The author begins his attack on Brahminism by asking the question, “Is social justice possible without destroying Brahminism?” Indeed his view is that Brahminism cannot ensure social justice. He quotes the opinion of eminent Brahmins itself to support his view. Next, the author very well exposes the contradictions in “sacred scriptures” and Max Muller’s contribution to promote “Aryan myth”. Further, he moves a step ahead when Brahmins and Jews get equated. However, the author has failed to highlight the important aspects of zionism and how it is harmful to mankind. In chapters further he very well discusses to depth how Brahminism is harming the mankind and crushing human rights. He notes that Brahminism has indeed preserved for centuries the techniques of human exploitation and Max Muller’s work has made it available to the West, especially the Germans. Thus the author becomes very much successful in establishing Brahminism as “Father of Racism, Nazism, Fascism and Zionism”. The defect in author’s approach is that in an eagerness to equate zionism and Brahminism he doesn’t highlight the important aspects of zionism that is harmful to mankind. Another area where the author has failed is in establishing Brahminism as a harmful philosophy to Brahmins themselves whose economic conditions are dependent upon the mercy of their employers. He could have highlighted the fact that lack of industriousness among Brahmins has made them to manufacture the ideology of Brahminism using which they make their living. It is very much clear that a Brahmin usually makes his livelihood by his literary ability i.e. to read, write and memorise. This alone has made them to align with all the invaders of our land and leave the natives to exploitation. It is not clear what is an actual Brahmin in the author’s opinion. In fact priestly class exists in all religions and how Indian priestly class has turned to such a shameful level is not made clear. The main area which the author has neglected is the plight of Untouchables under Brahminism. He could have incorporated a few chapters of the book, (Black Untouchables of India, Clarity Press, 1995-Third Edition) written by him, showing that the practice of untouchability is a direct consequence of discriminations nurtured by Brahminism. No doubt a common Brahmin is altogether shocked to see the reality. The author could A have tried to convince such readers that it is the consequence of Brahmin-controlled media which brainwashes the people in the name of glorious past. The author could have added a chapter on the North-Eastern hilly regions whose residents are far away from the influence of Brahminism. The Brahmins should welcome this book because it makes everyone to think upon our foolishness and go for an alternative. To say altogether, Brahminism is a good beginning but not the logical end.
Gurnam Singh Muktsar, 12 – Guru Angad Nagar, Muktsar -152 026: The different Gurus are quoted again and again by Sikh scholars to prove that Sikhs have a separate identity and belong to a separate society. A Sikh’s outward appearance is different from that of a Hindu. Muslim and also Christian. Each belong to different religions which have shaped them into different -y societies. The separate identity and existence of Sikhs was created by Sant Nam Dev, Sant Kabir, Sant Ravidass and two other Gurus. It is they who perfected the separate identity of Sikhs. Sikhs love every human being. They love both man and woman equally and being part of this universe all men and women on earth are equally respected by the sants and gurus. The saying “Na ham Hindu na Muslman” reflects the philosophy of love as against the cult of hate among Hindus. All those Muslims who sacrificed and devoted their lives to implement the Sikh social philosophy were better Sikhs. Mardana, the first Sikh of Guru Nanak, was a Muslim. Guru Nanak learnt social ideology not from Pandha — a Brahmin — but from a Kazi (Muslim) and got enlightened with the 1 social philosophy of Untouchable, saints like Namdev,Kabir, Ravidass and Saini who were hailed by Guru Nanak as Bhagats, meaning supermen. The saying “Na ham hindu na Musalman” comes from Namdev, Kabir and Ravidass. If some Sikhs don’t understand and accept this Supreme Truth of love and brotherhood, they can’t be accepted as true Sikhs. If we study the struggle of Guru Gobind Singh from Mashiwara to Talwandi Sabo and even at Anand Pur he was fully protected by Muslims everywhere. So when we say that we are neither Hindu nor Muslim but we are Sikhs and assert that we have a separate identity and existence, we are echoing the supreme message of the Gurbani. Readers of Dalit Voice world-wide must note this point of importance that the Sikh ideology totally aims at common brotherhood, love, human equality, social, political and economic justice for the welfare of humanity. It demolishes all walls between the different societies of the world. In 1934-35, Dalit leader, Dr. Ambedkar came from Maharashtra to embrace Sikhism. The Sikhs turned him away. Babasaheb returned disappointed. Can we call those Sikhs who disappointed Babasaheb as real Sikhs?
Neerav Patel, 4 – Hemang Park, Vejalpur, Ahmedabad – 380 051: On 17th July you turned 70. We are lucky to have you around, all hale, hearty, bubbling with benevolent activism, never ever accepting defeat and fighting against all odds, even at the risk of your life. Few septuagenarian could match your might and militancy in combating the casteist and the communalist. With such a frail frame, only the indomitable spirit like yours could withstand and overcome adversities. My only wish, let your faculties never fail you. May you have a very, very long life. Dalits can never afford to lose you, at least not till the new star is born in the firmament. You are our priceless possession, we must guard you as god. Dr. Ram Nath, Sector A-708, Hanspuram, Navbasta, Kanpur – 208 021: I will join the Dalit-Muslim unity meeting on Aug. 25 (Sunday) at Bharuch. My book on Dalit-Muslim unity requires a lot of revision as it was written in hurry and in reaction to demolition of Babri Masjid. The revision work will be completed within one month because now I have a lot of time after my retirement.
R.L. Chandapuri, National President, All-India Backward Classes Federation, Saraswati Bhawan, North Mandiri, Patna – 800 001-: I am extremely happy to know from your birthday celebration committee’s chairman, Dr. D. Yadaiah, that your birthday is being observed at Hyderabad on July 17. I wish and hope that your 70th birthday will mark a new turning point in Indian history heralding new era for indigenous people constituting over 90% of the total population of India comprising Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, converted Bakard and Dalit minorities and other Backward Castes. I have firm faith and conviction that only Dalits can lead Bharat to freedom as they are the people who were declared as Untouchables after putting up life and death fight against foreign Indo-Aryan invaders as far back as about 3,500 years ago. As I am counting my last days of life, 1 bless you on behalf of Dravid Bharat for your long life and health for honest and dedicated writings to awaken the Bahujans and lead them to their complete freedom.
A.R. Gautam, National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights State Council Delhi, Budh Kuter 284/C-l, Street No.8, Nehru Nagar, Anand Parwat, New Delhi -110008:
Justice Dr. K Ramaswamy who retired from the National Human Rights Commission on July 13, 2002 was given a send off in the Dy. Speaker’s Hall of the Constitution Club, New Delhi, by NCDHR, Delhi state. Advocate P.L. Miroth, presided.
M.S. Shaikh, Indian Muslim Social Organisation, 49 – Tawakkal Society-1, Sanand Road, Sarkhej, Ahmedabad – 382 210: Your literature shows that you are a brilliant thinker and minute observer of the present happenings of killing Dalits in “anamat” Andolan against the so-called upper class (otherwise there is no lower or upper among human beings) and the massacre of Muslims, rapes, cuttings the wombs of Muslim women and burning alive the’ children and families together. May such Editors live long for good services to the humanity. Your latest book, Brahminism, must be full of ghastly behaviour of nazi Brahmins towards others and measures to combat it, as it is written by a bold perceiver, without fear or favour of any. Looking to the thinking power, perception and art of presentation, it will surely prove to be effective and impressive.
Waseem Irfani, Gayri Mohalla, Nimbhahera, ChittorGarh dt., Rajasthan – 312 601:1 am a social activist working in Southern Rajasthan called Mewar, a well known Hindu- Rajput dynasty before “freedom”. So many tribes are living here. Particularly the Bhils are living like animals. Rajputs are exploiting them. No roads, no health services, no drinking water, no schools. Banias, Dhakers, Jats, Jains are looting them. Dalits don’t know about Babasaheb. I was working in a NGO. I want to work among BPhils. I saw DV in Bombay.
