Basheer K .Medico, Mangalore : Bhagwan Das is wrong (DV Oct. 15) in saying Muslims have caste system. The examples that he cited of Syed, Sheikh etc. are only sects among Muslims. Caste has a special connotation and denotation which sociologists have cited. If this test is applied castes can’t be found in Islam.
Syed Aminuddin, Madras : According to T. W. Arnold (Missionary Review of the World N. S. Vol. XIII- pp. 22-23, New York, 1900): “The escape that Islam offers to Hindus from the oppression of the higher castes was strikingly illustrated in Tinnavelli at the close of the 19th century. A very low castes, Shanars, had in recent years become prosperous and many of them had built fine houses ; they asserted that they had the right to worship in temples from which they had hitherto been excluded. A riot enusec. in the course of which the Shanaras suffered badly at the hands of Hindus of higher caste, and they took refuge in the pale of Islam. Six hundred Shanaras in one village became Muslims in one day and their example was quickly followed in other places”.
Desmond A. D. Abreo, DEEDS, Mangalore : DY is very interesting. The Dalit issue is foremost in our reflections as it has to be tackled with great urgency. Caste problem must be seen as a major aspect of the class struggle. Hence we are trying to build up critical awarness among Dalits so that they may stand on their own legs to fight it out. If they are given the self-confidence and are trained to practice several skills, they will gradually manifest their worth.
Mohan Singh, Lucknow : Indira Gandhi during her recent visits to US, Europe emphasised that the Haves of the world have been exploiting the Have-nots. But she has hidden the fact that in India the very same thing is happening. As long as she is part of the Haves of India, what right has she to accuse the Haves outside ? As long as the Brahmins and other high caste Hindus in India go on treating us as Untouchables, the Haves of the world will go on treating the Brahmins and other Hindu rulers as Untouchables.
Arnaut Pinto, Jesuit House, Panaji, Goa : May god bless your efforts for truth and justice. Dr. R. K. Moris, Jalandhar : I have come to know of DV for the first time and found it an urgently required journal for all Dalits. We have from here Jantak Lehar, a Punjabi weekly, which is also doing a good service. Both must have close contact.
Miss, Valasala Kumari, Kottarakara, Kerala : My thanks to that “great man” who came forward to pay my DV subscription. The “Railway Platform Speech” (DV Oct. 1) must make every Dalit think deeply. If they don’t understand it now, they will soon do so and realise the importance of your, writings. I shall pledge to serve DV. The only handicap is I am a girl. I admire your courage to speak the truth.
Shaik Hyder, Islamic Centre, Toronto : I came across DV here and I find it a true spokesman of the persecuted minorities of India. Originaly from India, I migrated to Pakistan thinking that there will be justice but I find there are “Brahmins” in Pakistan also- called Vaderas, Zamindars, Colones, Generals etc. Hope DV will grow end prosper as the true representative of the suppressed people of India and the world.
Mustafa Tahan. Secretary General, International Islamic Federation of Student Organisations, Kuwait : We like the informative and valuable DV which is very useful to us and publish some items from it in our journal, Al-Akhbar.
S. K. De, Quaker International, New Delhi : We follow DV with great interest. DT. B. K. Basu, Kotnis Memorial Committee, Calcutta : I was seriously ill since returning from China and had to undergo a major surgery. Consider me as an ardent supporter of your noble cause .
Fr. Palatty M ., Catholic Mission, Salana, Assam : On the occasion of DV’s birth anniversay (Oct.16) I want to express few words of gratitude and encouragement. Gratitude because any minority community has to thank DV for voicing the suppressed feelings of the suffering minorities. Encouragement because you have numerous difficulties. One who fights for the poor has to suffer. Much more so in India which has been always in the clutches of high classes. India is basically in the hands of the anti-minorities. After 36 years of “independence” we find the country’s poor remaining poor. DV is educating the oppressed minorities. Over 85% of India’s suppressed population will be with DV which should reach every educated Dalit and minority. Even DV based study classes should be started in every place. You should contact all Catholic institutions in India because most of them are also suffering minority suppression. May DV become an established, national voice of the minorities in line with the Amnesty International etc.
H. Volken, Nagpur : DV is much appreciated in our team involved in strengthening leadership among Dalits in MP and Orissa. We appreciate DV for being the voice of the voiceless.
A Dalit IPS officer from Tamil Nadu : I am extremely happy that you have devoted your services to the cause of India’s poorest of the poor. Hence we admire you and appreciate you. Dalits should extend full support to DV. As an Ambekarite I feel that such literary works should grow with speed.
K. Chellappa, Il Year student, IIM, Bangalore Dalit students (25) in IIM-B are getting Central Govt. scholar- ship of Rs. 150 (monthly) per head but others are given Rs. 170. But IIM-Calcutta gives Rs. 170 to all students. Why this discrimination based on caste in IIM, Bangalore, only ? When this was pointed out to the authorities here they said they found “no logic”‘ in our demand. Do Hindus know logic ? Will somebody take up our demand with the Union Education Ministry ?
Muthu Srinivasan, Bombay : Mrs. Indira Gandhi sent troops into Bangla Desh and became a hero. But she is not prepared do so in Sri Lanka despite persecution of Tamils because it is the non-Brahmins who are suffering there. She fears that their demand for a separate State might lead to separatism in India. Look at her double standards. But what happened to our Hindu heroes (RSS) who proclaim that wherever Hindus suffer India’s Hindu Govt. must intervene ? Are the Sri Lanka Tamils not Hindus ?
