Paramdeep Bhatia, London: My contact with India and Indian companies is set to increase over the next few years and so I would be grateful if you would remove the following text from your Dalit Voice website. This is partly because I may have said some things which would hurt the Hindus and I wish to hurt no one.
“Paramdeep Bhatia, London: I came across your website and I love it but at the same time I am so sad. I am British-born Sikh and I feel truly blessed to be born in a mu-Hindu and non-Indian environment in which I could learn the real message of Guru Nanak to “recognize the human race as one” and feel truly free from bad Indian programming. But why am I sad? I was reading an article about Babasaheb Ambedkar in Dalit Voice and his vision to set the Untouchables free from Hinduism before India gained “independence”. We were very close to having 60 million embrace Sikhism. In today’s number that would make Sikhism 200 millions and rival Budhism as the fourth biggest religion on the planet. Also 200 million Sikhs in India (instead of 20 million) would have created a very different India than the ones we have today with a completely different power base. Who would dare challenge a Sardar if there were zoo million of us, all promoting gender equality, racial equality, democracy. freedom of religion, hard work ethos, martial arts training etc.? So what went wrong? What a shock that M.K. Gandhi managed to persuade the Sikh leadership that it would be a bad idea and the Sikh leadership-being stupid blocked the conversion. That was the worst mistake the Sikh nation have ever made. So what can we do now in 2007? Well we can develop links with one another and we can try and help one another as much as possible. I personally cannot see Sikhism surviving in India without large numbers of people boosting Sikhism
You have stopped your membership of the DV family because you love the Hindus (our enemy) more than the Sikhs (your own community). Every Sikh guru attacked only the Brahmins. It is the Brahminical leadership under Indira Gandhi that led the bloody assault on Golden Temple and killed thousands of Sikhs. Yet you are in love with the very enemy of Sikhs-EDITOR.
M.R. Khan, PO Deka chang, via Chamaria, Kamrup dt.781 136: Glad to inform that your philosophy had tremendous influence on my thinking. Now I understand how the upper caste culture is so poisonous. Hence we must root out this culture and supremacy the upper castes. That will be my first and foremost duty. We have to awaken the nations and unite them to fight against the upper castes. The Hindu leaders are saying that Muslims of this state are foreigners, they should be driven out. The ignorant people simply believe this story.
Er. Hem Raj Phonsa, 63/5-Nanak Nagar, Jarmua Tawi-180 004: Swami Vivekananda while writing to friends said:
“Human society is in turn governed by four castes-the priests, soldiers, traders, and laborers, each state has its glories as well as defects. When the priest (Brahmins) rules, there is a tremendous exclusiveness on hereditary grounds-none but they have the right to impart knowledge. Its glory is that this period laid the foundation of the science. The military (Kahtriya) rale is tyrannical and cruel, but they are not exclusive and during that period art and social culture attains height. The commercial (Vaishya) rule comes next. It is awful (fearful) in its silent crushing and blood-sucking power. Its advantage is, as the trader himself goes everywhere, he is good disseminator of ideas collected during the two previous states. They are still leas exclusive than the military, but culture begins to decay. Last will come laborer (Shudra) rale. Its advantages will be distribution of physical comforts, its disadvantages (perhaps) lowering of culture. There will be great distribution of education… The first three have had their day. Now is the time for the last-they must have it. I am a socialist not because it is a perfect system, but half a loaf is better than no bread. The other systems have heen tried and found wanting. Lat this one be tried. A distribution of pain and pleasure is better, than always the same persons having pains and pleasure
For the national unity let everybody contribute to his/her ability and get as per his/her needs. Let us not produce doctors, engineers, scientists, educationists, who are not prepared to respect the rule of the country, serve the poor and rural India. Let every doctor or engineer fill up a bond to serve his country in the rural area for at least 10 years before going abroad to serve or settle their. This theft of going abroad soon after getting qualifications is costing dearly to India.
Ignoring advice of Lord Krishna by Kauravas to accede the due share of Pandavas resulted in the Mahabharata. I fear ignoring the advice of Indian Parliament (Enactment of 93 Constitution Amendment Of India) on Rights of Minorities may not result in triggering troubles for the country. The welfare measures for 80% Indians are going to strengthen India -net weaken it. Even Manu, the Hindu Law giver, says Whatever law is agreed upon by an assembly of ten people or more, or even three people ar more the law should not be disputed 12 (110)”.
Let us follow the advice of Guru Ravidas “I wish to have a rule where everybody is fed well, only then Ravidas shall feel happy”.
Kuldip Kumar, 1269-UE-II, Hisar-125 005: This is in response to the Editor’s comments on my article, “Why Dalits must capture temples? (DV April 16, 2009 p.25). He wanted to know the ways and means of capturing temples and quoted Babasaheb saying “Untouchables are not Hindu and were never Hindu”.
When the DV debate started on Vipassana, 1 wrote that after a slavery of centuries, we are coming out of our shell. We are seeing light of awareness and education. Every one is interpreting it in one’s own day. Similar is our position with regard to Babasaheb Ambedkar, his words and acts. Babasaheb sits calmly and relaxes. And yet we start yelling. Look, he is meditating. The fundamental rule of truth says that the words have no meaning of their own. These must always be interpreted and understood in the context of a whole situation when they were uttered. When Babasaheb said “We are not Hindu and were never Hindu, what he meant was that we do not belong to Hinduism. Had we been out of the claws of Brahmins, he would have felt the need to remind us that we are not Hindu. If today we visit Brahmin shrines, rub our nose on the floor before their gods, celebrate Diwali, Holi, observe fast on Mangalvar, greet others with Ram-Ram what are we if not Hindu? Even we the Dalit (Hindus) are used to demolish Babri Masjid and kill our Muslim blood brothers. What does it mean? We have not been hinduised but we have been turned into staunch Hindus. More staunch than the Brahmin. Even the Budhists have been hinduised. They do each and everything that the Hindu does. The only change they have made is that of idol. Earlier they used to worship the Brahmin idol, now they worship Budha’s idol. Budhism is totally hinhuised. To me the criteria to judge a Dalit lies in the 22 oaths administered by Babasaheb on Oct.14. 1956 when he discarded Brahminism as shit. If any Dalit violates or fails to observe even a single vow, he is Hindu. It is shame on us that now the so-called Budhist preachers have decided not to administer these 22 vows while bringing people to Budha Dhamma. What else is hinduisation? Besides, we have brahminised our gurus and saints. People from Punjab carry idol of Guru Ravidas from Punjab to
Haridwar or Kashi. In all respects we have become Hindu rather a better Hindu than the Brahmin. When we are Hindu in our deeds and thoughts, why should we remaina doormat of the Hindu? If Dalits can join RSS, BJP, VHP etc. why not think of becoming the chief of such gangs? In India, two jobs are permanently assigned to two castes:
- 1. Cleaning of sewerage, toilets is done by the Valmiki caste. No other caste does or even thinks of doing it.
- Priesthood has been assigned to the Brabmin. No other caste does or even thinks to be priest.
Our Editor’s “caste identity” theory is a fact. The first reason to capture the temple is we should be in a commanding position. Second, today Babasaheb is being worshipped like a god but when he was alive not too many Dalits joined his movement. I often ponder over why Babasaheb failed to organize Dalits. May be (I may be wrong) Babasaheb ran his movement as a suited-booted sahib. Had he lived some more year after adopting Dhamma and preached like bhikkhu, perhaps Budh Dhamma would have bees. the religion of the majority. Our Editor often laments that nobody listens to him/DV. Why? Because he is a sahib in the eyes of common Dalit. Unfortunately most of the salaibs proved to be back-stabbers to Dalits. So they do not believe a sahib. The Editor spent 26 years as sahib educating Dalits. Had he been a sahdu or priest. just 26 months would have been sufficient to organize a much bigger number of Dalits. So we need Dalit priests to educate our people. Some might fear that Dalit priests would take Dalits to deeper into slavery. But I know a single person can turn whole show upside down like Babasaheb who said if only Hindus would read their scriptures, they would simply burn them. Perhaps VTR, as Hindu priest can do it. But “Sahib VTR” if he tries to do, hardly any Dalit would listen. How then to capture temples? It is just like the question which Babasaheb faced: “How to liberate my people?” For this a Periyar-like movement and constant struggle has to be initiated. People of all non-Brahminic castes need to be associated. This cannot be done by mere writing article, mails or books. Nor it could be done by Sahibs only. Rather we require Ravidas and Kabirs to do it. A revolution started by saint-soldiers of the 14-15 century is required again. (Jaikuldip@rediffmail. com).
Dr. K. Jamanadas, “Shalimar”, Main Road, Chandrapur-442 402: This refers to the DV (April 16) article by Kuldeep Kumar, “Why Dalits must capture temples?” It was not Bal Thackeray who wanted to capture Hindu temples. It was his father, the great Prabodhankar (1885-1973) who said it. Keshav Sitaram Thakre, popularly known as Prabhodhankar, as he edited a journal, Prabodhan, was a great leader and a social reformer who worked to propagate Mahatma Phule and Shahu Maharaj. He also worked with Dr. Ambedkar. Here is a quote from my book, Maratha Revolt Against Brahmanism in 21st Century:
The writings of Prabodhankar Thakre have been all in Marathi. It is difficult to bring his rich ornate, satirical, stinging, pricking language in English. This is an humble attempt to introducer a fow glimpses of his thoughts on the subjects of temples and Hindu religion for non-Marathi readers from his Devalancha Dharina Aani Dharmachi Devsale, 2nd edition. One may compare his methods of dealing with religion and temples with the methods advocated by Dr. Salunkhe in modern times.
Prabodhankar says:
The all-round degradation of Hindus as seen today and Hindu society is unfit for the term society. Hindu religion is a great Brahminic humbug and Hindu culture is a cracked, dented pot with no base. Even during the great famine in whole of India, the Bhats were well fed because of generosity of Bahujans. And the non-Brahmins are being crushed in the frank misdeeds of Brahminic terror.
Our religion is no religion at all. It is a humbug to crush the non-Brahmins under the Brahminic burden. In Brahminic humbug, the first item of our slavery is the temple. Temples have come to Hindu religion recently. All our gads were shelter less for thousands of years, say since 7000 BCE, time supposed to be the date of Vedas. Till the end of Buddhism from India, say around beginning of Christian era, there were no temples in India.
Before discussing the methods of disposing of the gods and their temples, it is essential to see their origin from Semitic people, who were also, nomads like Aryans. They seem to be originators of temples, Broadly speaking, there were no temples in India till the and or 3rd century A.D. Old shattered Brahminisms defeated now reformist Budhism and in second century CE, the old editions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata were conflated for Bealzoinic hegemony and Manu smriti was created. But even then there were no temples.
Since Ashoka times, there were caves and temples for Budhirt Bhikshus with images of Duddha. That is the origin of our Hindu temples, In 8th century CE appeared Adi Shankara, the savior of Brahminism. He purified the Sethians and made them Rajputs to kill in mass genocide all the Budhists. He destroyed Budhist monuments and banished the Budhists. He created untouchability among the remaining Budhists, for the first time in India. He destroyed Budhist images and established there the Shiva-Lingas and converted some Budhist images and renamed them as those of Shiva. Thus Budhist Viharas became Brahmin temples. Manusinriti. Puranas and temples are the triple noose round the necks of Hindu society. It is destroy these three things that the Brahmins maintain their hegemony. If you destroy these three things Brahminism would vanish. The temples had become the dons of Ruis deeds till the time of Mohammed of Gazani, who found tremendous wealth just by breaking a Shiva-Linga. Temples are life of religion, the bhats shout. When omnipotent Somanatha could not protect himself, why the Beahmins fed on kings treasury should fight, they ran away. If somebody shows us one single Brahmin fighting for god in the history, we will give him our publications free for one year. Hindus knew there can be no self-upliftment by worshiping the stone, even then they flock to temples. The secret lies in 18 Puranas created for feeding of Brahmina. All slaves are so mad of god and especially of the amorous Bhagwat, that they prostrate in front of Brahmins and drink water washings of his feet. Many say Puranas are obscenity, I say they are latrines. All lands given to temples are meant for the Brahmins and ornaments of gods are in necks of Brahmin women all the year except on festival days. Since the Somanatha got the kicks of Mohammed, the temples have become dens of ganja smoking gasains, lazy beggars, rowdy goons and well fed-parasitic Bhats. The temples have not contributed anything to progress of Hindu religion or society or justice more than any brothel has done. When 96% of population is craving for education, the army of Bhats is feeding on temple property. Bhats being the born fathers of temples prohibit others to the temples. The dirty strearn of Brahmin non-Brahmin conflict has its origin in temples. Those touchable and untouchable Hindus who wish to finish this conflict must hammer first on temples. In the name of democracy, as radical reformer, I declare without caring for anybody’s feelings, that these are not temples but the dens of Satan. In Democratie atmosphere today nobody can oppose human rights. Democracy should enter the temples now. People craving for political freedom must destroy all state of ignorance and poverty as the Brahmins have done in India.
Please compare the words of Dr. Ambedkar with what Prophet Muhammad had remarked, 1.400 years ago on hiding knowledge:
Exhort one another to discharge one’s obligations in the sphere of knowledge. Denial of knowledge is more heinous than denial of one’s right to his property. On the day of judgement Allah will take account of this dereliction of duty.
So it is incumbent on the Dalits and the Muslims
the blood brothers for whose unity Editor Rajshekar is moving heaven and earth for the past 30 years-to acquire a sound English education which alone can liberate and empower them in our country. Knowledge is power. This is my message to the “Persecuted nationalities denied human rights”.
A.L. Rawal, 48/12, GF, Backside, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008: This refers to the Letter of Brig. (retd) Usman Khalid (DV April 16, 2009 p.14) who says that the rule of law has been restored in Pakistan by the lawyers’ movement. It is good that Pakistan is now on way to democracy if it lasts long. May it last for all time to come because only a democratic, prosperous, peaceful Pakistan in our neighborhood is the best for India. The Indian movement for freedom from the British was also launched by the lawyers. They also fought for the rule of law initially but due to the intransigence of the British the movement snowballed into a full-fledged freedom movement. They only wanted dominion status in the beginning. Dr. Ambedkar was also an advocate. The liberation of Bangladesh from West Pakistan has done no good to India. Tension on the border of India and East Pakistan had its own advantages. It did not encourage infiltration from Bangladesh (East Pakistan). With the liberation of Bangladesh, infiltration has become a big problem a silent invasion of India.
Manjoor Gopalan, Surabhi, Kanakkary PO, Kottayam 686 632: A Malayalam book, Swami Vivekanandan Socialisto? (Is Swami Vivekananda a socialist?) is the Malayalam translation of the book, “Nationalist gods chapter V of “Gods, false gods and the Untouchables (p.230-254, published in 1998 by Orion Books, New Delhi -95) written by S.K. Biswas, a Dalit intellectual. The book is translated by V. Prabhakaran. Though the book is very small in size its contents are lucid with supporting historical data that will be helpful to the readers to realize the wretched views of Swami Vivekananda.
Vivekananda, earlier named Narendranatha, desired to be known as a representative of the feudal forces. He was more interested in spreading Hinduism. Vivekananda said the actual rulers of India were Brahmins and that the Kshatriya rulers were only the dolls of the Brahmins. He never advised the Sudras to stand united to capture political power from the Brahmins. He did not ask the low castes to fight the. Brahmins. The book price is Rs. 22 (Brown Books, Arafa Complex, Karikkad PO, Perumpilav, Thrissur -680519).
Shafi Ahmed, Teacher, Dongaon PO, Mehekar tq Buldana dt. 443 303: I was present at the Nagpur DV silver jubilee celebrations (March 15, 2009). Nobody is doing the job you have undertaken in the whole of India. I had attended many conferences (istemas) of Muslims. These conferences discuss only the “life after death” (akhirat). The life after death is an individual problem. Islam is a major religion of the world. Nobody can destroy it. It is expanding day by day. All such Muslim conferences are useless for the Muslim society. Muslim leaders and maulanas are not worried about our Muslim society. They are helpful only to our enemy. They pour cold water on our burning anger. They are telling only the half truth not the full. They are not teaching the “spirit of Islam only rituals. Our prophet was an angry man like you. He fought against the enemy not preaching only rituals. What our maulanas and leaders are telling? They said this world is an examination hall. Then they forget one thing that you need to keep this hall clean, dirt less and comfortable to hold the examination. How you can do this? We need to see our social problem. You have rightly said money is not the problem of our people that is the Muslims. Crores of rupees they are spending for conferences. If only this money is spent on our social problems, they could have been solved. They don’t teach us the “spirit of Islam”. You do it better than them. They do not even identify our enemy.
Gurnam Singh Muktsar, 2-Bhagat Singh Nagar, B/h Bus Stand, Muktsar 152 026: V.T. Rajshekar -Friend, Philosopher & Guide, by Iqbal Ahmed Shariff, a Muslim scholar and a staunch follower of Dalit Voice is a wonderful book. Dalit Voice popularized the word “Dalit” all over the world. VIR built a strong Dalit-Black unity movement in the world. He declared Babasaheb as the “Father of India as against Gandhi the “Father of nation”, the so-called “Hindu nation”. He placed “Ambedkar Era” as against “Gandhi era”. Due to Dalit Voice, Bangalore became world famous. He gave institutions of slavery. We are suggesting three methods of disposing of the Hindu temples.
(1) Boycott the temples thinking them as dens of Satan. It is slow process and may take centuries as the Brahmins have accumulated enough wealth that will last them for next thousand years (2) Ignoring customs and traditions all Hindus including untouchables should, in the name of hindutva, capture these temples. Hut this is not for reformers. For us, it is preferable to shun away from these centers spreading verunn of social hate. Lastly, the temples got corrupted because the Bhats entered there. They entered because of stone goda therein. If you remove all gods and put all of them from all over the country in one single museum in a city, you can use the empty temples and their property for public good. You may forma committee of Hindus to decide how best these can be used as libraries research laboratories, hospitals, orphanages, lecture halls, observatories gymnasiums, community common dining halls and other public purposes. If the Hindus can not show this courage, they are not only unfit for swaraj but also are unfit for living
N.S. Chellappa, 12-8/356 Samir Viyas Nagar, Siluvaipatti PO, Tuticorin-2, TN: This refers to the article, “Why Dalits should capture temples?” by Kaldip Kumar (DV April 16, 2009 p.27). He says these temples are constructed by our people on our land. These are our properties enjoyed by our enemies. If we take over them it is not immoral and not illegal. Kuldip Kumar’s ideas are not new to Dalit Voice. DV has said the Aryan Brahmins are our enemies and aliens. The Brahmins built no temples. The Brahmins are using Sanskrit while performing rituals. We the Dalits, indigenous Budhists built 85,000 Budhist vihars and performed rituals and prayers in our native mother tongue. The
name of temples, gods and goddesses are in the name of our forefathers who ruled this country. During the Muslim rule in India, the Brahmins who were literate were posted as ministers and officers to oversee the vast properties of land and gold ornaments in temples. Brahmins played their usual mischief and occupied the temples as priests under the order of the Muslim rulers who did not know anything of India. To shake the foundation of Brahmin priesthood, we Dalits should enter the Hindu temples and take over the priesthood. The Brahmins and their chelas will resist but we should be ready to fight back right inside the temples. Most of the temples the Brahmins occupied today are Budhist vihars. Brahmins converted them into Hindu temples. For example, the name of Tirupati deity is Ealum Layan which they changed into Venkata Chalapati. The name of Sabarimalai Ayyappan was Manikandan, Kanchi Shankaracharya mutt was a Budhist monastery. The Pari Jagannatha temple was a Budhist vihara. We Dalits have become slaves of Hinduism enjoying our slavery both physically and mentally for over 3,000 years. Dalit Voice has said all this. DV has also said that the Hinduisın, Brahminism are against any democratic govt. And liberty, equality and fraternity.
Prof. K.S. Faiyaz Pasha, 10-Cherangal Abdul Gani Saheb Street, Ambur, TN-635 802: Without identifying the community by name Prime Minister Manmohan Singh just said:
“The extent of illiteracy in India is the result of elite conspiracy
Dr. Ambedkar said long ago:
No intellectual class has prostituted its intelligence to invent a philosophy solely for the purpose of keeping its uneducated countrymen in a perpetual recognition to the word Dalit socially and culturally. He fought against the mightiest of Hindu forces to tell the whole truth. VTR is a solid scholar who called the Brahmin writers as intellectual prostitutes and the newspapers as “toilet papers”. It is VTR who wrote the famous treatise, How Marx Failed in Hindu India and how the Marxist leadership promoted Brahminism among Dalit-Bahujans and killed their revolutionary spirit. He is the only person in the country to tell this truth. He was the first daredevil who sold anti-Marxist literature in front of their meetings. He could understand the significance of caste struggle in place of “class struggle”. It is VTR who divided Brahmins into two groups “Socialist Brahmins” and “Sacred Brahmins” and point out the former are more dangerous. He projected Brahminism as a hate philosophy. He was first in India to propound the Dalit-Muslim unity to fight Brahminism. VTR was first in the world to prove that Brahmins are the “Jews of India”. VTR said that poverty is no problem. It is loss of identity which is the real problem. VTR was the first to advice the Sikhs, again and again, to remove the wedge between upper caste, particularly Jat Sikhs, and the Dalit Sikhs. As a non-Sikh, VTR has given full attention to study the Sikh problem. For that he was arrested under TADA and jailed in Chandigarh. He is the country’s outstanding intellectual whose many, many predictions proved truthful. About Obama his prediction proved true. He has filled thousands of brains with his thoughts. Hindu India has denied the real place due to VTR But one day he will be recognized outside India for his ideological truths. He will soon come out as a man of history. His books have to be read by all revolution Arica. But it is a pity he is read more by counter-revolutionaries. VTR has given such powerful thoughts which influenced even Kanshi Ram’s movement. He provided many guidelines. He is the champion of Ambedakrite thoughts. Even on Brahmin and Brahminism, VTR is the path maker. I am grateful to Iqbal Ahmed Shariff for coming out with such a wonderful book.
P.P. Lakshman, (pplakshmano8@gmail.com): 1
read with great pain the moving story by Immanuel Kathirasan. Little has changed about the conditions of Dalit Christians in India ever since they were powerfully articulated by Dalit Bandu N.K. Jose of Kerala some 20 years ago. VIR of Dalit Voice also used to write forcefully about the plight of Dalit Christians. Dr. V. Paul of Madras says, we read reports on the internet that a CSI Bishop (Dr.
Devasahayam) made statements that the Indian church must acknowledge and confess the sin of harbouring the caste, system within its ranks and programs. Leadership positions in the church, they heard, were dominated by non-Dalit men. We want the Indian church to declare its identity as the church of and for the Dalits, in order to work towards their liberation. All this talk is very contrary to the reality of this Bishop’s practice in his own. Diocese. He had just appointed a non-Dalit in the powerful position of treasurer. Why should he talk about Dalit leadership? In turn, the treasurer’s daughter and son are finding appointments in key positions. So much for domination by non-Dalits blessed by the Bishop who tells you and the world a different story to enjoy. When the NCCI sent material and wanted the CSI to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday it was not celebrated in almost all churches, including the churches in Madras Diocese.
Valluva Panda ram, Bombay, (valluvapandaram@ gmail.com: Through DV please encourage inter-caste marriages of Dalits. For e.g. a Tamil Dalit marriage with Punjabi Dalit to help promote Dalit unity.
Your proposal is rosy to look of but dangerous for Dalits Inter-state marriages will destroy the identity of both who cease to be 5Cs. Do you like our population to go down? Educated, urbanized Dalits are falling prey to Brahminical brain-washing But every Brahmin caste conference has opposed inter-caste marriages. Take the case of Dr. KR. Narayanan. When the Census Commissioner himself met him for Census enumeration, the Kevala-born President said he was à Dalit. The Census Commissioner who went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan said he was not a Dalilt as he lost his SC status once he migrated outside his state. Do you want to lose your identity?-EDITOR
