Kazuhiro Usui, 4-chome 4262-1, Ikeda Machi, Kita Azumi gun, Nagario, Japan: Thank you very much for your gift-book, Gandhi Saint or Sinner? (DSA, 1992). I am sending the book, The River With No Bridge, by Sue Sumii in Japanese, translated to English by Susan Wilkinson (1989, Charles Tuttle & Co. 2-6, Suido 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo-112). The author protrays the plight of Burakumin, the Japan’s oppressed invisible minority, to study which we had invited you to Japan in 1983.
We had a 12-member Japanese delegation on Jan. 10 from Fukuoka where we had met a Shin sect Buddhist monk, Rev. T. Tachibana, teacher of Flev. Amemori with whom we stayed during our visit to Japan on Aug 4, 1983. The delegation was headed by Murakami of Agano, Akaikecho, Tugowa gun, Fukuoka. The delegation belonged to the famous Higachi Honganji Buddhist Temple at Fukuoka which also we visited. We would appreciate if you could contact Murakami and also Rev. Tachibana and seek their support for our efforts to popularise Buddhism in India – EDITOR.
The Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Kamaleson, Vice-President, World Vision International, 121, East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, California 91016 USA: I read DV and your books carefully, I would be grateful for ongoing association in the work of liberating the poorest of the poor in our country. I shall be honoured to meet you sometime in Bangalore.
Ahmed Amirudin, Roslagsvagen 101 Hus 25, S-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden: I appreciate your struggle for the oppressed in India. For decades, the Dalit Voice has voiced the sentiments of those unfortunate Indians who have been labelled as the “lower” castes by the oppressors in India. Please keep it up. It is time that all the oppressed in India should unite. against the ruling class. The Muslims and the “lower” castes should set an example for the others by co- operating with each other on various issues. Your journal, of course, contributes to this union but I feel that a proper understanding of each other’s religion would also be helpful. I am conducting a correspondence course on the Quranic way of life which consists of 19 lessons. Your readers wanting to utilise this opportunity to learn about the real Islam (as distinct from the “Islam” of the Arabs and the Indian Muslims) may write to me.
Dr. V. Annamalai, 14902, James River Lane, Houston, TX 77084, USA: Yogesh and myself are still trying to get more life-membership to DV. Please do not give up. It is too important not to give up our mission at this time of history. It will be absolutely suicidal for the entire persecuted minorities to let DV shut its door for ever. I am only hoping that there are enough enlightened members of minority communities (Dalits, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and the enlightened BCS) to come to the rescue of DV. No matter who says what, you and DV have done more to the Dalit cause than anyone else after Babasaheb. So you cannot give up without completing the mission.
Ajit Singh, Ottawa: The past one decade has seen unprecedented crimes against humanity committed by the brahminical rulers of India directly or indirectly. Aryan Brahminical hands were always behind every crime. Since 1947 the whole machine of oppression has passed into their hands. Lt. Gen. Sir Francis Tukkar writes in his book, While Memory Lasts: “The British official has always identified himself with the so-called ‘backward races’ finding them usually honest and more courageous than the “forward ones”. He has always had his reward in the trust they placed in him. The ever present fear is that when the British have gone, these people will get short shrift from the ruthless Brahmin rule that will follow, swayed by milling hordes for whom they have little regard and against whose depredations they have for thousands of years so valiantly defended themselves”. The history of Sikhs and their gurus showed us how valiantly they have fought against Aryan brahminical oppression and exploitation. Today just 3.5% Brahmins of India are occupying 70% of all the top positions. The enslaved masses must wake up and join their hands with the Sikhs to stop injustice and crimes against humanity by the Aryan rule.
H.A. Blackway, Williamsville, Vermont, UK: In 1948, Albert Einstein and other Jewish Americans wrote in the New York Times that Herut, the political party of Yitzak Shamir, Israel’s current prime minister, and Menechem Begin, is “a political party closely akin in its organisation, methods and political philosophy….. to the Nazi and Fascist parties. Martin Buber, a Jewish philosopher, gave a warming in 1961 that Israel’s racism is suicidal: “Only an internal revolution can have the power to heal our people of their murderous sickness of causeless hatred”. In 1990, America’s State Dept. in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices lists more than 15 areas of discrimination by Jews against non-Jews.
Daniel Cohen, Moor Park, Middlesex, UK: Zionism is the movement for the right to self-determination for the Jewish people. The right is no more racist than that of the Kurds, or indeed the Palestinians.
S.U. Rangari, Vikhroli, Bombay: Supreme Court Advocate Bhagwan Das delivered two lectures here on Jan.24/25 on Dalit movements all over India specially Bengal, Kerala, TN and Punjab. Prof. N.G. Meshram, chairman of the Buddhist International Centre, said the Peoples Education Society founded by Dr. Ambedkar, should be run properly. Our political religious and educational leaders have failed in their mission to take the Babasaheb’s caravan ahead, he said. Dr. P.T. Borale, chairman, Peoples Education Society, took objection to the remarks of Prof. Meshram who explained that his intention was not to hurt anybody. Many office-bearers of the P.E. Society including Justice R.R. Bhole, chairman, PES, Ghansham Talwatkar were present.
Mukundan, Peruvattoor, Kerala: I have written an article, “The real Harijans are Nairs”, in the Vivekam fortnightly (SIMI’s journal), The Dalithakam monthly also has published it. Now, it has created a violent situation at Kadiyangad in Kozhikode dt. When we look at the history of Kerala, we can understand that Nairs are the real Harijans. Because their women were the Devadasis in Kerala. So I called them Harijans. The Nair-Nazis protested against it and other Nairs also joined them. They call us Harijans. But they get angry when we call them Harijans. They are the real Harijans. I have proved it in my article. I have taken quotations from the book of Kanippayyur Sankaran Namboodirippad and Elamkulam Kunjhan Pillai.
Malaji Nagarjuna, S6 AE/E-Hostel, R.no. 250, REC, Calicut- 673 601: I am from Andhra Pradesh, and studying here. I was introduced to you at the state convention of Dalit Panthers, Mahabalikara (Mavelikara). I am in need of documentary evidences to prove that all the existing Hindu temples here once were Buddhist Viharas. Provide me with a weapon of knowledge to fight the Hindus and recover our lost treasures.
M.K. Gaidhane, Nagpur-2: I heard you speak about five years ago here at the convention of Bahujan Sangharsh in 1988. At that time I was not mature enough to understand you. Recently, I read your book, Why Godse Killed Gandhi?, in Marathi. After reading it, I could learn so many things. I am founder of Vidyarthi Lokshahi Aghadi (SDF).
V. Sebastian, Telugu “Dalit Voice”, Vijayawada: The DV editorial on ‘Ameena case’ was reproduced in the journal Geeturai, a Jamate-Islami Telugu journal, with a note that the Geeturai is not accepting all the views of the writer.
Saji K. Joseph, Kerala Dalit Panthers, Bheem. Bhavan, Karipuzha, Mavelikara-690 109: We don’t know how to express our love and gratitude for the pain you took to attend our function. (DV Feb, 16, p.15). We realise that we could not reach up to your expectations. But your presence inspired us. We are proud that we all are the products of DV. DV gives us light and path. Certainly, DV has entered into history. We remember each and every sentence you spoke at the conference. With reference to K. Baburajan’s letter (DV Feb. 16, p.15), 6 months ago we honoured Sandhya at a public function for her distinction in the academic field. Dalit organisations throughout Kerala also honoured her. Her mother, a doctor and suptd. of a taluk govt. hospital, faced all sorts of caste oppression. The Health Minister, a Nair, is behind the mischief. N.K. Jose, a noted historian from Kerala, has agreed to support us. His latest book is Parasurama, Pulayas’ Enemy’.
S.R. Talukdar, New Delhi: I am shocked to read (DV Feb.1) about the “Crisis in BSP” by Atiq Khan of Lucknow, saying that Kanshi Ram won the Lok Sabha seat with the help of BJP and Mulayam Singh Yadav. This is mischievous and those who indulge in all such falsehood are the real enemies of the Bahujan. I furnish the votes obtained by different parties in the Nov. 91 by election in Etawah. Kanshi Ram (BSP- 1,45,168 votes, Lalsingh Varma (BJP) 1,23,217, Ram Singh Sakya (SJP) 81,975, Shankar Tewari (Cong)-50,125. When there was so much of tough competition between BSP, BJP and SJP, how can you say that Kanshi Ram won with the help of BJP and SJP?
Sansar Pal, Delhi: I never expected this from you, Kanshi Ram’s oldest and closest friend. But you also started criticisng the BSP chief (DV Feb.1 p.11). Now, the Statesman editorial (Feb.1) also repeats what you suspected that Kanshi Ram perhaps entered into a deal with BJP”, I am worried.
Brothers Sansar Pal and Talukdar have not noticed our repeated reiteration that we continue to be friends and admirers of BSP and there is no change in our stand. – EDITOR.
Raj Sethia, Calcutta: I am grateful to my German language professor, Abul Qasem, who gave me the Jan. 16 DV. I am deeply impressed by your fire- brand journalism. Every page of your magazine is equivalent to one ton of dynamite. I sincerely hope that “explosion of knowledge” will prove effective in destroying the Hindu nazism, and liberate the oppressed Indians. The article, ‘Dalit self- determination means three separations from Hindus”. was extremely thought-provoking and enlightening. Random borrowing of ideas and expressions from Babasaheb cast doubts on the originality of the article. You have made a valiant effort to champion the cause of the downtrodden. I sincerely request you to adhere to your social goal and exclude petty politics from your writings.
Chand Peer, Bangalore: Seeing your yeoman service for the cause of the persecuted nationalities many a time I feel that if I were rich enough, I would have donated all my wealth to DV, What to do? I am still struggling for my own existence as DV is struggling for its survival.
Baldev Singh, Punjab & Sind Bank, Jandiala Guru, Amritsar, I went round the Gold Temple to promote sales of DV and DSA books, I also met S. Harinder Singh Khalsa, Secretary, SGPC, and talked to him about DV. He very much appreciated your efforts and support to the Sikhs. He has promised SGPC support to you I am sending my life membership.
