Anil Rangari, Press Colony, Shahdol, MP-484 001: After reading your Editorial of March 1 and March 16,2000 DV, I have no words to express my feelings except weeping. Without a Third World War or “caste war in India, we the Dalits will never wake up. We have no land (nation) in our own country. We are forced to become ass, dog, camel and insect by India’s Hindu nazi rulers. “The sun is setting on the Dalit world”. You are right. When Dalits have no courage to suffer, die and sacrifice how to stop the sunset?
We have received scores of Letters on our March 1 and 16 DV Editorials. Many of them are on the same lines like the above. Weeping may be sometimes necessary to take out our pent up emotions. But what is needed is anger and action. The sun is setting” Yes. But before it is a total sunset and darkness, we have to fight back and recover the lost ground. If DV’s two Editorials make our readers angry and take action our purpose is served. We have brought out the two Editorials as a reprint which may ordered separately – EDITOR.
N.C. Lokhande, 303-Swami Teooram Coop. Hsg. Society Ltd., Lal Chakki, Ulhasnagar, MS-421 004: What you had said in your Editorial of March 1, 2000, “The sun is setting on the Dalit world“, I had said the same thing in different words in a letter to you dated 1.12.99 but you did not get it. You are fully right in saying “Sun is setting“. Dalit masses are deeply perturbed over the Hindu nazi move to “review” the Constitution. This is because they lack self-confidence and faith in Ambedkarism. They are confused. They are misled by the mind which is the monopoly of the upper castes who try to divide our people. Those who possess this mind are in a minority and but possess all the wealth of the country and hence always perturbed. Yet they try to make our people nervous. They use the “master- key (political power) to confuse and confound us and we succumb to their tactics. The “second partition” of India has already taken place silently without any bloodshed and without any resistance. You are fully right. The great divide that you call, we are not even aware of it. Our people have become dead. As a first step, saner elements and intellectuals among us have to immediately think and act, admit there is something seriously wrong with us. Identify the problem. Do not put it under the carpet. In the last ten years this perverted mind has prepared itself to take off to the 21st century. They were ready but we were not even aware of it. And you aptly described our present status: “The sun is setting on the Dalit world“. Our Father and our Mother, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, has left behind all the intellectual ammunitions to fight the Aryans and yet we did not make use of this treasure. Like you, in the case of Babasaheb also it was a one-man show. All the efforts were one man’s efforts. Our main mistake was we have forgotten the “Three Commandments”. We should have proceeded in the order of “Educate, Agitate and then Organise”. But we don’t know who twisted this order and brought “Organise” in the place of “Agitate”. This twisting of the order laid down by Babasaheb has played havoc. “Agitation” through an Organisation is a simple thing but lacks value, spontaneity and force. On the other hand “Agitation through “Education has the greatest value and is the need of the hour. What we achieve through “Education” and “Agitation” will only remain permanently. We missed the bus because we gave priority to “Organisation” forgetting the all-important “Education” and “Agitation”. The mind overtook the market by misleading us. The Hindu mischief in perverting the “Three Commandments” must be immediately tackled. Is there any point in crying out on the streets against the Supreme Court verdict on reservation when the reservation is itself was killed by the mind?
Upendra Nag, At/PO: Boden, Dt. Nuapada, Orissa – 766 111: I went through your mournful and painful writings “The sun is setting on the Dalit world” (DV March 1, 2000). This is because we are busy quarrelling among ourselves. This is a fact. The cause of our quarreling is we don’t love our own people. This is the cause of our disunity. We have not studied Babasaheb. We need sincere Ambedkarites.
N.T. Prabhakaran, Prabha Nikethan, South Aryad, Alleppey688 006: I was shell-shocked to read your Editorial of March 1- almost a farewell speech made by you in a touching and lucid style penetrating deep into the hearts of Dalits, especially the “educated” Dalits who always run away from their responsibility. It is with gratitude, I remember your long and rich services and valuable contribution to emancipate the Dalit community. Dalit Voice is the only magazine which has a world-wide circulation among the Dalits. The sun shall not set on the Dalit world, at any cost. My opinion is that you must continue the noble mission to liberate the Dalits from the BSO aggression. Otherwise, the efforts so far made in this direction for the last two decades will be a total waste. It cannot be appreciated. It will be a great loss, which cannot be revived even by the end of this century. The reason is that majority of our “educated” brothers are thoroughly indifferent and selfish. They never think about the posterity. However, I request you to call a meting of some selected and dedicated readers of DV who can give valuable suggestions to continue the publication of DV with adequate funds and labour. Forget all. If it is stopped it will be like stopping the flow of oxygen into our lungs. Most of our leaders are enjoying slavery and have become stooges of the BSO. In this context, are thinking on your part has become quite imperative. You are a person of great professional competence and proven managerial skill. I am certain that you can co- ordinate and interact effectively with any agency of Central and State Govt., national or international institutions, diplomats or trade missions etc. I am sure that you are having a good amount of conceptual ability, qualities of initiative, vision, drive and leadership to manage any organization and to give proper direction to the Dalit population. Please review your decision and come forward with all vigour and vitality to liberate the Dalits to lead the country. If it is necessary, the fortnightly can be converted into a monthly adding few more pages. Life-membership campaign can be intensified as a time-bound programme. Personal contributions can be raised. Let us see how many dedicated Dalits will come forward at this critical juncture. In view of the situation, I request you to convene a conference of dedicated readers of DV at Bangalore itself to chalk out future programme to overcome the present difficulties and to continue the publication with added vigour and strength.
There is no move to stop DV. We have only “retreated” from Delhi to Bangalore but will not give up our mission. A conclave of “100 Best Brains is planned to consider the two DV Editorials. Meanwhile, get those Editorials translated to Malayalam and publish them as a pamphlet for wider discussion among the oppressed Malayalis – EDITOR.
V.B. Rawat, SRB-32A, Shipra Riviera, Gyan Khand-III, Indra-Puram, Ghaziabad 201 010: Your March 1 Editorial is a classic piece in which you have spoken about the future of Dalit movement in India. You came to Delhi and perhaps have now understood what is the problem with our leadership. I do not want to utter a word about this leadership as I was frustrated long back though I have not left the people. I still talk of human rights and try to help my brothers who are fighting the real battle in areas where our movement has not reached. It is rather an unfortunate scene. You have been fairly critical but were not critical of our own leadership. The Brahmins are doing their duty but our leadership is not doing its work. I doubt whether this really is our leadership. And as you say and rightly so that most of our leaders become pawns in the hands of brahminical forces and fight among themselves. The Dalit Voice is coming out without any interruption for such a long period and through your single-minded devotion. Still our leaders who fly high cannot support this. No journal can survive on just subscriptions. We have failed. We also tried in Hindi but we had to put our own money. Our people don’t want to pay. They no doubt want stimulating thoughts but want everything free. Our paying class is the “middle class (govt. employees). While you can speak on the issue of nationalities, some of those claiming to be Ambedkarites are ultra-nationalistic. This is dangerous. It is unfortunate also that we have been unable to link ourselves with the other nationalities in India and abroad. And therefore it is a tribute to your knowledge and wide reading that you can speak on the problems of Blacks in US, persecuted nationalities in India like the Nagas, Sikhs and Kashmiris. Coming back to your Editorial, from the heart of your heart you have supported every Dalit, Backward leader right from Mayawati to Mulayam, Laloo, Sharad, Ram Vilas and so on. But frankly speaking do they need it? Politics is not intellectualism. You are an intellectual and the politicians will use you for their own purposes. They are not interested in the movements. People also have become frustrated with the word “movement”. And hence they read you, decry Brahmins, glorify Budhism and then follow the same old brahminical system. True, “political power” is no power. Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy was far-sighted when he wrote against the political participation of DK as he knew that he would have to compromise. Not only his political heirs but also the so-called intellectual inheritor, Veeramani, did not hesitate to support the “Bangalore Papatti and the Cut-Throat. It is a blot on the face of Dalit movement. Today, the Backwards are put against Dalit. Dalits are being linked to Brahmins against Backwards. Muslims are kept aloof socially. We did not work on the social sector. We wanted political secularism to help the Brahmins but we did not work for a better relations among our people. Hence despite political understanding of Backward, Dalits and Muslims, they remain poles apart in society. There was no mix- up. “Political power” without social and economic power is nothing but a fad. We have to question our own leaders. Why they are crying against Arun Shourie’s attack on Babasaheb (we know who Shourie is and what was his intention) but why did not we question the family of the late Jagjivan Ram who has been a puppet of the Congress Party. It was Mrs. Indrani Ram’s diary which was extensively quoted by Arun Shourie in his book on Babasaheb. Arun Shourie’s calumny might have been aided by Meera Kumar and family. But no we will remain silent on these issues. Why our leaders have decided to oppose Laloo? Laloo remains a towering figure much bigger than any other Dalit-Backward leader of present generation. But who is opposing him? How come a tribal leader issues statement in support of Dara Singh, the killer of Graham Stains? Your book, on India’s Intellectual Desert (DSA 1999) is excellent. And it is these thoughts that put you above others. I have personally learnt a lot from your writings. Dalit Voice has become a forum for all of us. Since you have nothing to lose, you have devoted your life for the cause of Dalit movement (though) I sharply differ on your issue of *caste identity”. Now the time has come for you to be blunt, critical of our own leadership. It is a shame that none of them could understand the importance of supporting you on your Media project. It is because they cannot see beyond their nose, beyond the instant results while yours is a long march. A revolution cannot take place overnight. But it is not possible under the existing political leadership. Parliamentary democracy is blunting this. In the final analysis, I know no body could write as blunt and straightforward as you on people like Arun Shourie. You know, Arun Shourie writes for his constituency. His constituency is upper caste (Hindu). He has become popular with Hindus for opposing the reservations. At least he is better than others. He does not hide his hatred against Dalits and minorities. Others are dangerous. They do silently. Your constituency does not have that much of money power to spend on your writings though I know there are many big people who can support such publications but then every where politics dominates and politics is not your cup of tea. You cannot succeed unless you play politics and in that you will have to make a few friends and few enemies. You thought that the entire Dalit-Backward-Muslim leadership will support you. They would only support you when you become a pamphleteer for them and since this is not possible for you, as you have your own mind and you can think much beyond them, they will not support you. But I am sure one day we all will realize this and come to the conclusion that creation of an enlightened society is much more important than just getting a seat in parliament and assembly.
T.N. Arivarasu, 64-Housing Unit, College Road, Tirupur, TN: Our great leaders, Periyar and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, indeed worked very hard for reservations and for the progress of SC/ST/BCs. But what happened today? After getting education, the persecuted and the depressed section forgot both Periyar and Dr. Ambedkar. They sit in high positions but forget their blood brothers. They became slaves of Hinduism. They worship the Aryan gods and customs. They want to enjoy their new-found prosperity. What is the use of your writing and speaking for so long over 20 years. None heard you. None obeyed you. Really, the “Sun is setting on the Dalit world”. They don’t care for DV or Viduthalai, Unmai, Sinthanaiallam, Murasoli. They read the Hindu, Indian Express or Kalki, Anandavikatan – all Brahmin literature. I too feel disgusted like you. My eyes are filled with tears when I go through your writings. You should not stop though our brothers refused to heed you. It is our duty to achieve our goal. We can create a new casteless society only through “caste wars”.
Prof. A.M. Khatib, 44-Azad Colony, Keshwapur, Hubli -580 023: I was taken aback to read your Editorials of March 1 and 16. “Sun is setting on Dalit world”. Not at all. A brilliant, learned, thought-provoking person of your stature to feel so and say so is definitely unimaginable. The sun has risen on DV world as well on those of the depressed, despondent lot whom you have been awakening so meaningfully. Let us endure and go ahead.
Dillip Ku. Jena, c/o P.K. Jena, 1-Forest Park, Bhubaneswar, Orissa: I am a B. Pharm student at the Jay- dev College of Pharmaceutical & Sciences here. I am a regular reader of Dalit Voice. Every issue of DV is marvellous. I like the Editorials and the Letters to Editor column. “When the Enemy is not even identified how to fight it (DV March 16, 2000) was great. In Orissa, our people are in deep darkness due to lack of literature. They are not getting the Truth. They worship Hindu gods. They do not know our own Father, Babasaheb.
R.K. Srivas, Kumar Sadan, Babulal Chauraha, Banda -210 001: I am extremely pained to read your Editorial of March 1. I contacted about 3 dozen IAS/IPS Dalit officers who know me well, gave them one or two copies of DV and wanted to make them subscribers of DV with no response. You are doing a great service to the downtrodden but these IAS officers have not even purchased the 16 Volumes of Dr. Ambedkar published by the Maharashtra Govt. I am a DV subscriber for the last 17 years and will continue so till I die. There is no substitute for reading DV. DV has altogether changed our readers. It pains me to find that SC leaders like Kanshi Ram, Ram Vilas Paswan and others should have failed on “Media Centre” at Delhi. You have earned fame world-wide. Kindly continue to have courage for some time more in Delhi. You possess an extraordinary brain and are a true Ambedkarite whereas Kanshi Ram is a political leader. I have given to Kanshi Ram several copies of DV from time to time and told him to follow your advice.
Saji K. Cheraman, Editor, “Malayalam Dalit Voice”, HMT Colony Post, Emakulam 683 503: I can understood the pain in your heart by reading the Editorials of March 1 and March 16 and I feel it is my own heart that is in pain. A day will come when our people will understand the significance of your words. I don’t see any other way except upsurge of the oppressed people. Certainly it will happen. The problem is with the existing leadership. Once there is a right leadership, ideology, organisation, strategy, tactics will follow. Here the Dalit leadership is trying to block the spread of Malayalam DV. Yet the Malayalam DV is going strong and bigger. We are whole heartedly behind you wherever you are Delhi or Bangalore it makes no difference.
