Timothy Frazier, Jr., Dover, USA: | am an African- American. | have just finished reading the African Presence in Early Asia in which you have contributed a chapter on India’s Black Untouchables. Although the problems facing my people here in US are many and seem to be multiplying daily, | cannot help being moved by the plight and persecution of my Black brothers. | want to read all your books and also Dalit Voice to study India so that | can know what | can do for you people.
Dennis Walker, Melbourne, Australia: A scholarly collection on world nationality movements is soon coming out from Delhi and London. | am finalizing my contribution on the Black Muslims and your relations with Louis Farrakhan in a two-page section.
John Trimble, Atlanta, USA: Today (Jan. 19), 91 years ago, Henry Sylvester Wiliams and W.E.B. DuBis helped organize the First-Pan-African Conference. It is with the same spirit of Pan-Africanism that | commend the Dalit Voice for its constant work of bringing to the attention of Africans around the world the gallant struggle Dalits are waging against brahminism. | talked to Ken Carr in California. He is working on developing a video tape on the Dalit struggle that we can distribute throughout the Ali- African People’s Revolutionary Party, and other African and progressive organisations to increase the awareness of Dalit struggle in India.
P.P. Lakshman, New York: Dr. Velu Annamalai sent me photo-copies of Dalit Voice which | had never seen before. | come from Cannanore in Kerla and hail from the Tiya nationality. | read DV with great interest from cover to cover which one seldom does with other magazines. This shows that DV echoes the voice of many Indians like myself outside India. Being a writer myself, | can imagine the effort and the painstaking studies that lie behind many of the articles in DV, particularly its very fine editorials. | have – developed a great admiration for DV. | am taking copies of your Jan. 1 DV edit, “Hindu unity” for distribution among my friends and also at the Columbia University forthcoming function on Dr. Ambedkar centenary.
Dr. Y.N. Kly, International Human Rights Association of American Minorities, Albert, Regina, Canada: | became aware of a few significant errors caused by two Important technical misunderstandings made by the Editors of the IHRAAM Newsletter. First, it is important to note that a human rights treaty has to be ratified by a state before it becomes binding on that state. As we know, the US is reluctant to ratify human rights treaties. Secondly and most important, a 12 Dalit Voice Declaration such as the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Minorities is not a treaty, but a Declaration (a prior (statement) and not binding). This is true although, in many respects, the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities may reflect standards that are already binding on states, whether by virtue of other treaties that they have ratified, or as a part of customary international law. In any case, the formal legal position is often less Important than the fact that Declaration, when completed, will probably represent a universal benchmark against which the performance of all countries with respect to their minorities can be measured. While Covenants and Conventions are treaties, Resolutions and Declarations are not.
Purnachandra Rao, Hyderabad: In the last few consecutive issues you have been asking us to work for V.P. Singh. But every English and language daily as well as magazine has been predicting that Rajiv Gandhi would be the next PM. Betting has started and businessmen are backing the Congress horse. Whom to believe?
(The newspaper reading population is not even 30% of India’s 850-miillion population. The ruling class comprising just 15% of the population is preparation the minds of the voters to vote for the Congress. The ruling class knows its interest and it also knows that the Congress will serve its interest. But the 85% of the non-Aryan indigenous population comprising its SC/ST/ BCs and religious minorities also know their interest and are sure that only VP. Singh can help serve their interest. The ruling class has its national toilet papers to publicize their desire and convert their desire into public opinion. But we have none except Dalit Voice. Please read the editorial to further correctly understand the mind-manipulators game — EDITOR).
Kamal Jit, Chandigarh: | wish to bring to your notice a case of malpractice in military recruitment in Punjab. Employment exchanges are playing this fraud and military officers select candidates of their choice. In the recent interviews of firemen held on Oct. 22/23, 1990 in FOD/CO 56 APO Ammunition Depot, Bathinda, many irregularities have taken place. False certificates were used. Two Army Majors were responsible for this. Five candidates secured jobs because of this. It is a clear case of forgery and the selection of these candidates must be set aside. The Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, is fully aware of this fraud.
Munshi Ram, Kanpur: Kanchi Ram’s Bahujan Samaj Party, according to the Times of India editorial of April 23, is supporting the Hindu nazi party of BJP to form the govt. And “his support to the demand for demolition of all mosques constructed after destroying the existing temples only if this can be proved beyond doubt shows his claims to be a champion of Muslims are hollow,” the editorial says. BSP joining hands with the anti-reservation party of Chandra Sehkar coupled with reports like this in the press has put BSP supporters like me in great dilemma. As a good old friend of Kanchi Ram, you. Are also not guiding us.
(Like you, we are also confused. However, the editorial in this issue makes our stand clear— EDITOR).
Nani Gopal Das, Calcutta: | endorse the view of Mrs. Surinder Kaur (DV Dec. 16, 90 p.14) pleading for Khadga Dhari Buddhists. Since the Untouchables want. something strong and militant, only Khadga Dhari Buddhism will appeal to them.
T.H.P. Chentharaserry, Trivandrum: The words “Untouchables”, “Dalits,” etc., which are used to denote the Depressed Classes, have by now become degraded like the word Harijan. We cannot remain downtrodden or Untouchable. We are the original Indians. So, I suggest that you may calls us “Adi- Indian” (original Indians). Will you readers react?
Prof. Mihir Sethi, Govt. College Syndergaard, Orissa: Dr. Upendra Baxi article (DV April 1 p.15): “Collective Conspiracy to Hush Up Babasaheb’s burning Thoughts,”) is excellent. he has rightly exposed our corrupt intellectuals who describe themselves as meritorious, talented, efficient etc. These corrupt intellectuals are afraid of disseminating the thoughts of Babasaheb because the powerful message therein may force the masses to pull down the existing » brahminical social order to which these so-called intellectuals belong. Baxi’s assessment of this intellectual class is cent per cent correct. It is perfectly in tune with your opinion on this class. That is why Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts are not included in our syllabus.
G.R. Swamy, Vizag, AP: Congratulations for the Delhi “V.C., Upendra Baxi, who has raised ten questions which you alone are capable of answering.
Vallabha Makwana, Ahmedabad: | was shocked to read Dr. Upendra Baxi article in DV coining an apt new phrase, “knowledge industry” to describe the Indian academic world. You must continue to use only this word because to these upper caste corrupt “intellectuals” knowledge is an industry. | am more surprised how a Gujarati Brahmin like Baxi had that much of courage to denounce his own jatwals who are involved in this industry.
Bhikkhu Lokopal, International Friends of Buddhists, _”Subodh”, 1017-First Main, IV Block, Rajajinagar, Bangalore- 560 010: We have started this organization with myself as president and Dr. H.R. Surendra, MBBS, an eye specialist, as gen. secretary to take up mass conversion as part of this centenary celebrations of Babasaheb. Our camp at Bidar (Karnataka) on March 31 was a great success. Thousands of Dalits from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh were converted. At Devarabisanahalli, near Bangalore, we conducted another mass conversion camp on Oct. 10 last year and another in Madras on April 14. We are also arranging construction of Buddha viharas after the conversion. We are ready to tour Kerala, Tamil Nadu and any other part of India to complete we unfinished task of Babasaheb.
(We just met Bhikkhu Lokopalo and Dr. Surendra, who is also a Buddhist and the guiding star of the IFB, and had long discussions with both. Earlier, we had also heard a powerful “_ English speech of the Bhikkhu at a Buddhist function conducted by B. Basavalingappa. We were impressed by their sincerity, Dalit Voice commitment to the cause and their dedication to Ambedkar’s. They have assured to go for any part of India to undertake mass conversion of Untouchables which is the only way to constitute them into a separate distinct community. Bhikkhu has expressed his great desire to undertake a tour of Kerala. Our readers there and elsewhere may write to him directly at the above address — EDITOR).
Dr. Chaitanya Shekar, MBBS, Koru Konda, AP: In this centenary year, a lot of noise is being heard. But for our sorrow, for the most part of it, it is only idol worship without imbibing the spirit of Ambedkar’s. Another sad fact is that our very oppressors are leading this fanfare and our innocent people are following the wolves. What is more surprising and agonizing is that the very “educated” people of India are blindly following these wolves. The urgent need of the hour is to educate our “educated” people about the thoughts of Babasaheb.
M. Punithapandiyan, Madras: | have translated your great editorial, “Hindu unity will break Indian unity” into Tamil. | amin touch with some youths who are BCs and Marxists but not in any party. They have read some your books particularly How Marx Failed in Hindu India, Class-Caste Struggle and are eagetro meet you. They have published ten booklets and have agreed to publish the Tamil translation of “Hindu unity”. | would like to know what | can do for you in Madras.:
Prof. Taresh Kumar Shende, College of Agriculture, Nagpur: | was shocked to read the immature article of Gopal Guru (in a prestigious journal like yours) indulging in the character assassination of Maharashtra’s famous Dalit writer, Dr. Gangadhar Pantawane (DV April 1 p.11): “Brahminical bid to swallow Babasaheb thoughts”). As the editor of the famous journal, Asmita Darsha, Dr. Pat wane has devoted his whole life to propagate Ambedkar’s. How can you think that such a person is joining Hindu Nazis? Gopal Guru intention is to discredit Ambedkarite by indulging in such cheap character assassination.
(Gopal Guru article published in the Economic and Political Weekly was reproduced in DV with the sincere desire to alert innocent Untouchables about Nazi designs. If three no truth in the author’s allegations it is for the author and the EPW to make corrections. We have also received a languish rejoinder from the British Buddhist organisation reference to which is also made in the same article. Hindu Nazis are infiltrating our movements to subvert it from inside. In the coming elections, these Nazis have employed some or our own political leaders. to divide our votes and see that the Congress Party gets elected — EDITOR).
Sankavdey N.R., Vasai Rd., Bombay: Very often | hear speeches made by leaders that we SC/ST people must come together What we should do to come together? We can join for few hours but after that we have to go back to our houses. According to me this is not unity. Real unity will come only with inter-caste marriage among SC/STs. Mahar’s must marry Chamara’s. DV must stress this roti-beti unity.
Binod Biplabi, Bargarh, Orissa: Dr. Ambedkar Amar
Jyoti carried Dr. Ambedkar Torch covering three districts of Western Orissa (Belanger, Sambalpur and Syndergaard). The torch first lit by our chairman engineer, Mahendra Deep, on April 14 travelled 350 KMs by cycles and conducted 21 meetings. Jyoti was received by Anil Kalaya, the Di. Coordinator, and handed over to Bhuban Sagar, chief of the Centenary Com., Rourkela. This is the first such historic procession of Dr. Ambedkar Jyoti in Orissa. B.K. Nag, coordinator, would like to thank all those who supported this parade of burning thoughts of Babasaheb through DV.
Kanada Suryaprakash Rao, President, Republican party of India, AP, Vijayawada: With a cudgel in your hand, you are awakening the sleeping Dalits and making them ready for the coming battle. DV is the only paper of its kind in the country. You call it Dalit Voice but | say with no exaggeration it is Divya Vani of the original Indians.
Jogesh Sarkar, Calcutta’s was so thrilled to see a picture of our savior on the front page of DV (April 1) for the first time since its publication. “Thus Spake” on page two of DV should permanently be decorated with a pen picture of the Father of India. DV is the only mouthpiece of the children of this soil.
K. Munirathnam, Chittoor, AP: Never before Babasaheb birth anniversary was celebrated in such a grand scale as this year. In fact, Babasaheb portrait was carried on a chariot which was strictly reserved for our gods in our village.
C. Rangaswamy, Ganeshgudi, N.K. dt., Karnataka: At a ceremony at Guntur, AP, Dalit Open University on April 6 presented the “Dr. Ambedkar Centenary National and International Awards” to the following persons: International award went to the World Council of Churches, division of Programme to Cobalt Racism, which was received by its top official, Bob Scott, who specially came down from Geneva. WCC/PCR has received international recognition for its fight against racism in South Africa and also India. National awards were given to Dr. Boyi Bhimanna, Dalit writer from Hyderabad, S.N. Suryawanshi, Dalit writer, Dr. Siddalingiah, Dalit writer from Bangalore, the Rev. M. Azariah, the Black Bishop of Madras and India’s most famous Dalit theologian, Fr. Anthony Raju, exponent of Dalit theology, Simon John, Dalit social activist, N. Manohar Prasad, Dalit official in Delhi and former private secretary to Union Minister Paswan, Dr. M.S. Devi, and Bishop Nirmal Minz, a tribal leader from Ranchi.
Bikash Kumar Roy, Calcutta: On March 31, a mammoth rally was held by the Bahujan Samaj party at the Calcutta Maidan to celebrate Babasaheb’s birth centenary. The gathering was 20,000 strong which was addressed by Ex-MP Mayawati.
S.K. Biswas, Jt. Secretary, All-India ESIC SC/ST Emp. Fed., C/o. Pulin Behari Baul, 15-Purbasha Pally, Dr. AK. Paul Road. Calcutta-34. The Central 14 Dalit Voice Administrative Tribunal is denying justice to our employees. Five such lower den. clerks in ESIC, 5/1 Grant Lane, Calcutta-12, filed a petition in Dec. 88 for promotion due to them in the SC quota. Their petitions were dismissed denying their claim for promotion as upper dv. clerks. We have decided to go in appeal to the Supreme Court. Will our Dalit friends in Delhi help us in getting us a good lawyer?
Dharmachanri- Lokamitra, Trailokya Buddha Mahasangha Sahayakagnana (TBMSG), Raja Harishchandra Road., Dipody, Pune-12: In the April 1 issue of DV you have reproduced the article of Gopal Guru from the EPW. He has used as the basis of his criticism against us only a very badly researched series of articles by someone else. He has not referred to any of our publications. Please publish my reply to EPW.
S.M. Doula, Godavari Khani, AP-505 209: All sorts of praises were showered on Babasaheb Ambedkar during his recent centenary celebrations. This ruling class praise worried me and that made me to recollect the past history of cunning Aryans. When it is admitted by them that Babasaheb was really so great, why they have not allowed his thoughts to come out as books in local languages? They also praised Buddha but never allowed his revolutionary religion to flourish in India. They literally slaughtered Buddhists and destroyed Buddhist literature. That is why | want to A warn our Dalit brothers not to be duped by the Aryan praise for Babasaheb. Beware of the cunning brahminism.
Noorul Islam, Regional Srinagar, Kashmir: Dalit Sahitya Academy is doing a tremendous job and Dalit Voice is a splendid journal educating the persecuted masses of India.
Sohan Sejhal, Phagwara, Punjab: On 10th March, 1991 over 3,000 people embraced Buddhism at a function organised by the Punjab Bodh Mahasabha at Hoshiarpur. The function was presided over by Krishna Kumar Bodhi. Buddhists from Maharashtra, Delhi and from other places, Ambedkarite and Bhikkhu’s from different parts of the country attended the function. This conversion ceremony was organised to commemorate Dr. Ambedkar centenary celebrations. L.R. Bali, Dr. Dharmanand Shastri, Prof. HC Joshi, Baldev Bambihabai addressed the celebrations.
Saran Singh, Editor, “Sikh Review,” Calcutta: We receive the World Sikh News weekly from USA, which often quotes you. We doubtless have so much in common. | have seen the xerox of Irfan Habib’s article and BD Chaudhury’s observations about contemporary Sikhism being riddled with divisions based on caste. Undeniably, the pristine glory of Gurus’ teachings has been contaminated; and pseudo-scholars view with one another to argue that Jatt’s have highjacked the equalitarian faith. But the truth is that millions of practicing Sikhs believe in the basic values and recipes and are willing to make any sacrifice to uphold them. No wonder, the state repression of Sikhs in India grows in proportion. We have a common cause with Dalits.
