Dr. Laxmi Berwa, president, VISION. Clinton, USA, I enjoyed reading DV nos. 21 and 22. I did not like your heading. “PM Snubs Indian Dalits in US”. We can’t be snubbed any more. We will continue to fight against persecution of Untouchables and minorities in India so long as we have the breath in our body. We want to tell Mrs. Gandhi that “those who are living in affluence aboard” are not less informed than those who are in India with genuine committments to change the plight of those who are made to live to contribute to the affluence of the “privileged”. You are doing a marvellous job to the humanity. The VISION is with you
Venmony Sundaraswamy, Chenganoor, Kerala: I am impressed by the DV. We are doing research on folk music, art, pro- verbs and literature and DV helps us in our work. We want to spread the dalit ideology through DV. Our volunteers are ready for this. We want to bring out DV in Malayalam. We need your support. We want to visit the Dalit Sahitya Akademy office.
Md. Basheeruddin, Bhopal: Now and then we get press reports that bombs exploded in localities bearing Muslim names implying that Muslims are manufacturing bombs. These reports also speak of “large quantities of arms recovered in these areas. But police investigation reveal nothing. Such reports are put out to pre- judice readers that Muslims are war-mongers. We are worried. In some places RSS is “Hinduising” dalits to turn them against Muslims. This they tried successfully in Delhi recently. To whom should we appeal?
Mrs. Kamala Yadav, Delhi: The Ruling Class in its bid to delay the implementation of Mandal Commission Report has now called for a meeting of Chief Ministers next month to discuss this report. Home Minister P. C. Sethi announced it at a meeting of MPs here on Sept. 30, When the entire Lok Sabha has unanimously supported the report, what is there for CMs to discuss? Are they above Parliament ? We can’t trust these politicians. Social issues can’t be decided by politicians. Please call upon all our non-political OBCs to start agitation on Mandal Report taking the support of dalits and minorities.
R. M. Premanandam, project director. Indian Inst. of Cultural Studies, Secunderabad: Congratulations for publishing the news of the arrest of thousands of dalits (DV. 23) on the issue of renaming Marathwada University after Ambedkar. Changing the names of universities etc. is nothing new to India. Naming Marathwada University after a national leader like Ambedkar of international repute, is something that all of us should be proud of. Not only dalits but all non-dalits should join the agitation which has to be done on an all-India level. I appeal to all minorities, and OBCs to stand by dalits.
S. P. Rana. Deesa. Gujarat Mandal Com. recommendations (DV. 20) became very useful to us.
Syed Iqbal Ali, Pullman. USA: Hindu communalists even when living in US don’t agree with DV. Even the liberal Hindus refuse to subscribe to DV. But I am distributing DV among my friends. I wish good luck in your remarkable work.
C. Seshanna, Mysore I came across a copy of DV. Wonderful. I want all the back issues. Being a govt. servant, I can’t say anything more. But I am totally with you.
Narayanan Periya, Thayanoor, Kerala:. Tell 1. C. Tirkey. Calcutta, that a standard 7th textbook in Kerala has a lesson on Ambedkar in use for the past 10 years. The annual conference of Kerala Rationalists was held on Sept. 10 at Trichur. Justice Jahagirdar of Bombay and M. V. Ramamurthy of Hyderabad came. The conference supported the heroic struggle of the dalits.
R. Elumalai, Convener, Dalit Cultural Front, Madras: In the Tamil textbook for standard 8th of the TN govt (page 116) Ambedkar biography is given as a lesson. The 5th standard history book also gives a brief account of Ambedkar role as Constitution-maker. The Ruling Class can no more ignore Ambedkar.
M. Kumaran. Nagpur: Even as I am lying down with a mild heart attack I remember you and your work. DV no. 23 came and that made me sit up and write to you. Within a few days I will start the subscription drive for DV. Our readers are attracted more by journals carrying girls pics, stunt news etc. Even among the suppressed sections the anxiety to fight back is lacking.
A. Surya Prakash. Sp. Correspondent. Indian Express, New Delhi: The Govt. is keeping the post of the SC Commissioner vacant despite Article 338 of the Constitution. The previous Commissioner, Sishir Kumar, retired in 1981. I am also in touch with SC/ST Com. headed by Rajamallu, MP That is because in Delhi few journalists pay attention to the working of these organisations. Wish you all success in your struggle for dalits.
Mohd. Ahamed, Hyderabad: You have rightly said Left parties are in the hands of “poonool communists”. As my study reveals dalits have become so because of the religious teachings of Brahminism which enforces slavery on a considerable section of its practioners. The main probelm of dalits is. therefore, religion & not economic or political. Hence dalits should be made aware of their problems. Reservations are not a solution.
Mohamed Deepu. Trichy, TN: Your editorial, “Who is Gagging the Press?” (DV no. 23) is thought-provoking. Keep up your objective criticisms.
Jaya Narayan, Supreme Court Senior Advocate, New Delhi: The present regime in Delhi and Karnataka symbolises the ascendency of the Brahmins and other high castes and the setback to dalits. OBCs, and minorities who held sway under Devaraj Urs.
K. Dhanasekharan, Bangalore: You are doing a great service to the entire non- Brahmin masses steeped in ignorance. Glad to learn that like Periyar you are also an admirer of English language. It is only English that can fight the communal forces. Therefore, dalits and minorities must master English.
Miss Thenmozhi, Coimbatore: I have consulted friends about organising a DV Readers Club here. Send us the addresses of all subscribers so that we may launch one soon. Such Clubs must be formed in all cities and towns of India.
S. H. Galiyal, Vadodara, Gujarat: There is a big hue and cry over the Bihar Press Bill. But you are the first Voice (DV no. 23) exposing the humbug of the Hindu press. It is this very same “free press” that ill-treated Ambedkar. We have at last in DV our own Voice.
