M. V. Ramana, Waltair, (AP), Press is the need of the hour for dalits and we congratulate you for the task you have taken up through the Voice. The three or four journals we dalits have been somehow managing to publish are not travelling in one direction. Politically we are divided, socially also advocating different faiths. Our Press also follows suit. When different papers take different stand, how can the people get any guidance from the Press? People are waiting for guidance, not to be confused.
Prof. Abul Qasem, Calcutta, I am unable to bear the persecutions of dalits, Muslims and others. The majority of India consisting of dalits, Muslims, tribals and backward classes are ruled by a handful of Brahmins and Banias. I like your idea and believe that class war in India must be shown in the garb of caste contradictions. I am keen to spread our ideology in West Bengal. Your thoughts will be more quickly popular unlike all other isms. Even the CPM has now become a party of capitalists and the bourgeoise. Dalit-Muslim unity zindabad.
Prof. MD Kaleemur Rahman, T. N. Agri. Varsity, Coimbatore, I am very much impressed by the Voice and happy to learn that in the midst of the present bureaucratic press which spreads false propaganda there is someone to raise the voice of minorities.
P.S.F. Aseervadam, Headmaster, Salem School, Giddalur, A P., Till my grandfather embraced Christianity, we belonged to the weaving caste, Mala. But economic and social status has not improved by embracing Christianity. The life of the dalits living in villages is miserable. Though the Christian missionaries helped these dalits through their educational and medical institutions, they are now in a state of depression. The Government has also failed to help us.
N. A. Sulaiman, Kasargod, After reading your editorial on the Jamshedpur riot, we wondered if any magazine in this nation can write with such courage and boldness. While the dominant part of our press is always after dividing the Muslims and dalits, the birth of the Voice is a great boon.
P. Jayagopal, BEL Rationalist Assam Bangalore, Voice is the only magazine which reveals the social inequalities practised by the communal fanatics in our country. Your services are appreciated by one and all. Hope the Voice will reach from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
R. L. Mauryan, Delhi, Among the several magazines on the dalits, yours is unique. We liked its language and way of projecting views Recently there was a meeting of 53 Govt. of India Secretaries with PM where they expressed dissatisfaction over the reservation policy which bred “inefficiency”, and led to “lowering of standards”. This shows how our bureaucracy is biased against SC/ST reservation policy. We request you to raise this issue in DV.
S. Abdul Wahab Sufi, Madras, Your editorials are most revealing Awakening among the educated SC/STs to the realities is most encouraging. A separate all India political organisation of their own is imperative.
Mohd. Sami, Research Scholar, Pantnagar, The Voice is a right step in the right direction at the right time for the benefit of the dalits and persecuted minorities.
Dr. A R. Desal, (Social Scientist), Bombay, I have taken note of some of the points discussed in the Voice in my weekly column in a Gujarati paper. I am also frequently writing on this problem. I am in close touch with the dalit comrades in Gujarat and we are organising various movements against different kinds of oppressions and exploitations in Gujarat.
M. 1. H. Quareshi, Lucknow, Accept my most sincere congratulations for your efforts to expose the real problems facing the people. This is a very crucial moment in the history of India. The real glory of the future of India depends upon the correct approach and smooth working of the present leadership of which the Voice is the torchbearer.
K. S. Bhagawan, Mysore, Our crusade against casteism should not stop at writing articles, books, and appreciating them. Our thoughts must be translated into action. Then only we can bring about a change. An organisation firmly founded on principles and constructive programmes is badly needed and we must think of it immediately.
Ram Lal, Bishop’s College, Calcutta We are glad that there are still some people left to fight inequality and injustice All of us liked the Voice very much and praying for its welfare. May God guide you and help you
P. P. Ambikapathy, Bangalore, Even though I read daily papers, I could not get a real picture of Meenakshipuram as well as the Hyderabad communal riots until | read the Voice which is like the butter that we get from the milk. So thought provoking.
M. Viswanathan, Ambedkar Association, Chembur, Bombay, Every word published in Voice is like a sword to dalits. From Haryana to Meenakshipuram in every incident, the background to police action is the political force enjoyed by the upper castes. The dalits are in a two-way slavery, one in social and other in political. Dalits must get rid of this twin slavery and form their own force in social and political fronts. The Marathwada University renaming issue is delayed due to lack of political power. If we put up a united fight we will be able to shake the govt. We have numerous organisations and parties which only split the dalits and help the ruling upper caste Hindus. So, dalit leaders and organisers should realise the urgent need and unite themselves first and then ask our dalits to unite immediately.
V. Vijayakumar, ITC, Bangalore, Not even 500 people in Karnataka can under- stand the “holy language” of Sanskrit which is supposed to be the only media that god can understand. The priests who chant these mantras in temples are unaware of its meaning. The prime object of offering worship in temples is either to thank god or to communicate our problems to him. Hence it is imperative that Kannada, the language of the State the language of the majority the language of the Hindus living in the state-should, necessarily be the worshipping language in temples.
Rameshchandra Paramar, president, Dalit Panthers, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Communal Hindus have killed three young men in Gujarat during these three months. One in Mehsana district and two in Surendranagar dt. You are aware of the JetaIpur incident wherein a young man named Shakarabhai was burnt alive in the office of the panchayat on last Dec. 25. The court has given the judgment. Three Hindus are sentenced to life imprisonment. The judgment has shaken the entire communal-minded Hindu society.
N. Elangovan, Cuddalore, T.N., Because of the sporadic conversions among our society, it will reduce the dalit population. Quitting Hinduism should be at only one time and that too should be spontaneous. It should be an all-India movement.
J. R. Antwal, chairman, Federation of All-India P&T SC/ST Employees Unions, New Delhi, Your article, “Why Caste War Should be Welcomed ?” (Voice, Sept. 15) has captivated us. Please Keep it up.
