P. Muthusway, Bhavani, TN: The Govt. of India has released a film on Ambedkar. Though a number of his associates were shown in the film, his historic meetings with Periyar E. V. Ramaswamy do not figure. These two great revolutionary figures met in 1954 in Burma at the World Buddhist Conference and next along with the great Muslim leader, M. A. Jinnah. Both these pictures are published in Peri- yar 104 birth anniversary special number of Viduthalai. Will the dalits take up the issue with Govt’s Film Division and get this big mistake corrected ?
R. E. Murthy, BEL Rationalists Assn., Bangalore: Very happy to note DV is getting all-round support.
Sadharama, Tedepalligudem. AP: DV (Oct. 16-31) editorial is a marvellous, thought-provoking masterpiece. Hindu- ism is nothing but caste. It is cruelty personified. A non-dalit seeing Hinduism from its depths must be a rare noble soul. We are indeed very proud of you. It doesn’t matter much if Hinduism is cruel as it is its nature. Because it is also a virtue though on the reverse side which we can suppress by a counter-cruelty. But the cruelty cult of Hinduism is such that it remains cruel so long it is not opposed and degenerates into downright meaness when attacked. It is this meaness that deceives the dalits from choosing their salvation. Dalits, beware of Hinduism. Hindus are busy renaming their institutions, places after their leaders as they please. But we did not oppose it. Because we hate opposing matters that cost us nothing. But dalits after 35 years of “Independence” put forward our only one demand-renaming Marthwada University after Dr. Ambedkar, saviour of the fallen millions of India, the greatest Indian after The Buddha, the tallest of revolutionaries of “Independent” India, the sole cause of the Marathwada University. It was a just demand, the State legislature endorsed it unanimously, but the heartless Hindu society threw even this modest demand to the gutters. That is why we say Hindus are cruel and mean. But thanks to their mean cruelty, dalits have been made aware of their true position in Hindu India. What next? Our dalit comrades must know that life without self-respect is cypher. Do you want to remain as slaves? Have you no anger in you? Don’t you want to wage a “Do-Or-Die-War” to regain it and live with dignity?
Asgharali Engineer. Director, Institute of Islamic Studies, Bombay: We want DV in exchange for our Bohra Chronicle. We must continue to fight for justice for weaker sections. It has its own reward, personal sufferings notwithstanding. I am glad you are dedicated to this cause with firm determination. Our policy is also to support the weak and the oppressed.
J. R. Antwal, chairman, Fed. of All- India SC/ST Emp. of P&T, Bombay: I am transferred to Bombay and taken charge here. The transfer is made as a “punishment” for taking up the cause of dalits with the Ruling Class. But, I am proud of this. I shall try to infuse energy into dalits here and resume the struggle. My colleagues have agreed to support me
bGlad to learn from DV about the formation the Payame Insaniyat unit in Bangalore comprising dalits, Muslims, Christians and OBCS.
Dr. A. R. Desai (eminent social scientist), Bombay University: I want to send my articles on dalit problems written in English, Marathi, Gujarati to VISION, other dalits and concerned persons in US, UK etc. Hence I want their addresses. Both of us have common goals
Mrs. Suniti Pungliya, Barrister, Poona: I just returned from a trip to China. I remembered you many times while in China. It was a thrilling experience. Very much impressed by its progress. It may still be a poor country, not industrialised, but I saw no poverty, no beggars. Food, clothing, shelter, education are assured to all.. We were taken to villages, factories, communes, workers homes, children’s palaces, etc. I hope China and India will get closer.
V. Munivenkatappa, BDO, Siddapur, N. K. Dt., Karnataka: The Govt. has suspended me on Aug. 4 without any inquiry. No charge is framed. The suspension order was personally issued by Cheif Minister Gundu Rao. 1 & my family are very much worried. Being a dalit I am very poor. The Pejawara Swami of the RSS Vishwa Hindu Parishad is moving the Govt. to prevent me from quitting Hinduism. (We learn from a Dalit Sangarsha Samiti pamphlet that he as suspended for publishing a dalit poetry book in Kannada, Kendada Naduve, which is a fantastic piece of poetry depicting the angry outbursts of a young dalit poet. The book may be had from Panchama Publishers, L-9, 3rd cross, L. N. Pura, Bangalore-560 021. Price Rs. 5-editor)
Rev. Dr. P. Arokiaswamy, Archibishop, Bangalore: I deeply appreciate the good work you are doing
Bishop K. Vijayaratnam, Rajahmundry. AP: I am glad that you are brave enough to publish the truth in DV.
Sister Regina, Mount Carmel College, Bangalore: I find DV very educative and interesting. I want our sociology students to know the realities and problems of the minorities. Hence our college has decided to subscribe to DV.
Raju Thomas, Ettumanur, Kerala: Kerala dalits are betrayed by their own selfish leaders belonging to different parties. However, some dedicated Ambedkarites and independent non-political leadership has sprung up among them giving some hopes. These young leaders are fighting both political & religious leaders. They even hate the so-called Marxist revolutionaries because of caste feelings and thus betraying Marx in Hindu India. Having worked in North-East India among tribals I am convinced that what the dalits here need is a new theology of liberation. We celebrated Gandhi’s birthday (Oct. 2) as a Black Day, hoisted black flags, wore black badges. About 800 dalit students and 300 others gathered at Kaduthumuthy, near here, and took out a procession shouting “Gandhi murdabad”, “Gandhi deceived dalits”, ‘Down with Poona Pact’. DV has helped dalits here a lot to educate them on all these things. The same night some RSS boys (Nairs) came to us & threatend to finish off some of us. But other dalits saved us from attack. Most of the temples in Kerala have become weapon-training centres of RSS and the State govt. knows it. But it says RSS is needed to crush Marxists. Even one Roman Catholic priest told me that “Christians should join with RSS to fight Marxists & Naxalities”.
Rev. Y. L. Mingthing, Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam: Glad to read in DV Oct. 15-31 that Ravana was a Buddhist.
