Historical Society (menofrespect777@hotmail.com): The OAAU (the Organization of Afro-American Unity) community celebrated the annual Malcolm X Day and pilgrimage to the resting place of Malcolm X on May 19, 2003. This year it was-El Hajj Malik El Shabazz’s (Malcolm X) 78th birth anniversary and the 38th year of the pilgrimage since our fallen leader’s assassination. The pilgrimage was led by Rodnell Collins, the nephew of Malcolm X and president of the OAAU. The OAAU initiated the pilgrimage in 1965 after the burial of Malcolm X to honor and show respect for our people’s fallen leader as well as to educate future generations about the legacy of Malcolm X and his effort to liberate African people’s minds and bodies.
Abid Ullah Jan, 5-8050 – Champagneur, Montreal, Quebec, H3N 2K5, Canada: According to Dr. Israr Ahmad’s analysis, beginning of the 20th century was the starting point for the second phase of the decline in the heart of Muslim world. In that perspective, at the beginning of the 21st century we are fast moving towards the lowest ever ebb of Muslim decline, without knowing how to deal with the never-ending American zeal to directly or indirectly occupy country after country in the Muslim world. Before discussing the available options, one needs to keep in mind that we are witnessing a defeat for Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, but it is not the fall of Islam at all. It is an ephemeral victory of technological superiority over the defeatist mentality of a divided people called Muslims. Most importantly, it is a clear demise of the much-vaunted ideals of Western democracy and liberalism. The street slogans in Baghdad for establishing Islamic state are signs of the human desire to be truly liberated as well as governed by divine laws. Itis, in fact, the victory of Islam. Materialistic atheism reached its logical culmination in the form of socialism and communism. Now leaders of the “civilised world” are overseeing the demise of their much vaunted “liberal democracy”. The 21st century wars have not defeated Islam. The neo-colonialism has ‘simply brought out the hollowness of Western civilisation and American ideals. In such a situation, the Muslim objective should not be to militarily defeat the US and its allies because military victory alone would be as hollow as the US victory over Iraq. It is the message of Islam that must triumph. The Western technological superiority has at best contributed to infusing defeatism in Muslim mind. As a result, a minority of opportunist Muslims began to appropriate Western ideas and values uncritically. The defence against the onslaught of secular philosophy has been limited to mere protection in the form of fleeing from mainstream life in order to hold fast to faith, and apologetic compromise. Such constrained and ill planned approaches left us with losing the very “Spirit of Islam”. For instance, if we were good Muslims in Iraq, the US would not have attacked us because we would not have let our government to attack Kuwait irrespective of any US approval, we would not have let our government fight Iran for the US interests, we would not have silently accepted the anti-Islam ideology of the Baath regime. (muhammad@cdir.net)
Dr. S.L. Virdi, Advocate, Civil Courts, Phagwara – 144 401: One of the North India’s largest Punjabi daily, Rojana Ajit, Jalandhar, has started serialising my book, Manukhta Da Messih – Dr. Ambedkar, every Monday on front page. This book includes Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s life, struggle and mission. Five series have already been published in the Dharam the Virsa supplement, on the website www.ajitjalandhar.com. The Rojana Ajit has about 3 lakh circulation and about 154 lakh people read it daily. Comments may be sent to ajit@ijla.vsnl.net.in. (slvirdiadvocate@rediffmail.com).
Jayant S. Ramteke, B-63, Mala Towers, SBI Officers Qtrs., Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W), Bombay – 400 053: Bahujan Students Network held a meeting here on May 11 in Bombay on the atrocities on the Dalit students at Aurangabad Medical College by Hindu nazi students. Victim students came down from Aurangabad to tell the facts of the case. Dalit thinker, Dr. Anand Teltumbde, presided. The speakers were lawyer Sanghraj Rupavate and Dr. Adsule from College of Social Work, Bombay. Shirish Athawale, who prepared the fact-finding report, explained the whole incident with slides. Shashikant Pattekar and Kanchan Bhagyavant, victims of the violence, spoke. (DV May 16, 2003, p. 16, Haresh Dalavi).
In every violence in recent years, it is the Hindu nazis who act but the non-Hindu victims of Hindu violence only react. The Hindu nazis know that offence is the best part of defence. But Dalits, Muslims, Christians etc. are put on the defensive. By this the nazis always win and we always lose. In Gujarat, over 2,000 Muslims simply died without a murmur. Such cases go on repeating, and the Aurangabad Medical College violence is one such. The nazis will commit bigger violence. And our people will go on holding public meetings, press conferences, sending appeals to all sorts of people, but will not do what they are expected to do. The Hindu nazis have come to know our weakness. We may be a big majority and the nazis may be a tiny micro-minority. Yet they win and we are defeated every time until we are on the offensive and put them on the defensive. Tame animals like the cow, sheep, goat etc. are slaughtered and made Biryani out of it. But nobody dared touch the tiger and lion. If we don’t become such ferocious animals, we will continue to be slaughtered – EDITOR.
Ms. Raisa S.H., Dongaon, Buldana dt., MS: In the DV April 16, 2003, issue (p.22), Dr. I.S. Jawahar asserts that the real identity of all indigenous people is Asura. A majority Muslims of India and neighbouring countries are also Asura. The Quran says that your first duty is to identify your enemy and also your friend. Muslims have committed yet another. unpardonable blunder of keeping themselves away from — the teachings of the Quran. Many Urdu-speakers call India as Hindustan, not India. In our Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar calls it “India that is Bharat”. I welcome the advice of our Editor for Dalit-Muslim- Christian unity. We have to identify our friends and enemy without fear
M.H. Jawahirullah, President, Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, 7 Vada – Maraikayar Street, Madras – 600 001: I was in Geneva to attend the United Nations Working Group on Minorities and made an intervention about the minority situation in India on May 12, 2003, in the working group’s 9th session. ‘My intervention is about the great threat to the life, honour, dignity and religious freedom of the Muslims and other minorities in India. In 1992 the Babri Masjid was demolished, and a makeshift Ram temple was allowed to be constructed on its debris. The govt. was a mere spectator of this barbaric crime. A Hindu nazi organization is threatening day in and day out that it will not rest in peace until it transforms over 35,000 mosques spread all over the country into temples. On the Gujarat Genocide (2002), T regret to state that the Govt. of India has not initiated any positive steps to instill confidence in the minds of the minorities about their security to life and -honour. Terror continues to be unleashed systematically against Muslims in Gujarat who were victims of the worst arson in post-independent India. The Gujarat govt. arrested all the 56 Muslims accused in Godhra train tragedy. One of them, Yusuf Fakhruddin Sheikh, who had been interned for more than a year, has died, under custody in mysterious circumstances in April 2003. Some of the Muslims accused in the Godhra incident have been injected with a serum that dulled their sense which is violative of Article 7 of ICCPR. Muslims are also facing a blanket social and economic boycott enforced by the Hindu nazis. A Hindu nazi leader Togadia travels all over India distributing trishuls (tridents) to attack the minorities and making inflammatory speeches against them. The chief of the nazi party (RSS), organisation, of which the Prime Minister Vajpayee is a member, had openly declared that Muslims and Christians should sever their links with Mecca and the Pope and instead become swadeshi. The govt. has not taken any steps to stall such hate campaigns which it is duty bound to do. The Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Govts. Have passed acts to ban religious conversions. These acts violate the freedom of minorities like Muslims and Christians to propagate their religion but also that of Indian citizens who want to adopt the religion of their choice. Therefore, I recommend that the Commission of Human Rights should establish a special rapporteur on India and that rapporteur should visit India.
Brother Jawahirullah must be congratulated for internationalising the Hindu nazi persecutions of Muslims and Christians in India. However, he has failed to identify the real culprit who is behind this persecution. He knows that it is mainly the tiny upper caste Brahminical forces who are indulging in this violence, but he did not say this. What is the use of highlighting a problem without identifying the Enemy that is creating this problem? It is necessary that international organisations like the UN should know who is causing all the war and violence in India – EDITOR.
Dr. Ashok Adhav, MHB Colony, M36/2521 – Yerawada, Pune – 411 006: Bangaru Laxman, the stooge of the Brahmana Jati Party (BJP), has said that conversion may not solve the problem of Dalits. Bangaru is not only a dullard but a moron. He has advised Mayawati not to think about conversion (Indian Express 5/5/2003). He does not know that Brahmins are like earthworms. Touch it to one side and it will start moving from the opposite side. In 1956, Mahars embraced Budhism and left the jobs enforced on them. Brahmins started criticising about it. They induced Hindus to enforce Matang (Maang) caste to do the jobs which Mahars (Budhists) refused to do. Mahars were firm and did not bother about the threat of economic blockade. They became soft on “Hindu Dalits” (Harijans) because they feared unity of Depressed Classes. In Maharashtra, Hindus are imitating Budhists. Hindu marriages have been shortened. Conversion to Budhism is not like conversion into Christianity. Bangaru says there are separate churches for Malas and Madigas. This is not the case with Budhism.
G. Sundaram, 66 – Soosai Nagar, Opp. Fatima College, Madurai – 625 018: DV has been crying for Muslims and the Muslim countries. This should be stopped. Every issue of DV is raising its voice for Muslims and Muslim countries. What is the use and effect of such crying? The Muslims are not at all aware of their own interests and welfare. The recent US war on Iraq has brought out some facts. The Gulf rulers are selfish and protecting their regimes at the cost of their Muslim citizens. News reports say Saddam Hussein was a dictator and a ruthless ruler. No Muslim country protested the brutal attack of America. Even Pakistan kept mum. In DV (May 16, 2003) Igbal Ahmed Shariff has narrated the glorious regime of Saddam and fall of Baghdad. He did not, however, refer to the crimes committed by Saddam. Why Turkey and Kuwait offered bases for attack on Iraq? While condemning the nazi action of America and Britain, we should not stand by the side of terrorism.
Brother Sundaram has been a member of the DV family since 1982. For about 21 years, he has been reading DV, but he is influenced more by the toilet papers but not DV. In India, the entire print and electronic media is controlled by the Brahminical people, the Western media is under the zionist influence. Hundreds and one times have we said it, at the same time stressing the need for our own media. But, alas, none understood and hence neither appreciated our cry for the media. We have stopped talking about this subject now. We have also said that the Justice and Truth on our side is lost because we have no media of ours. Brother Sundaram knows all this and yet he finds fault with us. To such extent our people have been brainwashed by this Enemy media which is making our own people to find fault with ourselves. When the Brahminical people have succeeded in creating such a self-hatred among Dalits and a deep prejudice and hatred against our own brothers (Muslims), the Enemy job becomes very easy. The Enemy won the war without firing a shot. Our Editorial (DV March 16, 2000), “Sunset on Dalit world”, stands fully justified after reading the Letter of Brother Sundaram. If 21 years of reading DV produces no effect and the poisonous Brahminical ideas continue to reign supreme, what is the use of running DV? Better we close. Did we not say it in “Sunset?” – EDITOR.
grimgargantua (grimgargantua@email.com): Communication expert Dr. Srampickal Jacob of the Assisi Institute of Communications Technology (AICT), a Christian media training institute, (open to all) based in Delhi says that they are starting an MA in Mass Communications under Hisar University. The institute is open primarily to rural, Dalits, triblas, OBCs, women, is- Hindi belt, religious minorities etc. AICT has three basic concerns:
- In India today we have very few media persons from the marginalized sector. They have no access to media schools for training although they are very talented, and a number of media schools have sprung up in the country lately.
- In these days when the secularist fabric of the country is being threatened, it is essential that there is a more and more secular presence in the media, that gives importance to human rights and other major issues of development.
- We live in times when journalism is being identified with PR and advertising is newscasting. The power of the market economy is so much on the media that commercial interests call the shots at the end of the day. The science, art and craft of mass communication in general, mass media is a matter of sensitive training, it is more to do with training students who have the necessary aptitude and commitment.
Such training needs to be designed to produce persons of great integrity who will remain true to their calling in the face of the most adverse of circumstances, the adversity created by socio-economic and political shortcomings, government and societal controls, as also difficult moments of choice between ideologies, social processes and human loyalties. Compassion cannot be taught, but differentiation between truth and untruth, values and commerce can be – as the collective experience of the founders shows.
AICT will provide the students with regular coaching and practical at its computer centre, DTP unit and the press; they will also gain exposure to some of the best media personnel and institutions in the capital, and they would in turn work by writing, editing and by exercising their newly acquired skills in camera, editing, lay-out etc. At the end of two years these youngsters would have 20t their master’s and would be ready to be absorbed into the mainstream media. The AICT does one better R ‘ ~ than the university, in that it provides ample opportunities for hands-on training in the media, which is much limited to regular classes at the university. It provides modest hostel facilities for those what require. We are also in touch with several humanitarian groups whom we are persuading to support us in this venture, and so there is a possibility of attractive scholarships for selected candidates. Several like-minded professors from various media training institutes and professionals from media institutions in Delhi have agreed to be on the staff of the institute. A few of us like Dr. Xavier Vadakkekara, Dr. John Dayal and others have come together to form this training programme. If you truly believe in our _convictions do contribute to us in any way possible, even financially. You can surely help us by identifying students who could make the best of this opportunity. Get in touch with me.
Mrs. Indira Koithara, P. Box 4, Wellington, Nilgiris, TN – 643 231: I have not met you but heard so much about you from Dr and Mrs. Chawla (K K. Sidhu). I have been reading your Dalit Voice magazine and am impressed with the great work you are doing. This is just an appreciation of the great work. I would love to meet you someday.
Deepak Parmar & four other Dalit classmates, K.S. School of Business Management, Gujarat University, – Navarangpura, Ahmedabad – 380 009: We are the students in this school studying in the 3rd year MSC (IT) course. We are facing some difficulties because of our caste. When every student of our batch gets a project in relevant companies, we cannot she any hope of getting any project. We have faced strong casteism (racism). We visited Nirma Industries with the reference of two people responsible, one an IAS officer. But this reference helped us only to reach up to the cabin of Ambubhai Patel, director, Nirma, who simply ignored us. At Arvind Mills, Naroda, also our caste was asked and then dismissed. We visited a noted computer firm in Ahmedabad. Its general manager asked us “Patel chowk?” (Are you Patel?). We informed our Director, Narharibhai Parikh, who being a savarna (upper caste), he did not even care to read our petition. In Gujarat, the situation of Dalits is worsening. The upper castes are literally trying to kill our people.
Brahminical forces say they don’t believe in caste and that caste is dead. But they secretly implement their caste rule. But Brother Deepak Parmar and his other Dalit classmates will not be able to fight such racist criminals in the Hindu society by sending petitions. Beggars cannot be choosers. Hindu heart, if there is a heart like that, will not melt by sending petitions. In yagas and yagnas only timid animals like sheep, goat is slaughtered. Tigers and lions are never slaughtered because they will eat those who go near them. Be tigers, none will come near you – EDITOR
S.Somkuwar, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Vichar Manthan Samiti, C/o S.K. Enterprises, Kamal Chowk. Nagpur – 440 017. We have decided to conduct the all- India awareness test-2003 on “Budha and His Dhamma” on Sept.7, 2003 at various places in India. Those interested may send their consent to us. Our aim is that maximum people should know about the Dhamma through the test. (Phone: 2644 758).
Shamsul Arifin, M-91, Abul Fazl Enclave, J amianagar, New Delhi – 110 025: The jocular and stupid kings and the Arab rulers of the Islamic nations are now between the devil and the deep sea. The reasonably growing discontents and anger among the Arab masses to their pro-American paralyzed rulers and the US can hardly be contained now. If the hated US forces remain there any longer in the Gulf, there will consequently be widespread social unrest everywhere in the region. And on the other hand, if the US forces are withdrawn from there then there will be big political changes in the entire Gulf region. The jokers and the clowns (the Arab rulers) will no more be tolerated by the Arab masses. And so, both, the safety of these rulers and the-American interests, will be in jeopardy. (DV June 16, 2003, p.6: “Final warning to Saudi rulers”). It really makes me laugh and scoff when I think about the Arab League. I think if some whores had formed any organization for the same purpose, it would certainly have been more effective and more functioning than this Arab League formed by the defunct, deranged and the impotent Arab rulers. The Arab people, what I have experienced being with them, are much different to the other Muslims of the world. They understand Islam. They know the importance of sacrifice, impact of jihad and the purpose of zakat (charity). And they put all this into practice too whenever it is needed. They are not only engrossed in salah, fast and haj like the other Muslims-of the world, especially Indian Muslims. In India I see all my friends, neighbours and others always teaching and telling their youngsters only about salah, fast and haj. I never see anyone making his/her fellows know about the real meaning of sacrifice, purpose of zakat (charity) and the importance of Jjihad.1 am sorry to see that the meaning of sacrifice among the Muslims has been grossly misconceived. So, first of all we will have to understand the real meaning and the purpose of sacrifice. This is one of the most important teachings of our religion for the survival of Muslims and perpetuation of Islam. Otherwise, if we kill all the animals on the earth in the name of sacrifice, it will not bring any changes in the situation, not even a bit. Anyway, I am not telling the Muslims to forget about all these rituals (salah, haj and fast). But my concern is only about your giving undue importance to these rituals and undervaluing the importance and impact of jihad, sacrifice and zakat. One thing here I would like to ask all the Muslims is that if haj, salah and fast had so effective and decisive impact on the Muslim society then why this BJP government has made a separate terminal at the international airport only for hajis to facilitate them? Why some time back in 1997-98 when hundreds of thousands of Tablighi Jamatis gathered there at Bandra in Bombay to spread the message of their brand of Islam (salah, fast and haj), all the arrangements were made by the then Shiv Sena Govt. there? Believe it or not, the fact is that after reading almost all national and international electronic and print media I can say that we can depend upon Dalit Voice to know the current situation as it is, especially the hidden agenda and the ill-motives of the ruling class, the oppressors. No other sources of information I find today as unbiased, uncorrupt, free and unscared as the DV. It is, therefore, my suggestion for all the readers of DV is we must promote it for a better future for us and for the generation coming after us. As a matter of fact, I find Dalit Voice one of the best weapons to encounter the enemies. (shamsr@rediffmail.com).
Sanjay Ranjan< sanjayranjan@hotmail.com): After reading the article by Dr. Jamanadas on “Religion of slaves and those who made them slaves cannot be same”, I am writing this piece. I am a non-Brahmin. After reading the article, I for the first time came to realise that the religious history of ancient India has been doctored to suit Brahmins at the cost of non-Brahmins. I also realised that non-Brahmins are just crying and beating their chest. We don’t realise that the 75-crore Hindus need not run away from our religion but make the S-crore Brahmins as non-Hindus by excommunicating them. The following simple steps can make the difference in 10 years:
(1) Rename Hinduism as Bahujan Hinduism,
(2) create a body, Bahujan Hindu Parishad and make a reform body consisting of scholars like Dr. Jamanadas and Dr. A.H. Salunkhe and others from all non-Brahmins (Dalits/BC/Forward non-Brahmins).
(3) This body will review all religious books and create new books with all caste remarks and denigrating Brahmin-doctored episodes removed e.g. Rama will not be called Kshatriya, Rama and Krishna will not be called Yadav Krishna. Dronacharya just a priest not a Brahmin and need not kill Eklavya at all. The new books are called Bahujan Ramayan and Bahujan Mahabharat. Manusmiriti be replaced with Bahujan Smriti and only good points be retained from Manusmriti and new rules be added. Remove Purusha Sukta in the Vedas as a later-day Brahmin addition and all such slokas. This way we can break the psychological grip of Brahmins.
(4) New temples called Bahujan temples be created across the country where priests be made from Bahujans. All these temples should be clean and remain devoid of unnecessary rituals. All temples are managed by something like Shiromani Bahujan temple committee. Such temples should not be allowed to spring up under a banyan tree or in the middle of the road.
(5) The temples to take up Bahujan students to be trained in this modern and equitable Bahujan Hinduism.
(6) Brahmins should not be allowed to infiltrate this body.
Brother Sanjay’s suggestion to “ex- communicate” Brahmins from Hinduism is too silly. He doesn’t know what Hinduism is. Non- Brahmin movement is dead. The upper crust of the non-Brahmins, mainly the Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Shudras, have joined hands with Brahmins and have become better oppressors of Bahujans, particularly Dalits – EDITOR.
Prof. T.B. Vijaykumar, Perinchery, Thrissur – 680 306: This is in continuation of my article, “Vellappilly betrayal shocks Ezhavas (DV May 16, 2003, p.23). The recently held “Sri Narayana Global meet” at Cochin was a total surrender to anti-Ezhava Hindu nazis. The chief priest of the ceremony was Vellappilly Natesan. Ezhavas form 30% of Kerala population, the single largest community. The “meet” was rightly inaugurated by M.M. Joshi, the notorious Hindu nazi Union HRD Minister. India lost in science and technology when M.M. Joshi and the like started teaching physics. Brahminism is the Enemy No.1 of science and technology, according to Acharya P.C. Ray (Bengali Brahmin) who had said this in his book, History of Hindu Chemistry. A large sum of money was spent on this “meet”. Soon Vellappilly will be presented with a “sacred thread”. Most of the participants suffered in silence. The papers were read by P. Parameswaran, O. Rajagopal, P.P. Mukundan, T.R. Somasekharan, V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, G. Gangadharan Nair who insulted Sri Narayana Guru and was potrayed as a disciple of a notorious Nair monk, Chattampi Swamikal, who fought against European missionaries (LMS and CMS), who helped Ezhavas and other Dalit-Bahujans. The whole “meet” was an anti-Ezhava affair. A notable exception was the paper of Prof. M.S. Jayaprakash, the topmost Ezhava intellectual. He blasted the new-found love of Hindu nazis of SNDP leadership and his speech was received with thunderous applause.
