S.O.S - e - Clarion Of Dalit - Weekly Newspaper On Web
Working For The Rights & Survival Of The Oppressed
Editor: NAGARAJ.M.R… VOL.3 issue. 52… 30 / 12 / 2009
Editorial : JUSTICE DINAKARAN – Dalit being targeted ?
Justice Dinakaran chief justice of Karnataka high court , is persecuted as he happens to be a DALIT ?
In india , till 1947 public life in the society was guided by four varnashrama system or Manu’s caste system. Birth is accidental not out of choice , just for being born in a particular caste the human beings were treated worse than animals. This caste system was designed & enforced by the village farming community (Gowdas , Thakurs , Reddys , different names are used to indicate those belonging to farming community in different states of india ) , Trading community and most importantly Brahmin community. Brahmin provided the ideological reasoning for this inhuman , barbaric act of DALIT OPPRESSION citing various religious texts . The physical enforcement of this oppressive act was done by those belonging to the farming community with their muscle power. Both the farming community & Trading community had complete control over the local economy and forced dalits economically too to slave it out for unjust labor charges at the farms of those same oppressors.
After independence of india , little has changed. The government has banned the practice of untouchability , provided various welfare measures for the upliftment of dalits through legislations. Now , the Brahmin community which was providing ideological base for “UNTOUCHABILITY” has been isolated and are at disincentive for getting seats in government colleges , scholarships , for getting government jobs , etc. Brahmins are paying the price for the past wrongdoings of their forefathers. This has been achieved by the government easily as the Brahmin community lacks numerical strength & muscle power.
What about the farming community & trading community ? both the communities have got numerical strength , muscle power & are the deciding electorate in the formation of governments. Previously those belonging to these two communities were village heads , ruled the villages & controlled local economy. Now the same community people are MLAs , MPs , Cabinet Ministers and are continuing with their practice at the subtle level. These two communities didn’t pay any price for their past wrong doings for practice of untouchability. They are also enjoying various reservation benefits , welfare measures , incentives from the government . Still they have not changed their mindset & are practicing discrimination against dalits at the subtle level – for them Dalits are just a vote bank . who will punish them ?
Even the society , media which reflects the majority view , reflects the discriminatory attitude at the subtle level. For all the terrorist crimes usually muslim community is targeted , does that mean whole of muslim community are terrorists in the view of government & majority community ? whenever a tribal person , a dalit struggles for his survival , existence – he is branded as a naxalite ?
when the persons belonging to majority community are involved plotting , execution of major , more heinous terrorist acts , he is let off freely , even media does not report , however if a muslim community person is caught he is slapped with TADA , POTA Charges , media gives much hype to it. When the terror master minds in government of india seeded , supported , financed Tamil Terrorists in srilanka , Bangla terrorists in East Bengal (now Bangladesh) – who killed lakhs of innocent srilankans & Bangladeshis , nobody not even media questioned it. See how film actor sanjay dutt got a favorable treatment from government , police & judiciary , media as he belonged to a forward caste & from an influential family although he stored the arms , ammunitions meant for Bombay bomb blasts . Nobody not even the media questions the attendance of film actors , politicians at the parties hosted by under world dons , terror master minds in gulf & south asian countries.
Still in india , practice of untouchability is there at the subtle level. The sad part is that few dalits who got education , job , economic benefits just due to the government legislation , who are now standing firm , capable , got respectable stature in the society themselves have become puppets in the hands of forward caste people. These progressed Dalits have taken sides with the forward caste oppressors & are suppressing their own Dalit Brothers. Now , take for instance the case of Justice Dinakaran rhe Dalit – he has got , education , incentives , reservation , job , etc , all due to the government legislations. Instead of working for the upliftment of his Dalit brothers in his greed for more money , more wealth he usurped the very land earmarked by the government for his Poor Dalit brothers. Thereby , JUSTICE DINAKARAN HIMSELF HAS PROVED THAT HE IS ANTI-DALIT. HE MUST BE PUNISHED , NOT JUST LET OFF WITH RESIGNATION FROM SERVICE or GAG ON MOUTH.
Media & Government has given much hype to JUSTICE DINAKARAN’S case as he is a DALIT. What about the more grave crimes done by high ranking judges belonging to upper castes ? what action government has taken ? why does not media give wide coverage for such upper caste judges caught , finally helping in hushing up the case ? Take for instance roost resort sex scandal involving Karnataka high court judges or the UP high court judge belonging to upper caste who got his official chambers cleaned , purified with GANGA JAL (as the official chamber was previously occupied by a dalit judge). WHY NOT MEDIA IS GIVING COVERAGE TO SUCH CASES INVOLVING UPPER CASTE JUDGES ? WHY NOT GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ACTION AGAINST ERRING UPPER CASTE JUDGES , WHO’S CRIMES ARE GRAVER THAN DINAKARAN’S ?
Government & Media should not practice double standards . TRUTH FOREVER – Attempts by vested interests to silence our publication , to silence a human rights activist , to silence the voice of Dalits
The police , judges , public servants , etc question the accussed persons , to ascertain the root cause of crime or dispute, to know the truth behind every actions. The police even apply 3rd degree torture on commoners ( although it is illegal ) to elicit truth , information about crimes. When the same public wants to know the truth behind crimes involving police , judges & public servants , and seeking truth , answers , informations as per RTI ACT from police , judges & public servants , they are not answering lest the truth come out. They are citing one or the other technical reasons to hide information , to hide truth about crimes , to shield the criminals. If any of the following public servants truly stands for law , justice , truth , let them answer for the following questions publicly through media.
READ FULL ARTICLES AT FOLLOWING WEB PAGE
http://sites.google.com/site/sosevoiceforjustice/judicial-orders-for-sale
JAI HIND. VANDE MATARAM.
Your’s sincerely,
NAGARAJ . M . R .
Why Go For Conversion?
By Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
18 September, 2008
Countercurrents.org
In 1935 at Nasik district, Maharashtra, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar had declared his firm resolve to change his religion. He had declared that he was born as a Hindu but will not die as Hindu. About a year later, a massive Mahar conference was held on May 30 and 31, 1936, in Mumbai, to access the impact of that declaration on Mahar masses. In his address to the conference, Dr.Ambedkar expressed his views on conversion in an elaborate, well- prepared and written speech in Marathi. Here is an English translation of that speech by Mr.Vasant Moon, OSD to the committee of Govt. of Maharashtra for publication of Writings & speeches of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
Class Struggle
There are two aspects of conversion; social as well as religious; material as well as spiritual. Whatever may be the aspect, or line of thinking, it is necessary to understand the beginning, the nature of Untouchability and how it is practiced. Without this understanding, you will not be able to realize the real meaning underlying my declaration of conversion. In order to have a clear understanding of untouchability and its practice in real life, I want you to recall the stories of the atrocities perpetrated against you. But very few of you might have realized as to why all this happens! What is at the root cause of their tyranny? To me it is very necessary, that we understand it.
This is not a feud between rival men. The problem of untouchability is a matter of class struggle. It is the struggle between caste Hindus and the Untouchables. That is not a matter of doing injustice against one man. This is a matter of injustice being done by one class against another. This "class struggle" has a relation with the social status. This struggle indicates, how one class should keep its relation with another class. This struggle starts as soon as you start claiming equal treatment with others...
Conversion not for slaves
The reason for their anger is very simple. Your behaving on par with them insults them. The untouchability is not a short or temporary feature; it is a permanent one .To put it straight, it can be said that the struggle between the Hindus and the Untouchables is a permanent phenomena. It is eternal, because the religion which has placed you at the lowest level of the society is itself eternal, according to the belief of the Hindu caste people. No change, according to time and circumstances is possible. You are at the lowest rung of the ladder today. You shall remain lowest forever. This means the struggle between Hindus and Untouchables shall continue forever. How will you survive through this struggle is the main question. And unless you think over it, there is no way out. Those who desire to live in obedience to the dictates of the Hindus, those who wish to remain their slaves, they do not need to think over this problem. But those who wish to live a life of self-respect, and equality, will have to think over this. How should we survive through this struggle? For me, it is not difficult to answer this question. Those who have assembled here will have to agree that in any struggle one who holds strength becomes the victor. One, who has no strength, need not expect success. This has been proved by experience, and I do not need to cite illustration to prove it.
Three types of Strength
The question that follows, which you must now consider, is whether you have enough strength to survive through this struggle? Three types of strength are known to man: (i) Manpower, (ii) Finance and (iii) Mental Strength. Which of these, you think that you possess? So far as manpower is concerned, it is clear, that you are in a minority. In Mumbai Presidency, the untouchables are only one-eighth of the total population. That too unorganized. The castes within themselves do not allow them to organize. They are not even compact. They are scattered through the villages. Under these circumstances, this small population is of no use as a fighting force to the untouchables at their critical moments. Financial strength is also just the same. It is an undisputed fact that you at least have a little bit of manpower, but finances you have none. You have no trade, no business, no service, no land. The piece of bread thrown out by the higher castes, are your means of livelihood. You have no food, no clothes. What financial strength can you have? You have no capacity to get redress from the law courts. Thousands of untouchables tolerate insult, tyranny and oppression at the hands of Hindus without a sigh of complaint, because they have no capacity to bear the expenses of the courts. As regards mental strength, the condition is still worst. The tolerance of insults and tyranny without grudge and complaint has killed the sense of retort and revolt. Confidence, vigour and ambition have been completely vanished from you. All of you have been become helpless, unenergetic and pale. Everywhere, there is an atmosphere of defeatism and pessimism. Even the slight idea, that you can do something does not enter your mind.
Muslim Example
If, whatever I have described above is correct then you will have to agree with the conclusion that follows. The conclusion is, if you depend only upon your own strength, you will never be able to face the tyranny of the Hindus. I have no doubt that you are oppressed because you have no strength. It is not that you alone are in minority. The Muslims are equally small in number. Like Mahar- Mangs, they too have few houses in the village. But no one dares to trouble the Muslims while you are always a victim of tyranny. Why is this so? Though there may be two houses of Muslims in the village, nobody dares to harm them, while the whole village practices tyranny against you though you have ten houses. Why does this happen? This is a very pertinent question and you will have to find out a suitable answer to this. In my opinion, there is only one answer to this question. The Hindus realize that the strength of the whole of the Muslim population in India stands behind those two houses of Muslims living in a village and, therefore, they do not dare to touch them. Those two houses also enjoy free and fearless life because they are aware that if any Hindu commits aggression against them, the whole Muslim community from Punjab to Madras will rush to their protection at any cost. On the other hand, the Hindus are sure that none will come to your rescue, nobody will help you, no financial help will reach you. Tahsildar and police belong to caste Hindus and in case of disputes between Hindus and Untouchables, they are more faithful to their caste than to their duty. The Hindus practice injustice and tyranny against you only because you are helpless.
Outside Support
From the above discussion, two facts are very clear. Firstly, you can not face tyranny without strength. And secondly, you do not possess enough strength to face the tyranny. With these two conclusions, a third one automatically follows. That is, the strength required to face this tyranny needs to be secured from outside. How are you to gain this strength is really an important question? And you will have to think over this with an unbiased mind.
From this, you will realize one thing, that unless you establish close relations with some other society, unless you join some other religion, you cannot get the strength from outside. It clearly means, you must leave your present religion and assimilate yourselves with some other society. Without that, you cannot gain the strength of that society. So long as you do not have strength, you and your future generations will have to lead your lives in the same pitiable condition.
Spiritual Aspect of Conversion
Uptil now, we have discussed why conversion is necessary for material gains. Now, I propose to put forth my thoughts as to why conversion is as much necessary for spiritual wellbeing. What is Religion? Why is it necessary? ... 'That which govern people is religion'. That is the true definition of Religion. There is no place for an individual in Hindu society. The Hindu religion is constituted on a class-concept. Hindu religion does not teach how an individual should behave with another individual. A religion, which does not recognize the individual, is not personally acceptable to me.
Three factors are required for the uplift of an individual. They are: Sympathy, Equality and Liberty. Can you say by experience that any of these factors exist for you in Hinduism?
No Equality in Hinduism
Such a living example of inequality is not to be found anywhere in the world. Not at anytime in the history of mankind can we find such inequality, which is more intense than untouchability... I think, you have been thrust into this condition because you have continued to be Hindus. Those of you who have become Muslims, are treated by the Hindus neither as Untouchables nor as unequals. The same can be said of those who have become Christians...
That God is all pervading is a principle of science and not of religion, because religion has a direct relation with the behaviour of man. Hindus can be ranked among those cruel people whose utterances and acts are two poles apart. They have this Ram on their tongues and a knife under their armpits. They speak like saints but act like butchers...
Thus we are not low in the eyes of the Hindus alone, but we are the lowest in the whole of India, because of the treatment given to us by the Hindus.
If you have to get rid of this same shameful condition, if you have to cleanse this filth and make use of this precious life; there is only one way and that is to throw off the shackles of Hindu religion and the Hindu society in which you are bound.
The taste of a thing can be changed. But the poison cannot be made amrit. To talk of annihilating castes is like talking of changing the poison into amrit. In short, so long as we remain in a religion, which teaches a man to treat another man like a leper, the sense of discrimination on account of caste, which is deeply rooted in our minds, can not go. For annihilating caste and untouchables, change of religion is the only antidote.
Untouchables are not Hindus
What is there in conversion, which can be called novel? Really speaking what sort of social relations have you with the caste Hindus at present? You are as separate from the Hindus as Muslims and Christians are. So is their relation with you. Your society and that of the Hindus are two distinct groups. By conversion, nobody can say or feel that one society has been split up. You will remain as separate from the Hindus as you are today. Nothing new will happen on account of this conversion. If this is true, then why should people be afraid of conversion? At least, I do not find any reason for such a fear...
Revolution - Not Reform
Changing a religion is like changing a name. Change of religion followed by the change of name will be more beneficial to you. To call oneself a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist or a Sikh is not merely a change of religion but also a change of name.. Since the beginning of this movement of conversion, various people have raised various objections to it. Let us now examine the truth, if any, in such objections...
A congenital idiot alone will say that one has to adhere to one's religion because it is that of our ancestors. No sane man will accept such a proposition. Those who advocate such an argument, seem not to have read the history at all. The ancient Aryan religion was called Vedic religion. It has three distinct characteristic (features). Beef-eating, drinking and merry-making was part of the religion of the day. Thousands of people followed it in India and even now some people dream of going back to it. If the ancient religion alone is to be adhered to why did the people of India leave Hinduism and accept Buddhism? Why did they divorce themselves from the Vedic religion?... Thus this Hindu religion is not the religion of our ancestors, but it was a slavery forced upon them...
To reform the Hindu society is neither our aim nor our field of action. Our aim is to gain freedom. We have nothing to do with anything else.
If we can gain freedom by conversion, why should we shoulder the responsibility of reforming the Hindu religion? And why should we sacrifice our strength and property for that? None should misunderstand the object of our movement as being Hindu social reform. The object of our movement is to achieve social freedom for the untouchables. It is equally true that this freedom cannot be secured without conversion.
Caste can't be destroyed
I do accept that the untouchables need equality as well. And to secure equality is also one of our objectives. But nobody can say that this equality can be achieved only by remaining as Hindu and not otherwise. There are two ways of achieving equality. One, by remaining in the Hindu fold and another by leaving it by conversion. If equality is to be achieved by remaining in the Hindu fold, mere removal of the sense of being a touchable or an untouchable will not serve the purpose. Equality can be achieved only when inter-caste dinners and marriages take place. This means that the Chaturvarnya must be abolished and the Brahminic religion must be uprooted. Is it possible? And if not, will it be wise to expect equality of treatment by remaining in the Hindu religion? And can you be successful in your efforts to bring equality? Of course not. The path of conversion is far simpler than this. The Hindu society does not give equality of treatment, but the same is easily achieved by conversion. If this is true, then why should you not adopt this simple path of conversion?
Conversion is a simplest path
According to me, this conversion of religion will bring happiness to both the Untouchables as well as the Hindus. So long as you remain Hindus, you will have to struggle for social intercourse, for food and water, and for inter-caste marriages. And so long as this quarrel continues, relations between you and the Hindus will be of perpetual enemies. By conversion, the roots of all the quarrels will vanish... thus by conversion, if equality of treatment can be achieved and the affinity between the Hindus and the Untouchables can be brought about then why should the Untouchables not adopt the simple and happy path of securing equality? Looking at this problem through this angle, it will be seen that this path of conversion is the only right path of freedom, which ultimately leads to equality. It is neither cowardice nor escapism.
Sanctified Racism
Although the castes exist in Muslims and the Christians alike, it will be meanness to liken it to that of the Hindus. There is a great distinction between the caste-system of the Hindus and that of the Muslims and Christians. Firstly, it must be noted that though the castes exist amongst the Christians and the Muslims, it is not the chief characteristic of their body social.
There is one more difference between the caste system of the Hindus and that of the Muslims and Christians. The caste system in the Hindus has the foundation of religion. The castes in other religions have no sanction in their religion ...Hindus cannot destroy their castes without destroying their religion. Muslims and Christians need not destroy their religions for eradication of their castes. Rather their religion will support such movements to a great extent.
Conversion alone liberates us
I am simply surprised by the question, which some Hindus ask us as to what can be achieved by conversion alone? Most of the present day Sikhs, Muslims and Christians were formerly Hindus, majority of them being from the Shudras and Untouchables. Do these critics mean to say that those, who left the Hindu fold and embraced Sikhism or Christianity, have made no progress at all? And if this is not true, and if it is admitted that the conversion has brought a distinct improvement in their condition, then to say that the untouchables will not be benefited by conversion, carries no meaning...
After giving deep thought to the problem, everybody will have to admit that conversion is necessary to the Untouchables as self-government is to India. The ultimate object of both is the same. There is not the slightest difference in their ultimate goal. This ultimate aim is to attain freedom. And if the freedom is necessary for the life of mankind, conversion of Untouchables which brings them complete freedom cannot be called worthless by any stretch of imagination...
Economic Progress or Social Changes?
I think it necessary here to discuss the question as to what should be initiated first, whether economic progress or conversion? I do not agree with the view that economic progress should precede...
Untouchability is a permanent handicap on your path of progress. And unless you remove it, your path cannot be safe. Without conversion, this hurdle cannot be removed...
So, if you sincerely desire that your qualifications should be valued, your education should be of some use to you, you must throw away the shackles of untouchability, which means that you must change your religion...
However, for those who need this Mahar Watan, I can assure them that their Mahar Watan will not be jeopardized by their conversion. In this regard, the Act of 1850 can be referred. Under the provisions of this Act, no rights of person or his successors with respect to his property are affected by virtue of his conversion...
Poona Pact
A second doubt is about political rights. Some people express fear as to what will happen to our political safeguards if we convert...
But I feel, it is not proper to depend solely on political rights. These political safeguards are not granted on the condition that they shall be ever lasting. They are bound to cease sometime. According to the communal Award of the British Government, our political safeguards were limited for 20 years. Although no such limitation has been fixed by the Poona Pact, nobody can say that they are everlasting. Those, who depend upon the political safeguards, must think as to what will happen after these safeguards are withdrawn on the day on which our rights cease to exist. We will have to depend on our social strength. I have already told you that this social strength is wanting in us. So also I have proved in the beginning that this strength cannot be achieved without conversion...
Political Rights
Under these circumstances, one must think of what is permanently beneficial.
In my opinion, conversion is the only way to eternal bliss. Nobody should hesitate even if the political rights are required to be sacrificed for this purpose. Conversion brings no harm to the political safeguards. I do not understand why the political safeguards should at all be jeopardized by conversion. Wherever you may go, your political rights and safeguards will accompany you. I have no doubt about it.
If you become Muslims, you will get the political rights as Muslims. If you become Christians, you will get the political rights as Christians, if you become Sikhs, you will have your political rights as Sikhs. In short, our political rights will accompany us.
So nobody should be afraid of it. On the other hand, if we remain Hindus and do not convert, will our rights be safe? You must think carefully on this. Suppose the Hindus pass a law whereby the untouchability is prohibited and its practice is made punishable, then they may ask you, 'We have abolished untouchability by law and you are no longer untouchables...
Looking through this perspective, conversion becomes a path for strengthening the political safeguards rather than becoming a hindrance. If you remain Hindus, you are sure to lose your political safeguards. If you want to save them, leave this religion. The political safeguards will be permanent only by conversion.
The Hindu religion does not appeal to my conscience. It does not appeal to my self-respect. However, your conversion will be for material as well as for spiritual gains. Some persons mock and laugh at the idea of conversion for material gains. I do not feel hesitant in calling such persons as stupid.
Conversion brings Happiness
I tell you all very specifically, religion is for man and not man for religion. To get human treatment, convert yourselves.
CONVERT -For getting organized.
CONVERT -For becoming strong.
CONVERT -For securing equality.
CONVERT -For getting liberty.
CONVERT -For that your domestic life may be happy.
I consider him as leader who without fear or favour tells the people what is good and what is bad for them. It is my duty to tell you, what is good for you, even if you don't like it, I must do my duty. And now I have done it.
It is now for you to decide and discharge your responsibility.
The Most Backward , Neglected among the Backward Caste
People - SCAVENGERS - an appeal to honorable supreme court of india
In India, since independence certain affirmative actions by the
government like job reservations , reservations in educational
institutions , loan facilities , etc are extended to the backward class
, oppressed people. However , the persons who have economically,
socially become stronger on the basis of these government affirmative
actions are not letting their own brethren - scavenging community to
utilize the same. The politicians are just making noises about sub
caste reservation for scheduled castes & tribes , but doing nothing. As
a result , today we find some sub-castes & tribes of SC / ST better off
than their previous generation, some other sub-castes & tribes of SC /
ST are reeling under utter poverty , social ostracism , etc.
A human being can be in a civilized form , healthy - if we have
scavengers to clean our toilets , drainages , if we have barbers to cut
our hairs. The very same people who keep us healthy & civilized are not
treated in a civilized manner by the society , why ? most of the town
municipalities , city corporations are employing scavengers on daily
wages without any statuotary benefits & are paid less than the
statuotary minimum wages. every towns & cities in India are bursting
with population growth , however the number of scavengers has not been
increased in proportion to the growth of population , In most of the
cases the existing scavengers are overburdened with the work load. ,
Most of them are suffering from occupational health hazards , are dying
at young ages leaving their families in the lurch.
Hereby, we appeal to honourable supreme court of India to treat
this as a PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION & to order government of India ,
all state governments , statuotary bodies like city corporations , town
municiapalities , etc,
1. to regularize the jobs of all scavengers , to provide all
statuotary benefits like ESI,PF, etc.
2. to take all necessary steps to eradicate manual scavenging -
carrying human excreta on heads.
3. to take all necessary steps to protect their health &
occupational safety.
Bottomline : all the citizens , the society must learn to respect
their brethren who keeps them healthy , tidy & civilized.
AN APPEAL TO H.E.PRESIDENT OF INDIA - TO STOP ATROCITIES AGAINST DALITS
In India , even today after 62 years of independence & democratic
governance , the plight of DALITS , TRIBALS , DOWNTRODDEN & POOR has not
improved . in fact it has worsened . the government & public servants
just pay lip service to dalits & have totally failed to uplift them in
59 years of independence . the public servants want dalits to be as such
to ride over them & to use them as pawns in power politics , as a vote
bank. let them answer how many dalits have become supreme court judges
in india . even today in india , the practice of carrying human excreta
on head still persists .
what is the use if india becomes an IT POWER or knowledge base . what
is the use if india sends it's own satellites on it's own rockets ot
space . did those scientific achievements has devolved , percolated to
dalits & poor in the society , has it benefitted them ? NO . JUST SEE
THE RECENT ATROCITIES AGAINST DALITS IN KADAKOLA , KARNATAKA &
KARLINJARA , MAHARASHTRA. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE PAST ATROCITIES
AGAINST DALITS IN BADANAVALU & KAMBALAPALLI , KARNATAKA. THIS IS AN
APPEAL TO OUR HUMBLE , HUMANE FIRST CITIZEN H.E.PRESIDENT OF INDIA , TO
HELP DALITS & POOR IN DISTRESS .
