Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, PO Box 1207, St. Helena Island, SC 29920, USA: We have taken a major decision concerning our nation as it relates to the US Govt. Many of you supported us by contacting Congressional representatives over two years ago to get them to support Congressman James Clyburn in getting the Department of the Interior’s National Park service to begin a special resource study of Lowcountry Gullah Culture. We respect and appreciate the work that the Congressman, his aides and staff have done for and in the Gullah/Geechee Nation as well as for the American public. My community will not exist without the land in our control. We will work with others but outsiders should not come in and work with agencies that will destroy our heritage. The National Park Service has to work within parameters established by the Gullah/Geechee people. The story is ours and we will no longer allow others to simply buy, sell, and rename us. (gullgeeco@aol.com).
Dr. Muhammad al-Massari, BM Box: CDLR, London, WCIN 3XX: The 3-day siege of a theatre in Moscow by armed Chechns has captured headlines around the world (DV Nov. 16, 2002 p.6: “Moscow bloodbath catapults Chechnya to world stage“). In the siege of a theatre in Moscow some 800 people were held hostage. In reality the hostage crisis has not ended as many wish to think.. To the south of Moscow, in the Caucasus lies a small country, called Chechnya, which has been under siege and terror for years but has been largely ignored and received little international attention. Chechnya, with a predominately Muslim population of about 1.2 million, has been under siege for over 3 years by as many as 80,000-1,60,000 Russian soldiers. The Russian war machine in Cheechnya killed about 1,00,000 Chechns and created a flood of tens of thousands of refugees into neighbouring countries. The victims of Russia’s war in Chechnya include indiscriminate killings of innocent civilians, men, women and children. Besides over 2,00,000 other Chechns have been wounded, Widespread reports of torture, disappearances and summary executions in Chechnya have become quite common these days.
L.K. Suryawanshi, PO Box 5417, New Delhi 110 011: Sorry to inform that my grandfather, G.N. Suryawanshi (81), died on May 23, 2002. He was a great admirer of Dalit Voice and a fan of its Editor. It was he who asked me to join the DV family in 1997. Many Letters of mine were published in DV. He was residing at Nagpur. He took part in the cycle march with Kanshi Ram in 1983. He was a section officer at the Nagpur Airport. He spent his life at Nagpur. He was working with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar while he was young. He had five daughters and five sons, all alive.
Balu, 42-1st Floor, 2nd Cross, Anandapuram, HAL. 3rd Stage, Bangalore-560075: I remember few years ago a DV family member from US had sponsored 20 students to visit Deeksha Bhoomi at Nagpur under your guidance. It was a wonderful initiative which had very good impact on the students who later embraced Budhism. Why not we continue this as an yearly affair? I promise to support one student every year and appeal my affluent Dalit brothers and sisters to sponsor Ambedkarite students. We should visit Nagpur and Bombay along with other historical Budhist centres. If our movement has to succeed, we better concentrate more on students/youth who shall be the torch-bearers of Ambedkarism/Budhism. The older generation is very much Brahminised and a hindrance to the growth of our movement. This is based on my two decades of experience with youths in Belgaum, Bangalore and Mangalore. We achieved good results.
M.C. Raj, REDS, Shantinagar, S.S. Puram PO, Tumkur -575 102: I read with great interest “Marathas to quit Hinduism” (DV Nov. 16, 2002 p.5). Salunkhe is on the right path. However, the psyche of the oppressed people in general looks for a symbolic representation of their aspiration for liberation. This is generally placed on an individual. I am only pointing out to this factor as it has happened in history. A Dalit religion has already been started by the people in Tumkur dt., of Karnataka and a Dalit scripture is in place in the name of Dalitology. It is as recent as Feb.3, 2002. There is a lot in common Alternative celebrations, internal normative order for the Dalits, the lack of emotive appeal to the common people in Budhism, the recourse to karma, dharma and violence in the practice of Budhism need to be given a serious thought in the evolution of alternatives. Though the OBC and Dalit religions have to be separate, the commonalities of both can bridge the gap that exists and a bright future for both communities without submerging one another can be evolved. We will attend the Maratha conference in Madras.
Mulnivasi Mala, Bahujan Mukti Mahasangh, 8/4-Siddhi Chawl, B.S. Road, Dadar (W), Bombay-400 028: Our Editor’s important speech delivered at Bharuch (Gujarat) was translated into Telugu language and published in a Telugu magazine, Bahujana Keratalu (BK). A report on this appeared in DV’s Letters column on Nov. 1, 2002 p. 16. Just those four lines published in DV made me so famous among the Telugu DV readers. I got many letters on the Editor’s speech published in BK which has become the largest circulated monthly in AP state. BK’s address is: 4/15-RTC Staff Colony, Satyanarayana Puram, Prakasham Dt. (Ongole) -523 002
Μ.Η.Μ. Saleem, “Ashiana”, Main Road.
Gangolli 576 216: I have a friend at Bhatkal who attended a meeting of Bhatkalis at Calicut. A chartered account holding a big job at Dubai and a very influential man of Nawayat (Muslim) community at Bhatkal did mention about Dalit Voice at that meeting. I was delighted to hear this good news. My friend told the meeting that it was really unfortunate that there was not a single subscriber to Dalit Voice from Bhatkal.
The Nawayat Muslims of Bhatkal invited us when the Hindu nazis launched a bloody anti-Muslim violence on this coastal town some years back. We metal the top Muslim leaders Including the chartered accountant you mentioned. We wrote an editorial also on the Bhatkal violence. But the Muslims there cooly forgot us-EDITOR.
Dr. D. Yadaiah, B2-24, MIG HUDA, Chandanagar, Hyderabad-500 050. The Samata Sainik Dal (SSD) national conference was held on Nov.9 and 10 at Jalandhar. SSD was launched by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1926 at Nagpur to counter the Hindu nazis and to train the Bahujans to work towards social justice. Babasaheb made SSD so popular that it attracted thousands of volunteers in military uniform. According to the late Vasant Moon, SSD became such a terror that M.K. Gandhi could not participate in a public meeting in Nagpur in 1942. But after the death of Babasaheb the SSD started withering away. It was the SSD which was responsible for the publication of the entire Writings and Speeches of Babasaheb kept under court custody. About 300 members attended the Jalandhar conference. A new body is elected with LR. Balley as its chairman and myself as the general secretary with an executive of 13 members including four women.
Fakruddin Ahmad, Chak Basu Lane. Katchi Sarai, Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Why Muslims are so much targeted in India? Anti-Muslim riots, rape of Muslim women, looting and burning of their hard-earned property have become common feature. It is all due to lack of education among Muslims. Education is RBC (red blood cell) in the blood of a healthy body fighting virus attack. Muslims have thousands of “leaders”. But none takes interest in educating the ummmah. Md. Shamin, MLC of Bihar, takes keen interest in education. He is connected with the Patna Muslim High School-cum Inter College. He helped to renovate the govt. Urdu Library established in 1938 by Dr. Syed Mehmood and situated on the Ashok Raj Path, Patna-800 004, But after “independence”, Medical College Hostel was built in the open land of the library. I request the readers of the revolutionary DV family members to send Urdu/English/Hindi daily or magazines to this library. This will help to open the eyes of Muslim leaders.
G.S. Raju, 70-3rd Main, Visvesvaraya Nagar, Arabic College Post, Bangalore-560 045: This “upper caste” and “lower caste” distinction is advocated by our oppressors. Why we should emphasise this distinction? Why should we give importance to our oppressors by degrading ourselves as “low castes?” We must tell them that they are “lower castes”. Why degrade ourselves? They do not deserve to be called “upper castes”. Please call these people as oppressors, satanic, sinful foreign, alienated Aryan castes. The best name for them is adama caste and we may be called uthama caste.
- Shreyaskar, 2-656, Bhim Nagar, Jagat, B. Shyam Sunder Marg, Gulbarga 585 105: Our Editor V.T. Rajshekar, came here to the land of Bhim Sena leader B. Shyam Sunder on Aug. 17 last. Shyam Sunder, who is rated next only to Dr. Ambedkar, brought a virtual revolution in this area. He founded the Bharatiya Bheem Sena here in 1968. Followers of Shyam Sunder under the “Mool Bharati B. Shyam Sunder Memorial Society” are working mainly in the field of education, culture and social activities. This organisation observed Aug. 17. 2002 as “Victory Day” for which our Editor was the chief guest. The British made a study which revealed that there were nearly 7 lakh villages but each village had an adjoining village outside the main village called Muharwada, Dhedwada etc. where the Untouchables lived. The survey shocked the British Govt, and decided to help the Untouchables. Dr. Ambedkar was a product of British benevolence and later he proved to be the saviour of Untouchables. The Communal Award of 1932 was his greatest achievement. The Aug 17, 2002 meeting was to remember this day. Among the dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Prof. Shivarudrappa Melkundi, a retd. Registrar of Gulbarga University, Shivram Mogha, Republican Party of India, Prem Kumar Rathod, ZP member, and Tulsiram Naik, Corporator. H.Shreyeskar presided. Shivarudrappa spoke on the latest book of our Editor, Brahminism (DSA-2002). The Editor in his speech said depressed classes were not progressing due to Brahminism which is suppressing our people. We are not against any individual Brahmin but only against Bruhuninism.
Shakeel Suleman, 16 Bibibai Terrace, 3rd Floor, Spence Road, Byculla Bridge. Bombay – 400 008: 1 wonder how a Dalit like you has such a wonderful insight into the “Spirit of Islam“. A fot of Muslims do not possess such a deep knowledge of the “Spirit of Islam” The “Spirit of Islam” is the solution to our Dalit heothers who are considered Untouchables by the Brahmins. Muslims are about 12-15% of India. The Dalits are about 20%. If we two join hands we will be the biggest majority. We need you and you need us. We two are the natural allies. Dalits by nature are born fighters. So they will automatically embrace the “Spirit of Islam” (shsuleman@rediffimail.com).
S.M. Mir. Shop No.1-Nai Chawl, Corner 4th Falkland Marg, Bombay-400 004: This is in reply to Brother Suresh Jadhav (DV Nov. 16, 2002 p.17). The main problem with the Muslims is that their sympathizers also do not bother about Islam. Just as the enemy wants, sympathizers too want Muslims to be Maslims without Islam. The enemy from all corners of the world wants Muslims to leave Islam and behave like the elite Muslims. Jadhav must ask our Editor what is the difference between Muslim masses and clite Muslims If we leave Islam, then America, Jews and Brahmins shall be our best friends. I don’t know more about other religions, but Islam has instructions for all the 24 hours of the day. How to sleep, how to wakeup, eating. drinking, sitting, talking. How such a religion can leave the question whom to marry? We can only marry a Muslim just as Jadhav has also put the condition that the girl should become a Budhist. About Azharuddin he is forgetting one thing. He first changed Sangeeta Bijlani to Aaisha and then married her. As far as talaaq to the first wife is concerned, 90% of the Muslims like me were annoyed with him for this act. Azharuddin had the financial ability to keep four wives. The Muslims disapprove marriages like that Azaruddin or Nawab of Paatudi with Sharmila Tagore. As for Rohidaswada, Muslims should reconstruct the Basti with their own money. No Muslim has the right to take the life of the husband even in such a condition. Please understand that Islam is a completely different religion and it makes a completely different community. At jny work place, I have seen people belonging to other religions worshipping idols with Hindus, abiding by the same customs and rituals, but I don’t do that as Islam does not permit this. I honestly request Jadhav to study Islam deeply.
Niranjan Waghmare, (nwaghmare@yahoo.com): Rahul Siriputra, a noted Budhist sitarist, painter and artist, died of heart attack in Bombay on Nov. 17, 2002. He was hased in California, but was on a visit to India at the time of his death.
Ambedkar Times (ambedkar_times@yahoo.com) About 5,000 members of the Dalit Panthers of India will shed their Hindu names on Dec.fi, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s death anniversary, to protest against Hinduism. The new names will be in pure Tamil, bearing no connection with Hindu myths. At a press conference on Nov. 19, DPI general secretary, R. Thirumavalavan, said Dalits have been adopting names of Hindu gods and goddesses for years, ignorant that they are not Hindu. Asked about a case filed against DMK President Karunanidhi for his remark that there is nothing called Hinduism, he said the case was politically motivated. Defending the DMK leader, he said the opinion was not a new one and had been accepted by many historians and scholars, including the Kanchi Shankarachari and Dr. Ambedkar. The DPI will launch a three-month campaign from January protesting against the state govt’s pro-Hindutva attitude. He said religious conversion was the last option for Dalits to escape the atrocities by Hindus.
Anzarul Hasan, Mozammil House, New Azimabad Colony, Near R.K. Colony. Mahendru, Patna – 800 006: There was a news report in a Bombay daily about how Abdul became Avinash and Rafique became Ravi in the Thane district. The report did not surprise me. The so-called protectors of islam (in India) like the Tabligi-Jamat (TB) could not touch poor Muslims. They are always busy travelling from mosque to mosque, street to street and city to city taking good food. They organise seminars in mosques but not workshop. The people who attend it are only from the upper class. They are unable to mobilise the poor Muslims. TB has no fear of Allah but it is afraid of the non-Muslim, the Hindu. So, there is nothing wrong if Abdul Sattar and Rafique Khan are converted to Hinduism. Abdul Sattar lived in a Brahmin-dominated street and his business flourished because of the non-Muslim support. Rafique Khan is a security man in a factory which employs only Hindu and he got his job because of a Shiv Sena leader. TB is not bothered about all this. It has influence only on those people performing good rituals. The “Islam Bachao” organisation has already lost its influence in its own community. And if these things continue like this there will be more conversion from Islam to Hinduism.
Sonu Maru, Kadavanthra, Ernakulam: The BJP-led govt. rule has turned out to be a disaster for the whole country. The Kargil crisis, nuclear bomb explosion at Pokaran, total surrender to USA and blaming all its failure on terrorism are few examples. It has surpassed all the previous rulers as far the corruption is concerned: Tehalka, Petrol pump scam, UTI scam, Delhi land allotment scam, coffin procurement scam, Enron scam, and mother of all scandals ie. disinvestment the list is too long. I would like to invite DV readers’ attention to the inept handling of terrorist attack on Parliament House last year and subsequent deployment of Army in the border. The poor jawans had to be on the border for full one year facing the extreme climate. Few defence analysts have put the burden on exchequer at over Rs. 8,000 crores due to this misadventure. What has the “nation” achieved by deploying the army at border for full one year? Who is going to bear the gigantic expenditure? The prediction of our Editor has turned out to be true. The BJPwalas will make this nation bankrupt and thereafter run to USA-their dream land. The “nation” is ruined.
N.S. Chellappa, 128/356 Samir Viyas Nagar, Seluvaipatti. Tuticorin dt. 628 001: Here is an extract from p. 1 to 4 of the booklet by Dr. Guruswamy Siddar of Coimbatore, a member of Dalit Voice family. It proves how the culture of the indigenous people is heing destroyed by the Aryan Brahmins and their Hindus.
Peroor Puraanam written by Kavi Rakshasha Kachiappa Munivar states that the Mallas and the Pallars are one and the same. The gods Indra, Siva, Brahma, Narayan, Parvati, Saraswati, Laskhmi. Muruga and Vinayaga belong to the Mallara Kula. The presiding deity, Siva, is called Patti Pallan and his wife Parvati as Pacchai Patti. Thiruvaraiyadan Paranam describes Siva as Pari (Honge) Mallan. Thirumurugatti-Padai describes Muruga as Malla and Paripadal describes Thirumaal (Vishnu)as Mallar and Malla. (p.4).
The Aryan Hindus were barbarians, godless, templeless people. The gods in today’s temples are not Hindu gods and they are not Hindu temples. Only the Aryan Brahmins are Hindus. The non-Brahmins are not Hindu. They all belong to the Siva religion, Budhist, Sikh and Jaina religions. I repeat that the Siva religion should he separated from the Hindu religion.
Dr. R.B. Kamlakar, Govt. Qtr. D11B, St. Inez, Panaji, Goa -403 001: I need a copy of the order retaining reservations in promotions by the Supreme Court, as announced by Udit Raj in recent DV, I am not promoted even after 20 years of service. I have joined under the general category but the govt. is not treating me as a general category candidate, not to speak of providing under the SC category.
Secular Activists Watch, 37 Waroda Road, Bandra (W), Bombay 400 050: We have brought 60 children from Gujarat affected by the Gujarat Genocide-2002 in co-operation with Action Aid India, Aman Samudaya and 35 other voluntary organizations. The children are in the age group of 4 to 12 and belong to both sex. They have been admitted in the Royal Education Society’s school and hostel at Borli, Raigadh. We need support and donations, contributions to the Royal Education Society. a registered trust, and contributions are exempted from income tax. Children can be adopted/sponsored for the education, food, maintenance (drarundre@hotmail.com). and stay.
Gurdial Singh, 179-Model Gram, Ludhiana-141002: I have read Dr. (Mrs.) K.K. Sidhu’s pamphlet, How Vaidiks Turned Sikhs into Muslim-haters (DSA-2002). So far no one could turn Sikhs into Muslim-haters. There is absolutely no hatred among Sikhs for Muslims or Islam. History says that Muslim monarchs and/or Hindu kings, whenever attacked Sikh gurus or Sikh shrines. the Sikhs did defend successfully. There is not a single instance that Sikhs ever attacked Hindus or Muslims or Christians. Today there is no instance of any crime against any religion at the hands of the Sikhs. One can say that vaidiks are trying or may be trying to use the name of Sikhs for instigating the ignorant persons to create hatred for others but the real truth is that no one could ever succeed and shall ever succeed. A communal force, may be the Congress or any branch of Brahminism or Islam may try all their sources to mislead the Sikhs or damage Sikhism. Sikhs had been defending and serving the suffering humanity. They are doing so and shall honour with their lives the sacred principles of Sikhism. It is quite wrong to say that any one has turned Sikhs against anyone because for them all are their own.
M.R. Krishna, MRK Education Complex. Ram Nagar Colony, Alwal, Secunderabad 500 015: We have launched a “Bhim Rao Ambedkar V.R. Charitable Trust” to serve the Dalits. The trust has started Siddhartha Vinaya Vidya Nikethan, Sarva Mata Shanti Nilayam, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and some training centres. It also has vast landed assets. There are plans to establish senior citizens happy home, nursing training and other educational, employment, sports, cultural training centres. We are keen to associate institutions and persons eager to serve our causes as trustees.
Mrs. R.K.S. & Friends, Buldana, MS-444 203: I have read two BAMCEF advertisements in DV of Nov.1 and Nov 30, 2002. You also admired BAMCEF and its work in India’s Muslim Problem (DSA-1998). I am also impressed by the BAMCEF of Waman Meshram. But when I read two BAMCEF’s ads in DV, I got confused. Which BAMCEF is admired by you in your above-mentioned famous book? I have no objection about any BAMCEF. But I would like to know the genuine BAMCEF and what are the conditions for recognising it? The media does not give publicity to Waman Meshram’s BAMCEF. And this is the clue for its genuineness. Since DV’s predictions do not go wrong, I am proud of DV. Please direct us.
When we wrote the book first in 1993 we knew of only one BAMCEF led by Kanshi Ram. Once he left it and started the political party (BSP) BAMCEF broke up. Every organisation, every party in India is today divided and subdivided BAMCEF cannot be an exception. Vaidiks play a key role in splitting everything while fully securing their own Brahmana Jati Party. The upper castes being rulers can afford to play such a game but not our people the persecuted Bahujan lot. Look af Dalit Voice, It is 23 years old. We did not suffer either a spilt or blow. Nor do we have a competitor: We are unrivalled Nor will there be competitor tomorrow. DV is the sole spokesman of the persecuted nationalities. The secret of our strength is our strict and uncompromising adherence to Dr. Ambedkar’s “Three Commanaments: Educate, Agitate. Organise” Babasaheb wanted the Dalits to follow his three dictates in that order (DV Edit Feb. 16, 1989 Educate. Agitate, Organise: its essence & consequence”). Only when the first is completed, we can graduate to the second. Since India’s persecuted lot are not yet “educated” (awakened). We have a vast field to work. This field of educating awakening the sleeping slaves is the most difficult, thankless jab That is why nobody comes to it. Hence DV has the free field But our other brothers wanting quick returns took to more profitable fields and forget the first commandment. That is how when they jumped from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor they broke their legs. Forgetting “Education” they opted for “Organise“, the last of the Three Commandments BAMCEF broke into pieces because of this fundamental mistake. The mistake is you can’t go to “Organise the people, unless they are “Educated” When they are not even agitated how can you organise them? Until we obey the Three Commandments we will go on splitting and splitting, endless splitting– EDITOR
Fakrhruddin Ahmad, Advocate, Chakbasu Lane, Kachi Sarai, Muzaffapur, Bihar-842 002: Narendra Modi has truck the last nail on the BJP coffin. He wants to create a communal divide for the coming Assembly elections. His yatra could have been justified had there been no riots, no loss of lives. Indian people are faced with the problems of poverty and unemployment. They need good governance and if it is not given to them, it is a safe bet to say that both the people of Gujarat and India will reject the BJP at the next polls. Narendra Modi is living in fool’s paradise, he is no less than a frog in the well. Gujarat is not India. It is only 5% of India and even if by killing the Muslims of Gujarat they would be able to win the Gujarat election after a communal divide of Hindu votes in their side, they can not dream to conquer india. By and large the Hindus of India are secular and non-communal. They have not participated in the funeral procession of Indian democracy which is being solemnized by BJP as Gaurav Yatra.
Nanki Ram Baghel, at Bandhanpur, Sonepur PO, Raigarh dt., Chhattisgarh 496 118: This refers to the DV Editorial of Nov.1 BJP-BSP experiment and Dr. Suresh Mane’s article (DV Nov. 16, 2002 p.23): “Kanshi Ram never missed a chance to fight Brahminism“. The Editorial has raised a very important question on the BJP-BSP experiment. Will the vaidiks ever accept a servant as their master? If the BJP-BSP experiment succeeds all over India in the coming parliament elections, who shall be the prime minister? Surely Advani. Because Kanshi Ram has missed and the BSP is finished in Punjab, Bihar, Chhattisgarh. In MP it is sinking. It is alive only in UP I cannot say why. So, will the Brahmins accept Advani prime minister or will he be finished like M.K. Gandhi? This experiment may finished BSP also along with Advani because in the Editor’s words “everything becomes mud the Brahmin touches”. How can BSP be an exception? UP Chief Minister Mayawati did not notify the accused in the Babri destruction case. This means she has given them another chance to commit greater crime. By this she becomes the culprit of helping the criminals. Why Mayawati has forgotten the slogan given by herself: tilak, taraju aur talwar, inko maro jute char How she forgot her own great slogan? Coalition with BJP is not the solution to our problem. Dalit leaders must aim at the next generation as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did. Dr. Babasaheb was not a politician. He was a statesman. All his ideas and deeds aimed at the next generation and we are the result of his ideas and deeds. We criticise BSP because it has become opportunistic. Compromising with our Enemy No.1. Before the coalition, the BSP leaders were roaring like lions but now the same roaring leaders do not speak even a word against BJP or Gujarat Genocide or the Dalit massacre in UP, Bihar and Haryana. Dr. Suresh Mane has quoted Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy:
“A Brahmin is a good servant but a bad master. If you hit on his head he will prostrate on your feet. But you bend a little, he will sit on your head and kick you”.
This is right. But the same Periyar has also said:
“If you meet a Bralinin and a snake together, you must kill the Brahmin first then the snake because the Brahimin is more harmful than the snake. If the snake hites one or two men may die but if a Brahmin bites the whole community will be dead.”
In this quotation where is the room for coalition? But the politicians have made it the need.
