Caste is worse than Aparthied

Hundreds of millions of untouchables (Dalits) have been subjected to humiliation, degradation, untouchability, starvation, murder, rape and what not for about 3000 years. Indian society has been divided into four classes or Varnas (castes); on the top is Brahmin (priestly class), next to them are Kshatriyas (warrior class), then we have Vaishya (business class), and at the bottom are Shudras (untouchables). These untouchables can not share any public platform with, and even their shadows pollute the so-called upper castes. Manusmriti, which regulates social and political life of Hindu society in India, bars untouchables from reading, pronouncing and hearing the holy books like Vedas and if they hear them, molten lead is to be poured in their ears, their tongues are to be cut off if they pronounce them and eyes are to be pierced with red hot iron. Even African brothers have not faced such a draconian social and religious norm. The Indian Government may say that the old Constitution - Manusmriti has been replaced by modern Indian Constitution framed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, but, because of non-implementation of the present Constitution, the old Constitution holds the order of the day in day-to-day life. Because of this dilution of reservation (a Constitutional provision to provide jobs in Government services and politics according to population ratio), rape and murder of Dalits and discrimination in every walk of life are the order of the day. Even the Supreme Court of India is engaged in eroding the base of reservation by delivering adverse judgment after judgment.

The world may not believe our nightmare as truth but it

is so. Why apartheid problem caught the attention of the world is because nature and religion did not help in masking the reality. Blacks and whites are both creations of nature and this realization has helped in exposing the discrimination of brothers with black skin. Such discrimination was not backed by religion, be it Christianity or Islam. But in our case the social discrimination, which has pervaded all walks of life, is caused by Hindu religion. The untouchables have been consoled to live a dehumanized life because they are said to be condemned to it by the desire of gods. Accordingly, it is considered good if they suffer because they are washing away the sins of their past life and their present suffering will liberate them in the next life.

According to Article 1 of the UN Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), caste discrimination is included in racial discrimination, as formally interpreted and explained by the CERD Committee in 1996, ICCPR (International Convention on Civil and Political Rights) in 1997 and the UN Sub-Commission for protection and promotion of Human Rights in 1999;when on the one hand the Indian Constitution recognizes discrimination on the basis of which reservation is given, then how caste discrimination can be denied at international human rights for a? When Indian Government and its dominant castes do not feel shy of associating with UN Bodies and developed countries in the field of health, education , rural development and the like then how can they say that only caste discrimination is an internal matter ? Even most developed countries like USA and Japan have gracefully accepted discrimination in their respective countries. At no point, they said that their internal problems have been internationalized; when nature-created differences like blacks and whites are being fought then why manmade social norms, which sprang up due to Varna Vyavastha (caste system), can not be fought ? Our problems are more severe than apartheid. Can anyone deny that killings, rapes, starvation or social discrimination of Dalits are not rampant ? Isn't it a fact that safeguards like reservation provided in the Constitution are frequently flouted? After independence Indian Parliament should

have first taken up the issue of elimination of caste and imparting of compulsory and equal education and by now India would have reached the pinnacle of progress. Isn't it true that today also untouchables are carrying human excreta on their heads? Isn't it a fact that even in the wake of the Tsunami tragedy that struck coastal Tamil Nadu, many relief camps were put up by Govt. and other voluntary bodies, wherein Dalits were not allowed to share food and shelter side-by-side with upper castes and others? Even in case of death, they were treated separately. Among human beings, caste discrimination still continues to be practised there which proves that the dominant castes cannot change their mind-set. Those who are settled in western countries, like Silicon Valley, have not changed a bit. Rather, being in minority outside of India, they become more fanatic and parochial and support RSS ideology

Whatever progress has been made by untouchables is due to reservation in services and politics. Dalits constitute about 25% of the total population of India. So far, reservation has not been fully implemented, e.g., out of 120 Secretaries in the Government of India, there is hardly anyone from this community. In 1997 the Department of Personnel & Training issued five anti-reservation orders on the basis of Supreme Court judgment which have eroded the base of reservation. The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations has been struggling since 1997 for restoration of benefit of affirmative action and its implementation. The untouchables do not have any participation in the fields of industry, trade, commerce, higher education and judiciary, profession and art and culture. Imagine what would be happening to them if there were no reservation. Why this truth remained masked is precisely because of upper caste dominance in all fields like media, communication, key places in Government etc. India is among those countries which join the cause of human rights outside India, but when it comes to the cause of human rights within the country, it says that it is an internal matter. Developed countries like USA and Japan have accepted gracefully and

honestly that discrimination does exist in their countries but they did not say that their internal matter had been internationalized. But, Indian Government is pleading that it is an internal matter. Going by the logic of Indian Government then every Genocide and Xenophobia happening in any country becomes the internal matter of that country.

The United Nations Organization has failed to appreciate the exploitation and discrimination in India in time. Justice delayed is justice denied; however, it has still time to include caste based discrimination in its programs. Human Rights are not only inborn, inalienable, indivisible, universal but they transcend nation state boundaries. Irrespective of political, nation state boundary and other considerations, the whole humanity is having the obligation to protect and promote the cause of humanity. The U.N.O. should not succumb to any kind of pressure opposing the inclusion of caste based discrimination.

It is often said that truth can not be masked for a long period but it is so in India. Whatever standard hypotheses and parameters are there to gauge the truth- human mentality, faith and persuasion - they all fail when applying to so called human beings of Brahminical Social Order (BSO). The entire media is in the hands of BSO in India and nothing much can appear either in print or electronic media which goes against them. Some of the electronic media are controlled by western people but the upper castes have pervaded in such a way that nothing goes against them. Whatever they feel like is covered and western journalists and media have not understood it till now.

The upper castes rule the roost in every sphere and whenever westerners try to understand the truth, they have failed to see through it. The simple reason for this is that they understand only English and prepare socio-cultural schemes based on projections of upper castes so that scholarships and fellowships are given to them only. A warrior only can know a warrior; similarly, Christian brothers, being above such a heinous

caste system, could not understand it.

Buddhism was born in India before the birth of Jesus Christ and it spread to most parts of the world during its peak; however, it declined in India because of internal weaknesses and manipulative actions of Brahminical forces, i.e., so called upper castes. If at all there is a need to serve humans it is in India as most of the societies in the world have overcome acute forms of exploitation and discrimination, but in India till today the caste system - graded inequality- exists in the most brutal and crude manner which leads to the most inhuman form of exploitation and discrimination. India has been the cradle land of Buddhism but it was systematically weakened because of the caste system and this became possible because people were not conscious and educated but in today's world this is not going to be the case and this exploitation and discrimination in the name of caste system would not continue. There is complete unrest, frustration and agony amongst DALITS - so called lower castes/untouchables who constitute more than 25 per cent population of India. I do not think that more than 250 million people would be living in such nasty and wretched conditions any where in the world.

The Lord Buddha Club and All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations have been waging a relentless war for equality, justice, rights and harmony for the last 7-8 years. Reservation in Government Services was given to Dalits after huge, concerted efforts and hardships and it is like the AFFIRMATIVE ACTION for BLACKS in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, but now it is being snatched away by the upper castes under one pretext or the other. We had organized four mammoth gatherings on 26th November 1997, 16th November 1998, on 13th December 1999 and 11th December 2000 of about 0.1 million, 0.5 million, 1.0 million and 1.5 million respectively,followed by rallies in subsequent years, demanding rights for these children of a lesser god but the rulers have not relented and there is no hope that they would accede to the demands.

Why Religious Conversion ?

Talibanisation is more misunderstood than understood. Vir Sanghvi has correctly understood the phenomenon of Talibanisation (Talibanising our education, November 25). The heart and mind of the Sangh parivar resembles that of the Taliban, but their biggest difficulty is that in a pluralist nation like India, they are unable to fully succeed in their dubious agenda.

However, whenever they find the opportunity, they never miss the chance to attack Dalits and discriminate against them in all walks of life. This is aptly illustrated by the fact that the upper caste private army in Bihar, Ranvir Sena, was left out of the banned list under POTA. The fact is that this gang, which has taken credit for several massacres of Dalits, are committed loyalists of the BJP.

There is no finality about history. The problem begins when history is written for the advantage of some sections, which is simultaneously an assault on others. This is divisive history. The way the government has deleted some sections from history text books is reflecting this bias.

The problem for this RSS-controlled regime is that historians like Romila Thapar, Bipan Chandra, R.S. Sharma and Satish Chandra have followed objective and cardinal principles while interpreting history. This is unpalatable for blatantly prejudiced politicians like BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra (Cardinal principles, December 14). These internationally acclaimed historians have tried to discuss the caste system, the food culture of the majority people, the origin of Aryans etc.

The BJP claims that the deletions are necessary to

correct the distortions. Then why have they not glorified the history of Buddhism which was destroyed by the treachery and false propaganda of Brahminism? Why are they not talking about the fact that Indian society has been enslaved by the caste system for centuries? Who benefited from the caste system? The Dalits or the Brahmins?

Who is to be blamed for the Dalits not imbibing the tradition and skill of reading, writing, or history ? In the so-called golden era of Murli Manohar Joshi, only the Brahmins enjoyed the right to read and write. Others were condemned in the oppressed margins, branded as chamars and achhoots (untouchables), forced to use their bare hands and then carry excreta on their heads (they still do it in the prime minister's constituency). They were humiliated and brutalised as slave labour and occupational castes. They were given neither social nor political dignity under Hinduism.

The truth is that the Brahmins and upper castes were the parasites of Dalit labour. They used the varna system to legitimise this parasitic relationship of domination. If Dalits and the OBCs could write their own history, then perhaps many puzzles of this exalted `Hindu civilisation' would be sorted out.

Besides, only constructive minds can perform productive and creative tasks. The case of Murli Manohar Joshi, J.S. Rajput and the RSS is clear: they can only indulge in negative, vicious, divisive and destructive tasks. This has been characteristic of Brahmins and the upper castes for centuries. Upper caste psychology has eternally been engaged in the divide and rule principle. They neither had the time nor the sensitivity or will for progressive or scientific imagination.

The HRD minister is saying that there was a lot of pressure on NCERT from various communities to amend the text books. It is not always possible to appease every community by writing the truth. I question the veracity of this claim — Dalits have not asked the government to delete the history of the varna system.

The deletions reflect that the parivar can be compared to the Taliban. Since they do not even want to discuss the caste system, the question of eliminating the caste system simply does not arise.

How can the policy of reservation be explained if the caste system is not discussed threadbare? Hence are we supposed to glorify the Manusmriti which says that Dalits cannot possess private property, nor can they go to heaven unless they worship the Brahmins?

One can infer the past from the present. Sections relating to the caste system are deleted from our books; this will continue to haunt the minds of the people in the days to come. Caste exists today as an entrenched entity. If the Hindutva forces are serious about Dalit sentiments then why don't they eliminate the caste system by inter-dining and inter-marriage and through concerted social and official actions? The fact is that they do not want to see the development of Dalits — they only want to exploit them.

Dalits want a public discussion on varna and caste. Their deletions from the NCERT textbooks have hurt their sentiments, and they will oppose it tooth and nail.

Murli Manohar Joshi, to appease his miniscule Brahmin constituency, has compelled deletions of references to beef-eating. Almost all tribal communities have been eating beef since ages. Muslims and Christians also eat beef. Several scheduled caste communities in south India eat beef. Thus, about 15 per cent scheduled castes, 12 per cent Muslims, 3 per cent Christians, 7 per cent tribals and 10 per cent OBCs eat beef even in the contemporary era. The tribals of the North-eastern region also eat beef and so is the case with the Mala and Madiga communities of Andhra Pradesh. Are their sentiments not hurt?

Last year in Karnataka, Dalits celebrated beef-eating in front of the state assembly. It is an important aspect of their

food culture. Brahmins in ancient India were also beef-eaters as has been empirically proved by historian D.N. Jha (Paradox of the Indian cow, December 17, 18). Joshi represents only 2-3 per cent Brahmins of the country — how can he impose his Brahminical culture on others?

Beef-eating is part of the food culture of Bahujans. Any attempt to relate this cultural trait to Muslims is a dubious distortion of history, because beef-eating has been integral to the food culture of the country for centuries. Hence, beef-eating is not related to any religion.

The Dalit god, Jambvant, advocated the consumption of beef. In the past, beef was offered to guests; many Hindu religious scriptures also support this contention. Hence the deletions will deprive us of the sense of history and culture as experienced by the Dalits, minorities and OBCs.

Cow is a sacred animal and Hindu priests regard it as a mother; but they do not give it shelter in their houses and temples. The cows are let loose on the roads. They survive on rotten garbage. They also eat in the process a lot of plastic and polythene which block their intestines; consequently they die a slow, painful death. At least staunch believers should shelter the cows in their houses. They should feed and worship them. It is better to worship living beings than dead idols.

Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his book, The Discovery of India, that Aryans had come from Central Asia. Even Lokmanya Tilak said so. Many historical findings prove that Aryans were foreigners. Indeed, if we look at the Hindutva forces, their supra-racism is much too expressed. I have never seen people of the same religion hating and discriminating against their own co-religionists as it is prevalent in the Hindu societies only and is it not a truth that the Aryans hated the indigenous Dravidians?

Buddhism used to be a major religion in India, but it declined because of the treachery and violence of the Brahmins. For instance, Pushyamitra Shungh, a Brahmin courtier, killed

Buddhist King Brihdutt by an act of treachery. Why is the Sangh parivar silent when it comes to reasserting the greatness of Buddhist culture and religion under which India progressed the most?

India has stagnated with the decline of Buddhism and the rise of the rigid caste system. Many important Hindu temples like Tirupati, Puri, Kedarnath and Badrinath were Buddhist shrines at one time but later they were destroyed and grabbed by Brahmin priests. Even progressive historians have missed out on this dimension of Indian history.

Archaeological evidence has revealed the factors which caused the elimination of Buddhism. Who killed Buddhism? The violent liquidation of Buddhism was done by the ancestors of these very Hindutva forces, who too glorified the Vedic, hierarchical and oppressive caste society.

In recent times, Dalits wanted to embrace Buddhism in Delhi on November 4, 2001 but the VHP blocked it with brute support of the Government. This again shows that they are the enemies of Buddhism.

I see a dark future for India because crucial issues like the eradication of poverty, development, education, health and social evils are being relegated to the background while divisive issues like whipping up war hysteria with an eye on the UP elections, POTA, deletion of historical facts and exploitation of religious sentiments are holding sway. We have no option but to resist this retreat to the dark ages.

27th December, 01 Hindustan Times Who killed Buddhism

DON'T USE SUPREME COURT AGAINST DALITS

Mr. Rajeev Dhawan's article published on 28th December, 2001 in "The Hindu" - The Equality Amendment of 2001 neither talks about law nor talks about society. He has selectively quoted the statistics which show high percentage of SC/STs promoted at higher levels. Exceptions can't be the rule but he has tried to make them so. He has condemned the accelerated promotion and justified the judgement given by the Supreme Court in the case of Ajit Singh. His courage to condemn the "Will of the People" of this country is surprising. The Parliament represents the will of the people, which he has called undemocratic, ill-conceived and mindless, because it has tried to rectify the wrongs done by the Supreme Court. I think he suffers from elitist syndrome.

Reservation is nothing but a compensatory measure for thousands of years' old ancient wrongs. If Rajeev Dhawan had been born in a dalit family he would have never condemned Parliament's act in favour of reservation. I am representing the will of millions of people and I am ready to exchange the position enjoyed so far by the upper castes in lieu of reservation. Why did we at all fight against British was precisely because of non-representation of indigenous people in decision making process, i.e., the freedom struggle was for participation of natives in sharing wealth and power etc.. After Independence , power came into the hands of Indians and dalits also aspired to share in the decision making process. Dalits are also citizens of this country and hence reservation is not a favour but their share in the political and administrative realms in a limited way. Mr. Dhawan seems to treat dalits as aliens. Except where there is

reservation ,dalits are still at the periphery, be it industry, trade, commerce, higher judiciary, art and culture, higher education, profession and in many other fields.Should they not even be allowed to share political and administrative fruits? Of course, Mr. Dhawan does not want that.

He appeared before the Supreme Court for the implementation of Mandal Commission report and no body denies his contribution. Sometimes the system favours even what it does not want to do. It is done precisely to legitimize the longevity of the system and perhaps Mr. Dhawan is a product of this process. The issue before the Supreme Court was not to decide or give observation (obiter dicta) in respect of dalits' reservation but to consider reservation for backwards. However,the Supreme Court made observations to the effect that reservation should be restricted at the entry point meaning thereby to deny reservation in promotion, limiting the recruitment level below 50% and withdrawing relaxation in departmental exams etc. Subsequent judgements of Supreme Court based on obiter dicta in Mandal judgement paved the way for the Department of Personnel & Training to issue five anti-reservation orders in 1997.The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations came into existence under my leadership to get these anti-reservation orders annulled. For achieving this objective, the Confederation had organized four massive rallies on 26th November 1997, 16th November 1998, 13th December 1999 and on 11th December 2000 of about 1 lakh, 4-5 lakhs, 7-8 lakhs and more than 10 lakhs respectively. Because of our struggle, 81st and 82nd amendments were made in the Constitution by the Parliament to restore the right of back log recruitment and relaxation in departmental examinations etc. Parliament has again made 92nd Amendment in the Constitution on 28th November,2001 to enable dalit employees to get accelerated promotion with a view to share administration at higher level. It has irked Mr. Dhawan and issue of merit has cropped up again.

The so called argument placed by Mr. Dhawan regarding merit is all humbug. As on date Westerners are more meritorious

than us in many fields if we apply his standards. Britishers gave us law, Acts, Judicial system, but why we woke up against them was because of non-representation of Indians in the governance of the country. According to the yardstick applied by him, we should have not revolted against the British because they were more meritorious and hence were fit for all posts. What is merit ? Is it fetching good marks in school, colleges or in a competitive examination or writing and speaking good English is merit ? And hard work, loyalty, sincerity, integrity and honesty are not taken into account while framing the bond of merit. In addition, on most of the occasions only Annual Confidential Reports are crucial for further promotions which are in the hands of biased superiors. The superiors are free to judge or reward at their own sweet will and it is mostly based on sycophancy and buttering and the whole administration is running on it.

According to him, the Parliament can not sit in appeal over the Supreme Court. The essential feature of democracy is to govern the society by the mandate of the people. If people want, they can change the Constitution also , what to talk about Supreme Court. The Parliament represents the will of the people and it has got every right to implement the will of the people and above cited amendments are nothing but a reflection of the will of the people. If Mr. Dhawan and alike people go on provoking the Supreme Court to meddle with the Power of Parliament then the days are not far off when higher Judiciary will have to be controlled by the will of the people. Nowhere in the world such unchecked power has been vested in the judiciary as we have done.

The Constitution is the mother and the Judiciary, Executive, Legislature are its children but the judiciary has now defiled its mother by misinterpreting and diluting it in many ways. In 1981 in the 1st Judge case - S.P. Gupta V/s Union of India (1991)- the Supreme Court held that the opinion of the Chief Justice of India does not hold primacy in appointment and transfer matters of judges and constitutional functionaries like the President, P.M., Governor, Ministry of Law as per article 217 of the Indian Constitution must be consulted. In

the 2nd Judge case S.C. Advocates on Record Association Vs. Union of India (1993), Supreme Court held that the Chief Justice of India holds primacy in transfer and posting of judges and the process of selection of judges of Supreme Court must be initiated by the CJI. This is complete departure from constitutional provisions. In the case of reference case ( 1998) it has again confirmed the primacy of CJI. Unfortunately, there is no clear and comprehensive law to govern judiciary in this country. In the appointment of judges no objective procedure can be followed in the present situation, to judge the character, capacity and ability of a judge and sycophancy, nepotism and favoritism are the order of the day. Since plurality of hands like President, P.M., Governor, Ministry of Law are not allowed to play a role in a judge's appointment, therefore such appointment is bound to be corrupt and biased. Who has given power to CJI to appoint judges ? Neither people nor the constitution of this country have given this power to him. How can they assume and snatch Parliament's power ? Before this the executive held its say in appointment of judges and that was more or less fair because the executive is answerable to the people of the country. What is the criteria of merit to select a judge ? There is no criteria. The Bar Associations are very powerful and very often they do not allow strict High Court judges to play fully and if they do so,they are not sent to the Supreme Court. What is the criteria to select an advocate for appointment in the High Court ?. There is no criteria. Those judges who flock around seniors are preferred in the Supreme Court and in fact the whole system of appointing judges is fallacious and subjective. Many brilliant advocates do not want to become judges; then in that case where is merit ? After independence things were purportedly done on the basis of so called merit but why have things gone from bad to worse ? Those who cry for merit want to reap the fruits of independence alone without sharing them with marginalised people.

Mr. Dhawan can very well appeal against 92nd Amendment at the cost of power sharing of dalits. In 1995,

the 77th amendment was made in the Constitution by the Parliament to enable dalit officers to get promotions in higher echelons of services but the Department of Personnel & Training restricted it to the lowest rung of Class I. The appeal in this respect is lying before Supreme Court for disposal. Supreme Court has no business to interfere either in the case of 77th amendment or like cases. However, in the absence of proper representation of dalits, backwards and women in higher judiciary, Mr. Dhawan may succeed in instituting the appeal against 92nd Amendment but it will not be good for the country on the whole. The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in its second Report for 1999-2000 held, "Judges take oath that they uphold the Constitution and the laws. But the Supreme Court, and a few High Courts by claiming power above the Constitution, practise untouchability and are disobeying the Indian Constitution with regard to article 16(4) and 16(4A)". It said that there were only 15 Scheduled Caste and 5 Scheduled Tribe judges among the 481 High Court Judges in India. The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes wanted to know the strength of dalit staff in the establishments of High Courts and data furnished by a few High Courts like A.P. High Court 0.69%, Bombay 1.06%, Gauhati 8.00%, Gujarat 6.28%, H.P. 0.57%, J.K. 3.11%, Karnatak 1.60%, Madras 0.15%,Orissa 0.84%, Patna 4.25%, Rajasthan 0.54%, Calcutta 1.42%, M.P. 1.72 %and Sikkim 31.58% reflects a very pathetic condition. The Supreme Court did not furnish the information despite repeated reminders which shows it does not observe reservation. At present there are about 120 Secretaries in the Government of India, perhaps none is from dalit community. After lots of hue and cry, the over all strength at Class-I level in Government of India is about 9% only against 22.5% of the quota. Why Mr.Dhawan has not filed petition against them? He may find smooth passage to get stay or judgement against dalits as the judiciary is favourably disposed in favour of the elite and some upper castes.

India suffered and is still suffering many setbacks

because of caste system only. It had to see defeats at the hands of plunderers coming with their personal gaurds and paraphernalia. More than 95% people were alienated from the defence of the country because of division in society. Today also I see regress and failure in almost all walks of life. We are trying to survive upon foreign investment. There is no reservation in higher judiciary, then why there are more than two crore cases pending in different courts ? There is no reservation in sports, then so far why we did not win a single gold medal in Olympics and in other important international events? In professions, army, entrepreneurship, higher technology ,the things are grim. Who is responsible? When there was undeclared reservation in ancient and medieval times for the upper castes in governance, then why had the country to suffer? Mr. Dhawan should realize that it is a matter of opportunity and nothing else. No one is meritorious by birth. Children of film actors and actresses, politicians, judges, lawyers and businessmen become generally what their parents are.

In fact Mr. Rajeev Dhawan, a brilliant lawyer of this country, should go to the Supreme Court for elimination of caste and introduction of compulsory and equal education. If Parliament has done something to implement reservation at higher level, nowhere it has deprived the general category people and has altered the basic structure of the Constitution. I know that reservation alone is not going to solve the problems of dalits and the country as well, and if country has to be reconstructed then it is through elimination of caste system and compulsory and equal education. I am ready to give up reservation in lieu of elimination of caste system and compulsory and equal education for building up the nation.

This article was sent for publishing in The Hindu but was edited into letter form and published on 3rd January, 2002 and it created hot debates

Touch the untouchable

This refers to the rejoinder by the RSS Media Centre Chief, Balram Misra (Marx, Macaulay, Madrasa, January 5) to my article, "Who killed Buddhism" (December 27). I raised three issues which have been deleted from history books by the NCERT. The deletion of the varna system was justified under the garb that it hurts the sentiments of a community. Dalits have not sought these deletions. Then whose sentiments are being hurt?

Reference to beef-eating in ancient India have been deleted on the ground that believers of the `sacred cow' are uncomfortable with it. About 50 per cent population in India eats beef as against the 4-5 per cent of Brahmin population. Beef-eating is a part of food culture — it has nothing to do with religion.

Regarding the origin of Aryans, I argued that if they were indigenous they would not have discriminated against their own brothers on the lines of caste. Nehru wrote that Aryans came from Central Asia. Most eminent historians agree. Not all of them are Marxists; nor was Nehru a Marxist.

Misra says that I want to use Buddhism for my own salvation by becoming an agent of the `3M Parivar' (Marx, Macaulay, Madrasa). Instead, it is the Sangh parivar which constantly uses the `3M' cliche in its crude, communal, hate politics.

Dalits were not the `Rai Sahebs' or courtiers during the British Raj. Dalits do not hound Christian missionaries, while running to the West for green cards (and now,dual citizenship). Dalits did not invite Ghazni and Babar. They conquered and ruled because of the opportunism and divisions in the Hindu

society.

India is a melting pot of cultures. There must be cordial relationship with the `3Ms', not for selfish motives but to strengthen patriotism. We are not misusing but `using' Buddhism for the elimination of casteism, unlike the RSS which celebrates communal riots in its greed for power. Those who practise Buddhism are more distant from `clinging to something' (trishna). According to Hindu scriptures, Brahmins are not supposed to possess wealth and power — but they have always been obsessed with this trait. The RSS has been aspiring for power for decades; finally, they got it.

Karl Marx partly failed to understand Indian history because of insufficient information available at that time. In 1939, B.R. Ambedkar might have visited the RSS camp at Pune and found the atmosphere nice. Gestures and ideology are different things. Why did Ambedkar quit Hinduism in 1956? Because of the spiritual fascism of the upper castes.

Gandhiji must have shown a generous gesture to the RSS. But was it not Nathuram Godse, a staunch follower of the RSS's ideology, who killed him?

Misra has said that I should join some RSS camp to know the reality. I do not want to learn the caste system again because I have left it behind me by becoming a Buddhist. If the RSS is ready to burn the sections of Manusmriti, Rig Veda, etc. and other scriptures relating to caste discrimination, then I would like to be present on such occasions. I am ready to join if the RSS agrees to hold mass inter-dining and inter-caste (even inter-religious) marriages, hand over priesthood of Shankaracharya Peeths and temples to Dalits, usher in land reforms by snatching surplus land from the landlords, and provide equal and compulsory education to all, including Dalits.

17th January, 02 Hindustan Times Touch the untouchable

SC/ST Commission A Rehabilitation Body

The National Commission for SCs/STs is a constitutional body. It is a statutory body, which came in to being after the passing of the Constitution (68th amendment) Bill, 1990. It is supposed to look after the welfare of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Unfortunately, it has become a rehabilitation center or parking place for defeated politicians and unwanted bureaucrats and staff. Six members and one Chairman constitute the Commission. The Chairman is of the rank of a Cabinet Minister, Vice-chairman is of the rank of Minister of State, and Members are of the rank of Secretaries in the Government of India. Whosoever is in political power appoints his own attaches. The present Commission's tenure was over on 14th November, 2001. Before this all appointees were of the then Prime Minister, Mr. P.V. Narasimharao, with one exception, i.e., a Member from Ladakh has been continuously appointed in the Commission. Its tenure expired in October 1998. The Government at the center headed by Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee took considerable time to appoint the new Chairman and Members. Again appointments were made in line with political considerations irrespective of their concern and merits.

The SC/ST Commission has three wings, namely, social & economic development, service safeguards wing and prevention of atrocities wing. The economic and social development wing is supposed to look into the matters not covered by other two wings. It inquires into implementation of

Government schemes and other miscellaneous matters relating to dalits. The service safeguard wing (SSW) is meant to entertain grievances of dalit employees and officers. The prevention of atrocities cell is supposed to deal with police related matters and to see whether matters covered under Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevevtion of Atrocities) Act, 1989 have been registered or not.

Let us examine the performance of the service safeguard wing. Thousands of employees and officers throng to the office of the commission with the hope that they would get justice from discrimination mostly committed by colleagues and superiors in their respective Departments. Everyday hundreds of complaints are being received and in some of them simple letters in general format are issued to reply within 30 days but most of the departments do not reply. The complaints sent by post meet with no fate. Then the aggrieved person again approaches the Members and Chairman of the Commission and if the person is heard or able to meet, then the case is marked as of special attention. Again reminder is issued with warning that if the concerned department does not reply, then it would face stern action. Some of the departments do send replies and still many of them do not bother. In rarest cases summons are issued. If summon is issued, normally representative of the department appears before the Commission. The Commission is also empowered to arrest those who are not complying with the requirements, but so far I have not heard of any arrest made for defiance.

As per feedback from the aggrieved, and as per my understanding, in not more than 1% cases proper actions are initiated. If the head of department is gentle or concerned member of the commission is strong, compliance is made. It is not all that easy to prove the case in favour of aggrieved, because concerned department is represented through legal expertise or well prepared officials and members of the

commission are not exposed to the service matters. Normally non-service background person can not understand the technicalities of service rules. A poor aggrieved person gets a shock when his side is not properly argued. Even if his side is well brought out and finding is given to restore his position, it is not sure that the same will be implemented. It is important to remember that the Commission does not have power to issue directions to get the findings implemented. It becomes a laughing -stock, where agreement between the Commission and the Department is flouted openly and the Commission becomes helpless. On 1st January,1998, the Secretary in Department of Personnel & Training issued Office Memorandum while instructing all deptts. that the findings of the Commission are not binding upon the deptts. and the Commission can not issue any injunction order in any case. Whenever there is hearing before the Commission the officials of the Department agree and sign also, but later-on they don't care. Similar is the position in matters of atrocities. This process is so long that it takes weeks and months to issue notices and get compliances by which time things get worse. Most of the victims run from pillar to post, but to no avail. The SC/ST Commission examines whether funds released by the Central Government are utilised or not. The earlier Chairman from Karnataka did hectic touring to review the implementation of the constitutional safeguards promised to dalits at the State Government level and it was reported that most of the State Governments have diverted earmarked funds for dalits to other purposes. In some of the cases the review might have worked.

There is no one to audit and monitor the performance of Members and Chairman of the Commission. No statistics are being maintained to show case-disposal by every member including Chairman. However a combined disposal is reflected in the report which is submitted to the President of India. In the outgoing commission, a tribal member from Orissa and Vice President from Bihar must have disposed of more than two or

three cases in their entire tenure. Imagine, how can it be justified? At present there are only two working Members and the other four members and Chairman have retired on 14th November, 2001. It is now almost two months since the Commission has been functioning without them and similar thing has happened in past also. Why is it so ? Because, Government takes time to adjust defeated and outdated politicians in the Commission. The other reason is that there is general apathy towards dalits.

Coming to the merits and concerns of the Members and the Chairman, there is no yardstick applied in appointing them. Imagine the perks and responsibilities they carry. Most of the Members including Chairman can not face the officers and heads of Departments during the presentation of the case. Of course, aggrieved persons and one or two staff in the Commission assist them to understand the legalities and complications of the grievances but that is not at all adequate to nip the erring officials in the bud who come with mental make-up to confuse the Members of the Commission or dilute the whole issue. Sometimes Commission succeeds in giving correct findings, but later-on they are not implemented by the Departments. In rare cases where the Members and the Chairman have exposure to law and service matters , they perform well like one Member from Punjab who has done exceptionally well ,and just retired. In previous composition of the Commission, the Chairman from Karnataka was also effective because he was having law background. Even if they are not equipped with law and service matters, their courage and conviction can also help to some extent. But this possibility is also ruled-out because they have been rehabilitated.

No yardstick is followed in appointing the bureaucrats in the Commission. Barring a few, many appointees consider it a punishment posting. The question of guaging the commitment does not arise. The scenario in respect of staff is also grim. Normally Secretary of the commission , who is a senior IAS

officer does not take any interest. For the last many years Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has been headed by a Minister of State (MOS) who has power to release funds and deploy staff. The Chairman of the Commission is a person of Cabinet Minister rank but he has to depend on MOS and many times he is not obliged. Sometimes Members and Chairman are not given appointment to meet the MOS. This proves that it is a parking place of defeated politicians. There is shortage of staff in the Commission, but who cares. The Commission has got its subordinate offices in the States, but at many places very junior officers head the offices and sometimes a Research Officer is heading the State office, whereas it is supposed to be headed by a Director rank officer. Out of six members, one member belongs to non-SC/ST community who is also appointed on politicial considerations only. A non-SC/ST lady member, who retired on 14th November 2001, used this Commission to run her NGO and to collect facts and figures to use them afterwards at various fora. The same situation continued to prevail earlier also.

The National Commission for SC/ST prepares a report which is laid before the President of India . This report is also tabled in Parliament but gets through without any discussion. The dalit members of Parliament just don't participate when it is tabled. The Commission has asked for power of direction in its fourth report, but nothing has happened. The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations took up the cause of empowering SC/ST Commission in financial, administrative and judicial fields, but the Government did not heed it. I suggested to the Chairman and some members to agitate for empowering the Commission, but they did nothing. Courage and conviction do make things happen, like Mr. T.N. Seshan made the Election Commission a fearful-body, which was like a defunct body earlier. There are many SC/ST organizations, but they do not bother about the functioning of the Commission which is an appex body to safeguard the welfare of the dalits. Social audit is one of the remedies which I recommend and has to be executed by dalit activists, by gheraoing them or by such other means, if they do not deliver the goods.

Permutations and combinations must be going on in the Prime Minister's House that who is to be obliged, with a view to further the cause of ruling party. A member from Ladakh has been in the Commission for so many tenures and is likely to become member again. Imagine, he has no formal education. In fact, unsuccessful politicians and bureaucrats should make him their guru on how to continue in or grab posts and positions. Sometime I admire how does he manipulate the things. His output is almost insignificant. The Chairman of the previous Commission had gone against the very basis of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar's principles of Buddhism when we were going to embrace Buddhism on 4th November, 2001 at Ram Lila Ground. As Chairman, he demanded that perks and salaries enjoyed by me should be recovered, because I had become a Buddhist. He did not seem to know that Shri V.P. Singh's Government had made a law that a dalit embracing Buddhism would continue to enjoy the benefits of reservation. This learned Chairman was not even aware of this, imagine what would have been his performance as a Chairman. He issued such statements to appease the Government. The elections in Uttar Pradesh are ahead, and the Government of Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee should appoint people who have knowledge, commitment and willingness to serve SCs/STs by way of implementing constitutional safeguards in letter and sprit. Dalits are watching the appointments and it will definitely have political implications too. Regarding, appointment of a non-dalit member in the Commission, the Government should enquire into his attitude towards and knowledge of dalit problems. I hope that Hon'ble Prime Minister would reconstitute this rehabilitation body by appointing deserving people in the Commission without delay.

13th February, 02 The Indian Express No Bite, No Vision

Price of Mayawati's Chief Ministership

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was founded and prospered under the leadership of Mr. Kanshi Ram on the axiom of alleviating the position of dalits. To perpetuate and propagate such principles, they consistently criticize Manuwadis and so called upper castes, holding them responsible for all ancient wrongs. The popular slogan "Tilak, Tarazu aur Talwar, Inko Maaro Jute Chhar" captivated the emotion of dalits, Muslims and backwards as well. The BSP used the names of Dr. Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Periyar, Shahu Ji Maharaj and other social reformers who stood against Brahminism. No doubt BSP created awareness among dalits. However, its leaders never had any definite agenda or demands, but lofty promises they gave to dalits and others to have political power! The argument that Bahujans constitute 85% population in the country, had a tremendous impact on the minds of people.

BSP has now entered into power in U.P. with the BJP, the same Manuwadi party whom the BSP used to call Naganath, the real enemy of dalits. Relationships in politics are impermanent but this cardinal approach will not go well with them here because political power is a bare means of social transformation. Dalits gave support to BSP primarily to fight social tyranny, hence it is different from other political parties. The most crucial and surprising issue to examine is, under what circumstances this juxtaposition of forces has taken place? No doubt when Ms. Mayawati becomes Chief Minister, the dalit employees and

officers will be in comfortable position, welfare schemes will be geared up, there will be decline in atrocities on dalits, and of course, it will give psychological strength to dalits. But all these, at what cost ?

NDA allies like TDP, TMC, Lok Janashakti Party, JD (U), even BJP leaders like Shanta Kumar started frowning on tyrannical rule of Narender Modi, but the BSP kept quiet. After the debacle in Punjab, Uttranchal, Uttar Pradesh, the BJP started rethinking about its previous agenda which helped it to come to power. While the party leadership was in a wavering state of mind, Mr. Narender Modi set it at rest, reviving the original agenda of Sangh Parivar by blood bath, rape, house burning and destruction of properties. Muslims are in sizeable numbers in Andhra Pradesh which created fear in the mind of TDP leadership to take hard line against Modi. In fact, there are sufficient elements in NDA who feel stifled but are waiting for opportunity. Mr. Naidu struck at the right time while giving a feeling of leaving NDA. But timely aid given by BSP gave a new lease of life to the BJP. Again the Sangh Pariwar gained comfortable position to perpetrate hatred, violence, and slander against Muslims, Christians, dalits and poor. Can her Chief Ministership pay back the price of this deadlier communalism ?

The Department of Personal & Training issued five anti reservation orders in 1997, and the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations with great struggle could get three DOP&T orders withdrawn. The struggle is progressing to protect reservation, the Constitution, and the fight for reservation in private sector etc. The higher judiciary is hell bent to dilute reservation. The present government at center is killing reservation under the garb of economy-drive, liberalisation, privatisation and globlisation. The sale of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) at throw away prices is not only doing away with reservation policy, but is a plunder of Indian economy

as well. The Government has recently managed to get the draft of New Constitution submitted. This is nothing but to kill the Constitution created by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. It is the present Constitution that guarantees reservation to dalits and protection of the social-cultural rights of minorities. BSP has never bothered about these life-and-death issues addressing dalits in particular, and the whole nation in general. By joining BJP front, such rights as above stated would be further obliterated. Even if a dalit becomes a Prime Minister of this country, that also can not equal the contribution of reservations. It is only reservation which has helped around four millions of dalits to enter into Government jobs. Could Mr. K. R. Narayanan, President of India, being a dalit, do much for dalits ? There are certain interests and rights which either can be achieved by coming into power with like minded forces, or on its own. Both the conditions are not satisfied in the case of BSP coming into power with BJP.

So far what has been discussed is only in respect of dalits who will face deleterious effects. But it has got wider ramifications in so far as future of this country is concerned. Can BSP stop Hindutva programmes of Sangh Pariwar ? Can it guarantee that Sangh Pariwar will not pursue typology of Gujarat's experiment elsewhere ? Can it check infiltration of Sangh Pariwar in institutions ? How can saffronization in education be halted when the new coalition in U.P. boosts their morale. Forget the real issues of employment, development, infrastructure, education, health and other basic needs which need immediate attention.

The price which other like-minded forces have to pay is unfathomable. Dalits now will distrust any one who is for them while learning lessons from the extreme swing by BSP. However, from time to time, BSP movements have been leaving enough clues and speculations for the people to gauge their

commitment and sincerity in the past also. Intelligentsia among the dalits is already frustrated though the semi-educated and uneducated lot are still not completely disillusioned. Let us see how long they get befooled.

It is also going to create a crisis for other movements and leaders to find support among minorities and most backward castes. Muslims played a significant role in building the BSP movement and helped it to come to power in collaboration with Samajwadi Party. When BSP got 13 seats in U.P. Assembly in the year 1989, the leader of the party in the house was from Muslim community. In this election, they were given more tickets by BSP as compared to other parties; this again confused Muslims to become soft for the party and consequently Muslims voted massively for the BSP. It caused some disillusionment to Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav also. Of course, large number of Muslims did buy tickets at high price without considering the pros and cons. They are also partly responsible for this, knowing the fact that BSP had formed Govt. with BJP in the past. The BSP tally in the assembly increased, not because of dalit votes but because of Muslims and upper castes' votes.

Political power is a must. But at what cost ? Is it for personal gain ? Is it in conformity with ideology of the party ? Whether such a bargain is profitable or not for dalits ? In the short-term, it may appear to pay dividends but dalits will have to pay heavy price for this. This unholy alliance will erode the rights of dalits. Besides, the whole nation is going to suffer on account of this.

6th May, 02 The Indian Express An Anholy Alliance

Mayawati Ji, Don't Misquote Dr. Ambedkar

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar has become ideal and inspiration for many, particularly for Dalits. He fought on various fronts but his main emphasis was to do away with caste discrimination. Every thing emanates from this axiom. To achieve this object, he recommended to denounce Hinduism and choose a faith which does not discriminate against human beings on the basis of birth. He strongly advocated to capture political power - a master key to solve most of the problems.

The movement of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) through -out was for capturing the political power. So far as this objective is concerned, Mr. Kanshi Ram and Ms. Mayawati had no confusion. However, BSP movement passed through a maze of other axioms too , like advocacy for Buddhism etc. Recently there was big felicitation for Ms Mayawati in Delhi in which she exhorted people that Dr. Ambedkar taught dalits to acquire political power, so as to justify her collaboration with BJP. She is often quoting Dr. Ambedkar in order to cover up her alliance with the BJP and her stand on Gujarat etc.. Dalits are getting confused and it is most important to remove these misgivings. Let us examine this rhetoric of Ms. Mayawati.

Dr. Ambedkar is the only consistent leader and reformer after Gautam Buddh who stood like a rock against Hinduism. There are many social reformers of medieval and modern age but none recommended the renunciation of Hinduism. For Dr. Ambedkar, political power is a weapon to destroy Hinduism because it is the most effective weapon. On the contrary, Ms.

Mayawati is using this weapon to strengthen the Hindutva forces.

For a Dalit, poltical power is conceived as a means to defend his rights like reservation and other welfare schemes. BSP at no point either took up the burning issues or supported other right Dalit movements. The Dept. of Personal & Training issued five anti reservation orders in 1997 and the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations with great struggle could get three DOP&T orders withdrawn and the struggle is in progress to protect reservation, the Constitution, and securing reservation in private sector etc. The higher judiciary is hell bent to dilute reservation. The present BJP government at center is killing reservation under the garb of economic drive, liberalization, privatization and globalization. The sale of Public Sector Undertakings at throw away prices is not only doing away with reservation but it is a plunder of Indian economy as well. Ms. Mayawati is always critical towards the SC/ST Confederation's movement and her coming to power has no relation with these issues. Is her master-key opening the lock for others or for Dalits ?

The Government has recently managed to get the new constitution draft submitted which is nothing but an attempt to kill the Constitution created by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. It is the present Constitution that guarantees reservation to dalits, and protection of the social-cultural rights of minorities. BSP had never bothered about these life and death issues addressing dalits in particular and the whole nation in general. By joining the BJP front, above such rights would be further obliterated. Even if a dalit becomes Prime Minister of this country, that also cannot match the contribution of reservation. It is only reservation which has helped about four million dalits to enter into Government jobs. Is her master key not destroying Dr. Ambedkar's Constitution ?

NDA allies like TDP, TMC, Lok Janashakti Party, JD (U), even BJP leaders like Shanta Kumar started frowning on

the tyrannical rule of Narender Modi, but BSP kept quiet. After the debacle in Punjab, Uttranchal, Uttar Pradesh, BJP started rethinking about its previous agenda which helped it to come to power. The party leadership was in a wavering state of mind but Mr. Narender Modi set it at rest by reviving the original agenda of Sangh Parivar of blood bath, rape, house burning and destruction of properties. Muslims are in sizeable numbers in Andhra Pradesh which created fear in the mind of TDP leadership to take hard line against Modi. In fact, there are sufficient elements in NDA who feel stifled, but are waiting for opportunity. Mr. Naidu struck at the right time while giving a feeling of leaving NDA, but timely aid given by BSP gave a new lease of life to BJP. Again the Sangh Pariwar gained comfortable position to perpetrate hatred, violence, and slander against Muslims, Christians, dalits and poor. Political power of Ms. Mayawati is strengthening the casteist forces instead of destroying them.

When debate on Presidential election was in crucial stage, BSP was the first political party to criticize openly Mr. K. R. Narayanan and declared its support to the candidate selected by Hindutva forces. After that a psychological boost up met with BJP to kill the chance of Mr. K.R. Narayanan for a second term. At a time when the situation was becoming favourable to Mr. Narayanan, Ms. Mayawati's key disturbed the equation. For the Vice-Presidential candidate too, BSP has unilaterally declared its support to NDA, instead of a dalit candidate, Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde. Did Dr. Ambedkar stand for such a kind of political power which harmed the interest of Dalits ?

BSP tried to find justification from Dr. Ambedkar's writings and speeches, but had he mentioned anywhere to compromise with Hindutva forces with a view to capture political power ? No support could be mustered in favour of Ms. Mayawati's rhetoric. Nobody is going to object to BSP to have alliance with BJP, but it should not misquote and pollute Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's thoughts.

It misleads innocent Dalits about Dr. Ambedkar because of Ms. Mayawati. Please Mayawati Ji don't misquote Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, for heaven's sake.

Dalits regard Dr. Ambedkar as their Messiah and you are a leader of masses, therefore, they will conceive Dr. Ambedkar in a wrong perspective for which you are responsible. How can you synthesise thesis with anti- thesis ? The popular slogan given by you "Tilak, Tarazu aur Talwar, Inko Maaro Jute Chhar" captivated the emotion of dalits, Muslims and backwards as well. No doubt it created awareness among dalits. No doubt when you are Chief Minister, the dalit employees and officers will be in comfortable position, welfare schemes will be geared up, there will be decline in atrocities on dalits, and of course, it will give psychological strength to dalits. But all these at what cost ? By the time BJP Government at the center will kill reservation which will jeopardize the interest of Dalits of whole country including U.P. You are to be reminded that only recently you diluted the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 in U.P. which was the main psychological strength for Dalits to fight against discrimination. Even some BJP Govts. could not do so because it is a central Govt. Act, and beyond the power of state Govts. to meddle. How is your master key that is killing the interest of dalits ? Certainly it is not that key for which Dr. Ambedkar stood.

14th August, 02 The Indian Express Ambedkar's Idea of Freedom

Whether BSP Dishonored Ambedkar or Mulayam

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) started its caravan from Ambedkarism. Initially ,they got boost while using his name. Once they became a force to reckon with, philosophy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was reduced to symbolism and myth. Mr. Kanshi Ram has not much respect for him and this is being reflected on some rare occasions. It is undeniable that Ambedkarism became popular with their growth. The ideology of Jyotiba Phule, Shahuji Maharaj and Periyar got propagated by them. Now it seems that Ms. Mayawati has patented Ambedkarism as if BSP is the only custodian of his principles.

Recently Mr. Mulayam Singh made a remark that Ambedkar Udyan at Lucknow is a place of pleasure and luxury, which was strongly rebutted by Ms. Mayawati. He said so because of huge investments in it. In order to capitalize on the emotions of Dalits, the BSP made it a big issue. A Dhikkar rally (gathering to condemn Mulayam's remark) was organized in Lucknow on 28th September, 2002. The sole aim was ostensibly to pay the highest regard to the ideology of Dr. Ambedkar but it completely got ignored. Dr. Ambedkar is not corporally present but his ideas are the torch-bearers for crores of dalits. If Dhikkar Rally (shame rally) did not care about his principles then who dishonored him more, whether it is Mulayam Singh or BSP. This is the core issue to examine here.

Have BSP and its leaders ever taken up any specific issue or agenda for Dalits, be it Reservation or Constitution or Buddhism or Privatization or Land Reforms or Compulsory and Equal Education and so on and so forth ? They made innocent Dalits to cram for political power as the master key, Dr. Ambedkar said so. Political power is most important weapon to empower Dalits and poor, if it is used for them and it can be for personal gratification and benefit too. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar always stood against casteist forces like RSS, BJP and VHP but unfortunately its supremo, Mr. L. K. Advani, was star of the show organised by Ms Mayawati. Is Mr. Advani in anyway connected with the ideals of Dr. Ambedkar ? Answer is absolutely negative. Supposing that there was political compulsion for the BSP to show its strength that it can make BJP win in coming Lok Sabha Election and snub Samajwadi Party on other hand but nothing barred them to air the issues of privatization, Constitution, Reservation and Communalism. The Indian Constitution is under attack by Mr. Advani and Co. If the rally was to honour Dr. Ambedkar, why did they not ask Mr. Advani not to do so because it kills the ideology of Dr. Ambedkar ? Why have they not spoken anything about the rights for which Dr. Ambedkar stood and contributed like reservation and other economic and social safeguards etc. Who dishonoured Dr. Ambedkar more ?

Lakhs of Dalits thronged to the rally with high ambition that Behenji would exorcise the miseries which they are undergoing. Thousands of grievance petitions containing hopes, emotions and respect were crushed under feet and those poor and Dalits would still hope to get justice and relief. Former president of U.P. BSP once told that when he joined, he received

lots of grievance petitions and took up the matter with her for appropriate action. In turn, Ms. Mayawati advised him strictly not to forward the grievances to the concerned authorities otherwise dalits would not come to her. In fact, this is an old practice but it came to light now only. Sixteen Dalits were killed at Charbagh Railway station and news reached the leaders of BSP during the rally, but they did not show a word of sympathy and she did not visit them. This is their human aspect.

What could be most SHAMEFUL to Dr. Abmedkar than that the slogans of Jai Bheem and Jai Shri Ram were recited and raised simultaneously. Ambedkarism is anti-thesis of Hindutava and BSP is amalgamating them, hence Brahminization of Ambedkarism. Brahminism is such a flexible and adoptive political science that so far, it infected Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and many more sects. Hindutva is a political scheme which can influence others and one strong point in its favour is that it is followed by a majority.

Holding rally together with BJP tantamounts to supporting the incidents of Gujarat and divisive activities. This will also absolve BJP from charges of communalism and bridge the gap between Hindutva and Ambedkarism. The starting of BSP was against Hindutva philosophy and now it is merging with it. This should definitely give birth to a new alternative force to save dalits provided they understand and react timely.

Psychology behind communalism

It is commonly perceived that India is a melting pot of various cultures and religions but it has been proved otherwise by now. Thomas Apostle, disciple of Jesus Christ, came to India in the first century A.D. with the message of Christ. Christianity thus traces its origin long back in India. The origin of Islam is also very old. Buddhism spread all over the country before even these two, but vanished. However, it is again regaining its lost ground. When we see the carnage in Gujarat and a communal scene in Ayodhya, it proves that various cultures, traditions and religions have not yet melted. Is it not surprising that after a span of such a long time, it could not become possible. Actually it is not religion which is responsible for it but it is a political motive (power game) - sometimes in the garb of Hindutva, and sometimes in different expressions that it is manifested in. This is the most crucial phenomenon to examine and to put it clearly, it is nothing but superiority of upper castes. We can get support in favour of this axiom, if the behaviour of upper castes is observed. Even after their conversion to Christianity and Islam, hangover/superiority of these castes did not wither. If communal riots are to be understood, then this phenomenon has to be kept in mind which most people miss by simply thinking that it is Hinduism versus Islam. Lord Gautam Buddha, perturbed by the prevailing social discrimination at that time, gave a separate philosophy/religion with a view to get various traditions, tendencies, and ideas melted into a pot - The Indian Society. He succeeded,

but it was thwarted and subsequently such a noble religion was almost wiped out. Even today westerners harbour the illusion that Indian Society is a melting pot but the carnage in Gujarat and the drama of the VHP in Ayodhaya must have shaken their belief.

The United Nations Organization organized a global conference on racism, xenophobia and related intolerances at Durban in South Africa where dalit issues were also highlighted, despite opposition by the Govt. of India. The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and Lord Buddha Club organized a 'Diksha' on November 4, 2001 at Ram Lila Ground, New Delhi, but VHP in collaboration with the Govt. got the permission to use the ground revoked. The police were heavily used so that those coming to embrace Buddhism did not succeed in their mission, yet a large number of people embraced Buddhism. This particular incident has disillusioned the westerner's faith more than Durban meeting. The Sangh Parivar is trying to copy Hitlerism, but it will not succced.

The violence in Gujarat led common people to believe that it is a quarrel between Hinduism and Islam. But, if it is so, then why have there been onslaughts on Dalits for last 3000 years ? Why have women fallen prey to Hindutva ? Why Mr. L. K. Advani took-out a chariot to Ayodhaya when the upper castes were charged against the implementation of Mandal Commission by Mr. V. P. Singh's Govt. Actually, BJP encashed upper caste sentiments, which was against Mandal in the garb of religion. This happened because backwards were going to have a lion's share in administration. One can now infer from the above facts, that it is not Hinduism versus Islam but a game for power, by upper castes versus others.

It is not only India that is known for ancient wrongs; Europe at one time had also such wrongs, but they could rectify them in due course of time. Human beings used to be sold and purchased. When Mohd. Bin Qasim invaded India in 712, then

also there was no call to unite all castes to fight foreign enemy and finally, this beloved country was defeated. Only Kshatriyas were there to defend the country whose number was very small. The so called upper castes lost the opportunity to unite dalits, backwards and other marginalised people on all ocassions. This means that even if the country has to be partitioned or subjugated, this becomes an accepted proposal rather than to unite own brethren and sisters. During the regime of Muslims and British, the so called upper castes did not call for eradication of caste system. The upper castes had to suffer humiliation at the hands of foreign rulers but did not abjure their tendency to discriminate against the so called lower castes. Hence they always remained power hungry and lusty at the cost of ethics, ideology, patriotism, equality and justice etc.

It is difficult to predict what would have been India if the British had not come. More than five hundred small kingdoms/states were in existence but communications like Postal, Railways, and Roads etc. created by British, coupled with common administration brought Indians living in all parts closer to each other. Exposure to western ideologies like liberty, equality, fraternity also helped us a lot to get united against the aliens. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar questioned the freedom fighters that what would be India after independence, particularly in respect of dalits. The freedom struggle led by upper castes and elites never bothered about anything except to have Swaraj. On the evening of June 2 ,1947, Md. Ali Jinnah, Liaqat Ali Khan, Ahmed Khan, Nehru, Kriplani, Patel, and Baldev Singh met in the presence of Lord Mount Batten and decided the modus operandi to partition the country. The condition was that if Hindu population and Muslim population both decided not to partition ,then there would not be division of Bengal. But if any one of the two favoured partition, then partition was imminent. How discriminatory were the conditions against this beloved country. To one's surprise, the representatives of Hindu

populated areas favoured partition and representatives from Muslim populated areas did not vote for partition. Finally the partition of the country was decided on June 20th, 1947. Who were responsible for the partition of the country ?

The RSS was founded in 1925 and its founder Guru Golwalkar said that if Muslims were to live in this country, they would have to be at the mercy of Hindus. On 18th March 2002, RSS resolved in its convention at Banglore that Muslims had to win goodwill of Hindus in order to live safely. Paramhans Ram Chander Das of Shri Ram Janam Bhoomi Nyas, stated how come a Baniya was accepting Shila stones. An outfit of RSS, Jansangh, tried to capture political power but failed. By encashing anti-mandal sentiments in the name of religion, they made master strokes that brought them power. Before this, they were not experienced in this methodology of people's mobilization. The Sangh Parivar says that the Babri Mosque demolition is a blot on Hinduism; what can be a greater blot than a human being carrying excreta on his head ? The trouble with Muslims is because of a different religion. But dalits, women and BCs are from the same Hindu religion. They were never in conflict with Christians, but when Sonia Gandhi took up command of the party, they were attacked by saying that she was a foreigner. Sangh Parivar's complaint is that Hindus are discriminated against. Muslims were about 35% in administration at the time of independence, but now their strength has come down to less than 2%. What a hoax! The psychology of upper castes is to institutionalize power in their hands.

20th September Trade Union Record (Congress) Psychology behind communalism

Sangh Parivar and Modi Should Treat Dalits of Chakawada as Hindus

It is a historical predicament that Dalits consider themselves Hindus, but Hinduism does not recognize them to be so. Whenever a Hindu inquires about other Hindus, he implies to know only caste, and not as a brother of his religion. Such is not the case with other religions. The so called Hindutva outfits are utterly disappointed about conversions and that frustrates them to enter into negotiations with Muslim and Christian leaders. Their main concern is to coerce them not to convert Dalits to their religion. Have they ever bothered to know the saga of Dalits ? Dalits and backwards consider themselves as Hindus but Hinduism does not respond to them, and if this is not true, there would have been normal social behavior like marrying and dining amongst the followers of the same religion. The earthquake in Gujarat proved this proposition beyond doubt that the so called upper castes would never share joy and sorrow even in their dying state. The so called upper castes were not ready to dine with and shelter them even during such a crisis.

This dispels the doubt that crores of dalits converted to Islam and Christianity because of coercion and allurement; it was to escape from the cruelty of caste system. The process of conversion is on and whenever it happens, Sangh Parivar resists by brick-batting with the Christian and Muslim leaders but will never bother to know the circumstances which compel Dalits and others to do so. Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee has also

said that there must be debate on conversion but he never talked of having debate on Hinduism. The incident of Chakwada leaves strong clues for examination of Hindu religion than any other thing.

Chakwada village is about 60 kilometers away from Jaipur where so called upper castes are not allowing use of the temple and pond by Dalits of the same village. Dalits can't buy things from shops of upper castes. Some human right organizations tried to defy the whip of upper castes on 21st September 2002, but they were terrorized by strong arm wielding group of so called upper castes. Even police failed to bring them to justice. This has really exposed the government machinery under Congress Party. Hari Shankar Berwa of the same village asked what was the use to be in Hindu religion. Dalits of this village participated in Kar seva in Ayodhaya, Berwa said. It seems Dalits are being rewarded for the same.

Can anybody justify that Dalits belong to Hindu religion. According to standard definition of religions, all have essentially the same attributes and elements, but such incidents make Hinduism different from the rest of religions. At least Dalits of Chakwada have every reason to differ from standard definition and one can say that Hinduism is not for them. Still Hindu priests, ideologues and dogmatics will say that nothing is wrong with their religion and that the so called upper castes of Chakwada have not understood religion in the true sense. Supposing this incident is an isolated one; but so far, rape, murder and exploitation by so called caste Hindus would be definitely more than the people killed in all battles fought in India. Sometime back a Dalit lady was killed because she dared to enter a temple in Rajasthan, another Dalit of Nagaur was made to drink urine. The brutal incident of Kumher is known to every one. The so called lathi wielding upper castes sporting moustaches had lost all battles continuously and that facilitated slavery. They failed to protect the country but this energy was definitely used in

exploitation of dalits. The so called unity of upper castes of Chakwada and neighbouring villages is a best example to see through the reality. Are Dalits worse than even street dogs and cattle who are free to use the water of tanks ?

When the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and Lord Buddha Club were going to organize Buddhist Diksha ceremony on November 4, 2001 at Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi, the so called Hindu protagonists tried to stop it. Mr. Giri Raj Kishore of VHP wanted to get the function cancelled by tactics of terror but could not succeed to stop mentally charged people who wanted to embrace Buddhism. However, through RSS the VHP managed to get permission for using Ramlila Maidan revoked, and the ceremony was going to be stopped. The Central Govt. misused its police power by sealing the borders of Delhi and deploying heavy police at Railway and bus stations. The Hindutva outfits did not think even once to ask those who were going to embrace Buddhism as to what was the reason ? The immediate reason of mass conversion was dilution of reservation and now disinvestment and privatization is adding fuel to the fire. The VHP and RSS again blamed Christians for conspiring with the conversion, but they never tried to contact the leaders of conversion movement. Now Dalits of Chakwada have shown their inclination to quit Hinduism, and yet leaders of Sangh Parivar are not intervening and stopping the atrocities perpetrated by the so called upper castes. Supposing these Dalits embrace another religion, how can Christians and Muslims be blamed ? Is it not high time for Hidutva outfits to reach there and ask their bothers to spare Dalits and do something which can be an example or lesson that Dalits are also Hindus. Recently forty Balmikis of Gurgaon in Haryana embraced Islam and this was condemned by VHP leaders and threatened to make another Gujarat. In fact, the Balmikis of that place were not allowed to draw water from the well of upper castes, and Muslims taunted them that they

should go to their Hindu brothers. Pained and humiliated, Dalits embraced Islam. Even after that, the so called Hindu leaders did not learn anything.

Mr. Narender Modi in Gujarat, used dalits and backwards against minorities while exhorting them that the Hindu religion was in danger. After the riots, would they not be treated as untouchables and outcastes ? If dalits of Chakwada were treated as Hindus, this incident would not have happened. Mr. Modi and Sangh Pariwar should go there and tell their brothers that these dalits have helped them in Ayodhya and Gujarat. If other organizations like All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and Lord Buddha Club were engaged in cultural and religious revolution and reforms, then Dalits of this country would have risen to the occasion and questioned that if dalits are Hindus then why are they treated like this. This would have questioned the authenticity of Hinduism whether they treat Dalits as Hindus or not. Isn't it that Hinduism has become a jail for Chakwada Dalits ? Is there any justification to say that because of Christians or Muslims, Dalits are facing such barbaric situation?

Let the Hidutva organizations give lesson to their brothers that they should not use their energies against so called Hindu Dalits. If Dalits are Hindus, then they should not be treated like this, failing which it will be understood that dalits are not Hindus.

18th October, 02 The Indian Express Road to Conversion Through Chadwada

Jhajjhar Conversion is way to Freedom and Justice

Dalits embraced Buddhism, Islam and Christianity on October 27, 2002 at Gurgaon as a mark of protest against the lynching of five Dalits on 15 October 2002, and against the social system which meted out such treatment to them. The conversions were organized by the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and the Lord Buddha Club and other human right organizations including All India Christian Council and Muslim Organizations. Five Dalits were lynched in Jhajjar (Haryana) on October 15, 2002 because they had allegedly killed a cow. Dalits were taking hide to the market when police intimidated them for illegal gratification and such events, though illegal, are of routine nature. But what was unique and strange was killing of five Dalits in lieu of a cow. There was no trace of a dead or live cow for miles around the police station/place where they were killed. Police just misinformed the crowd coming from worship and rites and the same crowd killed five Dalits for the holy mother, cow. The mob led by workers and sympathizers of Vishva Hindu Parishad and other Hindutva organizations thought themselves duty-bound to punish the Dalits because their lives were less important than "mother cow". Immediately after the event, Vice President of VHP Mr. Giriraj Kishore, said that cow is more important than Dalits. He indirectly patted the killers. A local VHP leader justified the killing and also asked for rewarding the killers. The social religious system which is responsible for the in-human treatment of Dalits, was symbolically rejected.

So far, the guilty have not been brought to justice and this shows the Government is anti-Dalit. Recent Chakwada

event further proved that Dalits can not even use the water of pond where even animals and dogs can do so; the position of dalits is worse than animals. Who is great enough to remain in this social and religious system ? Certainly dalits, and those who could not bear this cruelty and injustice, accepted other faiths and religions. They have not been killed out of political or personal enmity, rather the system is responsible. To teach a lesson to this system, it was a fitting reply and a real tribute for dalits to reject Hinduism and choose other faiths.

Those considering the cow a pious mother, should then give all comfort to these mothers in bed rooms or houses and serve till death and after that cremate them. Then why do they starve "mother cow" and leave her to roam on the streets & feed on garbage if they respect her so much ? After they become useless, why do they sell them away to anyone, isn't it sale of mother ? No one sells his mother. Why do they wear shoes made of cow's hide if they regard it as mother ? This shows cow is just like any other animal and nothing else. Buffalo gives more milk so why is it not treated as mother ? A cow wearing placards around its neck with slogans like "Cow is more important than Dalits: Giriraj Kishor", "Gai Dalit se Adhik Mahattvapurna hai: Giriraj Kishor", "Manuvadion Mera Dah-Sanskar Karo", "Pavitra Man Hun, Mat Becho", "Ma Ki Chamari ka Juta Mat Pahno", were part of the demonstration.

Conversion is the solution for Dalits if they have to live respectable, dignified and free lives devoid of oppression and humiliation. Conversion is a change of ideas and of mindset which enables one to shake off age-old superstitions and beliefs inimical to human progress and development. By converting from Hinduism to other religions, Dalits are seeking emancipation from a social order which treats them worse than animals. However, it does not imply that they are less patriotic or lacking in nationalism than others. Rather they are getting exposure to new ideas/concepts, viz., dignity, equality & freedom which contribute to the healthy development of our nation. In fact embracing Buddhism is not even a conversion; it is a renaissance since Buddhism is an Indian religion much more

ancient than Hinduism. Dr. Ambedkar had also renounced Hinduism in favour of Buddhism. It was resolved that wherever & whenever in future, Dalits are subjected to any kind of injustice or humiliation, they would protest by renouncing Hinduism and converting to other faiths.

Even draconian laws can not stop change of faith and religion because it's something intangible and a change of heart . How can any one stop a change of heart and feelings even if concerned person is a slave. If conversion is to be stopped, the remedy lies with protagonists of Hinduism and not with anyone else, be it Christian, Muslim or Buddhist. The contention of Hindutva forces like RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal including Miss Jayalalithaa is completely unfounded. Now time has come to strengthen faith and religion, and drive away absurdity and weaknesses from them. In the age of Liberalization and Globalization, not only the economy but religion should also follow suit and it will fit in ideology of BJP. Let the protagonists of Hinduism purge their religion of weaknesses so that other religions should not embark upon it. They are crying helplessly. It is suggested to them that Hinduism should first be made caste-free and discrimination-free, and conversion will automatically come to an end. Let them appoint each Varna (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) for all five Peethas of Shankarcharya and similar representation to other places of worship and temples. This will also take care of conversion. It is the so called upper castes only who unleash violence, brutality and what not on Dalits, and not the Muslims or Christians, and if in these circumstances, they choose other faiths and religion for respect, dignity, equality, then what is wrong with it ? Who is responsible for it ? It is not dalits, but objective situations which force them to renounce Hinduism.

Now the question arises that Art.25 of Indian Constitution already takes care of fraudulent, forced and enticed conversions. If Miss. Jayalalitha would have felt the pinch and punch of caste discrimination, she would have acted otherwise. Ven. E. V. Ramaswamy Periyar stood out against Hinduism, rather he burnt down, destroyed and desecrated the idols and worshiping

places of Hindu religion. But on the contrary, Miss. Jaylalitha is hell bent to strengthen the same. Miss. Jayalalitha is turning a blind-eye to basic problems like unemployment, education, and other developmental issues. She wants to engage people in a useless direction. The water crisis was one of the major factors which led her to do so. She wants to appease Sangh Pariwar and Govt. at the cost of Periyar's ideology and feelings of minorities and Dalits, and freedom and conscience. It seems that she wants to buy favour from them in order to escape alleged corruption. By issuing the ordinance, she has rather used the methodology of allurement and enticement. According to the law passed in 1959, a Hindu Dalit converting to another religion forfeits his right to reservation, but on re-converting to Hinduism, he once again regains this right. This law of 1959 is thus an enticement/allurement to Dalits to remain in the fold of Hinduism. Hinduism prescribes Dos and Don'ts to the majority people failing which they will go to hell. Isn't it a forced and fraudulent act ? Rishis and Hindu priests are known for pronouncing the sentences of `Curse' and `Blessings', if they were not given good welcome or food, and their actions are not connected with justice, liberty and freedom. Isn't it curtailment of freedom ?

If Europe and USA advanced in every field, it is because of freedom of ideas, criticism of rotten values, religion and individuality. What we need is to have liberalization in these areas and India will march forward and this will take care of economic development as well. This would generate scientific temperament too. Hinduism chains ideological and religious freedom. The most intolerant religion in the world is Hinduism and it is still not ready to grant freedom of faith and social status. And women are worse than dalits in this system. Shiv Sena like forces are the enemies of individual freedom and they do not allow celebrating `Valentine Day' even. They would have us believe that all basic problems like unemployment, education, housing etc., have been solved and the only task left is to wage 'False Cultural Nationalism' as posed by Sangh Pariwar.

Sangh Parivar's Nation V/S Dalit Nation

Nation means a large group of people sharing the same culture, language, history and inhabiting a particular state or area. The standard definition of nation/state may with difficulty fit in our situation. Dr. Ambedkar said that there were many nationalities in Indian Nation and the main contributory factor was the caste system/stratification of the society. Recently a new concept of Rashtra (nation) is being talked of by Sangh Pariwar (various outfits of BJP). The basis for foundation of this nation is religion. Is religion alone a sufficient factor to fulfil the requirement of a nation ? The religion about which the Sangh Parivar is talking, is based on discrimination, hatred, and selfishness. If they demand a nation which is termed as Hindu Nation, then the minorities may ask for some other nations . It is to emotionalize a few by talking of it as worthwhile and as going to happen today or tomorrow, whereas there is no basis to even conceive it remotely. Rather this will create reaction in other quarters.

The Sangh Parivar is contemplating monolithic culture and religion, whereas it is a dream in day light. A famous writer Dr. Kancha Illiaha in his book "Why I am not a Hindu" opined that Dalits and Backwards are not Hindus by customs, tradition, food habits, gods and godesses which they worship. Is it possible to create a Hindu nation in these circumstances ? If it was so then pluralistic nature of society would not have been born since beginning, and neither it would have been possible to have rules of aliens.

Let us examine the reasons for such a pluralistic society. Who else is responsible except caste system and it forces millions to walk over to other religions in their quest for dignity and respect. But the Manuwadis (who do not believe in equality and democracy) blame that it is Christian and Muslim conspiracy for conversion to other religions. The Sangh Parivar till today has not accepted the fact that it is only Hinduism which has given birth to this phenomenon and none else. At the time of Shila Dan at Ayodhya, Paramhans Ramchandra, religious leader of Sangh Parivar, refused to hand it over to the Commissioner, Mr Gupta, because he was a Bania. How much they are ungrateful to their own loyalists ! Banias (Business community) ran RSS and other outfits of Sangh Parivar and even today banias are feeding them. Yet this disdain and hatred. How the Sangh Parivar is going to create a Hindu nation when its staunch supporters can not get equality and respect. Whatever they are doing is not corresponding to the existing ground-reality .

There are lots of followers of Hinduism in the world but Nepal is the only country which is a Hindu nation and wherein plight of Dalits is voiceless, atrocities happening to them. These are not known to the world. So far, not a single dalit could enter the Parliament of Nepal and they can not elect houses without the so called upper castes. They want to create a nation in which life of a cow would be more valuable and this mentality was expressed by Mr. Giri Raj Kishore of VHP over the killing of dalits in Jhajjar. At least Dalits, OBCs, minorities and progressive Indians would not like to live in Manuwadi's nation . This denomination is labelled as Hindu nation.

Let us explore the possibility of Manuwadi nation or nation which the Sangh Parivar is contemplating. Minorities are not going to join their nation. Some OBCs seem to side with them but it is a temporary phenomenon. The BJP is opposed to the interests of OBC, and if it is in power today, it is mainly by opposing the Mandal. Rath Yatra led by Shri L. K.Advani

was against reservation given to backward communities, and when they become aware of it, no longer their support will be with them. Majority of Dalits keep distance from them, and of course, uneducated and poor can be their soft targets. In the final stage, they will budge from the scene. Rationalists, patriots and progressive Indians also would not side with them.

Supposing Shri V.P. Singh's Govt. had not implemented the Mandal recommendations, then Sangh Pariwar would never have got an opportunity to rise to power. They came to power in Uttar Pradesh and that led to the demolition of Babri Mosque. In a nutshell, the plank of social justice finally hit the Muslims hard in this country. Muslims can take up their grievances with backwards. Most of their present grievances are attributed to justice given to the OBCs. The day that dawns on them, the backwards would alienate themselves from the agenda of Sangh Parivar.

Let us examine the scope and prospect of various nationalities which would spring from shortsighted goal of Sangh Parivar, who are spreading the propaganda to form their own nation, and are also trying to confuse their nation as Hindu Rashtra. The Sangh Parivar represents a microscopic majority of Hindus and an attempt to create such a notional nation will be countered by other nationalites. It seems the Sangh Parivar is not satisfied with the catastrophic situation faced or facing in Nagaland, Punjab, Kashmir, and in other places too.

For creation of Dalit Rashtra, the actual support at the decisive stage would be about fifty percent of the population in the country. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are about twenty five percent. About eighty five percent of Muslim population is from Dalit stock. 95% Christians also came from the same origin. Dalit Sikhs, Bauddhs, and most backward castes having social economic status equal to that of Dalits or even less would be more than 50%. Hence at the decisive stage a real possibility is for formation of a Dalit Rashtra. An

important leader of Muslims, Dr. Ejaz Ali of the All India United Muslim Morcha is very strongly advocating the formation of Dalit Rashtra as a rejoinder to Sangh Pariwar's attempt.

A critical outlook on formation of Sangh Parivar' nation gives nothing but a feeling of division and temporary gain. Ever since Sangh Parivar vitalized its activities, Dalits are getting uncomfortable and it has become noticeable that in public meetings whenever some Dalit leader talks of separate nation, there is applause from some corner. They often refer to a separate electorate granted by British in 1932, which finally ended up with reservation. It is a warning to the Sangh Parivar and BJP that they should not play with the unity and integrity of the country. Gone are the days when it was possible to divide & rule. Whatever has not been achieved in a millenium, is being attempted to be achieved in a decade's time; therefore with the pace of fast changes in our society, their formula is not going to work. However, their attempts are blocking basic issues like education, health, social harmony, development etc. The nation about which they are talking can be their own nation but not of Hindus because they represent a microscopic stock of Hindu population. It is highly unfounded and objectionable to associate the use of 'Hindu' or 'Hindutva' with Sangh Parivar alone, by any one. Once the terminology 'Hindutva' or 'Hindu' is used, then it encompasses those Hindus also who are not their supporters. What is most surprising is that even opposing political parties and writers are addressing them as Hindutva or Hindu. Thus the nation of Sangh Parivar will never be a reality, on the contrary Dalit Rashtra can be, as a reaction.

31st December, 02 The Indian Express A Hindu Rashtra Sangh Parivar is daydreaming

Ambedkar versus Hinduism

The ideology of Sangh parivar is a bundle of thoughts that are so elastic that they can fit into all circumstances. The common thread in this intellectual opportunism is that its protagonists are totally bereft of any moral bindings.

Mr. Vinay Katiyar, BJP's Uttar Pradesh chief and Bajrang Dal storm-trooper, while unleashing his Moditva type of campaign from Varanasi this week said that Dr B.R. Ambedkar was against Muslims. He also said that the ideas of Ambedkar were akin to those of RSS ideologue, Mr. Keshav Hedgewar, for whom Adolf Hitler was role model.

In the past, BJP and its hydra-headed fronts have never dared to co-opt Ambedkar's ideology. They have mustered courage to do so now, only because they have entered into a shaky alliance with BSP. Mr. Katiyar is of the opinion that his party would continue the caravan, where they left it in the hate-filled fields of Gujarat. It is visible. He has crossed all limits when it comes to transparent lies, slander, conspiracy, and shame.

BJP under his leadership, has started a campaign against Muslims citing so called cultural nationalism. Dr. Ambedkar was never against Muslims; instead, he was emphatically against `"Manuvaditvas", and that is what goes by the current xenophobia of Moditva.

Mr. Katiyar is correct in saying that Ambedkar was never in favour of Partition of India. Ambedkar wrote in his book, "Thought on Pakistan", that he was against Partition and even if it took place, Muslims and Hindus should go to their respective countries because of the fact that if Muslims stayed back, they would be treated like the fifth varna or devils (mleksh) by the upper caste-ridden Hindu society. He believed that Muslims would have no future in a Brahminical social order.

This is exactly what is happening in contemporary India. Ambedkar never said that Muslims were terrorists, they should be deprived of their voting rights. This is a lie manufactured by Mr. Katiyar, who claims from a figment of his warped imagination that Ambedkar wanted liberation of Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura. Next, they will claim that Babasaheb wanted a Hindu Rashtra.

Ambedkar held the view — as per the Constitution — that on all such questions, status quo should be maintained as of 1947 at all costs.

Indian Muslims have been time and again asked to prove their loyalty to the nation by these sectarian anti-socials, despite the fact they not only rejected Pakistan, but have been as patriotic as you or me. Not one Muslim from India crossed over to Afghanistan to fight with Taliban.

Sociologists have time and again proved that the majority of Indian Muslims are different in content and character; their Indianness in a secular democracy makes them different from Muslims in other Islamic theocraicies. They too have fundamentalists in their midst, but majority is deeply syncretic, patriotic, multicultural, plural, and secular, with deep faith in India and its future.

Let's not fudge the truth. Indian Muslims are as patriotic as you and me. They have fought for the country's freedom, sacrificed their sons in the wars, worked for the progress of the nation in every field — from business and politics, to arts, academics and sports. Why should 150 million Muslims in India prove their patriotism to the likes of Mr. Katiyar, an extremist rabble rouser ?

Mr. Katiyar's ancestors in his party did not even fight in the freedom movement; instead, they allied with British, as the documented pleadings of Savarkar to the British clearly prove. Besides, they don't believe in equality, modernity, or progress. All they believe in, is communal carnages and hate campaigns, to score electoral victories. And the action-replay of lies and falsehood.

Why is Mr. Katiyar silent about Ambedkar's categorical statement that Hinduism was not a religion but a conspiracy to subjugate the oppressed and dalits ? Is he not aware that

Ambedkar burnt Manu Smiriti, Sangh parivar's holy book ? Didn't Ambedkar reject Brahminical oppression and adopt Buddhism with lakhs of Dalits ?

Indian Muslims have always stood with Ambedkar. When the Congress pitted a Dalit against him, Muslim League helped him by asking Jogender Nath Mandal to resign from Nowakholi in his favour. Ambedkar was given opportunity to get elected. Ambedkar, in his famous Mission, wrote that the upper castes (Brahmans, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas), were basically outsiders. He said that the untouchables, including minorities, were the original inhabitants of this country. He vowed to hand over power to these `aborigines'. This was his dream — of a new, egalitarian, secular India.

Ambedkar fought an incessant battle against the ideas which are now being propogated by Hindutva parivar. When he finally realised that the Brahminical social order was not going to change or improve, he quit Hinduism along with lakhs of people in 1956 and adopted Buddhism.

Look at the parallel. Last year when thousands of Dalits wanted to adopt Buddhism in Delhi on November 4, 2001, who tried to unsuccessfully block, crush, and smash their spirit — VHP patronised by the Vajpayee-Advani regime.

BJP has dared to malign Babasaheb Ambedkar because Mayawati is its new comrade; she campaigned for it in Gujarat, despite the genocide. The Sangh has taken her for granted and the fact that she will allow Ambedkar to be used against Muslims for sticking to power. This is a dangerous game, because BJP knows that BSP is built on the edifice of Ambedkar's philosophy. This will create serious conflict.

All progressive, liberal, tolerant, peaceful Indians, including Dalits and Muslims, must teach a lesson to BSP and Mayawati for this dangerous sell-out. BJP's final gameplan is to pitch Dalits versus Muslims in a bloody battle. But in UP, the Gujarat card will fail. This is because U.P Dalits and Muslims will not fall for Moditva's bloodbath.

Lord Gautam Buddha was repulsed by the prevailing socio-political order of his time. He renounced his family and material life and vowed to eradicate philosophy of the Brahminical social order. Similarly, Babasaheb Ambedkar with his relentless

efforts — leading mass agitations for entry of Dalits into temples and sharing the waters of public ponds, etc — liberated the Dalits from mental slavery of Hindutva. He wanted to get dignity for the oppressed, but he was opposed, tooth and nail, to the Manuwadis, like Katiyars, Togadias, and Giriraj Kishores of contemporary India.

Ambedkar had to suffer discrimination despite his high qualification, stature and ability. He was thrown out of his rented house. He was employed in the estate of Shivaji Gaekwad, but his peon used to fling files on his table from `safe' distance — why ? So that there was no physical, polluting contact with an `untouchable'.

Had a personality like Dr B. R. Ambedkar been alive in these dark times of Manuwadi rule in India, in all probability he would have been killed. We have a large number of examples from our subaltern history: Sant Ravidas, Brihdrath, Charwak, several Buddhist monks and un-recorded reformers and rebels who were all eliminated. Their only crime was that they stood against Manuwad, perhaps the most intolerant philosophy in the world as expressed in the words and deeds of Narendra Modi and his vangaurd.

Katiyar tried to equate Ambedkar with Hegdewar. Can anything be more shameful than this ? Mayawati is party to this crime. Her followers should ask her: who has created the ground for the BJP to murder the philosophy of Babasaheb Ambedkar ? It is she, who despite the Gujarat genocide, and despite her election promise not to go with BJP, allied with BJP for power.

Now she will have to pay price for the desecration of Babasaheb's memory by her Hindutva comrades.

5th January, 03 Hindustan Times Ambedkar versus Moditva

BJP's Love for Dr. Ambedkar

BJP has suddenly started loving Dr. Ambedkar. It already loved Hindu Religion. They claim to love the country since inception . Swadeshi was their main plank.

BJP's Mr. Vinay Katiyar had launched a campaign for Cultural Nationalism in U.P., the main agenda is to highlight Dr. Ambedkar's ideas regarding Muslims. He further said that Dr. Ambedkar was not the monopoly of anyone. According to him, he was for Hindu Religion. Dr. Ambedkar wanted to overthrow Muslims, Mr. Katiyar said. Why had they done like this is, precisely because, such propaganda paid rich dividend to them. Hitler said, repeat a lie a hundred times, it will become truth. In fact , such an experiment has succeeded for the time being, Gujarat is the recent example. Of course, a weak opposition has also contributed.

How shameless they can be while saying that Dr. Ambedkar was for Hinduism ? Who doesn't know that he rejected Hinduism on October 14, 1956 at Nagpur along with lakhs of supporters, and vowed to eliminate the caste system. He said that Hinduism was not a religion, rather a plan to enslave majority of the people - specially dalits and women. At one time he wanted to embrace Islam, but did not do so because caste system embarked there too. How can he be anti-Muslim ? He was the one who expressed his apprehension that if after independence, Muslims remained with Manuwadi forces like Sangh Parivar, they would become slaves and that is precisely what is happening in Gujarat. Dr. Ambedkar strongly opposed