This refers to the book review by Dr. Neerav Patel in DV June 1, 2010 p. 12.
Dr. Neerav Patel’s style is not that of a literary person. There are so many kinds of doctors in our society. Brother Patel may be a Doctor of Animal Husbandry because the language used by him speaks better than anybody else. Secondly Brother Patel does not know the appropriate and correct meaning of the word “review”. In his complete writings nowhere a sense of criticism, gustation or investigation of the artistic pieces compiled in the said International Journal of Literature and Aesthetics (Jan.Dec.2008) is seen. Each and every word and sentence of Brother Patel carry nothing but an animality and hypo-allergenic view. Suppose, he has done his Ph.D. in English literature then his degree is doubted. He does not know even the meaning of the simplest word “review”.
Gujarat Dalit literature: Before writing he should know the role of the Editor and simultaneously the great responsibility of the particular region to be represented. Therefore, while selecting literary creations, the consultant Editor has to keep in mind the quality and not the names of writers as simply mentioned by Neerav Patel, In Gujarat, we have formed “Gujarat Dalit Sahitya Academy” for the promotion and advancement of Gujarati Dalit literature. We also publish its mouthpiece, Hayati, regularly since 14 years. We have also published 45 books of Dalit literature in Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, English maintaining international standards.
Brahmin but committed: I am shouldering responsibility as general secretary, editor and publisher. With the full support of all Dalit writers and some of non-Dalit writers we have established the Gujarat Dalit Sahitya Academy and spread its aroma all over the world. The Gujarati Dalit literature movement is not at all splintered into any group but it is an ill-bred product of the mind of Neerav Patel. After a prolonged laborious labour of karkuni (clerical labour) of the Dalit literature movement, he is passing the day in vain in total alienation.
Patel must know the editor has to keep in mind not the names of various writers but compatibility and artistic literary creations. The editor has his own liberty, long- sighted vision and standard selection too. So, Patel should not exhibit himself in a shabby manner and show his karkungiri frequently.
Dr. Hasyada Pandya is principal of a noted college Though a non-Dalit, she is a committed writer. We have included her literary work on the basis of merit, so question does not arise of an exclusion of anybody.
Brother Patel has mentioned the name of Jasumati Parmar, who is wife of Neerav Patel. I am rather surprised why he is advocating in such a cunning manner and kneeling before an unstable shelter. She is not at all in the Dalit literature field. Patel says Priyanka Kalpit is a mainstream writer, he is contradicting himself because he has included Priyanka Kalpit as a Dalit writer in a book, Gujarati Dalit Kavita (published by Central Academy, Bombay region). Dr. M.B. Gaijan is a scholar who has done his PhD in Dalit Literary tradition in Gujarat: A critical study (published by the Gujarat Dalit Sahitya Academy) is the first and foremost in Gujarati Dalit literature. It is an excellent and unique research work.
I have so far published various books in English, Eklavyas with Thumbs, Tongues of Fire, the Silver Lining, and Pristine Land etc. In all these books, I have included Dalit writers of whole Gujarat. So Brother Patel should not spread false information among the literary persons and innocent readers of Dalit Voice.
Gujarat’s only Dalit poet: Brother Patel is quoted in the book of Barbara Joshi saying that “in Gujarat I am only a Dalit poet” (Courtesy: Dalpat Chauhan).
Joseph Macwan is no more. He was my friend and out of respect, I have spared maximum pages and published his artistic “Sketch” in Pristine Land.
Brother Patel has simply launched a personal attack in the name of review. He is a cynical and biased fellow. Such a vindictive writings should not have been published in a prestigious journal like Dalit Voice.
I salute K. Sreenivasanji for his commitment, strenuous pursuits and his constant perseverance for his valuable production of international journal.
