DEBATE ON JATI IDENTITY
I wish to add this short note to my previous comments on this serious subject of “Jati identity and Dalit unity”. (DV Aug.1 ’97 p.10: “Wanted not Jati identity but Dalit unity”).
The most devastating effect of the “Jati identity” will be the reinforcement of the already existing permanent division between Dalit subcastes (groups) and the much more serious cancerous effect of further romanization of these various groups (meaning the last nail on the coffin of any chance of “Dalit unity”). And the net result is the openly seen poisonous hatred among the various Dalit groups inflicted on themselves by themselves, but cunningly conspired by the Brahminical enemy.
Great Blunder: I was prompted to write this note because I saw recently in the “Internet” reports relating to this very topic of our discussion which require serious attention of all Dalit. The first news-item was about the protest against the AP Govt’s move 10 categorize Dalits into four groups by the “Mala Mahamadou”. The process of creating permanent gulf between the various Dalits groups in AP has now again been politically rein-forced.
The sad part of this episode is that the “Mala Mahanadi” made a great bounder of being hypocritical in calling itself as “Mala” instead of “Dalit”.
How can the “Mala Mahamadou” fight for the unity of all Dalits as long as the Malas cannot even recognize their fundamental fault in calling themselves as “Mala”. This clearly shows the total lack of understanding of even the First Commandment of Babasaheb’s “Three Commandments”: “Educate” (and of course only then ‘Agitate and Organize”).
Recognise division first: First and foremost, we all should understand the basic issue here – the existence of the various groups among the Dalits. These groups were all artificially created and then brainwashed by our deadly Enemy, Brahminism. Can Dalits afford to focus exclusively on the artificially-created (though being in existence for a long time) “Jati identity” without simultaneously figuring out a way as to how to unite all these groups together as blood brothers and sisters?
Don’t insult Blacks: The second news on the Internet was on “Dalits in Tamil Nadu to observe Aug. 15 as Black Day”. (Instead of calling a Black Day, it should have been a “Day of Mourning” – since all of us are Blacks, why should we-insult ourselves – black is Beautiful).
The report said:
” .. they (Dalits) are too ill-organized to effect anything major. There are too many organizations, each with their own agenda. A Tamil Manila Congress leader pointed out that the (Dalit) community is divided both on cattiest and political lines and do not have a leader who inspires confidence… the Dalits are divided into Pillars and Paraiyar’s. Their mutual distrust is appalling. The Paraiyar’s consider themselves superior to the Pillars. There are no inter-caste marriages or other societal transactions between them. A Dalit leader said “we constitute nearly 24 per cent of the voters in the state, yet we do not come into any electoral reckoning by political parties. Our idea is to present a unified picture first, and then negotiate with other political parties for support. The Dalits them- selves cannot win many seats. But in most constituencies, we (Dalits) can influence the results substantially.”
This report again makes it clear that “Dalit unity” has to be the primary goal of whatever else is done. Every action taken by the various Dalit groups should have the underlying and the fundamental principle of achieving the unity of all Dalits.
Doomsday nearing: If this goal is not on the top of the agenda of every Dalit group, the doomsday for the Dalits as a whole (not just one group or the other – all the different Dalit groups are one and the same for the Enemy) will not be too far away, that which was started by the cunning M.K. Gandhi in 1932. The warring Dalit I group leaders will only be the co-conspirators with M.K. Gandhi in finishing any chance of Dalits gaining their self-respect, social justice and their basic human rights in a country which is ruled by the only law, the “caste law”. Could the Dalits blame anyone else for their down-fall?
Courageous Krishnaswamy: Proportional representation to all the different Dalit groups can and will also be easily achieved if Dalit unity is on hand first or at least be understood as a required foundation on which the Dalit future should rest. Otherwise, the Dalits will be at the receiving end, dictated by their own deadly enemies.
Considering the current events in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Krishnaswamy seems to be the only courageous, selfless and articulate leader among the Dalits. Though he seems to represent only one of the groups among the Dalits, time is ripe that he should take the collective leadership on behalf of the entire Dalit community of Tamil Nadu.
Babasaheb was not appointed by anyone as the leader of the whole Dalit community. He took it upon himself to work for the entire community. Can Dr. Krishnaswamy do the same for the Tamil Dalits? Time is running out; itis do or die time. Will Dr. Krishnaswamy have the magnanimity to call himself a “Dalit leader’ instead of only a “leader of Devendra Kula Vellalar’s?”
