Only after a thorough-going (1) social and (2) cultural revolution, there can be a (3) political revolution. This is what the “Father of India” had said.
To reinforce this argument Dr. Ambedkar cited the famous Budhist slogan, Buddham, Dhammam, Sangham, which he translated into English as Educate, Agitate, Organise. We had described this slogan of Babasaheb as his “Three Commandments” and brought out a booklet itself (third reprint 2005) under the title: When Dalits Disobeyed “the Final Words” of their Father. (See p.4).
How to overthrow BSO: The point he was driving at is of great importance – not only for Dalits but all the oppressed humanity. He said without “Education” (ideological exercise), there can be no “Agitation” (expression of anger, deep dissatisfaction with the existing socio, cultural, economic order). And unless the suffering people under the Brahminical Social Order undergo the twin process of “Educate” and “Agitate”, they cannot graduate and launch the final assault against the BSO. The final assault (revolution) needs tremendous “Organisation” which can come only after completing the first two phases: “Educate” and then “Agitate”.
Where did we go wrong: Only when the first two phases are completed, the people will automatically build the “organisation” to launch the revolution.
But ever since the death of Babasaheb there has been a spurt of Dalit movements but none of them led to revolution. Why?
This has been worrying us. Where did the Dalit movement derail? Despite our population being an awesome 20% of the country’s 1,300 million population, why we are not able to launch the revolution of Babasaheb’s dream?
This made us read Babasaheb’s writings again and again and consult scholars on the subject but none was able to throw any light.
Who changed the wordings: A Dalit intellectual from Pune sent us an English translation of Babasaheb’s 1948 speech delivered at Lucknow (published after the Editorial). The speech was made in Hindi and its text was published (2002) in the Marathi version of his Works Vol. 18, Part-III page 90, by the Maharashtra Govt.
Please note. We don’t have with us the Marathi text of his speech and we also can’t read Marathi.
It is in this speech that Babasaheb said “political power is the master-key to social progress”. Please note the wordings. The text of the speech translated to English by our Pune brother is published on p.4.
Ready to be corrected: But how did Babasaheb’s words that “political power is the master-key to social progress” changed into “political power is the master-key that will open each and every lock?” Or did Babasaheb say it and we are not aware of it? We would like to be corrected. To this day no authority on Babasaheb was able to tell us from where the above words were smuggled and put into his mouth. Be that as it may, the new twist given to Babasaheb’s words led to formation of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and many other parties. Dalit movement itself has transformed into many political parties in different parts of India. But except UP, nowhere Dalits were able to capture political power – let alone “opening each and every lock”. Even in UP, BSP had to join hands with Brahmins and change its slogan from Bahujan into Sarvajan.
Brahmin did not stop hating Dalits: In spite of taking Brahmins into the Mayawati cabinet, Brahmins did not stop hating the Dalits. Every effort is being made to topple Mayawati’s govt of which DV has been a great supporter and admirer.
We will be too glad if experts on Babasaheb enlighten us on this “master-key”. We are ready to apologise if we are wrong. Babasaheb has given us his “Three Commandments” which alone will lead us to political revolution. But those Dalit leaders’ newly formed political parties have not completed the three stages. And that is how they failed to capture power which is safely and solely held by the Brahminical rulers.
RPI disappoints: Even Mayawati is not able to extend her sway even to neighbouring states. The Republican Party is a big disappointment. Not only that. The Dalit political leaders are imitating Brahmins in corruption. In Parliament itself we have 120 Dalit MPs. This is a big number but nobody takes them seriously. The ruling Brahminists care a two- pence to Dalit political parties. In all the states Dalit political leaders have forged an alliance with upper caste political itself we have 120 Dalit MPs. This is a big number but nobody takes them seriously. The ruling Brahminists care a two- pence to Dalit political parties. In all the states Dalit political leaders have forged an alliance with upper caste political parties compromising with the principles laid down by Babasaheb.
We don’t have a single all-India major media of our own. We have not been able to produce a noted Dalit journalist.
Over 85% of Dalits are in villages or urban slums – working as slaves. Except during election, they are not even counted. All these things are happening because the Dalit leadership has forgotten Babasaheb’s Three Commandments. “The master key” is not only stolen but has further confused our people.
Who will remove the confusion?
This is one of the reasons which made us announce DV closure.
