Mrs. Rashida Seedat, 28-Lark Street, Extension-I, Lenasia 1827, South Africa: I wish you the very best, and all the luck and success in your Jihaad against the Hindu nazis. God is always on the side of Justice and the Just.
Dr. Laxmi N. Berwa, 7700-Old Branch Avenue, Suite #C-101, Clinton, Md. 20735, USA: Onarga, 23, we staged a protest march in Washington to condemn the desecration of Dr. Ambedkar statue in Bombay and murder of 12 Dalits by the police (a state terrorism).
G.B. Singh, 8405-Sutterfield Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920, USA: On my recent visit to the down- town Chicago, I noticed the street sign – Swami Vivekananda Way – co-named along the Michigan Avenue at its intersection with Monroe Street. I had sent two letters to the Chicago Mayor protesting against this move. I had proved how dangerous were the teachings of this swami to the Hindus. In the second letter, I had proved how racist the swami was, right to the morrow of his bones. In this letter, I will point out another skill that the swami suffused – a great liar. In my first letter, I mentioned that his speeches on Hinduism at the World Parliament of Religions (1893) displayed a plethora of deliberate lies. The leaders who convened the meeting did not fail to notice such lies. But, today, the surprise is how the scholars failed to recognize a sinister plan orchestrated by this swami to. elevate a lunatic figure, better known as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836-1886), to the world as a god. The swami is reputed to be Ramakrishna’s most famous disciple. To prove my case, I am indebted to Jeffrey J. Kripal, and Narasingha P. Sil (both in academia in United States) for their thorough research outlining the complicity of the swami to fool the world. The swami’s Complete Works run to eight volumes along with propaganda books written by his close disciples. Barring inconsistencies in these writings, his rhetoric on Ramakrishna littered all over remained consistent. Undoubtedly, Ramakrishna is portrayed as a god incarnate to save the humanity through a medium of Swami Vivekananda. After all, the swami upon his return to India from the US established the Ra- Markisha Mission Association, an organization which he himself headed, to spread his master’s message – riot the message his master practiced and taught but the communique that the swami saw fit for Western consumption. As of now, more than 150 centres operate worldwide, one in Chicago under the name, Vivekananda Vedanta Society, spreading the same faulty gospel. The swami’s skills in disseminating propaganda were second to none and Hindus have learned a great deal from his examples in the international market. Thanks to him alone, today, the market is flooded with seriously flawed texts on Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and their teachings, and yet the readers know nothing about it. The Hindu International has taken a full advantage of the situation. In recent years, the momentum reached its peak in August 1993. They sponsored and conducted a Global Vision 2000 conference in Washington, DC, commemorating the swami’s 100th anniversary of “success” in America. The Hindu media reported as many as 10,000 people participated, including who’s who of Hindu nationalist leaders. The Govt. of India in the spirit of commemoration declared 1993 to be Rastriya Chetna Varsh (national awakening year). As expected, the govt. released a postage stamp of the swami commemorating the centenary year of his address to the Parliament of Religions. At intense lobbying went into action in Chicago by the Hindu groupies living in and around Chicago along with the help of senior Indian govt. officials. As a result, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution in Oct. 1995 to co-name a section of Michigan Avenue as Swami Vivekananda Way. A month earlier, the Art Institute of Chicago unveiled a Vivekananda Plaque in its Fullerton Hall. In jubilation, following the successes in Chicago, in 1996, the Govt. of India released a large-sized postage stamp, Vivekanand Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari. One motion picture producer, known for casting movies solely for the “Hindu elite”, released a four-hour film, Swami Vivekananda. Recently, a Chicago based scholar, Lise McKean, has published her extensive research out-lining the fanatic nature of Hindu nationalism and its bond with the Swami. As a citizen of the US, and resident of Chicago area, I expect that our street names should honour those individuals who are or were a source of inspiration for their high morals, ethics, and character. Similarly, we citizens expect nothing less from our elected decision-making bodies. I have no doubt that the decision to name Swami Vivekananda Way was based upon erroneous information supplied by the vested interests to promote Hindu internationalism.
Read: ,
- Sil, Narasinha P. Vivekananda’s Ramakrishna: An Untold Story of Mythmaking and Propaganda, 1993, Numen Vol. 40, p. 38-62.
- Sil, Narasingha P. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa: A Psychological Profile, Leiden, E.J. Brill, 1991.
- Kripal, Jeffrey J. Kali’s Tongue and Ramakrishna: Biting the Tongue” of the Tantric Tradition. History of Religions, Vol. 34, No.2, Nov. 1994.
- Kripal, Jeffrey J. Kali’s Child: The Mystical and the Erotic in the Life and Teachings of Ramakrishna, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press, 1995.
- McKean, Lise, Divine Enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press, 1996.
- The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 8 vols. (Mayavati Memorial Edition), Calcutta, Advaita Ashrama, 1990.
Dr. P. Muthaiah, Reader in Political Science, Director, SC/ST Cell, Osmania University, Hyderabad – 500 007: Thank you for publishing our interview on Madiga movement for categorisation of reservation into four groups. The Madiga Reservation Perata Samiti is grateful to you for publishing the philosophy of our movement. There is no one in Madiga intellectual committee by name Dr. Krishnaiah. In the introductory part of the interview, you have mentioned that you have interviewed only two Madiga leaders. But, three names appeared in the text (DV Sept. 1, 1997 p.9: “Madiga agitation cleans up AP Dalit leadership”). I feel that there is a mistake. Dr. Krishnaiah’s name was quoted twice instead of my name. I will answer the charge levelled against Krishna Madiga by Syed Naseer Ahmed by saying “Madi gas backing Hindu nazis” (p. 6) very soon.
Instead of Dr. P. Muthaiah, we published another name by mistake – EDITOR,
Balaram Mallick, Qr. No. 31231, Type III – 3rd Phase, Ordnance Factory Township, At/PO Baadal, Belanger dt.- 767 770: Though I am not a DV subscriber, I am a regular reader of your journal. The copy which comes to R.C. Kisku, ultimately reaches me only. Arun Shourie’s book, Worshipping False Gods (665 pages), is mischievous. Though I have not read the book, I have read many articles on it. Shourie is a rented spokesman for the Brahman Jati Party which has been trying to defame Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the whole Dalit community. One thing come as a surprise. He reproduces in the book a statement of Dr. Ambedkar made on Sept. 2, 1953 in the Rajya Sabha:
“People tell me that I am the maker of the Constitution. But as per my opinion, I am a rented person. Whatever was told to me, I did it even against my wishes, but now also I tell you that I will be the first person to burn this Constitution since I don’t want it. This is no way fruitful to anyone in this country.”
I want you to confirm if Babasaheb had made such a statement. The book as a whole will help unite Dalits and strengthen their movement. I met you on July 13, 1997 at your Bhubaneswar meeting. We have about 700 SC/ ST employees working here and I am the president of this association.
K.N. Kutani, Advocate, T.C. 13/1445-Burma Road, Kumara Puram, Trivandrum – 695 001: The Govt. of Kerala first asked Prof. A. Sreedhara Menon to write the history of “freedom struggle” in Kerala. The govt. constituted later a three-member committee including Prof. Sreedhara Menon and directed them to get “guidance” from E.M.S. Namboodiri (EMS). Menon resigned in protest saying that history cannot be written under somebody’s directions. EMS has written a lot of “history” but had devoted only half a page to Babasaheb Ambedkar. He has not even mentioned the name of Ayanami, a stalwart of the revolutionary social movement, who liberated the Untouchables of Kerala. When asked, EMS said as he was from Malabar, he had not heard of Ayanami. But the same EMS has inducted all Hindu leaders like Swadesh Bhimani Ramakrishna Pillai, an enemy of Untouchables, Mannath Padmanabhan, a Nair leader, etc. But Dalit revolutionaries like Ponytail Kumar Guru Devan (the founder of Pratiksha Raksha Daiva Sabha), Vaikuntam Swami, a revolutionary social leader who fought for the liberation of Nadar’s, Velu Ratnakara Asari, Kochi Vallon, a Playa liberator, Kandan Kumaran, Papacy John Joseph, Velli kara Chhoti do not figure at Allin EMS’s historical perspective. EMS had no difficulty in writing about Karl Marx. K.V. Pathrose, a Dalit and a communist leader in the Travancore-Cochin state, gave able leadership to Pundari Vealer rebellion against C.P. Ramaswamy lyre, the Brahmin Diwan of Travancore state. EMS has proved to be a notorious racist distorting history, especially that of the Dalit leaders. Those like EMS who distort and * blackout history to promote their Jati interest will be described in history as traitors.
B.M. Ravindra, PO Mangeshkar – 671 323: I am citing «Some examples of the bankruptcy of the Jamat-e-Istomin Malayalam Daily, Madhyama. Its editorial after the Bombay firing on Dalits says (1) Dalits are trying to deify Babasaheb Ambedkar and make him a god. This amounts to blind idol worship like the Hindu Aryan gods. (2) Gandhi is addressed as a mere M.K. Gandhi. Did he not rename the Untouchables as Harijans? Dalits can’t be excused for criticising Gandhi. Some Dalits criticise him as a mere Savarna supporter and homosexual. it wants Dalits not to insult Gandhi.
The Jaronte-Islami, particularly its Kerala wing, has turned into a failure of the Hindu nazis. This is because it represents the elite Muslims whose value system ls exactly on the lines of Hindus. The Jam ate-Islami has bid goodbye o ifs very Mojadidi’s revolutionary ideas. The entire Muslim leadership, both religious and political of India has been fully corrupted and cooped and in DV we have declared a war against them. But, over 95% of India’s Muslims who are oppressed continue for be re volitionary and we have every hope in them. They may be ‘poor” but it is they who will stand by us in our war against the nazis – EDITOR.
N.C. Sarkar, Secretary, SC/ST Govt. Employees Association, Malkangiri – 764 045: SC/ST candidates are called for civil services examination at the UPSC, New Delhi – 3. But brilliant students here aspiring to join the civil services are deprived of joining the services because of their socio-economic conditions. The age limit fixed is 33 years but in our backward area our students start education at very late age due to poverty. So, the age limit must be raised to 35.
E. Toppo, President, H.G. Bhise, Gen. Secretary, and Members, Tata Institute of Social Sciences SC/ST Emps’ Welf. Assn., Sion-Trom Bay Road, Deonna, Bombay – 400 088: This is in continuation of our article: *Dalits in Tata Inst. expose Brahminical reign of terror’ (DV April 1, 1997 p. 17). Human rights violations are continuing at the Tata institute. This time, we want to highlight one extraordinary case of atrocity committed by the TISS Director himself against our member. On the July 8 last, two temporary employees, Anil Mohan Wag Hela (23) and Vinod Babu Wag Hela (22), were having their tea in TISS. K.V. George, a Section Officer, sent for both and asked them to go to the Director’s residence. Both obeyed the order and left for the Director’s residence. They were shocked to find the Director seated with George and the TISS Security Officer along with some police officers of the Trom Bay police station. The police started bombarding the two innocent youths without any provocation. The Director, Dr. Partha Nath Mukherji, was present but silent. His silence meant that the police action was at his initiative. There is a clear directive that no TISS employee can be taken to police station without the consent of the Director. The news of the two innocent employees being taken to the Trom Bay Police Station spread like wildfire. TISS employees got agitated. Reports said there was a burglary at the residence of the Director and Rs. 50,000 in cash and some electronic goods and gold ornaments were missing. Dr. E. Toppo, our president and other rushed to the Trom Bay police station. Both the alleged culprits were working as domestic servants of the Director, cleaning even the toilet. How can the Director take TISS employees for his domestic work and make them clean his toilet? Is it because they are Untouchables?
A BSP worker from Calcutta: This concerns the sad plight of Bahujan Samaj Party in West Bengal. The BSP state leadership is divided on caste lines. Five divisions are noticed: (1) Manoj group, (2) P.K. Roy group, (3) Talukder group, (4) Satish Biswas and (5) Matua group. These Mataus are again divided into several sub-groups. The BJP comes to power mainly in Matua-dominated areas. Recently, Kanchi Ram directed P. K. Roy to reorganise the BSP state committee. Manoj collected some 50 members of his own people and formed the state committee with himself (a boy of 30 years) as chief. Kanchi Ram hardly finds time to organise the state unit. So, I request you to tour West Bengal just as you recently toured Orissa and give a new hope to the Bahujan’s of Orissa. There is another party in WB called the RPI which was so long dead but recently revived under Sukriti Biswas who is being groomed by the communist leadership. In Howrah, good work is being done by the “India Unity Centre” by Nasir Ahmed, an intellectual. Poor Muslims have established a Dr. Ambedkar Study Centre. A Nama Sudra girl of class VIl (13) can deliver a lecture on BSP for one and a half-hour. Her name is Soumi Sarker. People are attracted to hear her lecture. A good number of Mala people of Andhra are living at Kharagpur for the last 40 years. They have no land or relatives in Andhra. They have encroached upon Rly. surplus lands. The SC certifying authorities are not granting them SC certificates. They have opened an Ambedkar Social Centre. They need your support.
Shamim Uddin, 83-Tilak Hall, Lucknow University, Lucknow – 226 007: I came to know about you from Shameful Haq of Patna. He read my letter in the Janata and contacted me to introduce you. I am doing my MSc-l in physics here. I am aged 21 and belong to a lower middle-class family. My father is a head warder in the Jail Dept. I have one brother and three sisters, all younger to me. I like to promote better human values and like to read serious literature. I want to know how I can help DV.
Jayant Kumar Nayak, At/PO Latvala, via Attahiru, Bargarh dt. – 768 027: We enforced a bandh at Burla on 11.8.1997 to protest the Bombay firing killing 11 Dalits. India celebrating its 50th year of “independence”” is a thrill to all upper castes. But we Dalits have nothing to boast. After 50 years of “independence® Dalits are not independent. All govt. offices display the photographs of Gandhi but why there is not a picture of Babasaheb? Because the upper castes are Gandhi followers. These 15% upper castes are ‘independent” to exploit us. But to the (85%) Bahians “independence” brought nothing.
B.K. Nag, 103 A/A, Sarasa, Bargarh dt., Orissa – 768 028: This is about the “miracle of our editor’s visit* to Orissa. The Ambedkar Biochar Manch, Orissa, perhaps never expected that a simple visit of our Editor would create such a tremendous enthusiasm among the DV readers and Dalits of Orissa. Immediately after the meeting held at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar, on 13.7.97, the Dalits of Orissa took out a rally before the Raj Bhavan, following a call given by the Editor at his meeting, Cuttack, the heart of Orissa, witnessed a similar protest on July 4. Ambedkar Biochar Manch leaders are touring the state and delivering the message conveyed by our Editor in his speech at Bhubaneswar: “Dalit unity, why and How?” Within a month, they toured Konchar, Raygada, Kalahandi and Belanger districts. Everywhere we noted good awareness. This is the first time in Kalahandi district that SC/ST/ BC have taken their lunch together. It is also the first time in Orissa that Dalits have successfully forced a bandh at Bhawani Patna (Kalahandi dt.) and at Burla in Sambalpur district on Aug. 11. Leaders belonging to different political parties have heeded the Editor’s appeal and are actively cooperating with us. DV readers have taken the most active part. In their speeches, they use the DV language which is very much appreciated. I attended most of these meetings. It is felt essential to have a book stall for Dalit literature in Orissa.
Dr. Prem Shanker, in charge, Dr. Ambedkar Chair, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie – 248 179: I have been appointed Chair of Social Justice and research of LBANNA, Mussoorie. –
Principal Gurdial Singh, 179-180, Model Gram, Ludhiana – 141 002: I am thankful to Gobind Roy of Nand- ed for his comments on my Letter (DV July 1,’97 p.1 3). It is the past glory that shows us the path towards future glory. I can never forget and shall always recall what my forefathers have done and I must follow the principles they have laid for our salvation. Our experience has confirmed the validity of those most wise principles. Gobind Roy must point out where I have praised the evil deeds of Brahminism. We have no media, I confess. For that very reason I myself had started publishing a newspaper in the US. As a trustee of Sant Ishar Singh Rare Wala Education Trust, I had offered to start a “Media Centre” in Ludhiana under the advice of our Editor. At the age of 86, I am working 14 hours a day for the sacred cause of the oppressed and hated community. The “Hindu mind” ™5 very clearly understood.
Shamimul Haq, Patna: To catch Laloo Prasad Yadav, every Aryan Manu wadi upper caste worked for days together. The judiciary took the lead in this race to hunt for Laloo’s head. Every “Brahmin-Bania press” congratulated the judiciary for its initiative to strike La. On Dec.6, 1992, when Babri Masjid was being demolished brick by brick, when the notorious Chanakya was watching the TV, this great guardian of the Constitution of India (judiciary) did not open its lips. The Hindu nazis and the Chanakya committed criminal contempt of court. The order of the judiciary was thrown into dust bin, the Constitution of India was trampled upon by the choirboys. But this Manuwadi judiciary deliberately kept silent over the Babri Masjid case for 50 years. Is it not a deliberate case of judicial inactivism to deceive Muslims? Recently, the Calcutta High Court banned Azaan calling it noise pollution. This judiciary had nothing to say on Ajmer (1948), Ranchi (’69), Lizarraga-Ahmedabad (’69), Bhiwandi, Jalgaon (’70), Varanasi (’77), Jamshedpur (’79), Bhagalpur (’89), Meerut (’90), Ayodhya (’92), Bombay (’92-93), Bihar Sharif (’83), Bhatkal, Mulyana, Heshimu, Nelii and the 1984 anti-Sikh riot and perennial oppression against Dalits. All of them have regular features of our upper castes. But where was this judiciary? The same judiciary which just winked at all these cases of crimes and corruption is upset about “Laloo’s corruption”. But it was Laloo Yadav, who rushed to Sitamarhi as anti-Muslim riot (1995) flared up then and controlled the situation within a day. To- day, he is the darling of Muslims of India because in Bihar anti-Muslim riots have stopped ever since he came. He gave courage to the slaves of Bihar. That is why the upper castes hate him.
K.C. Sulekh, H. No. 503-Sector 15-A, Chandigarh: After publishing a review of Arun Shourie’s book, the Indian Express has started publishing extracts from his book. The upper caste toilet papers are publishing falsehood to malign Babasaheb. The Express extract of July 27, ’97, is based on the diary allegedly written by Indrani Devi, wife of Jagjivan Ram. The old lady deserves our respect for being the wife, now widow, of a senior Dalit leader. But what is she or what is her status beyond being a housewife? Nobody has ever heard of her taking part in the Congress movement or any social work. We have never heard of this “distinguished lady” playing any role in the Congress movement from the Congress Party records. Even Javion Ram’s own book, Caste Challenge in India, makes no mention of Indrani Devi being involved in any political or social work. That being so, who will be fooled by this big hoax being played on the basis of the diary of a woman who is hardly literate? A probe in this sordid affair will easily help to pinpoint the hand behind this hoax. Is it Jagjivan Ram himself or his over-ambitious daughter who is already basking in the glory of her illustrious father and is still aspiring for more power and pelf on the strength of her only quality – the Ambedkar-baiting. Blinded by his extreme contempt for Dr. Ambedkar, Shourie has forgotten even to check the correct source of his information – the speech explaining the reasons for his resignation from Nehru’s cabinet was not delivered in Parliament as claimed by Shourie. It was a statement released to the press on 10.10.1951 after he was refused per- mission by the Deputy Speaker, Anantha Shayne Aiyengar, then in the Chair, to make it on the floor of the House a day earlier. There seems to be no limit to his telling lies and no regard for moral scruples. Dr. Ambedkar, in the eyes of Shourie, was a power-hungry politician who collaborated with the British or prostrated at the feet of Jungian Ram only for the sake of securing a berth in the Viceroy’s Executive Council or Nehru’s cabinet. A fantastic claim indeed that nobody in his sense could think of except this Punjabi Brahmin. Shourie does not know that the same Dr. Ambedkar kicked cabinet post the moment he became convinced that Nehru had betrayed him on every crucial issue of basic policy for his failure to protect the rights of the SCs and to get the Hindu Code Bill passed. It was a unique example of a Cabinet Minister resigning not under corruption charges or for any delinquent conduct but on a matter of principle. It was the Hindu Mahasabha, according to Nehru that “offered cooperation to the British rulers more than the Muslims and betrayed the cause of freedom”. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, as Vice-Chancellor of Benares Hin- du University in 1920, established the “George V Chair” in the university as a consequence of which his salary was raised from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 p.m. Besides, he accepted the title of “Sir” (knighthood) for the meritorious services rendered to the British Crown. Tilak showered praises and declared loyalty to the British in 1914 for the “inestimable benefits that they had conferred upon them by bringing together different nationalities and races of India.” Factually, the heroes of Shourie’s – “ideal make” and his forerunners too, at one time or the other, not only supported the invaders and aliens but served them as loyal servants. Shourie stands exposed, the fundamental forces impelling his narrative are now no longer a secret. It is also no longer a secret that ever since Dr. Ambedkar embarked upon his grand mission to ex- pose and blunt the forces of darkness, stagnation and obscurantism bedevilling the society particularly the Scheduled Castes (Untouchables), the Hindu nazis in the opposite camp of status quoists also became violent and aggressive to tarnish his image in what- ever manner possible. Shourie’s book is part of this ill-conceived exercise. But with mischief in mind and designs sinister, will he or can he stop the march of the time?
P.K. Jena, 13/65-Acharya Vihar, Bhubaneswar – 13: In your speech at Bhubaneswar on July 13,’97 at a meeting organised by the Ambedkar Biochar Manch, you said that “Bahujan Samaj Party is not a mere political party but a movement”. As far as my knowledge goes, I know that the BSP is a political party preoccupied with vote politics. Will you clarify what are¢ the programmes under the movement that it has accomplished so far? I am interested in publishing a booklet on this if it is established that BSP is a movement. If this question is answered it will strengthen the Dalit movement all over the country. So, if BSP is a movement what is its aim? I am not interested in its “politics” but in its “movement”. Please guide me properly.
G. Saddharma, Gautam Nagar, Nellore – 524 004: This has reference to our Editor’s remarks on Abhijit’s Letter (DV July 16, 1997 p.16). Gandhi all his life stood for Brahminism. As such, I don’t think that even for a vote politician like Laloo, it will be humanly possible to praise Gandhi if he (Laloo) is really anti-Brahminical. Why then, the Brahminical forces are after his blood? Because his concept of Brahminism differs from that of the Vaidik’s. The Vaidik Brahminism insists that they are the “gods on earth” and should be worshipped as such by all to attain heaven after death. But, La- l00’s Brahminism consists in summarily rejecting this as sheer nonsense and at the same time upholding the same thought in a lesser degree to exercise the superiority and hegemony of his community on the lower castes such as SC/ST/BC and minorities.
Dr. Guruswami Siddhar, President, Tamisha Munindra Kashagan, 10/2-Nalvar Nagar, Coimbatore 641 046: We are happy to note that you propose to hold a seminar on “caste identity” on Oct. 5in Bangalore. I along with Dr. D. Gnanasekaran of Bharati University and engineer S. Manohara Mallar would like to take part in this seminar. We of the “Devendra Kula Vellalar Sangam” and our political party, “Tamisha Munindra Kashagan®, fully support the “Jati identity” campaign that DV has launched.
Shyamal Kumar Biswas, 367-Bankim Chatterjee Rd., PO New Barrackpore, WB – 743 276: Arun Shou- tie is trying to falsify history and the upper castes get a vicarious pleasure in wikifying Dr. Ambedkar. Babasaheb’s ocean of knowledge in history, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, political parliamentarism, constitution, law, journalism, statesmanship, religion and society has already made him India’s tallest titan. Babasaheb is still the most prominent figure among all the Indian leaders who seriously thought of finding a permanent solution to social, economic, educational and political disparities among the people of India and strived every nerve and muscle to materialize his dreams. And save them from the monstrous Brahminism that established graded inequality in India and killed its people.
L.C. Kapoor, EH-79, Scheme No.54, Indore – 452 010: DV readers at Indore have formed the “Mahatma Jot Iba Phule Vichar Prachar Manch”, to spread the burning thoughts’ of our emancipators – Mahatma Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar etc., among the Dalit/Bahujan people. We have also opened a library for Dalit literature. Lectures are being organised. Prominent among the speakers were V.T. Rajshekar, Editor of Dalit Voice, who addressed during his recent visit to Indore and Dr. Ramphal, Director, Dr. Ambedkar Research Foun- dation, Mhow. We are planning a talk by S.K. Biswas, a prominent Dalit writer of New Delhi.
C.K. Chandran, Cheng ode House, Odour, Parali PO, Palakkad – 678 612: Kerala Dalits are badly divided between every political party. They have become slaves of Marxists, the Congress and BJP. But not one party is for liberation of our people. They want us to remain as slaves, so that we continue to be their vote bank. There are also many Dalit associations and federations further dividing Dalits with no proper study of Babasaheb’s philosophy. There are hundreds of schools, colleges and technical institutions run by the Savarna associations like the Nair Service Society (NSS), Muslim Educational Society (MES), Christian Educational Society and Sree Narayana Dharma Peripolar (SNDP) serving Jati people education and strengthening their cultural development. But the Dalits have no property, no culture, no education, no security, no legal protection. So, they are forced to depend on political parties. How to end Dalit slavery in Kerala?
S.B. Kolpe, Editor, Clarity, 3/2-3, Adarsh Nagar, Prabhadevi, Bombay – 400 025: Glad to note you are coming to Bombay on Oct. 15-16, ’97. We will have a meeting of about 30 intellectuals to discuss the political situation and the caste problem. Left parties are demanding the resignation of Laloo even before the CBI chargesheet and the Governor’s sanction for it. CPI leader Bardhan had written me criticising my views on Laloo. The communists are unable to understand that the Laloo issue is not merely a question of “corruption”. It is a “caste war by proxy”. The upper caste bureaucracy and all upper caste politicians are against him because he is the most powerful leader of the BCs today. Their intention is to somehow slander and discredit him ds chief minister. The “Fodder Scam® had begun 20 years before Laloo became CM. It startsed under the Congress regime and Laloo became CM only in 1989. The upper castes are capable of manufacturing a scandal like this in every state whenever a BC Leader challenges them. But Laloo is determined to fight back. The Gujral Govt. may not last long. The tragedy of the Dalits and BCs is that they do not have an ideologically-oriented and politically mature leadership in any state. Laloo has been able to demonstrate his majority in the Bihar Assembly on July 15. It is a great moral victory for him. The Leftists are foolish enough to have planned a campaign against him with other opportunist parties like the Samata Party. If Dr. Jagannath Mishra, charge sheeted for conspiracy as former chief minister like Laloo, can get an anticipatory bail by the court, why could not Laloo? That is why Laloo’s is a caste-war against our upper caste imperialism including the judiciary.
Abhijit Roy, 931-Jawpur Road, Calcutta – 700 074: The July 16, 1997 (p.19) gave the Supreme Court views on caste criterion for reservation. It is a very important judgment which puts an end to the upper- caste-manufactured controversy of class and caste. The Supreme Court equated “class” with “caste” and thereby gave a big slap on the face of the Manu wadi Marxists, who advocate the theory of class and demand income-based reservation. As I joined the DV family just less than two years back, I do not know if more details of the judgment had appeared in DV earlier. The Manu wadi Communists are our worst enemies.
Please stop dividing upper castes of India on political party Hines. All upper castes have a single common interest – that is protecting and promoting the rainforests. So, for describe them as ‘Marxists” Congressmen, BJE Janata Dal, RSS Naxalites, environmentalists, Ghanaians etc., s wrong. Our ‘national” forlet papers confuse us, and mislead us by dividing the upper castes under different political labels. From EM.S. Namboodinpaad, A.B. Vajpayee, Jyoti Basu 1o Maneka Gandhi, Medha Patkar Charu Mazumdar 1.K. Gujral. George Fernandes, all of them think alike and act alike. Whether he be a journalist. judge or lAS officer vice chancellor they are all bound by one single comma on “sacred thread’ That is why Pereyra E.V. Ramaswamy said “when it rains in Kashmir; 1he Kanyakumari Brahmin shivers in cold and when a Saurashtra Brahmin bleeds as a thorn pricks his leg. the Aswarm Brahmin cries in pain®. This Is Brahmanism. Marxism as the more dangerous face of Brahminism – EDITOR.
Jogesh Sarkar, 152/5-D.H. Rd., Shikarpur, Calcutta – 63: Much has been discussed and published on the issue of “Media Centre” in DV in the last few years but nothing has yet materialised. The Editor is fed up and has closed all discussion with his “Last and final appeal on Media Centre” (DV Aug. 1, ’97 p.5). (1) DV is the only mouthpiece of the persecuted Bahujan’s but its readers do not fully follow the DV directions but continue to worship their oppressors. (2) DV subscribers are not aware of the number of members of DV family world-wide. (3) Never seen any extra page in DV even on any special occasion. (4) No photo is published except that of Babasaheb’s, that too rarely. (5) Not even a small picture of Babasaheb beside Thus Spake Ambedkar column on p.- 2.
Just as the people gel the govt. they deserve. the people also gift the journals they deserve. The health of DV is also the health of the Bahujan Sammy. If the oppressed, persecuted Bahujan’s of India (over 85% of its population) want for live as slaves of upper castes, enjoying their slavery, what can we do? We have faked the CARAVAN so rare – 17 years in the life of @ Journal of the persecuted is no mean achievement DV has made history. The Enemy knows it Arun Shourie in his latest book on Babasaheb has devoured several pages for DV and ifs Editor. He has pointed out that DV is the most important ideological adviser of the Bahujan Samaj and BSP. Though this is not a statement of fact it proves that the Enemy is keeping a watch on us and s fully aware of our work and potential. But the problem is those for whom we are working are not aware of us. Babasaheb faced the same fragged and at the far end of his life he wept before he died. We are racing the same situation – EDITOR.
S.R. Talukder, New Delhi: Millions of years ago, there existed a group of giant-sized reptiles on the earth. The world was being ruled by them. Today, they are extinct. During the last few decades in India, a minority of upper castes (UCs) are making enormous noise about their “merit. They claim all “merit* to themselves. How genuine is their claim? The English word *merit”, born in England, came to India with the British. But when they left India (1947) after transferring power to the UCs (Savarnas), they gave the patent right of this word also to the Savarnas. That may be the reason why the UCs claim that it is only they who have the sole right over merit. Others have no right over it. Today, “merit” is one of the most popular words used in India. For the UCs, it is a sort of ornament which they are proud to flaunt. Bahujan’s are afraid of this word but for a Brahmin, it is almost like a Gayatri Mantra. “When did this word become the favourite of the UCs? Initially, the UCs also hated it in the middle of the 19th century when the UCs were aspiring for govt. jobs under the British as they failed for want of merit. So, they started hating this word. When the British left, they became the rulers. They grabbed this weapon of merit and started using it recklessly against their enemies. The services became. 100% their monopoly. From attendant to minister and from the orderly to judges, everywhere it was their people. Suddenly, a group of people came from remote villages, not many in number, and advanced an unusual demand. They came to the city not to pull the cart or carry any load. They wanted posts in govt. offices. They wanted to sit on the chair beside these “gentle- men”. They wanted share in administration. UCs became furious. Who is behind this mischief. Evidently it was Babasaheb Ambedkar. In the undivided India, Scheduled Castes population. Was 12.75%. As sufficient number of educated people among them was not available, the SC reservation was limited to 8.33% which was increased to 15% in “independent® India. Then came the Mandal Commission Report that recommended reservation for Backward Castes. The latest position is that, for the 85% people only 50% posts are reserved and the balance 50% posts go to the 15% UCs. This is gross injustice. Share in administration and in all other economic activities for different groups must be proportional to their percentage of population. Then only peace will return to a society. The word “merit” suddenly became the deadliest weapon in the hands of UCs to fight the 85% Bahujan’s who are demanding share in administration. All the UCs started chanting the “merit” mantra. This mantra started reverberating in the air throughout the length and breadth of the country. UCs with the power of their media created a situation in which *merit” and “reservation” became antagonistic to each other. it was loudly proclaimed that those who joined govt. services through “reservation* did not possess even a single drop of “merit”. Only the UCs have absolute right over the “merit”. But one thing became clear that if you use a weapon again and again, it is bound to get blunted after some time. This happened to the UC merit weapon also. During the anti-Mandal war and violence, this weapon was used ad nauseam that today nobody is afraid of this weapon. In W. Bengal, Orissa and Assam it is still used in some cases but in other parts of India the UCs are scared of using this weapon. It has ceased to frighten us. Today the Bahujan’s are in possession of a more powerful and more deadly weapon than this “merit”. That is “power mantra” – the political power. “Merit” has surrendered to political power. Whoever controls power, can control everything including “merit”. During the Muslim rule, the Muslims occupied all high govt. positions. During the British rule, all key positions were in British hands. How the UC rulers can be an exception? Their political power is on the decline. That means their “merit” is also on the decline. One may mistake that the British and the UC possessed the same basic characteristics. This is not correct. The British sincerely believed that Indians are not “merited” to take up high positions and by Indians they meant the UCs. The father of the present judicial system was Lord Cornwallis.
“In reorganising the judicial structure in 1793, Cornwallis started from the assumption that Indians, from their character and bearing, were incapable of holding any position of trust and responsibility.”
(Indian Civil Judiciary in Making – pp.10-11, Chittaranjan Sinha).
Who were these “Indians” about whom Cornwallis made such caustic remarks? Definitely the Dalits were not his target. Brahmin pandits well versed in Sanskrit and the Muslim moulvis only had the right to wander in the corridors of the court room. Cornwallis’ remarks were directed against them only. Then came the 19th century. British empire spread far and wide. The demand for manpower increased. Children from the rich families of both Hindus and Muslims had received Western education. But they were not recruited to govt. offices. In 1833, the British Parliament removed “colour prejudice” against the Indians and opened the door to all. In 1853, open competition was arranged for “writership”. In 1858, East India Company’s rule was over and Queen Victoria took over India. She offered govt. services to all Indians. The first Indian who joined the ICS in 1863 was Satyendra Nath Tagore, the elder brother of Ravindra Nath Tagore, a Bengali Brahmin. Almost every year, one or two UCs started joining the ICS. But were they really efficient?
“Both in Britain and in India, officials expressed a lack of confidence in the efficiency of the Indian Civil Servants”.
(Letter, Curzon to Hamilton, April 23, 1900, quoted in Secretary of State for India and his council 1858-1919 by S.N. Singh pp.100).
What Cornwallis believed in 1793, after 107 years, Curzon testified it through his experience. Although the British had reservations in appointing Indians to .higher posts, they had no hesitation in appointing the to lower positions. So, we have no definite proof that the British were prejudiced against the Indian UCs. But when we see that even for an ordinary post the UCs debarring even qualified Dalit candidates as un- fit, the prejudice in their mind becomes very clear to us. Every year thousands of Dalit graduates and PGs appear for civil service exams. May be about 200 of them get selected for IAS, IPS etc. The rest after rejection and dejection get set for ordinary clerical posts. But when we find that these graduates and PGs are turned out from there also and these posts are filled by UC candidates, how then we can have faith in the honesty of the UCs? What then is the literal meaning of “merit”: It is quality knowledge, intelligence, character and compassion, a combination of all these four makes a person merited. The existing system of exams can judge only one’s memory and not merit. Char- acter and compassion have no value in this system of selection. But without these two qualities, a “learned and intelligent man” may prove dangerous to that society. And this is what is happening today. Our “highly educated” people are devoid of character and com- passion. That is why they loot the society. All merit- holders are thieves. Lord Lawrence deserves our appreciation. On June 24, 1867, Northcote, the then Secretary of State, asked Lord Lawrence to hold exams for Covenanted Civil Service (CSS) in India itself for Indian candidates. He wanted to select young Indian candidates and then train them in England. Lord Lawrence opposed it and said:
“The competitive system would be unsuitable for Indians, as it would be dominated by Bengalis, who were often feeble and lacking in administrative and manly qualities. And Indians of other parts of the country would be at a disadvantage although basically they might constitute better material.”
He wanted:
“Suitable Indians of good character for promotion to the rank and emoluments of Assistant Commissioners”. (Singh pp. 78 and 79).
Lawrence deserves appreciation because he gave more importance to character than to mere memory. Dalit candidates who took part in the competitive exam in 1943 secured much lesser marks compared to UCs. Because UCs for the past four generations were occupying govt. portions while Dalits were entering the field for the first time. Why the govt. service is so important? Is it only a means to fill the stomach? Salary in govt. service is not so lucrative. Still, why there is so much of fight? This is because a govt. job goes with it pride of a caste or a social group. Any social or religious group if it does not have any share in administration, it will feel deprived and ruled by others. Dalits consider the govt. job not merely as a means of filling their stomach. So, the govt. job is the symbol of pride. This loud noise of “merit” is coming from an empty vessel. There is nothing to be afraid of. We must fight for our right.
Dr. Hem Raj Bhagat, All-J&K SC/ST Emp. Assn., 39- A, Rajinder Nagar, New Company Bagh, Jammu: This concerns the seniority of SC/ST employees promoted earlier vis-a-vis general employees promoted later. A govt. notification dated 30.5.1997 amends the Jammu and Kashmir Services (classification, control and appeal) rules 1956 which violates the Supreme Court judgment of 10.10.1995. The Union Govt. has ordered continuation of SC/ST reservation in promotion beyond Nov. 15, 1997. But the J&K Govt. wants to discontinue reservation.
Anil Ranger, Press Colony, Shahidul, MP: I have requested the DV readers to help me in distribution of free Hindi DV in the most backward tribal belt in this district. (DV Nov. 15,1996 and Dec. 1,1996). Except the Editor of DV, no reader of DV helped me to this date. I myself sent subscriptions and a list of few readers for Hindi DV which helped a great deal to bring awareness in this area. A president of the zilla panchayat and the leader of Congress Party, Kamala Singh, a tribal leader, resigned from the Congress Party and joined the BSP at Gwalior in June ’97. To- day, our chances of winning MP and MLA seats in Shahidul is 90% in the coming election. Readers of DV must help me to clean the brains of our enslaved tribals. Only the “Ambedkar Media” can solve all the problems of SC/ST/BCs.
R.U. Ranger, MSEB Colony 10/10, Vasai Road(E) – 401 202: The Company Act amendment Bill is pro-. posed to be discussed in Parliament. The privatisation policy of the govt. from 1991 has not benefited the SC/ST/BCs but on the contrary their constitutional safeguards in services have been stopped due to this. DV must, therefore, campaign for reservation for SC/ST/BC in private sector. Over 90% of job opportunities in India are in private sector and the 10% in govt. sector is shrinking daily due to the govt. policy. During the last 50 years, the privileged upper caste has taken advantage of the private sector.
K.D. Katyal, Katyal Nivas, Netaji Subhas Nagar, Gopesh war, Chamoli dt., UP: Self-immolation against the proposed creation of a separate Uttarakhand hill state by Dalit, Backward and Muslim youths is to be committed before the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar at Parliament house, New Delhi, according to a decision taken here recently by Balwant Singh Bharti and Pradeep Tamra, president and chief convener of the Uttarakhand Mantichora -Alpaslan kayak Morcha. The Shiplake community, original inhabitants of this land, has been opposing the creation of such a state from the very beginning but the Central Govt. is not listening but supporting cattiest, feudal and communal forces. If this state is formed the Manu smriti will be constitution of the state and Brahmins will be the rulers.
Prof. Humayun Murad, Secretary-Gen., Centre of Backward Muslims of India, “Sharova-e-Nimat, 4/ 1263, Medical College Road, Aligarh – 202 002: We had a day-long seminar here on Aug.3 on the “Challenges before the OBC Muslims”. A majority of Indian Muslims, who never belonged to the class of zamindars, jaghirdars and other upper castes, were totally opposed to the “two-nation theory”. These BC Muslims, despite their backwardness, felt proud in staying back in the “secular India”. Such Muslims belonged to the artisan and other oppressed classes and constitute over 85% of the Muslim population of India. They continue to be deprived even during this 50th year of “independence”. The BC Muslims, who have been subjected to discrimination and disgrace, are still socially, economically and educationally at the lowest level of the Muslim society. As they have lost faith in the upper caste Muslims, they have decided to organise themselves separately. The different baradaris of BC Muslims could form cooperative societies. Our 10-point charter of demands include proportionate representation in all state and central services wherever reservation is applicable, out of 27% for OBCs. The most Backward Muslim Castes (counterpart of Dalits) be accorded the same privileges as granted to the Scheduled Castes. Proportionate representation in Parliament and State legislature. Kalim Uddin Shams, Food Minister, West Bengal, is our president with the Ashraf Husain, ex-MP, as working president. Prof. Qaiser Hayat, Professor of Law, Aligarh Muslim University, is the treasurer. I am its secretary general. I am the Professor of the Zoology at AMU.
Dr. S.A. Hannan, “Media Watch”, Imaret Sharia, Phulkari Sharif, Patna – 801 505: I am equally anxious about having our own “Media Centre” for the last ten years. Alas, a Dalit Voice cannot raise our voice to that level. Your circulation is still limited. It is not available on ‘bookstalls or rly. platform. I am pained to say that Dalits and Muslims are so dead that they could not so far produce a single daily newspaper in English. The Dalits and Muslims appear 10 be under intoxication of opium just like what happened once in China. You complain of “Muslim elites”. Dr. Ajaz Ali and Dr. Abdul Hai, both Backward Muslims, are capable of funding a daily newspaper. Dr. Ajaz Ali’s father-in-law, Ghulam Sarvar, was a journalist and editor of a daily newspaper, Sangam (Urdu), which fought the corrupt Bhumihar and other upper caste rule over Bihar. He became the Speaker of the State Assembly and a darling of Laloo Prasad Yadav. Then he fell out. Some BCs like Yadavas, Kurmis and Ansaris (Muslims) are wealthier than the more “elite upper caste Muslims®. Kurmis are the wealthiest of all. In UP, also the Yadavas and Ansaris are rich. Savarnas have brainwashed all Dalits or backwards and Tribals and dance to their tune. The Kurmis of Bihar are so wealthy that in Patna, Bihar Sharif and adjacent areas they have hundreds of cold storages where potatoes grown by BC Muslims are stored and supplied to whole of Bihar. Just one Kurmi can fund you for a daily newspaper. But all these people are selfish, greedy and their only ambition is to amass wealth. In Bhagalpur, the Ansaris (Muslim Backwards) are rich exporting sits clothes.
Syed Basheer Ahmed, 1929-South End “C” Road, 9th Block East, Jayanagar, Bangalore – 560 069: Muslims constitute 12% of the population. There should have been 65 Muslim members in Parliament and 26 MLAs in Karnataka. But the community could not manage to send even 1/4 of the said number. Chris- tians and Jains who constitute 2.5% and 1% of the population respectively could not elect even one representative to the State Assembly. Despite reservations to BCs in Karnataka, Muslim representation in zilla parishads (ZP) and municipalities is hardly 2.5%. There is no Muslim ZP chairman in the whole state. No Muslim has been elected to the Assembly in Madhya Pradesh. Because of this, democracy has suffered in the country. The experience of 50 years is that the present system of elections does not satisfy the norms of democracy. The system should be changed to satisfy all sections of the population. Making provisions for reservation in proportion to the population of each caste, community and religion is the best solution.
S.M. Pasha, 22-Barracks Road, Perimeter, Madras – 600 003: M.K. Gandhi, no doubt, declared that India would attain real independence when a Dalit became the President of India. He did not know then that the country’s Constitution-framers would reduce the status of the President to a “rubber-stamp” head of the nation. What he meant was that only when Dalits were really liberated and one among them chosen to be the head of the Govt of India, the country could be said to be really free. ‘A Dalit has at last become the Hadhramauti but none seems to regret that so far not a single Dalit has become the Prime Minister.
M. Naushad Ansari, Post Box No. 1797, Bangalore – 560 017: The article, “Islam prohibits priesthood, Maulanas are a pest on Muslims” by S.A. Mujeeb (DV Apr. 16, 1997), which has now appeared as a booklet, has some contradictions and deserves clarification. At one point, he says: “noted scholar even of the recent past like, Abul Kalam Azad… have not been referred to as maulanas”. However, the article starts with the statement of Jinnah who declared in 1938: “We have freed the Muslim of the undesirable element of Moulavi and maulanas”. If the word maulana has originated in recent past, how come Jinnah referred to it in early thirties? As per the Concise Twentieth Century Dictionary, the meaning of maulana is “Respected man of learning”. It’s rare meaning is “protector” which is derived only when used for Allah. The Muslim masses use the word “maulana” with the spirit of respecting a learned man, as the dictionary says. In the introduction to this booklet, our Editor, who is an authority on these terms, has referred to “the Venerable Moulana Moodie”. Did the Editor call Moodie as “Moulana meaning learned man or “protector”. indeed, it is only a few Muslims who consider the great men as partners of Allah and offer Fateha, thus accepting those great men as a protector.
The Koran says:
“Surely Allah forgive not the setting up of partners with him”. (4:48).
Allah doesn’t fix any day for feeding the poor. Before every meal, a Muslim must make sure that his neighbour is not hungry. Feeding the poor must be for the pleasure of Allah and not for the pleasure of a great man. Mujeeb has divided Urdu into two groups – Aryasatya Urdu and Regional Urdu. I am a post-graduate in Urdu literature and during my studies I never read or experienced such a division within Urdu. Urdu has only one script and a single Grammer. If we read the Salar daily of Bangalore, Sangam of Patna, Musalman of Madras, Siya sat of Hyderabad, Quami Awaz of Lucknow, Inqilab of Bombay, Najd Duniya of Delhi etc., we find no distinction at all. Will Mujeeb elaborate his own categorisation of Urdu? If Urdu is thrown out from our daily life, it is the elites who are responsible for this state. The elites feel shy of speaking Urdu in teaching Urdu to their kids, though they teach them French, German etc. Urdu had been a language of elites in the pre-independent: India. But now they have shunted Urdu into the Madrasas. We must be thank- Fulton Monaragala’s who are still nourishing Urdu hoping its revival and recovery. Urdu is no more a “mother-language”, but a “crippled-old-mother”. Muslim elites have betrayed Urdu.
