Brig. (retd.) U Khalid, 15 – The Hamlet, Champion Hill, London, SE5 8AW, UK: I did access your website www.dalitvoice.org. It is a great beginning. As the archives are built, it would become a tool of research.
Gurbakhsh Singh, IFS (retd), C-7/185 – Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi – 110 016: I have just joined the DV family through the good offers of Prof. Gurnam Singh Muktsar. I have read some issues and found it thought-provoking. You are highlighting the. atrocities on the Dalits. I have also read your Editorial with great interest on your visit to Dera Sach Khand, Ballan, Jalandhar, in June 2004. (DV Edit July 1, 2004: “Chamar power rescues Sikhism™). I was also present at that time. I hope your forecast and analysis will prove right with the passage of time. We need more stalwarts of your stature in the media.
G.S. Bal, 14-BB, Old Baradari, Near Circuit House, Jalandhar – 144 001: This refers to J.R. Antwal’s Letter (June 1, 2004, p. 18). It is clear that our elected representatives have not been able to form themselves into an effective pressure group, powerful enough to influence legislations and govt. decisions favoring the Dalits. Every reform and legislation including SC/ST reservations all remain on paper. So, I agree with Brother Antwal that unless reservation of seats in legislature is abolished unity will remain a distant dream. We must, therefore, support resolution of the Scheduled Caste Federation working committee (Aug.21, 1955) under the chairmanship of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The resolution no.6 passed unanimously says:
This meeting of the working committee is of the opinion that the provision for the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes in Parliament, in state assemblies, in municipalities and district and local boards be done away with immediately even before the next election”.
Shamsul Arifin, M-91, Abul Fazl Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi – 110 025: Almost all the so-called leaders of the world are parroting that they will fight against terrorism, they will root out terrorism, they will wipe out terrorism etc. Very recently the Indian Prime Minister also made such a statement in Bangkok saying, “we will unitedly fight against terrorism”. Can I ask these people to please describe what is terrorism? This parrot fashion makes them appear only stupid and a laughingstock. They are dancing to the tune of US. If they don’t clear what they mean by terrorism, US will make them victims of the same terrorism. If the Muslim objection to the American imperialism, if their fight against US blood- sucking foreign policy and it a jihad against injustice and discrimination by US is terrorism, then the meaning of terrorism needs to be revised in the dictionary. This sharp degradation in the morality of the world politicians if not checked, it will thrust the world into the dragon mouth. These politicians have already pushed the world to the brink of destruction. We are all aware of the corrupt and criminal practices of these leaders today. What could be a better example of that than George W. Bush. I appeal to the Muslims of the world to make a resolve to teach US a fitting lesson. Muslims must not forget that both, the father and the son (Bushes) have made a mockery of the Muslims. Every Muslim of the world should take it as his/her moral and religious duty to make them know that Muslims are not a butt of all the jokes. Our Prophet has definitely taught us to maintain- peace, sociability and brotherhood. But not only that. He has also taught us to sacrifice our life and property, honor and dignity. And verily he has taught us to launch jihad if a Satan like that of America raises its head. Show the enemies that we are not confined only to the mosque and Kaba but also, we know maneuvering of the battlefield. My appeal to the Muslims is to take today’s terrorism as the other name of Islam and the terrorists as Muslims. (shamsr@rediffmail.com).
Er. H.R. Phonsa, 63/5 – Nanak Nagar, Jammu Tawi – 180 004: “Poona Pact” is an agreement signed on Aug.17, 1932 at Poona to resolve the dispute arises out of the “Communal Award” issued by the British Govt. to confer two benefits to Untouchables:
(a) A fixed quota of seats to be elected by separate electorate for Untouchables and to be filled by persons belonging to Untouchables. (b) Double vote, one to be used through separate electorate and the other to be used to elect a non-Dalit candidate.
Ever since the categorization of Hindus into four varnas, all doors to progress were closed to Untouchables. Although every 5th Hindu was called an Untouchable and lived in the same territory as the upper castes, worships the same god, performed same set of religious rites, yet they were debarred from Hindu temples, schools etc. The Hindus offered rice and sugar to ants, poured milk to snakes, worshiped snakes, cows and bulls, but they avoided the shadow of Untouchables to save themselves getting polluted. The Act of 1919, based on the Montague-Chelmsford Report, clearly recognized the existence of Untouchables and their problem for the representation in legislatures. Dr. Ambedkar demanded that the Depressed Classes needed greater political protection than any other minority in British India as they are more educationally, economically and socially backward and suffer from many political disabilities. Dr. Ambedkar was examined on Oct.23, 1928 by Sir John Simon and Major Attlee, a member of the commission who later became Prime Minister of Britain. The Simon Commission recommended 60% seats (150 out of 250) in the central legislature to Hindus including reservation for Depressed Classes out of the Hindu quota seats. But an amicable solution of sharing political power in free India could not be settled by different parties even after deliberations in two Round Table Conferences which Dr. Ambedkar also attended as representative of the Depressed Classes. So, to settle the communal question the British Govt. announced on August 17, 1932, which was better known as; ‘Communal Award“. In respect of the Depressed Class its para 09 said:
Members of the depressed classes qualified to vote will vote in a general constituency. In view of the for a considerable period these classes would be unlikely, by this mean alone, to secure any adequate representation in legislature a number of special seats will be assigned to them. These seats will be filled by election from special constituencies in which only members of the Depressed Classes electorally qualified will be entitled to vote. Any person voting in such a special constituency will as stated above be entitled to vote in the general constituency also. It is intended that these constituencies should be formed in selected areas where the depressed classes are most numerous and that except in Madras, they should not cover the whole of the province.
But Gandhi, the Congress and Hindus were totally opposed to give such a right to the Depressed Classes. So far as the other minorities like Muslim, Sikh, Europeans and Christians were concerned, Gandhi was not opposed to accede this right to them as Gandhi had already decided 14 demands of Muslims in “Gandhi- Muslim Accord of 6th Oct.1931”. Against this Gandhi decided to go on a “fast unto death” on Sept.20, 1932 in the Yeravada Central Prison, Poona, where he was lodged to get nullified what the Untouchables had got through the Communal Award. Gandhi’s life was in the hands of Dr. Ambedkar who responded to the call of humanity against his conscience by agreeing to the “Poona Pact”. Who got benefited by how much by the “Poona Pact”?
- Gandhi’s precious life was saved by Dr. Ambedkar. (2) The Depressed Classes got 151 seats in the provincial legislatures against the 71 provided in the “Communal Award”. (3) Written promise was given by the Hindus to the Depressed Classes to work towards ending religious, social, educational and political discrimination. For the first time since the dawn of history, Untouchables were brought on equal platform, before the law of the land with Hindus. But with the passage of time the promises were forgotten. (4) The Depressed Classes lost the political stick of forcing the leaders elected on reserved seats through their votes to work for their exclusive rights. This has now become ample clear as inaction of their representatives has failed to get constitutional rights granted to Scheduled Castes fully implemented in practice despite the facts that their numbers is quite substantial in the state assemblies and in Indian Parliament. The representatives elected on the reserved seats are more bound by their political agendas than their social and -community’s obligations. Many of them have become – bondsmen. (5) Dr. Ambedkar was recognised as the sole, undisputed leader of the Dalits, which so far, many persons including Gandhi failed to recognize despite Dr. Ambedkar’s life-long struggle for the cause of Dalits against all odds.
Jaiboy Joseph , “Priya”, 3-Second Avenue, Harrington Road, Madras – 600 031: It was great meeting the Editor of the Dalit Voice after a long, long time in Madras. We must thank you for your speech giving a current analysis. may add that I am a reader of not only mainline I newspapers but also partisan magazines and that I find the approach of Dalit Voice, though sometimes brash, often refreshing reflecting some hidden truths masked in normal media reporting. Your publication’s offbeat insights enable one to develop a sensitivity to read between the lines of humdrum and more so biased stories carried in the press. Not so long ago [ felt something was missing in my lie and I wondered what it was. I suddenly woke up to the fact that my subscription to the Dalit Voice had lapsed and so the publication stopped coming in. Such is the influence of the publication on minds eager to know all sides of the truth.
Gaurav Himkar (lyrical_powers@yahoo.com ): I have been wondering for many days now: Just imagine how very hostile Indian media is towards Dalits. The Brahmins were 7 million when Dalits were about 24 million but do the Brahmins ever take the notice about the number of Dalits working in Indian media. Dalit students always score less than savarna students in university exams. Butt his doesn’t sound unnatural to savarnas, they might even suggest that there is some genetical problem with Dalits that makes them incompetent. Aren’t they pathetic? What about Bollywood? Is there a single Dalit? Actor/director/ cameraman/script writer/singer there? The absence of people who form about 1/4th of India in the movies doesn’t seem unnatural to the savarna intellectuals. And yet these savarnas would blow the horn of equality not in the favour of Dalits but for the “poor” savarna students and job aspirants who become the victim of reservation. Honestly these savarnas make me sick. Go to any college which reserves seats for Dalits, ask any savarna student what they think of reservation. The first thing that you will hear will be: ” Yeh saale Chamaar hamaari seat khaaa jaate hain”. I had to hear more than that. It is not that these people have never heard of diversity or affirmative actions, but they want to ignore this phenomenon completely. They will deny its existence. My Brahmin classmate cries foul over reservation and says that Dalits do not need or deserve reservation and says that the Dalit present a phony picture of their misery and even that Dalits are more economically and socially sound than savarnas these days. I laugh my heart out first, then ask him to name an economic well-off Dalit. He quotes the debate at this very point. We all know about the sinking student politics in DU dominated by ultra-Hindus (no, not Brahmins but shudras) and similar discrimination in administration by Brahmin-Banias.I observed about it later.
Verendra Kureel, H.No. 2425-V, S.No. 74/2 – Anand Vihar, Sant Nagar, Lohogaon, Pune – 411 047: This refers to your Editorial of July 16, 2004. You must have exposed these mischiefs of Indian media umpteen times. Yet confusion prevails among Dalits. Mayawati anticipating arrest has declared a BSP leader link between her and party workers. And Shibu Soren is in trouble. Both are Dalits. A 30-year-old case has been dug up to nail him down. I have heard educated, govt.-employed Dalits (Scheduled Caste would be more precise) calling Mayawati corrupt and irresponsible. Nothing makes them see through the Brahminic mind and face of the so-called “national”” media. They blindly believe the Hindu media. Even free DV copies could not penetrate their stuffed minds. What a colossal waste of a priceless weapon.
We are aware of the complaints against Mayawali. But we heed not brother about those Infernet-walas. Not only Rhey are a handful bur their bread and buffer comes from Brahmins. Hence, they have of bark ar the command of their masters. The masses are with us. Instead of wasting time on these chamchas, we have of I concentrate on our work — EDITOR.
Ram Parshad, Gen. Secretary, Dr. Ambedkar Welfare Mission, Punjab, 1564, Phase-5, Mohali – 160 059: I am writing on the success of the 3-day workshop and seminar on July 9,10 and 11, 2004 at YWCA bldg., Shimla, constructed about 110 years ago by the British. During this period, Dalit-turned-Christian gave a unique brotherly treatment. I bow before those Christian cobbler crusaders —William Cary, Johan Thomas —who happened to visit India through East India Co., at the end of 1700: They sacrificed their family life for Indian Dalits, although born in England. My comments on each of the workshop agenda are briefly given:
- Almost all the DV family members present viewed the recent Lok Sabha results on positive side keeping in view the “caste identity” factor identified by DV as “caste kills casteism”. Caste played an eminent role to break the backbone of all “national” parties which played havoc through the Manuwadi media.
- Reservation in private sector is a must for Dalit.
- The philosophy already made available by our saints, Phule, Ambedkar, Periyar etc., are very well preached by our Editor and the Dera of Ballan. I am quite confident about the role played by DV on the national and international level. This must be extended by DV missionary members.
- DV is doing a wonderful job. We must invite OBCs and minorities to our socio-religious platform to appraise them of the history of which OBCs are ignorant. They are living in a fool’s paradise.
- There is an urgent need to create a cadre of selfless, dedicated and devoted Dalit intellectuals.
- DV members have already formed an ad hoc body to launch a “Media Centre”. Final shape must be given at the earliest.
- We must live as honourable citizens for which we have to make sacrifices of time, money and talent. We must never surrender to the BSO.
Our Editor is like a lighthouse to all Dalits. His life-long efforts through DV are well-recorded.
Bimal Biswas, Editor, Adal Badal, AE-513, Salt Lake City, Calcutta – 700 064: I read the Letter of Sukumar Singha Chowdhury (April 16, 2004, p. 16). I too have great sympathy for Brother Balwant Singh. I do not find any sarcasm in his book, The Suffering People. 1 praise Brother Balwant for the wide survey he has carried out in 12 states. Can brother Sukumar name one self- respecting and upright IAS or non-IAS all-India Dalit officer who has not suffered at the hands of his upper caste bosses. A totally selfish man of only a career- building motto with flexible character of a chamcha can flourish in the social and administrative setup of this country. The name of one ICS officer comes to my mind: Sukumar Mallick, the last and the only Dalit (Namasudra) ICS could function as Chief Secretary to the Govt. of W. Bengal only for a few weeks and then shunted to a useless post. Why speak about IAS and ICS officer? Had not Babasaheb, the jewel of Nehru’s cabinet, resigned from the same Nehru Ministry, totally disillusioned and disgusted? What happened to Madhavsinh Solanki, an OBC Congress leader from Gujarat, then the external Affairs Minister of India? How was it that he had to carry an unsigned, undated secret letter from New Delhi to the Prime Minister of Switzerland which made him abruptly resign. The then Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, saved his own skin by butchering Solanki. The trap was so well laid that the bewildered man could not even speak. It is the fate of all upright Dalits, high or low. This cannot be changed unless the very root is changed. Brother Singha Chowdhury lives in Howrah, just the other bank of river Ganges. I would like to invite him for breakfast, lunch or dinner as it suits him just to know each other and talk. My telephone no. is (033) 2337- 0148.
Gurnam Singh Muktsar, 2 – Bhagat Singh Nagar, b/h Bus Stand, Muktsar – 152 026: I have just read your latest book, Counter Revolution (DSA-2004). On p.93 of the book, I read about your village. You have mentioned three words — Bhoota, Bhootada Mancha and Bhootadd Kone — which must be Kannada words of your state. But I found the same words in my Punjabi language also. Bhoot is a Punjabi word which means a person after his death becomes unforgettable for family members because of” his great deeds. The second word is Bhootada Mancha. Da in Punjabi means “of”. It means Manch of the Bhoota or place of Bhoota. “Da” in Kannada is da in Punjabi also and has the same meaning and same pronunciation. The third word is Bhootada Kone. Kone in Punjabi-means a corner, a separate place, a kona is a Punjabi word. A corner (Kone-Kona) of the Bhoota. All words you have used from your language have the same pronunciation and meaning in Punjabi. Two Punjabi words are also common — Munda and Amman. Munda is also the name of an indigenous tribe. The great warrior Birsa Munda belonged to this tribe. In Punjabi, this word means son. Amman in Punjabi means mother or mainly grandmother.
Ishwarbhai Hankare, Gen. Secretary, National Bahujan Congress (Republic), New India Centre, 8th Floor, 17/ A – Cooperage Road, Bombay – 400 039: Our growing organisation (NBCR) in Maharashtra will contest the Assembly election in about 20 constituencies. We are united on the thought and not on caste. Our object is to promote Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s mission and capture the key to administration. We Are working among OBC/ minority and even generals.
B.K. Nag, C-71, Ambedkar Avenue, Sarsara, Bargarh dt. – 768 028: An Oriya napkin paper, The Sambad, has an editorial, “Let astrology go to hell”, criticising an astrologer for his forecast that the person whose name starts with R would be the prime minister of India. But this largest circulated Orissa paper also published daily % horoscopes just below the article. DV has correctly said that “Hindu believes that he wants to believe”.
S.U. Rangari, 211/8359 -Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli (E), Bombay – 400 083: A special function was held on Aug.18, 2004 at Shanmukhanand Hall, Bombay, by the Samrat daily under its new wing, Samrat Cultural & Social Trust (SCST). The entry was not free, but the hall was packed. It was to honour Wamandada Kardak, a Dalit- Budhist, Mahakavi, and Prahlad Shinde a Dalit singer, who sang highest number of folksongs in the world and died recently in a very poor condition. They wanted to honour them by giving Rs. 25,000 to their wives along with citation. They also wanted to honour Laxmandada Kedara, a senior Dalit poet and singer, and Shrimant Kokate, a research historian who exposed all the wrong history written by Brahmin writers in his books. The Samrat Rashtirya Puraskar were given to all the above four people and a citation by Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. P.S. Mane presided. B.G. Kolse. Patil, Prof. Jogendra Kawade, Purushottam Khedekar, Vasantrao Daokhare, Gangadhar Gade. Pradip Dhobale, and Boke spoke on the occasion. The introduction of the function was made by Baban Kamble, editor, the Samrat. Unity of Marathas and Dalits was the highlight of the function.
Anil Rangari, G-104, Bharati- Apartment, Gurunanak Nagar, Durg – 491 001: In Bhilai, some Bahujans have established a society, Dhammpeeth, to run our own standard schools, separate hostel for girls and boys, library, later a college and then university. The schools will have CBSE-pattern education with compulsory one subject on Ambedkarism from KG-1’to class-XII. It will run the school in the name of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Educational Institute by earning Rs. 2 to 3 lakhs a month as student fees. About 120 members can become board of directors for life by donating Rs. 25,000 per head. They have purchased a 10-acre land. A bank has agreed to lend Rs. 3 crores to complete the project. Dr. Khobragade, principal of an engineering college at Nagpur, has agreed to run this institute which will be a unique one. Why the Budhist Society of India established by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, take up such projects? If just 1.000 dedicated DV family members, with a burning. desire for “media centre” they can easily mobilise Rs. 5 and unite the Tamilians. The conference you asked me to attend was one such. So, I prepared a dissenting note and asked the organisers to read it in the beginning of the conference itself. Among the speakers were Christudoss Gandhi, a Dalit IAS officer, who alone spoke on the correct concept of Dalit liberation. He repeatedly referred to my points. It was a stage-managed festival named: “The conditions of the oppressed and their emancipation in Tamil literature” held at Tiruchy. Even today in Tamil Nadu villages, Dalits cannot put on slippers and go with open umbrella. Hotels use two types of tumblers – one for Untouchables. Dalits cannot become panchayat presidents. The seminar participants have done nothing for Dalit liberation. A lady speaker at the seminar had tortured her Dalit lecturer. UGC should not grant funds for such wasteful seminars.
