Dr. Praveen K. Jadhav, Head, Economic Dept., Tilak Maharashtra University, Gultekdi, Pune – 411 037: The objective of the reservation policy is to eradicate the social and economic disparities existed in the society. Over the years, all the branches of govt. sectors have been neglecting the reservation policy. Even after 59 years of “independence”, the reservation status of SCs in all govt. branches has been unsatisfactory. The reservation policy has been under-utilised. The rate of disparity in the implementation has been high. In the phase of globalisation, the govt. policy is discouraging the reservation policy. This situation has created various social and economic problems. In a way the social justice for the SCs has been denied even today. Despite constitutional provisions, the reservation policy has been neglected. This must be taken as violation of constitution. There must be significant representation of SCs in the decision-making posts which could help further the development of SCs as a whole. Similar trend could be found among Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Vinoth, 6/205-A, Tamil Nilamillam, Ezhil Nagar, Manali New Town, Madras – 600 103: Greetings from Athi Tamilar Viduthalai Iyyakkam, a Dalit tamil journal from 1991. I am a regular reader of Dalit Voice. As my residence-cum office was shifted our communication stopped.
The SC/ST Teachers Mahasabha, UP, Bhagat Singh Academy, 547/664 – Jalalpur, Rajajipuram, Lucknow – 226 017: The provincial executive of the Mahasabha finalised the following demands at its meeting on Aug.15, 2006:
- In different committees of UP secondary education board and college management committees, SC/ST/OBC teachers, ex-officio membership/partnership should be assured and made compulsory.
- There should be reserved seats out of the teachers getting elected to the Legislative Council.
- Posts of principals being filled up by UP Secondary Education Selection Board, should get 50% SC/ST/OBC quota in principals posts because the principals post is considered single post therefore it is the deprivation of fundamental rights of SC/ST/OBCs.
- In every grant to aided colleges the 50% reservation quota of lecturers, Lt. grade teachers, clerical and fourth class posts should be revised.
- On reserved posts whether of direct recruitment or promotional posts, general category of candidate should not be promoted on the post of reserved category candidates. If SC/ST candidates are not available for promotion of the post, it should be sent by managements for direct recruitment.
- Those non-aided colleges where 10% of SC/ST students are not available, its recognition should be approved for cancellation.
- The scholarship in non-aided colleges should be made compulsory.
- The subject experts recruited before 5 years should be confirmed as per the reservation quota.
- The corruption which has taken the shape of cancer in education department should be prevented.
- The demand of teachers on the posts of vacant posts, should be sent to DIOS till July 15 and sent to secretary, UP Secondary Education Board definitely till July 30.
- Those DIOS who did not fulfill the reserved post of SC/ST/OBCs during their administration should be approved for departmental action under section 4 and 5 (1,2,3) of reservation act, 1994.
The resolutions are signed by Roopram Gautam, President; Rajkumar, treasury chief, and Ramji Lal Chadhary, general secretary.
Gopinath Meppayil, Meppayil PO, Vatakara – 673 109: This refers to the article, “Foreign origin of Brahmins” (April 1, 2007 p.12) which is full of contradictory statements. What DV should know of Romila Thapar is she no longer subscribes to the idea of “Aryan invasion”. The credit for the originality of Aryan aggression theory goes to Mortimer Wheeler and D.D. Kosambi and never to Romila Thapar. Moreover, Hyderabad CCMB finding of Aryan arrival in India in BC 1500 disproves the Aryan aggression theory because the Indus civilisation is seen destroyed as early in BC 1750 or so in accordance with the widely accepted finding of Dr. Agarwal. I want to send a rejoinder to this above referred article.
Prof. S. Singha Chowdhury, Ramakrishnapally via Chandamari Road, DS Lane PO, Howrah – 711 109: The Editor’s responses to a set of posers put-forth by Sarat Chandra Panda (DV April 1, 2007, p.15) are too cryptic for a Brahmin mind to capture. The Brahmin and non-Brahmin minds have evolved in such a different way to a dialectically opposite direction that they palpably failed to reach a common ground to face each other. Even reaching common ground physically does not mean communication through which the two can reach common understanding. The two soon repel each other on core points, which must necessarily conflict. Now I come directly to the posters themselves:
(1) Are you a nationalist or an internationalist? A: Both.
(2) Why do you support Osama bin Laden? A: He is a nationalist par excellence and an anti-imperialist of admirable courage.
(3) Do you subscribe to the well-being of India’s present geographical entity? A: The Brahminic concept of “well-being” will never agree with the non-Brahmin concept. The Brahmin and non-Brahmin are always antithetical.
(a) India’s geographical entity has within its anti-people Brahmins. Therefore, the boundary has always to be unsteady, shifting inside sometimes, outside at other times. (b) The first need of India is to be cleansed of Brahminism, which hides clear vision and kills justice and equity sense. (c) The Brahmins are unpatriotic. They are always blinded by their self-interests. The Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, enjoined her children to love the land which facilitated performance of rites, rituals and yagnas. Such is the consequence of Brahminism. So non-Brahmins are hated because they are not lovers of rites, rituals etc. Moreover, the Brahmins disown a country (as their own), they own yagnas. (d) Only after gaining a clear vision, shorn of prejudices inherent in Brahminism, we can evaluate Islam, mission, maoism etc. (e) India was never and not even now a unity/integrated. Why? Who is the culprit? Have you ever thought of the whole of Kashmir (Islam), Punjab (Sikhism) and North-East (Christianity)?
(4) You are a champion of even the minutest minorities in the world. What about the ousted Kashmiri Pundits/Brahmins? A: Had the Pundits ever been psychologically one with the Kashmir/Kashmiris? So near yet so distant. East Bengalis (most of them are Namasudras (SC)) are abandoned/condemned in the worst miasma of putrid, stinking gutters, marshy land in or near the rotten canals carrying out sewerage waters in W. Bengal. Do you know? They are the worst minorities in their homeland.
(5) Don’t try to go too far Mr. Panda. Tibetan Lamaism is not so corrupt as Brahminism of India. Dalit Voice is a family voice. The Editor and the readers of DV are bound together in filial piety and virtue. So, as reader of DV I feel the same way as its Editor.
M. Ali (recent convert to Islam), Varanasi: The Letters of Mrs. Nazeen of Gujarat are all very good. I suggest she collect the email IDs of all Dalits and Muslims one by one. Same can be done for all other readers. All these email IDs to be stored in the “addresses” section of her email ID and we all should exchange these together. Once it is done, it’s very easy to write a message, article, letter etc. and send that message to all addresses by cc in a jiffy. Thus, we can be in touch with each other easily. Regarding NREGS failure in AP, it is very easy to understand. For 50 long years, the Harijan and SC welfare schemes, education and scholarship were all handled by bureaucrats who were mostly Brahmins and manuwadis. That is how the govt. funds never reached the Dalits. The Dalit fate remains unchanged in the whole of North — nay all over India. These manuwadi bureaucrats always try that the benefit never reaches the intended Dalits. Instead, the Dalits are promoted by these vested interests to keep marching on the path of gambling and alcoholism. Dalits! can only expect some benefits if the whole machinery is overhauled and Dalit welfare schemes are fully in the hand of Dalits particularly at the top executive posts.
Dr. K. Jamanadas, Shalimar, Main Road, Chandrapur – 442 402: Bahujano ki Aazadi ke Dushman (Enemies of the Freedom of Bahujans) published by Shoshit Samaj Jagrukta Mohim (Movement for Awakening of the Exploited Societies) c/o Ms. Sujata Wasnik, No.14 – Thaware Colony, Nagpur – 440014 is a fine piece. This is a common effort written/edited mainly by Sheetal Markam assisted by others. As usual in their books, there are no copyrights. (Rs. 80, pp. 288). This is the third book in the series. Mostly these books are really databases of references and quotations of Dalit-Bahujan movements. We had reviewed the earlier issues in Dalit Voice. The book is published on Jan.1, 2007 “Bheema Koregaon Bahujan Vijay cum Peshawai Destruction Day”. It explains the struggles by indigenous Indians against the combined exploitation of upper castes with colonialists in all parts of India and demolishes many myths built by the Brahminic authors, especially about the Sepoy Mutiny. For example, it explains how Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi was neither a queen nor did she fight colonialists and that Mangal Pandey was no hero. It explains the struggle of Birsa Munda, Guruchand Thakur, Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, Narayana Guru, Guru Ghasidas, Bhima Bhoi, and others. It explains how the vatans given to Dalits were the cause of their degradation and slavery. It exposes the Brahminic exploitative activities not only of Gandhi and Nehru but also of the communists. It explains the non-Brahmin movement of early 20th century and the movement of Dr. Ambedkar. for human rights culminating in religious conversion to Budhism. Remarkable are the chapters devoted to the real reasons of giving independence by the British, pre- independence activities, partition of India and creation of Pakistan, riots during transfer of power and Brahminic exploitation of lower castes, both Hindu and Muslims and Dr. Ambedkar’s efforts to – – | | – – prevent the partition, including annexation by police action of Hyderabad where terrorist activities were conducted with approval of Gandhi. Authors explain how “Brahmin Raj” was established after partition of India, which was against the wishes of Muslims or of Jinnah. The authors explain how Dr. Ambedkar has become an eyesore to the upper castes because of his efforts to achieve justice for the Bahujans. Post independence activities are discussed, most important being Mandal Commission and exploitation of OBCs and demolition of Babri Masjid. Reservations and creamy layer are also discussed. Lastly, the authors explain how the Bahujans are themselves responsible for their own exploitation, explaining the exploitation of Bangla Desh Dalits and Khairlanji atrocities. After the death of Vasant Moon, 3 Writings & Speeches of Dr. Ambedkar Volumes from 17 to 20 have been published in about ten volumes ‘after along gap. The authors have extensively quoted and referred to these volumes. Therefore, those who wish to have a glance at Dr. Ambedkar’s writings newly made available, can be immensely benefitted by this great database of references and quotations.
N.T. Prabhakaran, Prabha Nikethan, Gurupuram, Alleppey – 688006: Based on a report on 5.7.2006 in the Rastra Deepika, Malayalam evening daily, I filed a petition before the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, against the Rajasthan Government for deliberately denying education, employment, and other basic needs to the Betiya girls (Scheduled Castes) of Gattoli village of Rajasthan. These poor girls were compelled to take to prostitution for decades to carry on their life and to protect their parents from starvation. The NHRC is also least worried about these girls of Rajasthan. The Commission has become inactive and inefficient.
Basavaraj Chincholi, Advocate, 36 – Balaji Nagar, Old Jewargi Road, Gulbarga – 585102: It is a great pleasure to intimate that I have been elected president of the District Bar Association, Gulbarga. After 50 years, a Dalit heads the Gulbarga bar.
Amar Khade, c/o Anandrao Patharde, Mahakali Colliery, Miners Quarters, No. N-19, Babupeth, Chandrapur – 442403: The facts presented in Dalit Voice are astonishing. Congratulations on completing 25 years of Dalit Voice. I was pained to read your articles on the difficulties and obstacles facing Dalit Voice. As a student of engineering in Chandrapur, I was working with Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE) — student chapter. I am so touched by your words that I have decided to go around and increase its circulation.
Anil Rangari, Bharati Apartments, Guru Nanak Nagar, Durg – 491001: Thanks for your guidance on my letter about Periyar. I have two little books about Periyar. The name of Periyar’s wife is Nagamma, whom he married at the age of 19. But I do not know who is Maniammai. Is she a Brahmin? Periyar, R.L. Chandapuri, Lohia, Jagjivan Ram could not guide us on the right path on socio-cultural issues antagonistic to Hinduism.
Dr. Ram Parshad & Fateh Jang Singh, Chandigarh: “Thought power” is far more explosive than atomic power. Dalit Voice has completed 25 years very effectively, efficiently, with dedication, devotion, sincerity, and has reached its thunderous voice throughout the world as well as the highest human rights body, the UN. The Editor was sent to Chandigarh jail. Even his passport was impounded for 20 long years for fighting Brahminism. Such a journal should not be closed down.
Ms. Nazneen O. Saherwala, 8-B, Sangam Apartments, Somnath Mahadev Road, Umra, Surat – 395007: Many people say that Dalits are not Hindu but many regret that Dalits are not allowed in temples by Brahmins. Some say Dalits must have their own temple. Separate temples mean acceptance of insults. My suggestion is that Dalits must build temples of Maha Sati Sita, a symbol of injustice, pain, and tolerance. Brahmins don’t have a Sita temple.
When we are rejecting the entire bullshit written by Brahminical writers (including their cock and bull stories of Rama and Sita), called “sacred scriptures”, we are surprised a Muslim woman, noted for her revolutionary views, is asking Dalits to respect Brahminism. If Dalits have to defeat Brahminism, now disguised as Hinduism, they have to reject everything that is Brahminism. The worship of Sita will not amount to rejection of Brahminism as it is part of the enemy cultural identity. Only when we establish a socio-cultural-religious identity that is juxtaposed to the Brahminical cultural identity, we can defeat Brahminism. —EDITOR.
SC Welfare Group, Tamil Nadu : There are two distinct Dalit groups in TN. Paraiah (or Adi Dravidas) in north and Pallar (Devendrakula Velalars) in south. The caste militancy is much more in southern TN. Dalit Voice has already mentioned it. The Dalit party, Puthia Thamilagam (representing mainly Pallars) leader Dr. Krishnasamy, has become a puppet of the ruling DMK. Similarly, DPI (comprising Paraiahs) has also lost the confidence of Dalit. In Virudhunagar district, near the village Koomapatti, there was a clash between a Pallar and a Paraiyar in May but no casualty. Later the police entered the Pallar-dominated Koomapatti, Nedunkulam and Samiapuram at the instance of a Paraiyar Dalit leader and attacked all the Pallars. One woman died in hospital due to police cooperation. The local MP Ravi (MDMK) is a Naidu, local MLA Ramasamy of CPI is a Thevar, local district ministers K.K.S.S. Ramachandran (DMK) is a Reddiyar, Thangam Thennarasu of DMK is Thevar. The police have arrested over 60 Pallars and booked few Paraiyars. Both state and central ministers are from DMK. Please send a high-level team to the spot to know the real facts. Dalit Voice must send strong message to both Pallars and Paraiyars to keep away from such dirty politics.
