I have some questions (doubts?) on “Separate Settlement” (ref. your speech at the Samata Sainik Dal Seminar-published in DV of Sept. 1-15 ’91 p 7 to 10).
- Is complete and separate settlement possible, practicable, suitable or even ultimately beneficial to us?
- Very few untouchables want to leave their hearth and home (unless forced to do so) — no matter how wretched they are (tribals will hardly agree to leave “their hovels in forests).
- New settlers are rarely welcome by host people.
- Re-settlement has a lot of inherent problems.
- Where shall we carve out our own homeland? in some districts of each State? In some zones of India? How and on what basis to decide and locate these areas? –
- Normally a settlement is preferred, or even convenient, where the majority of a community resides. But our people, at large, are forced to concentrate in undeveloped areas and places at times at the outskirts of villages, towns or cities. By claiming these areas, we will be losers for all time to come.
- Will such transfer of population and resettlement of huge Dalit population in new environ be administratively feasible or economically viable? (it is taken for granted that Dalits will come to power in the meantime).
- After all, our demands for homeland would never be acceptable to the Hindus. Strong, persistent and militant demand for a Khalistan has become a far cry. Even a separate state (province) of Jharkhand is yet to be carved out.
- Creation of Pakistan did not resolve the problem of the Muslims. It aggravated the problems of those left in India. Babasaheb’s proposal of exchange of population was not accepted by the Hindus who are completely dependent on Muslims and Dalits for their own existence. So, transfer of population in our case also may not materialize.
- In spite of all-round advancement, is Israel safe, secure or composed even for a day? Will your readers clear my doubts?
