Prebendary Marcus Braybrooke, No.2 The Bassetts, Box, Corsham, Wiltshire SN 4 9 ER, UK: This is with ref. to your report, “War-mongers of India Engaged to Hold World Peace Conference” (DV Dec. 1 91 p. 19/20) of which I am convener along with three other international religious organisations. The hope of the International Inter-Faith Organisations is that 1993, which is to be a Year of Inter-Religious Understanding and Cooperation, will be a time “to renew our efforts to remove all prejudice and discrimination, whatever its cause, to end violence and injustice and to remove poverty, so that all members of the human family enjoy a worthwhile life.” Those attending the conference will mostly pay for themselves and the conference is open to those who enroll.
We very much love every word used by Brother Braybrooke to describe the objectives of the 1993 international conference scheduled in Bangalore. In fact, he is speaking our language. India’s ruling brahminical social order is steeped in prejudices and lives the life of a drone by enforcing the world’s worst kind of discrimination against over 85% of India’s persecuted nationalites by denying their human rights. Dalit Voice was founded to fight this prejudice and discrimination. Braybrooke must be aware that India is the original home of racism and Hitler borrowed his Swastika and the “chosen people” theory from India’s Aryans. If the main objective of the 1993 conference is “to end violence and injustice and to remove poverty”, he cannot engage its very perpetrators but its worst victims, namely the Untouchables of India – EDITOR.
Dr. Prakash Dhamshala, 1159 Harrison Pike, Apt. 1902, Cleveland, TN 37311, USA: I had heard a lot about Dalit Voice from Varhade and Dr. Velu Annamalai and also about its recent crisis. DV has made history. You may have a monumental job to educate our new graduates about their legacy and about the way their ancestors lived. I am a professor of Mechanical engg. at the University of Tennessea and teaching since 14 years. You are doing a splendid job. You will go down as a saviour and hero in the history of Dalits struggle for mental and intellectual independence. DV must tell the truth about our glorious past, tracing our ancient roots. DV must pride into Dalit hearts. I am sending my life subscription.
Dr. Velu Annamalai, PO Box 842066, Houston, Tx 77284-2066, USA: More people are coming forward to support DV.
Inderjit, “World Sikh News”, 7720 Lorraine Ave ., Apt. 107, Stockton, CA 95210, USA: We are completing seven years of dedicated service to Sikh freedom struggle. It has championed liberty and equality that have been always dear to American nation. Your sympathy and support for the Sikh struggle for survival will be gratefully remembered for all times to come in the history of our nation. We need a message from you.
The message, posted on Jan. 2, will be published in DV in the next issue – EDITOR.
Dr. H. Francis Sounder Raj, Principal, Madras Christian College, Madras – 59: This is with ref. to your report, “TN papan state terrorism to swallow Madras Christian College” (DV Dec. 16 p.8). Thank you for the support you have extended to our college. We ought to work against wrong prejudices which have divided men in our country. I am sure you will use the powerful media of yours to bring people together trancending all prejudices.
Vinod Ranjan, Indian Students Assn ., Kala Bhavan, Viswa Bharati University, Santiniketan, WB-731 235: Dalit Voice and your books have given us a new vision. And we are coming closer to your thinking. ISA and the CPI (ML) headed by Santosh Rana and Vaskar Nandy also think on these lines.
W. Bengal under a very oppressive Kayasth Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu, has become an upper caste corrupt monarchy. Muslims, who constitute the single biggest majority, and Tribals, are the worst victims under his rule. The consciousness of SC/ST/BCs and Muslims has been destroyed by the “sacred thread marxists”. If your student movement wants to recover their lost consciousness, W. Bengal offers the best scope for you. Our literature will help you in that direction – EDITOR.
V. Prabhakaran, Calicut: At the Bombay Students Islamic Movement convention, our Dalit Sahitya Academy and Dalit Voice stall was the biggest attraction. There, we learnt that the Hindu nazi leader, Advani, during his last visit to London had announced at a function that when “BJP comes to power in Delhi, the first thing they will do is to stop publishing the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches.
What will the “Dalit slaves of nazis”, P.G. Gavai of Bombay, Shivalingaiah of Bangalore, Bangaru Laxman of AP do now? The recent Palghat anti- Muslim riots in which a Muslim girl was killed was nothing but a police handiwork. One UP upper caste/ Aryan, Srivastav, DIG, ordered the police-firing against innocent Muslims. The notorious Nair Chief Minister, Karunakaran, and his MP son are protecting this DIG. The Muslim League, a partner in the Congress Govt ., has become a laughting stock.
K.D. Kanyal, Gopeshwar, Chamoli UP-246 401: I am worried that despite we being 85% of the country’s population, we are feeling helpless in the face of DV’s difficulties. Our SC/ST/BC and minority MLAs, MPs and Ministers have plenty of money. If they offer just one day’s salary that will meet DV’s needs. As a retired principal, I am sending one day’s pension. My appeal and example should be followed by the others.
Dr. Sumanakshar, president, Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy, Delhi: Former President Zail Singh inaugurated the 7th annual national conference of our Akademi and said the economic and social condition of the depressed classes of India had not improved even to the extent of 30%. Welfare schemes remained only on paper. He presented ten scholars with “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Award: Justice V.R. Krishna lyer, Dr. Jose Kananaikil (Jesuit priest, Delhi) Bandhu Madhav, Dalit writer, Maharashtra, B.B. Singh Lohar, Sikkim, Premchand Arya, Dalit writer, UP, A.L. Majumdar, Dalit writer, W Bengal, Hira Lal Parmar, social worker, L.R. Bali, Dalit journalism, Punjab. “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Award” was given to Dalai Lama. Union Minister for Welfare Sita Ram Kesari presented awards to 20 scholars and social workers. H.K.L. Bhagat, former Union Minister, released a dozen books written by Dalit writers and scholars.
Vijaya Raju, Vijayawada, AP: I went to Delhi and it was waste of time and money. We were insulted and humiliated. We did not worry about the food and accommodation. But the purpose of the call to Delhi was not served. On Dec. 6, the “fellowships” were distributed like sweets by Sumankshar, president of Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy. Even boys of 16 and those who were not in the list were given. But dedicated people were called and insulted. There were no medals to distribute on Dec. 7. So, they brought the medals and certificates of 1986 and threw them on our face. When a respected lecturer from Orissa, Prof. Mihir Sethi, and myself questioned their behaviour we were asked to shut up. The organisers behaved like a bully. Only Zail Singh spoke well. I found the whole thing a racket dominated by Maruti car Dalits. I want to go to court for this insult and humiliation we suffered at the hands of BDSA. This racket must stop.
S. Sampath Welcome, 160-Railway Colony, Madurai, TN-625 010: A shocking news. Vallandu is about 15 kms from Tirunelvely. In a Govt. high school (co-education) there my sister is working as a science assistant for the past 10 years. The school is closed from Dec. 5 following a murder of a Dalit student on Dec. 4 in daylight in the school premises. A scheduled caste boy (Pallar) of 10th std. was murdered by a Backward Caste student (Thevar) and this was followed by a clash between these two communities. The news was not published in any daily. The school is closed and the half-yearly examination also could not be conducted due to the violent riots that followed. This is due to the strained relationship between SC/BCs in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin dt. areas.
A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman, All-India Muslim Convention, 2-Ripon Square, Calcutta – 700 016: A historic Eastern Zonal Muslim Convention was held at the Muslim Institute Hall, Calcutta, on Dec. 14 About 700 delegates came from eastern India – West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Orissa. For the first time after independence such a galaxy of eminent Muslim personalities from all over the country assembled together. Abdul Muhibb Mazumdar, Ex- Minister of Assam, presided. A.K.A. Abdus Samad, President, IUML, Tamil Nadu, inaugurated it. Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait, MP and President, Indian Union Muslim League, was the chief guest. Syed Shahabuddin, MP, Et. Mohd. Basheer, Education Minister of Kerala. E. Ahmed, MP, Kerala released a book in Bengali.
Mir Sulaiman Khan, 31, Karamat Ali Road, Calcutta: Your editorial, “Muslims can stop Nazi bid to divide India” (DV Jan. 1, 92), made interesting reading. Though well-intentioned, the article is capable of being misconstrued by many Muslims because of your stand that ethnic identity is of greater importance than religious identity. In fact, this almost sounds like the die-hard nationalist who demands that we must be Indians first and last. Islam stands for an identity based solely on religious factors and seeks to transcend all narrow ethnic barriers. This being the case, your argument that Muslims ought to stress their ethnic identity over and above their religious identity may be construed as un-Islamic (or even anti-Islamic) by some. However, those who are closely familiar with your writings would know that your article has been written in good spirit and with well-meaning intentions. Please, however, exercise caution when dealing with theological issues henceforth.
Our editorials on Shah Bano, Babari Masjid, Ameena etc. have proved beyond doubt that we will never compromise with Muslim identity. Muslims themselves have admitted this. So there is no chance of anybody doubting our sincerity – EDITOR.
R.G. Rangari, Executive Engineer, MSEB, Vasai Road, Tane, MS: The DV report about its financial crisis is very shocking. Dalit Voice has given a new vision and new interpretation to Ambedkarism. The intellectual battle of over 85% of India’s oppressed humanity is being fought by DV since the past ten years in India and abroad. Because of this interpreted Ambedkarism, we could run our trade union in the Maharashtra State Electricity Board with the strength of 10,000 employees from all cadres (technical, GAD and accounts) from SC/ST/BC and minorities. In our Electricity Board, no other trade union run by the 15% Hindus, i.e. BMS, CPI, can dare oppose our human rights i.e. reservation including the Mandal Commission. This could be achieved only because of the inspiration given by the DV, ideology of Ambedkarism and the sacrifices of our cadres. Our hope is that whatever we have achieved in the Electricity Board can be achieved in other fields also. DV has shown us the dream that “the 21st country will be the Ambedkar Era”. Therefore, for getting the continuous inspiration for survival of our trade union, DV must survive. We are running a monthly paper of our union and important articles from DV are translated into Marathi. We are trying DV life membership.
Mrs. Surinder Kaur, Calcutta: Fazlul Haq’s book, Gandhi – Saint or Sinner? is simply shocking. One wonders whether this Gujarati Bania was Mahatma or Mataam Gandhi. Maatam is an Urdu word for women weeping over the dead bodies of their near and dear ones. Gandhi saw to it that every house in India has Maatam. So he should better be known as Maatam Gandhi.
A. Gopal, gen. secretary, BEML SC/ST Emp. Assn ., PB No. 4, KGF-563 115: We bring to your notice the following case of anti-Dalit behaviour of a notorious Brahmin officer who insulted our president, Dorai Subbarayan, a highly respected Dalit leader of KGF. He met N.P. Manjunatha, Director (Personnel) at the BEML Office, Bangalore, on Sept. 8. Our President enquired with him about the arrangements for the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centenary Year. He shouted at our president without any provocation, saying “Get out from my chamber, you are not entitled to get into my chamber. I do not like to discuss with you people. Due to your presence my chamber got polluted.” The words he used were heard by five others. Such derogatory utterances are punishable under the Civil Rights Protection Act which make it a non-bailable criminal offence.
R. Elumalai, Madras: The All-India Dalit Action Committee inaugurated by Ram Vilas Paswan, MP, in Bangalore last month will hold its two-day convention in Bombay on Feb. 8 & 9. As the representative of Dalit Voice, convener of the Dalit Cultural Front, Madras, and general secretary of the PMK Party, I will be attending the convention with our members. Prof. Arun Kamble, Dalit leader, 10-B/ 20 Jan Kalyan Nagar, Kharodi, Marve Road, Malad (W), Bombay-95 is in charge of the convention.
N. Ramu, gen. sec. Karnataka Dr. Ambedkar Prachar Samiti, Chikkondhalli, Hoskote tk, Bangalore – 22: We have lodged a strong protest against telecasting the wonderful feature film, Balak Ambedkar (Hindi) reviewed in DV, on Dec. 6 1991 as a latenight movie without advance and adequate publicity thus depriving crores of Dalits all over the country to see the film. Dalits all over India must protest against the Doordarshan for this stepmotherly treatment meted out to the lone film on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. We must demand that this film should be telecast between 1.30 PM and 5.30 PM on any Saturday or Sunday with adequate and advance publicity.
H. Shreyaskar, Gulbarga: Followers of B. Shyam Sunder Saheb at Bidar celebrated his 83rd birth anniversary there and decided to instal a statue of the late Bhim Sena leader at Bidar. Shivaram Mogha, president of RPI(K), and H. Shreyaskar, Director, Karnataka Land Army Corporation, attended the meeting held on Dec. 30. Quisar Rehman, Muncipal Councillor, spoke on the greatness of B. Shyam Sunder.
Faiyaz Alam, Bhikanpur, Bhagapur, Bihar – 812 002: With referene to Ameena’s case, ably put by you (DV Dec.1 ’91) and your mention of the US culture, I would like to refer to the decision of Justice Ognall in a rape case at Manchester Crown Court. The judge held that the rape by 16 year-old boys on a girl (15) was “a prank which had not caused her lasting psychiatric harm”. Three boys had sexually assaulted her. One raped her as the others held her down. They then left but returned shortly afterwards “for seconds” and indecency occurred again, the report said. The judge told the boys: “It is not necessary to lock you up in this unusual case” and acquitted them”.
G. Maheswaran, Dr. Ambedkar Study Circle, Annamalai Nagar, TN – 608 002: I am a Kannadiga (Lingayat) and follower of Dr. Ambedkar and reader of DV. My forefathers had settled down here. I like the Tamils. Both Tamils and Kannadigas are Dravidians. Both fight brahminism, our main enemy, as both are victims of alien Aryans. But the Aryans don’t like the Tamil-Kannada unity. They wanted to break this growing Dravidian unity. So, they created this (Thiruvalluvar and Cauvery problem) to divide us. Now, blood brothers are fighting their own blood brothers and papans are enjoying the fun. But I want to fight brahminism. That is why I want Dravidian unity
Saran Singh, IAS (retd.), ex-Adviser to Governor of Assam, Calcutta: What makes the Dalit Voice so sure that Sikh militants killed Mazhabi Dalit Sikhs in Punjab (DV Oct.1 1991 p.11)? There is every possibility that the victims were gunned down by the police who operate freely in Punjab masquerading as militants – a fact publicly acknowledged by none other than Ribeiro, the then DGP. In Feb. 1988, Chaman Lal, IG CRP, had the shown moral courage to quit rather than carry out the former’s directive to “let loose terror” in the countryside. The scenario has scarcely changed since. The intent behind such periodical reports (always traceable to police sources) is obvious: to create a revulsion against Sikhs in general and militants in particular and undermine their struggle for autonomous status.
S.K. Gautam, Rudrapur, Nainital, UP: On the Dhamma Deeksha’ Day, a two-day State-level conference of Dalit writers was organised by the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy, UP, on Oct. 13-14 at Rudrapur. About 200 delegates came from UP, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, MP etc. Dr. Sohan Pal Sumanakshar, president, BDSA, Delhi, inaugurated the conference. Premchand Arya, president. BDSA, UP, Lucknow, presided. Er. S.D. Singh of the Dr. Ambedkar Samajotthan Samithi welcomed. Prem Pathik conducted the deliberation. Naval Viyogi said the BDSA would write the real history of Dalits in ten volumes. Premchand Arya said the UP Govt. Would publish the Hindi version of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches.
Miss Sharada, RBI Staff Qrts. Madras: A 12-year- old Dalit girl of Marachakunta, Prakasam dt (AP), is to be made Mata, reports Indian Express, Nov. 20. In other words, forcing her to prostitution to satisfy the lust of upper castes. These Hindu landlords butcher the “low caste” male species, throw them into flooded dams but find no caste barrier in the flesh of “low caste” female species!
C.V. Purushothaman, Advocate 32/187, Narikuthi, Palakkad-678 001: I was born in a Congress family. Now 47. Unfortunately, I could read your publications only in Jan. 1991. Until then I was ignorant of this literature. I fully agree with your thinking.
M.D. Johnson, Narendrapuram, AP: We are working hard to make DV a household name in our area. I belong to the Seventh Day Adventist church having branches all over India. Most of them are SC converts but have forgotten that fact. To use your words they are “slaves enjoying their savery”. Some unknown person introdued me to you and since then we have been hooked to you. If other members of our church also get DV, they will also be hooked to DV like us and would work for us with the zeal of new converts. You have often emphasised the importance of the English language for the Dalits. It would be a good idea if you print boldly in each issue of DV: “Every Dalit must learn English for our liberation.”
Dr. S. Madhava Rao, Forum for Dalit Literature, Cancer Hospital Radium Inst ., Red Hills, Hyderabad- 4: Our Dec. 16 function of Jai Bheem release by Vasant Moon was a big success from Hyderabad standards. Your speech was received well by the audience which comprised intellectuals. The function was covered by TV. As usual, not much coverage was given by the print media.
P.K. Rajan, Dy. Accountant-General, Madras: I am hopeful of DV’s invaluable service in the years ahead. But am less enthusiastic about the response of the BCs who are still enjoying the slavery under the BSO. So, DV should devote more time and energy to educate the BCs who are less aware of the infinite potential in them if only they determine to be organised. DV should not hesitate going to the extent of changing its name, Dalit Voice, if it hurts the pride of BCs. It will be a great loss and tactical blunder for posterity if DV is allowed to die. I am unable to understand your rigid stand that there can be no compromise on principles in running DV as a journal. No magazine could sustain itself without advertisement. Raising per copy price or enhancing circulation is not the answer. DV has to throw open a few of its pages for advertisement; at least cover pages.
Who said that “no compromise in principles” means not accepting advertisements? What we meant by no compromise was that we will not compromise in our editorial policy. We will certainly accept ads. But who will give us ads? Ads are controlled by Hindus. Ads may not be in our hands but increasing DV readership is certainly within us. In a city like Madras with thousands of “educated” SC/STs, we are sorry to say DV is not sold in news-stands. Will somebody come forward to take up the DV agency in Madras – EDITOR.
A.K. Sasikumar, Ambattumol, Methala, via Kuruppampady, Ernakulam dt ., Kerala: I belong to the SC, age 23, and MA having no job. For the past six years, I was a supporter of the Marxist Party (CPM). But I got disillussioned. I was wondering why marxism was not growing in India. Recently, I read few of your books and also DV. I want tor read more of your books but I have no money. To get enlightened, I need books. To buy books I need money. But I am a poor and unemployed Dalit. All this is frustrating my dreams.
Mrs. T.R. Azad, Jammu: I was pained to read about “DV on death-bed”. We will never allow the closure of DV at any cost. We will speed up our work to awaken the Dalits and increase DV circulation. DV is not only your property. It belongs to the entire 85% population of India. I will shortly send my contribution.
Mrs. P.S. Ambedkar, Mata Rajpati Home Library, Bahorwa, Parari Bazar, Deoria, UP – 274 701: I need a clarification for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches, Vol. 10, p.412: “Absence of representation in the public services”. Under the table, “Communal composition of the ICS” (1942) is total 1,056 ICS, through competition and nomination. There is also only one Scheduled Caste ICS, not through competition but nomination. We want to know the name of that respected gentleman. The day of Babasaheb’s birth April 14, 1891 was Monday. Is it correct?
Laddoo Babu, Salibasa, PO Birpur, Saharsa, Bihar: I have gone through your article on “Anti-Brahminism” in the Patna Hindustan Times. Congratulations for recasting this old viable topic. Please get its translation in Hindi.
Phool Singh Bodhi, Bombay: I am sending my life subscription (Rs.1,000). Carry on the caravan of liberating the oppressed Indians. I know you are facing so many difficulties but only persons like you will be remembered for ever.
M.L. Rao, Agra: Achal Singh, s/o. Late Ram Prasad Naunar, married his daughter, Indra, with Kishan Singh, son of Shivcharan, Agra, on Nov. 27 under Buddhist rites. Achal Singh had done a lot for DV Hindi and was its representative here.
