The poverty-stricken, tribal-dominated east coast state of Orissa—ruled by a mere 2% Brahmins plus 3% Karans (Patnaiks-Kayasths), with the other 95% SC/ ST/ BCs, Muslim/Christians living as slaves — celebrated the Dalit Voice silver jubilee at Bhubaneswar on June 10 with much greater enthusiasm and dedication compared to the April 8 “national” celebration in the country’s capital (Delhi).
This is because Bhubaneswar is a small place while Delhi is a metropolitan city. DV has better circulation outside metro cities like Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore, Hyderabad. People living in metros have been reduced to robots. DV circulation has been always good in Orissa. It would have been better but the Adivasis (Tribals), who occupy the largest chunk of the state (26%), have been made an unthinking lot under the Hindu terrorist machinations. Lately the Brahmin-led Maoists are continuing the same work.
The church which ought to have taken up the liberation struggle is sleeping. So, the liberation movement is confined to the handful of educated Ambedkarites.
P.K. Jena, who first invited us to Orissa in 1997 and now busy spreading BSP, and K. M. Tanti, a state govt. officer and the chief host, R.P. Swain, a brilliant OBC MLA, were present throughout the day. Dr. K. K. Sidhu, editor of Hindi DV from Delhi, Dr. Yadaiah, our Hyderabad representative, a team of DV members from W. Bengal including some Bengali Muslims, came from outside. DV members from all the 30 districts of the state were present.
The meeting unanimously urged the Editor that DV should not be stopped at any cost and assured financial support. Basant Kumar Mallick of Utkal University and Issac Behera, IAS (retd) presided over the morning and afternoon sessions.
Details of the meeting will be in the next issue.
