Abayomi, < sherianc@aol.com>: Please consider this email the first in our effort to close the distance between the original Africans here in the West and those in India with you. We find DV a necessary instrument and would like to explore with you additional avenues which are intended to inform and preserve all that is original and natural about us. However, we would rather continue correspondence to you by mail. We will forward our address in our response to your reply. Stay well, stay strong.
Kripesh Ch. Nomosudra, C/o Imam Munshi Bazar Masjid, PO Karimpur TE, Dt. Moulvi Bazar, Bangladesh: Dalit Voice is becoming popular with the Dalits of Bangladesh. It is becoming a mouth-piece of the Untouchables of this country also. It exposes the inhuman oppressions and atrocities of the Bangladeshi Hindus. They consider us the worst class of human race because of our birth. Untouchability is part of the caste system created by Brahmins. They did it over 9,000 years ago to maintain their supremacy over the society. These Brahmins are Aryans and they came from West Asia. This caste system is continuing even to this day even in this Muslim country. I am an Untouchable – Nomosudra. Though I live in a Muslim society, the Aryans in this country continue to practice caste system and discrimination which you call racism. Ever since I started thinking I was worried about the Aryan brahminical racism against my people in Bangladesh. I began to study the Aryan religious books. Already I have completed studying their Ramayan, the Mahabharat and some other books including Oh! You Hindu Awake by Dr. Chatterjee in which you are profusely quoted. This book gave me a shock and gave me the clue that wherever the Aryans go they take their caste system and racism. Bangladesh is also infested with racism – not because of Muslims but the Aryan Hindus. Now, I am convinced that Dalits came to this position because they got hinduised and started worshipping Hindu gods and following their religion. This religion of inhumanity we have to quit as early as possible. Once the Dalit Voice gives a lead we will follow it here also. On Oct.7 last in Dhaka, 38 Dalit students of a govt. school in Rajasthan have been turned out of their school. Their “offence” was they wanted to drink water from a common tank from where the other Hindus also drink. They were very thirsty because of the famine conditions. Brahmins are controlling this school.
Staff and students of the Olaf Global Semester 200001, St. Olaf College, 1520 – St. Olaf Avenue, North Field, MN – 580 052, USA, camp Bangalore: Thank you so much for your lecture on Oct.26. The issues, “Indigenous religions of India and Dalits”, you have brought up are extremely interesting and thought-provoking. We all have been given a very unique perspective on Indian society and culture. We are sure most don’t have an opportunity like this.
C.C. Hadke, ONGC, Civil, IEOT, Panvel, New Bombay – 410 221: I read the complaint of K.B. Ram against the Sikhs (DV June 16, 2000 p. 13). I am engaged in supplying audio cassette dubbed in Marathi prepared in studio i.e. Mukti koun Pathe? (What Path Freedom) Dr. Ambedkar’s historic speech on 13.5.1936 at the Mahar Parishad, Bombay. In this speech Babasaheb xrayed the problem (as realised by K.B. Ram). Babasaheb said:
We Mahar (SC) victimised with the practise of untouchability not by caste Hindus due to their scripture’s sanction, but also by non-Hindus like Muslims, Sikhs, Christians etc. although their scriptures do not sanction inequality. This is because they would not afford to treat Mahar equally as they are afraid the caste-Hindus (BSO) would not treat them like Mahar.
K.B. Ram must know the social structure of India in Babasaheb’s words. Indian society remains unchanged. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians may also take note of this reality.
Balwant Singh, A-215, Purana Avas Vikas Colony,» Saharanpur – 247 007: Three Letters by G. Gopala Rao, S.R. Talukdar and Ram Avtar Singh have appeared in DV July 16, 2000 criticising and calling me a fake because they could not take a balanced view. Their intellectual bankruptcy is appalling and they have shown total lack of knowledge of Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar. They call themselves Ambedkarites but they are not. Gopalarao has questioned me about Gandhi. He should know that Gandhi in the Young India started championing the cause of Dalits since 1921. In the Young India (4-5- 1921) Gandhi wrote:
If I have to be reborn, I should be reborn an Untouchable that I may share their sorrows, sufferings and the affronts levelled at them in order that I may endeavour to free myself and them from that miserable condition.
I regard Untouchability as the greatest blot on Hinduism”. (Young India, 27.4.1921).
I abhor with my whole soul the system which has reduced a large number of Hindus to a level less than that of beasts. The vexed problem would be solved if the poor Panchamas, not to use the word “Untouchable”, was allowed to mind his own business. Unfortunately he has no mind or business he can call his own, but that of his master. Has a Panchama a place, he can call his own?
He may not walk on the very roads he cleans and pays for the sweat of his labour. He may not even dress as others do. (Young India 12.6.1924).
So long as the Hindus willfully regard Untouchability as part of their religion, so long as the masses of Hindus consider it as a sin to a section of their brethren, swaraj is impossible of attainment. (Young India 4.5.1921).
The existence of Untouchability must remain an impassable barrier in the path of our progress which we must break down with supreme efforts. There seems to be a lurking thought with many of us that we can gain swaraj and keep Untouchability. They do not even see the contradiction inherent in the thought. Swaraj is as much for the Untouchables as for the touchables. (Young India, 22.9.1921).
About the word Harijan, Gandhi explains:
The other day, a friend suggested to me that the word Harijan (man of god) be substituted for the word Antyaja (the last born) that is being used for Untouchables. It was a word used by great saint Narasinha Mehta, who by the by belonged to the Nagar Brahmana community and also defied the whole community by claiming the Untouchables as his own. I am delighted to adopt that word which is sanctified by having been used by such a great saint but it has for me a deeper meaning than you imagine. The Untouchable to me is compared to us, really a Harijan – a man of god and we are durjan (men of evil). For while the Untouchable has toiled and moiled and dirt in his hands, so that we may live in comfort and cleanliness, we have delighted in suppressing him. (Young India 6.8.1931).
Since 1921 till his last day Gandhi championed the cause of the Untouchables. Talukdar has brought in the doctrine of necessity, that to do some good Dr. Ambedkar joined the Nehru Cabinet. He should know the difference between the status of a Prime Minister and a Cabinet Minister also. Ram Avtar Singh has only a class room approach. He talks of UP as an ideal example of caste. UP is a Ulta Pradesh and a backward state where caste prejudices are agonising. The concept of “caste identity” can never bring about the integration of the lower classes which Dr. Ambedkar desired so keenly by adopting Budhism. Ram Avtar Singh is only a servile flatterer of the Brahminical Social Order and caste is an integral part of it. Men like him stand condemned and debunked. I am a follower of Budha’s “Middle Path” and don’t like extremes. We should try to take a balanced view and look at pros and cons of an issue and then say something. Half cooked views can never work.
S.R. Talukdar, 92-C Pocket-1, Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Delhi – 110 091: It is generally assumed that the word “Dalit” was the brain child of Dalit Panthers of Maharashtra. Dalit Panther movement started in the seventh decade of the 20th century. It was a literary movement. A large number of poets and writers belonging to the Depressed Classes of Maharashtra produced a new class of literature entirely different from the traditional literature of the Hindu writers. This new literature gave vent to the sufferings, oppression and agonies of the Depressed Classes in a revolutionary language and was called by its creators as “Dalit Sahitya”. Since then the name became very popular all over India and the downtrodden people irrespective of castes or religion started identifying themselves as Dalit. Neither Mahatma Jotirao Phule nor Babasaheb Ambedkar used this word directly in their writings. Mahatma Phule addressed the underdogs as shudras and ati-shudras and Babasaheb called them Depressed Classes (DCs) or Untouchables. No other writer of the DCs used this name to identify Untouchables. So, it was quite natural for us to think that the Dalit Panthers invented this word. But this is not true. While going through the pages of 1931 Census Report at the National Archives in New Delhi, I suddenly came across this word. Here is an extract of the relevant portion (Part-1, Vol.1 p. 488) from the Census Report:
“Consequently while in the Punjab the All India Shraddhanand Depressed Classes Mission was calling on the exterior castes to return themselves as Arya Hindus instead of, for instance, A1chuts or Dalits, the exterior castes’ own leaders were calling on their followers to return themselves as Ad-Dharmi by religion and not Hindu at all … “.
This proves beyond doubt that the DCs of Punjab used to call themselves Dalits even before 1931. The fear of the Arya Samajis of Punjab was that the Untouchables should not return themselves as Dalits as their religion in the census report. But Dalit is a class and not a religion. So, the word Dalit is much older than what it is thought out to be and its place of birth is Punjab and not Maharashtra. Babasaheb had extensively toured Punjab. He must have been acquainted with this new epithet. But it is quite probable that he did not use it in his writings because it was not so popular at that time and may not be understood by all. The credit definitely goes to Dalit Panthers to make this word popular and acceptable to all the down-trodden people irrespective of caste and religion.
Varla Ramaiah, president, Dalit Jyoti, 1-3-174/8. “Sarvahitha” Vidyadharapuram, Vijayawada – 520 012: The heart of each Dalit must be filled with full confidence that he has got every right to exercise the rights and enjoy the same without degrading himself and disgracing others. Our rights are perfected and protected under the Constitution. Such feelings made me to give up the job as Inspector of Police after 25 years for the betterment of Dalits. I opted for voluntary retirement foregoing ten years’ of service. “Dalit Jyoti” was formed on Aug. 1, 1999 to protect the rights of Dalits. I need guidance by a great personality like you. Our annual day will be held on Sept.7, 2000 at Vijayawada and I want you to be our guest of honour.
While thanking you for the invitation, we have our reservation in accepting any invitation from those outside our DV family. We have not even heard of you or your organisation. Our Inquiry with DV family members af Vijayawada reveals that though you are a Dalit your associates are mostly from the community of our oppressors. A Dalit has to serve his community first. Please give details of your community service to help us understand you better – EDITOR.
Rajendra, Dr. Ambedkar Pratishtana, Thoralakki PO, Malur Tq., Kolar dt. 563 137: All Holeyas are not Ambedkarites. All Ambedkarites are not Holeyas. Ambedkarites can be Ambedkarites without being Budhist. One should not be connected to the other. Our Editor is neither a Holeya nor Madiga and his caste is not included in the list of ST or SC. Yet, he is an Ambedkarite. His way of life will establish him as a Budhist. Nanak Chand Rattu served as personal secretary to Babasaheb for 20 years. P.N. Rajbhoj followed Babasaheb and participated in all his movements because he was the secretary of the Scheduled Castes Federation, a political party started by Babasaheb in 1942. Kanshi Ram is now carrying the Ambedkar banner to every corner of India leading the political caravan of Babasaheb and proving himself as an able player in this caste-ridden Indian politics. All the above three great persons are Madigas (Chamars). This may come as a surprise to Holeyas (Malas). Can we find one Holeya of this stature in any part of India? Holeyas claim Babasaheb as their casteman. But Madigas (Chamars) don’t. In 1947, the Congress supported Babasaheb to get him to Parliament. Again this was the very party that defeated him in the 1946 election. What a change in just one year? Babasaheb supported Bopatkar, a Pune Brahmin, in the 1952 election. How to analyse these events? Kanshi Ram went with the Congress in the 1996 Assembly elections but joined the Brahmana Jati Party (BJP) after the election to form the govt. with Mayawati as CM in UP. Things change according to the changing times. This is politics. Regarding “castes” in India, they have been. existing for centuries. Even before the birth of Dalit Voice and its Editor. Dalit Voice is transforming “caste prejudice” into “caste pride”. “Caste pride” is the essence of the Editor’s “ethnic identity” thesis. How can this go against any caste or subcaste? Has reservation in education, employment and politics united all the SC/ST subcastes? Can any list of SC/ST subcastes prepared by the govt. for a particular purpose unite the different castes? Madigas in Karnataka are a distinct ethnic identity. Yet they are divided into three groups based on profession: (1) cobblers, (2) tanners and (3) sweepers. All are known as Madigas. Yet these three groups will not inter-marry and inter-dine. That means within this one ethnic identity exists three subgroups. Sub-subcastes within a subcaste. This is what the Editor calls as “nation within a nation”. Same is the case with Holeyas: (1) Kannada-speaking, (2) Tamil-speaking and (3) Tamil mixed with Kannada words called Aruvu. No different identity and yet they don’t inter-marry or inter-dine. In villages, Holeyas and Madigas live in separate clusters. Have separate wells and temples. Even burial grounds are separate. Only a blind man can say that Malas and Madigas are same. Let us not hide the facts. Please don’t become hypocrites in the name of “Dalit unity” and Dr. Ambedkar. The Madiga Porata (struggle) in Andhra is a genuine struggle. That was the cause of Holeyas (Malas) of Andhra settling down in Maharashtra guided by sensible youths like Mulanivasi Mala and Mrs. Mamata Mala who supported the “Madiga Dandora” through their organisation, “Telugu Bahujana Mahasabha of Mumbai”. Every caste and even subcaste has its own traditions, customs and rituals. A way of life. Let our educated Dalit people “educate” themselves first before speaking or writing on our problems. This is exactly what “Educate”, the first Commandment of Babasaheb means. Prajna of Budha is also the same. Can anyone claim to be Ambedkarite or Budhist with our education or prajna? The ethnic identity of our Editor is a revolutionary proposition. Every caste and subcaste should feel proud. Every individual caste should become strong first. This is the essence of this unique thesis. Identifying the common Enemy is the next stage. Every caste should know that the common enemy is responsible for all their ills. Unity is needed to fight that evil force that is the main aim. Without any aim what is the use of unity? Unity for what?
“Unity among different communities comes when every caste feels the pinch of the other caste man and develops sympathy for each other”.
says a great Dalit Telugu poet, Boyee Bhimanna. History has proved the principle “enemy’s enemy is friend” with the Second World War just 60 years behind us. America and Russia became friends with a single aim to bury Hitler Bahujans will become strong if each individual jati becomes strong. Then only it can fight the common Enemy. It may take a century or two. Does not matter. I wish all success to the historic mission of DV. Let the dream of our beloved Editor become a reality. There is no doubt about it. “Caste identity” established so strongly by the continuous “caste wars” in different parts of India has exposed the truth of the existing social system. “Ethnic identity” is finding a place with the autonomy demand in Kashmir, Punjab, Bodoland. Tamil national consciousness is another example of “ethnic identity”. Our Editor’s expression of the “Beauty of the Broken Mirror” signifies the growth of regional, caste-based parties coming to power. “Categorization” of different subcastes within the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Punjab, Andhra Pradesh is yet another sign of the growth of “ethnic identity“. Similar demands are heard in Karnataka, Kerala etc. Many Bahujan castes are claiming inclusion in Backward Caste list. Most interesting is the Veerashaivas (Lingayats) disowning Hinduism and wanting a separate identity. All these welcome developments prove how prophetic is our Editor. Every Dalit Voice prophecy has proved right. “Hindu” means only the Brahmin. Kalyan Singh and Vaghela were thrown to wastepaper basket. Sikander Bhakth’s secularism evaporated. Patriot Farukh Abdullah becomes a traitor next day and comes back as patriot on the third day. All religions in India are polluted with Brahmin infiltration. Upper caste Christians and Sikhs are isolated by the masses. The vaidik game is getting exposed. No more fooling of masses in the name of Rama and “Hindu”. The Lahore bus-drive drama. Kargil war dance, Pokhran bomb music, now the constitutional review are different vaidik stunts to cover up the hidden agenda of the Brahmana Jati Party. All these welcome developments should cheer up our Editor who toiled for 20 years “educating” leading and guiding the persecuted nationalities.
Ven. Bhadant Vinay Bodhi, Secretary, Mahavidarbha Bhikkhu Sangh, Vijjassan Buddhist Cave, Bhadrawati, Chandrapur dt. 442 902: We want you to be our chief guest at the 2nd International Budhist Conference to be held on Nov.25-26. 2000 on the land sanctified by the footprints of Lord Budha, called as Vijassana Caves here. The Conference is to be attended by 500 Budhist monks and nuns from India and different parts of the world.
Ram Parshad, Dr. Ambedkar Welfare Mission Punjab, Kothi No. 436-Phase 4 (Sector 59), Mohali. Near Chandigarh-160 059: We have come to know that once again the Institute of Sikh Studies, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Kanthala Industrial Area, Phase-II, Chandigarh-160 002 will hold a one day seminar on “Sikhism and the Caste system” on Nov.4 and “political autonomy” on Nov 5, 2000. V.T. Rajshekar, Editor of DV, will preside over one session. We, therefore, look forward to see you and hear your thoughts which will help awaken the Guru’s intellectuals. The Dalit “educated” slaves too would get light for removing their centuries old socio-cultural and economic slavery.
Bhaskar R. Wakade. Mana Tribes Historian, C/o Subhash Nandanwar, Behind Viswakarma Furniture Mart, Vidhyanagar, Bramhapuri, Chandrapur dt., MS: Your crusade for “ethnic identity” and my meeting with you at the Pune Dalit History Conference has encouraged us to hold a conference of our indigenous Mana tribe. An “International Historical Council” will be held during the summer vacation in collaboration with the Mana Nagawanshiya Tribal Sahitya Sammelana. We need two international guests who are also indigenous tribes of any foreign country but residing in India. We need your support in organising this unique event. Your valuable books on history and society have helped us a lot. We also need publicity in DV for our conference.
Dr. V.K. Srivatsava, Visiting Professor, Dept. of Geogaphy, Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar, MP-470 003: You are invited to present a paper at 3-day Seminar on Human Development to be held in our university from Jan. 15 to 17, 2001, Sagar is in the heart of MP and an important junction on the Central Railway.
Dr. D. Yadaiah, B2-24, MIG Huda, Chandanagar, Hyderabad 500 050: Hareesh Chande, chairman, All India Samata Sainik Dal, and myself were at Trivandrum from Sept. 28 to Oct.2 along with ten members of the SSD (five from Maharashtra and five from AP). Ookkodu Gopalan, editor of Shabdam, a Malayalee monthly. conducted an interaction meeting at a Trivandrum hotel. About 25 members met to discuss the need to establish a SSD unit founded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1926 to train the Dalit youth physically and mentally. After the death of Babasaheb, SSD languished. The Kerala unit of SSD was later formed headed by Advocate T.C. Krishnadas and Secretary O. Gopalan. We have covered all the states in India except West Bengal and Orissa. DV readers in these two states have assured us help. We hope to complete our work within six months.
Dr. U.N. Khara, VAS, At/PO/dt. Malkangiri, Orissa: On the occasion of the 68th anniversary of “Poona Pact” Day (Sept. 24), we the SC/ST people of Malkangiri had a meeting to condemn the Pact by which M.K. Gandhi and his Hindus stabbed Dalits in the back. An Oriya version of the book, Puna Chukti, was released by Srinivas Rao, fonder of the Orissa Dalit Samaj.
Mrs. Surinder Kaur, Flat No. 32, 247/1, Minto Park, Alipore, Calcutta -700 027: Please refer to my Letter in the DV Aug. 16, 1999 p. 15 pointing out how SC/STs are being deprived of 12 Lok Sabha seats, based on the 1991 census figures. The Telegraph (2.9.2000) quoting a BJP spokesman, M. Venkaiah Naidu says:
“Our Govt. has brought the Constitution Amendment Bills to legislate reservation in promotions and increase the eligibility criteria for SC/STs and proposed an increase in the number of reserved seats for Dalits in the Lok Sabha without increasing the total number of seats”.
So, Dalits are soon going to get 12 extra Lok Sabha seats, deprived so far, based on the 1991 census. Nobody among the Dalit “intellectuals” bothered to study the 1991 census figures. The 12 extra Dalit MPs will have to be grateful to Sher Singh, IAS, who first had to look at the 1991 census figures and worked out the percentage of their population in each state. Sher Singh was kept under suspension for over 6 and half years, despite the clear-cut policy of the Govt. of India not to keep any officer under suspension for over six months. This speaks volumes about the “milk of human kindness” flowing in the hearts of “Hindu marxists” for the Muslim minority in India.
A.L. Rawal, 48/12, GF, Backside, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi-110 008: This refers to the Letter of Rajendranauth Basdeo claiming that Brahmins are the “holy leaders of Bharat” (DV Oct. 1, 2000 p.12). He has only revealed his ignorance about Brahmins and Hindu history as told in his own scriptures. In Sat Yuga, a Brahmin. Vaman by name, disguised himself as a dwarf to rob the great King Bali of his kingdom. As soon as the king promised him to grant his wish, the dwarf Brahmin made himself so huge that he measured the realm of Bali Chakravarti in his first step. In his second step, he measured the skies so that he could not find refuge anywhere. In his third step, he measured the life of King Bali. A Brahmin robbed the Dalits of their political rights in the Sat Yuga. The key that opened a thousand locks slipped out of the royal hands of the Dalits. In the Treta Yug, the same “learned and holy” Brahmins were jealous of the penace and the efforts of Shambook to gain knowledge. They used the death of a Brahmin’s son as an excuse to stop the Dalits from pursuing knowledge. Dalits were robbed of their intellectual rights in the Treta Yug. In the Dwapar Yug again, a Brahmin struck his deadly blow on the right to self-defence of the Dalits. Dronacharya asked for Eklavya’s thumb to rob them of their right to take up arms for self-defence. This made the people helpless and they could not defend their country in the face of foreign invasions. In this age also Dalits have been discriminated against on the grounds of caste by the “holy leaders” of Bharat. Besdeo must have taken his training in cardiology in India. But he has preferred to serve the wellfed humans of the West ignoring the sub-humans of this “holy land.”
M.V. Thomas, IPS, Director-General of Police (Retd.), Chairman, Bahujan Sevak Prasthan, 256-Road No.3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad – 500 034: We have formed the above Trust to serve the poor and under privileged sections of our society. We seek to change the lives of those who never lived a life of dignity, respect or honour for ages due to severe oppression by the over privileged. We will also be a watchdog for maintaining the constitutional guarantees assured for the poor and under-privileged. The Trust is being guided by a broad based general body drawn from a cross section of people of all walks of life throughout India and abroad.
We seek your support. We are happy that at least after retirement Brother Thomas has thought of forming a trust to work for the “poor” a word which does not exist in our dictionary. A section of Indian population became “poor” when its human rights were robbed by the Aryan upper castes. Dr. Babasaheb had identified such “poor” people as Dalits. But Brother Thomas and his Trust are afraid of even Identifying this “poor” people despite hailing from that very community. We can understand their fear of identifying their oppressors who being upper castes have exploited our people and became rich and powerful. How can a Dalit organisation which is afraid of identifying its blood relations and openly exhibits its cowardice be of any service to our people? – EDITOR.
Dr. V. Prakash, 1-3-75/45/1, Rajendra nagar. Mahabub nagar, 509 001: “Dalit unity” alone can conquer power to Dalits. But why power is needed? That is to put an end to all sorts of upper caste atrocities on Dalits. If so, how to conquer power through “Dalit unity?” A strong political party is needed to conquer power. Keeping this in view Babasaheb Ambedkar formed an independent Labour Party in 1936 later called Republican Party of India. RPI was not meant for Dalits only. All oppressed can join it. If so what is the need to have another party like BSP? Why RPI did not grow into an all-India party? No answer is available. Lack of awareness and lack of unity among our people despite repeated, valuable messages passed through DV. Over 90% of Muslims belong to Untouchables and over 80% of Christians are also Untouchables. But over 85% of the Bahujans are being ruled by this less than 15% of Aryans due to disunity and blind beliefs in Hindu religion.
Brother Prakash is a new member of our family. Just one year old. Babasaheb gave us RPI but a section of Dalits in Maharashtra confined RPI to Maharashtra (MS) and made it a monopoly of one single subcaste Mahars. Despite this monopoly, RPI split into three or four factions Today, there is no hope in RPI. Compared to RPI, BSP has made a tremendous impact on Dalits at the all-India level and UP in particular. Mahar political leaders of RPI refused to allow BSP to enter MS. Despite all this handicap, BSP is today an all-India party while even the CPM is facing de-recognition, So, which Dalit party is better- RPI or BSP? Despite such great achievements a section of Dalits in AP withdrew support from BSP on the ground that Kanshi Ram, the party chief, was a Chamar (Madiga). There is no better and more powerful all-India Dalit party today than BSP. Why not the AP Dalits join it? These are hard facts which we know from our practical experience. If Brother Prakash wants to become an Ambedkarite he must get out of all prejudices “Unity” will come only out of struggle. That means strength first and unity will automatically follow. We request Prakash to read all our books and order back issues of DV and study them – EDITOR.
Dr. Ashok Adhav. MHB Colony, M 36/2521, Yerawada, Pune 411 006: This year’s topper of HSC exam held by the Maharashtra Govt. is Madan Nagargoje, a Budhist. And there are hundreds of SC/ST and Budhist students in the “merit list”. Also topper in the SSC exam is a Budhist girl. Anushri Balekar. There are hundreds of SC/ ST and Muslims merited students. These young boys have disproved the theory that “merit” is found only in one caste. The problem is there is a caste monopoly of teachers at higher levels and absolute monopoly at the highest level where they throttle our merit. But their days are numbered.
T.N. Arivarasu, 64-Housing Unit, College Road, Tirpur, TN-638 602: I read in DV that Malleswari belonged to a Backward Caste. But in the India Today (p. 43) she says “I am a Brahmin girl and I will never touch beer or liquor”. The Editor of DV is working very hard for liberation of SC/ST but the “educated” among them don’t care for DV. They are not even aware of DV. They want money. They don’t care for social justice. They are ready to join Brahmins to meet their selfish ends. Malleswari is a good example. To these people, Dr. Ambedkar is meant to do business. Even when I give them DV, they don’t want to read it. I have lost hope in SC/ST. They have faith only in Brahmin parties and brahminism. Christians are also doing the same thing but Muslims are somewhat better.
Dr. R.P. Harsh, Harsh Clinic, Barnala Road, Sirsa-125 055: This refers to your article “Swastika was a Dravidian symbol” (DV May 1, 1999 p.23). I would like to add that it was a symbol of the Harappan culture also referred to in many Hindi history books. The swastika symbol is shown as the archeological evidence of Harappan culture. The name of the books are: 1. History, Sr. Sec. Classes National Open School Delhi, p. 43-44 and 2. Pracheen Bharat Ka Saral Itihas (p.43).
Gobind Roy of Nanded, MS: This refers to the Letter of Rajinder Singh from Kandla, Gujarat (DV Nov. 16, 1999, p.14). He has called the historic Debate initiated by DV on “Slow death of Sikhism” as a garbage, injurious to the feelings/sentiments of a few and that it should be stopped forthwith. Otherwise, he threatens, it will affect the circulation of DV. But almost an year has passed since this threat held out on behalf of his upper caste masters. The young Sardar from Kandla, a Dalit Sikh, must note that the bed-ridden patient (“Spirit of Sikhism”) is already dead as early as 1947, after a prolonged illness caused by the brahminical cancer. It died the day the Sikh pandas accepted the corrupt, unjust and dishonest sanatana system, unconditionally on mere verbal assurances of the Aryan vaidiks. The burial took place in 1978, the day brahminised (corrupted and co-opted) Sikh leadership raised slogans. of Anand Pur Sahib Resolutions, Sikh homeland/nation etc. without taking into account related ground realities. Lakhs of innocent Sikhs were forced to commit harakiri by adopting defective tactics/strategies. A few dedicated brahminical agents recently joined the Sikh Social Order (SSO) in order to build a sati temple. DV has been doing a wonderful service but a thankless job though it is not a Sikh journal. Its Editor also is not a Sikh. He is right in telling us that Sikhism has already become a branch of Hinduism and Guru Nanak given the status of an avatar like the Budha. So, Brother Rajinder Singh is requested to review his threatening posture in the light of the above facts. Rajinder Singh being a Dalit would do well to learn from the writings of Sardar Gurnam Singh Muktsar, a Dalit intellectual, instead of following upper caste Sikh pandas.
Isa Haque, Madhupur, PO Hoerah, Hooghly-712 147: Due to financial constraints I could not renew my subscription for nearly 2 years. Mentally I am always with the DV and I think DV is the only one single journal in India that is open to the Muslims for which every Muslim should be grateful. It is more Muslim-friendly than any other journal led by our Muslims. This is my first attempt to write anything in English after a long period of silence. How far I have succeeded in expressing myself on some vital issues, it is left for the readers to judge. This is still a trying time for the Muslims. Their ordeal has not ended yet. Yet their leadership, religious and political, seems indifferent and insensitive to the need of the hour. Many of them, the religious leadership in particular, are sickeningly engaged in polemics over religious matters not so essential from the practical point of view, leaving the vital issues and problems unattended to and unresolved. Our religious leaders demand that they have diagnosed the disease correctly and it is related to faith or imam and that the imam of Muslims have become weak, it has got to be strong and if we can do that all problems will automatically vanish. This is an over simplistic view. Life is not easy,and its problems are no easier. This our leadership seems to forget, God, no doubt, prefers faithfuls to infidels. It is His ordinance that Momens must offer Him prayers with unshakable faith. At the same time, he ordains that a Momen or imamdar Muslim must fight in the path of Allah with life and property to protect the weak, the oppressed, the downtrodden, the exploited, all who those are called mustadafeen. This is in Islamic parlance jihad, a concept and a sunnah holiest of holy. So imam is inter-related to jihad. One cannot be isolated from the other. So, the doctors diagnosing the disease as one due to weak imam are trying to put the cart before the horse avoiding the real issue the fight and struggle for existence and survival of individual and community. In our daily life Allah, the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet occupy a place of permanent importance and rightly so. Our religious leaders are beside themselves when referring to the sunnas of the Prophet. But they are unconcerned about and disinterested in only one, that of jihad. Very seldom it finds mention anywhere in the address of speakers pouring out eloquence in thousands of Jamat held by Tablige Jamat or other Islamic outfits. Allah has called upon Muslims to be virtuous, to be faithful, to be ardent in their love for humanity and above all, to be fighters. Islam is a revolutionary doctrine and jihad is the soul of this revolution. Those who strive to kill this soul and enemies of Islam and Muslim community, we should have no business with our enemies even if they are our leaders, great or small.
Mohd. Ahmed Ali, Public Relations Secretary, North East Paangal Association, HO Chiripar, Cachar, Assam – 788 101: You are my most favourite journalist. I love you very much as a respected figure in the search for human justice. The interest in your books among the Paangal Muslim community in the North-East India is steadily rising. Perhaps by next year it will be time to reprint all your books. I religiously read DV. I regret very much that I came to know DV so late. Such a great magazine was not known to me so long. I am ashamed of my ignorance. DV is being published since 1981 and came to know of it only at the end of this millennium. When I became the PR Secretary of NEPA, a friend asked me to read DV to know the real India. Now, I would like read all the back issues of DV. To me, though you are not a Muslim, your love for the downtrodden and depressed Muslim is a marvel to the whole world. Before the mighty Hindu nazis, DV is a tiny creature. Yet its achievements in 20 years is amazing. DV has been challenging. defending and projecting all non-Hindu nationalities. Many nationalities have been awakened as a result of your work. Many caste-based organisations have already come up to follow the “Three Commandments” of our Babasaheb: “Educate. Agitate and Organise.” DV highlights problems not only of India but even international issues. DV has been also trying to unite all blood-brothers launching Dalit-Muslim unity. It loves all and hates only those who hate us. It is only from DV, I learnt the mistakes of Muslims who consider SC/ST/BCs as Hindus.
Ruby Naushad <rubynaushad@eth.net>: The BJP is trying very hard to tell Muslims that their party loves them. Bangaru Laxman’s reassurance indicates that at some level, he is quite aware that the BJP needs to project a spruced up profile so that the minorities give up their perceived reservations about the BJP. If Laxman is so concerned about bringing the minorities on the same footing as the other sections of Indian society, all that he has to do is to tell the Hindu nazis not to needlessly reopen the now-off-now-on controversy about the Babri Masjid and Uniform Civil Code. Muslims remain to be the most under-represented community in the power structure. Indeed, on the contrary, the BJP has in the meantime tried to saffronise the educational system.
E.A. Motiwala, Aman Housing Society, Block No. 79/С, Division No. III, Opp. Farooki Masjid B/H, Jeevan Jyot Cinema, Udhna PO, Surat dt. 394 210: History shows that Dr. Ambedkar was attracted to Islam owing to its social equality and justice. But one mahatma cunningh misguided him on the ground that Islam is also divided into numerous sects. Unfortunately no Islamic scholar at that time came forward to correct the facts.
Kazi Sangramoon Uddin, c/o Uttam Dey (shop). Vill. & PO Khilpara, Udaipur (S), Tripura – 799 120: I am a poor student of English (hons.) second year. You know that Tripura is the most backward state in North-East. And NE is the most backward compared to rest of India. So, you know the condition of Muslims who lived in Tripura. Our village is very much influenced by the CPI(ML) liberation philosophy. In our village Khilpara, Muslims are 55%. Hindus and Muslims are very close. DV is very useful to understand India. I want to correspond with you but language problem comes in the way. I know only Bengali. I am in the ML Liberation because no other movement is known here. It organising the peasants and workers. I don’t know much of Muslims or Islam. Nor do I know the Muslims in other parts. I have read your booklet, Curse of Allah, DSA 1997), in which you have argued that the “Spirit of Islam” is more important and more deadly than the “rituals of Islam”. CP(ML) is working for oppressed and hence this booklet gave us lot of information. Please send a complimentary copy of DV to Nazrul Library where many educated Muslims come regularly. DV will certainly awaken these Muslims. Tripura Muslims are in. a very bad condition but they are not aware of it.
S. Haque, Patna: Al-Ummah president S.A. Pasha of Madras was acquitted in a case for alleged instigation of anti-Muslim riot in Coimbatore in 1986. The judicial magistrate freed him from the charges on Sept.4, 2000 but newspapers refused to publish this news. The district judge of Kovlam, Kerala, awarded life imprisonment to three RSS workers for killing Muslims. For the first time 19 Shiv Sainiks were sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment for killing a constable and arousing tension. This judgement was passed by the additional metropolitan magistrate of Kurd. All these important reports are completely blacked out by the Hindu media but covered only by the Urdu press.
Syed Naseer Ahamed, journalist, D.No. 11-252/A, Polakampadu, Guntur dt. 522 501: I belong to the DV family. I am preparing for my new book, Indian Freedom Struggle: Muslim Heroes (Telugu). I wish to give a total of 100 sketches of those personalities who laid their lives in the struggle against the British for the liberation of India. Hence I need help from my DV family members.
Sajid Ahamed, Students Islamic Organisation, H.No. 1917/54, Vivekananda Extension, Davanagere-577004: With great regards and while appreciating your services to the Dalit community, I feel happy to read some of your books.
