Memorandum for Dalit Rights in the Interim Constitution of Nepal

By Joseph D'souza

We support this demand for Dalit Rights in Nepal’s new Constitution. It is thorough and is a just demand to set right centuries of discrimination. Many of Nepal’s Dalits have been driven to violence in order to fight for their rights. The new Nepal must unite all the peoples of Nepal and treat them as created equal before God. The document acknowledges that the Dalit identity remains regardless of religious affiliation and therefore requires the new State to address the rights of all Dalits.

This is pleasantly contrary to the injustice continuing against India’s non-Hindu Dalits who are deprived of any ‘affirmative action’. Despite even that blatant discrimination, Ambedkar made his historic decision to move to Buddhism. Only after years of campaigning and agitation, have Dalit-Buddhists and Dalit-Sikhs had their rights restored.

The poverty-stricken Dalit-Christians continue to suffer this further discrimination under successive Indian governments, even though they have proven that the caste stigma is perpetuated in the Christian community and that their social needs do not vanish when they embrace another faith. The vast majority of India’s Christians are Dalits. The Supreme Court is now hearing public interest litigation on the blatant religiously-based discrimination against Dalit-Christians.

The Government-appointed Mishra Commission is trying its best to scuttle the issue and has been constantly delaying its report. Instead considering the direct plight of Dalit-Christians, they are now asking some eminent panel of a private company to discuss the issue. The blatant diversionary and discriminatory tactics of the Commission is on full public display. So much for the Government spin on justice for India’s Dalits.

~Joseph D’souza

Memorandum for Dalit Rights in the Interim Constitution of Nepal

The Dalits in Nepal have been discriminated and excluded by the State directly and indirectly for ages now. Untouchability practices have been quite prevalent in the country and the state has till date taken no effective measures to curb such practices. The Nepal government, despite its ratifications to various international conventions has failed drastically in emancipating the lives of 4.5 million Dalits. For instance the Concluding Observations of the CERD on Nepal dated 12th March 2004 (CERD/C/64/CO/5) made various recommendations for elimination of all forms of caste based discrimination of the Untouchable Dalits of Nepal. It recommended to the Nepal Government to implement special measures to advance and protect the persons subjected to discrimination, to undo under-representation of the disadvantaged groups in governmental bodies, legislative bodies and the judiciary. However, the reality remains that, the Dalits not only experience incessant discrimination and subjugation but also less adequate representation in the legislative, executive, judiciary, local bodies and services under the Nepali Government.

In this context, after the collapse of the Nepal's monarchy, the coalition of seven political parties' government and the Communist party of Nepal (Maoist) have agreed to frame a new interim constitution within one month. On this account, a six member drafting committee comprising of legal luminaries was nominated by those political parties to draft the interim constitution. The mandate of the drafting committee was to submit a draft of interim constitution by 15 days. While the people in Nepal demand for inclusive democracy where the interests of all sections of the society especially the Dalits, women and minorities are met, it's very unfortunate to note that the present Nepal government has outlined an exclusive methodology wherein the interests groups were deprived of from any representation whatsoever in the drafting committee. Such a divisive role played by the government causes heavy dents on the fabric of the nation that is crawling towards democracy and rule of law.

Therefore, in this context, we fervently appeal and submit in this memorandum that while making the new constitution we incorporate in it all human rights, fundamental rights and freedoms protecting the Dalits in tune with the International Conventions as fundamental rights in the interim constitution so that each succeeding executive government would be bound by the constitution and in the governance would take effective measures to ensure enjoyment of their fundamental rights, freedoms and non-discrimination. Understandably, the memorandum voices the concerns and interests of the Dalits and we as well are aware of other concerns from other sections such as women, minorities and ethnic communities with whom we are in solidarity with.

Memorandum for Dalit Rights in the Interim Constitution of Nepal

Group rights

Identification of Dalit communities• The state shall identify castes who have suffered from the social practice of untouchability and work and descent-based discrimination within a period of (six months) from the commencement of the interim constitution.• The list of caste identified by the criteria above shall be known as Dalits and this list shall be specified by law. (Special right to form association and political organization)• Notwithstanding any thing else in this constitution, the Dalits shall enjoy the special right to form associations and political organizations to protect and promote their language, identity, culture, religion, region and their other interests.

Fundamental Rights

Right to dignity• All persons shall enjoy the right to live with dignity free from any action by the state or by any person which compromise this dignity.• The state shall not discriminate against any person who claims to be a citizen so long as his/her father or mother is a citizen of Nepal at the birth of the child.• The state shall take all measures to create a suitable environment where all persons may achieve this right.

Rights against untouchability• "Untouchability" is abolished and its practice in any form and in any public or private place is forbidden. Enforcement of any disability arising out of "untouchability" shall be treated as heinous offence punishable in accordance with law.• The state shall enact a comprehensive and stringent law to eradicate the practice of untouchability by creating an independent court system and a special prosecution machinery to accord the highest priority to such offences.

Anti discrimination• Everyone is equal before the law and has the equal right and benefit before the law.• The state shall not unfairly discriminate against any citizen only on the grounds of caste, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, culture, region, descent, language, marital status, ethnic or social origin and disability.

Positive discrimination• The state shall take all measures to ensure that citizens fully enjoy their rights and freedoms.• To promote the achievement of equality the state shall take legislative and other measures to protect or advance persons, groups of persons by unfair discrimination.• The state shall ensure that Dalits are (proportionally and equitably) represented in all public institutions including the executive, legislature and judiciary at all levels, and public education.• The state shall take all necessary measures, by reserving seats or posts at all levels and all stages of recruitment, appointment and promotion till Dalits are adequately represented. The state shall take special measures to ensure that the Dalits are (proportionally and equitably) represented in all sectors of the economy and society including privately owned enterprises and institutions.• The state shall enact suitable laws to implement the provisions set out above in a period of (one year).

Rights against exploitation• No one may be subjected to slavery, servitude or forced labour including (begar, haliya, khali, balighare, badi).• No one may be subjected to forced prostitution, trafficking and other forms of sexual exploitation.• No children under the age of 16years shall be employed in hazardous or dangerous occupations.• The state shall enact a law that prohibits all such practices and makes them punishable.

Right to Education• The state shall ensure that every citizen gets free, equal and compulsory education which enables them to participate fully in the economy and the political life of the country.• The state shall take all measure to ensure that Dalits are adequately (proportionally and equitably) represented at all levels of the education system by providing facilities, opportunities and monetary support to achieve the realization of these rights.

Right to family• Every citizen shall enjoy the right to choose a spouse irrespective of religion, caste, region, language.

Right to property• Every person shall have the right to acquire, own, possess and enjoy the benefits of land anywhere in the territory of Nepal without discrimination.• The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures to foster conditions which enable its citizens to gain access land on an equitable basis.• The state shall take all reasonable legislative and other necessary measures to ensure that Dalits own and occupy adequate land to ensure a dignified livelihood.

Right to work• The state shall guarantee Dalits employment on terms and conditions which allows them to lead a decent and dignified life.• The state shall ensure that there is no discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of caste, gender, religion, language.

Right to adequate housing• Everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing.• The state shall ensure that there is no discrimination against Dalits with respect to access to housing in any part of the territory of Nepal.

Right to freedom of religion• Everyone shall have the right to practice, profess and propagate any religion of their choice.• No person shall cease to be a Dalit because of conversion to another religion.

Directive principles of state policy

Access to justice• The state shall ensure that every citizen shall have the opportunity to have any dispute resolved by the application of law before an independent and impartial tribunal using a fair procedure.• The state shall ensure that Dalits have access to free and competent legal services to represent their interests.

Distribution of resources• The state shall ensure that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are distributed equitably to serve the common good.• The state shall ensure that Dalits shall have (proportional and equitable) control and ownership over the material resources without any discrimination.• The state shall in its annual budgetary exercise allocate funds, in proportion to the population, towards special program and schemes to advance the social, economic and political interests of Dalits.

Recognition and representation

Representation in the constituent assembly• Dalits shall be represented in the constituent assembly equitably and proportionally.• (All decisions by the constituent assembly which relate to fundamental rights, directive principles and the political institutions of the nation shall be adopted unanimously)

Representation interim government• Dalits shall be represented in all the institutions which make up the interim government equitably and proportionally.

Representation in all political bodies• Dalits shall be represented equitably and proportionally at all levels, and among all candidates fielded by, the political party.

Independent constitutional institutions

National Dalit Commission• There shall be a National Dalit Commission comprised of 5 members appointed by a constitutional council which includes the Prime Minister, leader of the opposition, speaker of the House of Representatives, president of national assembly, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court.• The National Dalit Commission shall monitor the implementation of the constitutional and statutory provisions, as well as ratified International Conventions, which protect and promote Dalit rights and interests.• The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Parliament certifying compliance with all the relevant constitutional provisions and actions taken to remedy any failures to comply.• The National Dalit Commission shall have the power to entertain complaints from any concerned/affected individuals and summon any person and direct them to provide to any information necessary to make suitable orders to resolve the complaint.

Key Points Which Emerged out of the three day Consultation

Major provisions outlined by three day consultation amongst Dalit activists, constitutional and legal experts, human rights defenders, jurists, and other prominent personalities.

• We urge the drafting committee of interim constitution to ensure equitable, proportionate and compulsory representation of Dalits in the constituent assembly, interim government and all other state machineries.• We urge the drafting committee of interim constitution and all political parties, to Identify Dalits, who suffer from the social practices of untouchability and work and descent based discrimination, so as to list them through the interim constitution.• We urge the drafting committee of the interim constitution to ensure right to dignity, right against untouchability by enacting a comprehensive and stringent law to eradicate the practices of untouchability.• We urge the drafting committee of the interim constitution to ensure equitable and proportional representation of Dalits in all public institutions i.e. the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.• We urge the drafting committee of the interim constitution to ensure that the Dalits are equitably and proportionally represented in all privately owned enterprises and institutions.

The Monarchy has come to an end and an interim political set up is in place now. The exercise for drafting a new Constitution for Nepal has also started in right earnest.

Dalit Christians Reservation: Then and Now

By: M. Madhu Chandra

Introduction

This short write up is the reaction to the Supreme Court of India’s hearing of Dalit (Scheduled Castes) Christian Reservation scheduled on July 12, 2006 postponed to the month of October this year on the ground that Justice Misra Commission is yet to complete its report in the month of August or latest by September.

India’s 75% Christians belong to Scheduled Caste communities, whose statutory and benefits available in Constitutional Scheduled Caste Order 1950, are denied to those Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity as per the fundamental rights to choose their desire faith and religion according to Article 15 and 25 of Indian Constitution.

The debate on Dalit Christian reservation has been ongoing for many decades in spite of repeated assurance given to Dalit Christian communities to be included in Constitution Scheduled Caste Order 1950.

The fundamental, birth and constitutional rights of Christians from Scheduled Caste origins have been denied for last 56 years. Looking at then and now background of Dalit Christians’ demand for Scheduled Caste status, we will able to conclude to say that Justice Misra Commission setup by present United Progressive Alliance government is unnecessary commission because enough commissions before him, have done the necessary research and submitted with recommendation to provide Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians.

Background of Dalit Christian Reservation Movement

For first time Indian’s lowest caste known as “Untouchables” or “Depressed Classes” have been identified as Scheduled Castes introduced by Colonial Government of India in 1935.

In the following year Colonial Government of India (Scheduled Castes) Order 1935 specified that “No Indian Christian shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.” Since then any Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity lost its Scheduled Caste status, although they remain economically, educationally, socially and politically backward as much as before their conversion.

After India got Independent from Colonial power, while framing Indian Constitution the Presidential Order of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Order 1950, the Scheduled Caste Origins converted to any other faiths or religions different from Hinduism has been left out in Para 3 of Article 341.

Dalit Sikhs protested to be included in Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950 and got after six years’ denial of their birth, fundamental and constitutional rights of being Scheduled Caste origin converted to Sikhism. They were listed in Presidential SC/ST Order 1950 by amending Para 3 of Article 341 in 1956.

Dalit Buddhists remained their birth, fundamental, constitutional rights of scheduled caste status denied for 40 years until the Para 3 of Article 341 was amended in 1990 to include Scheduled Caste origins converted to Buddhism.

Every time Dalit Sikhs and Dalit Buddhist demanded to be included in Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950, assurances were also given repeated to Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity. The birth rights of Dalit Christians have been kept suppressed for 56 years that too without any assurance either from legislate nor political heads.
Legislate and Legalistic Chronological on Dalit Christian Reservation

The clause of Para 3 of Article 341 in Indian Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950 clearly indicates that “No person who professes a religion different from Hinduism shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.”

In 1950 upon the representation of Christian leaders for not including Scheduled Caste Christians in Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950, the assurance from then the Prime Minister and President via letter dated 7 November 1950 and 17 December 1950 respectively were given.

In 1953 Indian Central Government appointed “First Backward Classes Commission” under Article 340 of Indian Constitution to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within Indian Territory. The Commission submitted its report on March 3, 1955 stating that within the Christian society and church, those converts from Scheduled Caste origins are discriminated such as like not allowed to sit together inside the church, no inter caste marriages and separate cemetery etc. This commission’s report proves that although Christianity do not preach caste but practice. If the Scheduled Caste Order 1950 is given on the basis that Hinduism has caste, then Christian converts from Scheduled Caste origin will also deserve to be listed in the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950.

In 1979, the President of India by an Order, under Article 340 appointed the second backward commission which is known as “Mandal Commission” to investigate the conditions of Socially and educationally backward classes within Indian Territory. The commission submitted its report on December 31, 1980 that “conversion from the faith to another did not change the socio-economic status of a person. It was, therefore, desirable that converts from Scheduled Castes to Buddhism, Christianity and etc. should be treated as Scheduled Castes, but until this change was brought about by legislation, all such converts should be listed as OBCs” The Mandal Commission also stated that “though caste system is peculiar to Hindu society yet, in actual practice, it also pervades the non-Hindu communities in India in varying degrees.”

In 1980, The Minority Commission in its 3rd Annual Report 1980 in page No. 31 said that “The Commission has prima facie felt that since the Christians, Muslims and Buddhists of Scheduled Caste origin continue to suffer from social and economic disabilities even after their conversion, there should be no objection to their availing of the concessions admissible to them before their conversion.”

In 1984, The Supreme Court of India in the case of S. Anbalagan Vs. Devarajan AIR 1984 SC 411, said that “the practice of caste however irrational it may appear to our reason and however are repugnant it may appear to our moral and social sense, it so deep rooted in the India people that its mark does not seem to disappear on conversion to a different religion.”

In 1993, The Union Government of India included Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity and Islam in the “Other Backward Classes” in a resolution passed on September 10, 1993 by Ministry of Social Welfare for the purposes of the reservation on 27% vacancies in civil posts and service under the Government of India.

In 1995, A memorandum signed by Members of Parliament dated May 1, 1995 submitted to Shri. P. V. Narsimha Rao, the then Prime Minister of India, for immediate inclusion of statutory benefits to the Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity and also requested to introduce the required Bill during the current session of the Parliament.

In 1996, year a memorandum dated February 20, 1996 and signed by 103 Bishops of India was submitted to Shri P. V. Narsimha Rao to include statutory benefits to Scheduled Caste Converts to Christianity in Presidential SC/ST Order 1950 by promulgating an ordinance immediately.

In the same year, in a note for Cabinet dated March 3, 1996 Welfare Ministry had proposed to include Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity as Scheduled Castes in the Presidential SC Order 1950 to make them eligible for all statutory safeguards and benefits available to the members of Scheduled Caste.

The Cabinet approved this proposal at its meeting held on March 7, 1996 to introduce the Bill to amend the earlier Constitution Scheduled Caste order. Although the Bill was listed for introduction on March 12, 1996, it could not be introduced as some procedural lapse and new government was expected to assume.

In 2003, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India in its Annual Report of 2002-2003 in Chapter 3, the Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity did not avail all the schemes implemented for various developmental program for Scheduled Castes.

In 2004, Centre for Public Interest Litigation through its General Secretary and T. Franklin Caesar of Tamil Nadu filed a Write Petition dated March 22, 2004 under Article 32 of the Constitution of India challenging the Para 3 of Article 341 of Constitution (Scheduled Caste Order) 1950. More than dozen of individual and advocates have filed the writ petition challenging the same Para of same Article.

This case has been going on in Supreme Court of India ever since. The last scheduled to hear was due on July 12, 2006 but postpone to the month of October 2006 without fixing the date. The reason given for adjourning the hearing was that the Justice Misra Commission has not completed its report. Hopefully report might be ready by August or latest by September 2006.

The Chronology of Supreme Court Judgment on Dalit Christian Reservation

There 5 hearings so far on Dalit Christian Reservation after writ petition filed in Supreme Court of India apart from many dates of adjourning.

1st SC Hearing: April 26, 2004, the first hearing was called where advocates of petitioner presented and it was postponed on May 3, 2004. The May 3, hearing seems adjourned.

2nd SC Hearing: April 11, 2005 hearing was called and gave the order that “Mr. B K Prasad, Advocate, present in Court, takes notice for the respondent. Formal notice need not issue. List for final hearing in the month of August, 2005. All the parties seeking intervention/impleadment may remain present on the date the hearing is taken up. The parties who wish to file synopsis of submissions may do so within four weeks.

3rd SC Hearing: August 23, 2005 hearing was called and gave the order that “The learned Attorney General and the learned Addl. Solicitor General make a statement on behalf of the Union of India that the issue arising for decision in these petitions is receiving the attention of the Government along with other issues in a wider perspective and pray for hearing being adjourned. Hearing is adjourned. Both the parties pray for a fixed date being given. List on 18th October, 2005.”

4th SC Hearing: October 25, 2005 was adjourned with next hearing in the last week of November 2005.

5th SC Hearing: November 28, 2005 was called for hearing and gave the following order that the challenge in these matters is to the constitutional validity of Paragraph (3) of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Control Order, 1950. Therefore investigation from National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities had been sought in the context of the ceiling of fifty per cent on reservation in terms of the decision of this Court in Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India & Ors. (1992 Suppl. (3) S.C.C.217). Supreme Court gave no opinion on the issues involved and gave order to wait till Supreme Court hear the matter in detail after the information is supplied. Court was adjourned with next hearing in third week of February 2006.

The hearings were scheduled on February 12, 2006 and postponed to April 5, 2006 then to July 12, 2006

The Recommendations from Commissions on Dalit Christians Reservation

The present Dalit Christian reservation case in Supreme Court has been referred to Union Government to give its opinion on giving Scheduled Caste statutory and beneficiaries to the Scheduled Castes origins converted to Christianity in November 2005 hearing.

The United Progressive Alliance Government has setup National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities under the chairmanship of Justice Raganath Misra known as Misra Commission to investigate the economical, educational, sociological conditions of Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity.

Enough Commissions before Misra Commission have been setup and finding have been submitted with recommendations that Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity still suffer caste stigma, socially oppressed and economically, educationally and socially backward. Why then another Misra Commission? What have the commissions before Misra Commission said; will that be note valid reasons for Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity to include in Constitution Scheduled Caste Order 1950?

Elayaperumal Commission (1969): Report of the Elayaperumal Commission in Para 32 says "The Committee found during tours that all Scheduled Castes who got themselves converted to religions other than Hinduism should be given all concessions which are available to Scheduled Castes. This is because the Committee found during tours that they suffer from the same disabilities which the Scheduled Castes suffer."

Mandal Commission (1980): As stated above the Mandal Commission in 1980 supported that Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity be treated as Scheduled Caste as their conversion did not change the conditions of socially, economically and educationally.

Misra Commission (2005): Now the ball to give scheduled caste converted to Christianity is in the court of Misra Commission. Misra Commission will not find anything new but only charges from Sangh Parivar and affiliated organizations against Dalit Christian Reservation.

Misra Commission’s finding should not violate the findings of the commissions before him. It is amazement to Christian communities of India, when the responsibility to investigate socio-economic conditions of the Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity but why has the Misra Commission had to seek public opinions on Dalit Christian reservation? Sangh Parivar and its units have echoed their voices against Dalit Christian reservation.

The Sangh Parivar’s opposition is not only Dalit Christians but to all reservation system for Indian Dalit communities. The Commissions before Misra Commission have given enough evidence that Scheduled Caste origins converted to any religions remains the same social, economic, education status even after their conversion.

To mention precisely that Misra Commission is another un-necessary commission, Supreme Court of India as well as Union Government have enough facts and figures of Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity remains the same as before their conversion to Christianity.

What does the Dalit Christians Really Want?

What the scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity really demands from Indian government is the restoration of Scheduled Caste statutory and beneficiaries which they had before converting to Christianity because socio-economic, educational condition of them did not change by their conversion. They are known by same ethnic names and suffer caste stigma among Indian society.

The Mandal Commission’s proposal for Scheduled Castes to be included in Other Backward Classes until legislate and legalistically restores Scheduled Caste status and Union HRD Minister – Mr. Arjun Singh’s suggestion for Dalit Christians to be included in OBC is not what Dalit Christians are demanding.

Being a Scheduled Caste by birth, socially known by same ethnical names, suffer same caste stigma and remain same socio-economical and educationally backward, how can they be accepted as OBC? This will be another form of committing crimes against Scheduled Caste communities.

What is due by birth, fundamentally and constitutionally for Scheduled Caste communities in respect of all faiths and religions should be given.

Conclusion

After 6 years of struggle, Dalit Sikhs got their birth, fundamental and constitutional rights to enjoy statutory and beneficiaries of Scheduled Caste when Para 3 of Article 341 was amended in 1950. by including Scheduled Caste origins converted to Sikhism.

Dalit Buddhists got their rights to enjoy Scheduled Caste statutory after 40 years of struggle when Para 3 of Article 341 was amended in 1990 and Scheduled Caste origins converted to Buddhism listed in Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950.

Dalit Christians are kept denied their birth, fundamental and constitutional rights for last 56 years by abstracting their names from Constitution Scheduled Caste Order 1950. The constitutional denial of Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christianity is triple oppression.

The allegation not to give Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians on the ground that Christianity does not have caste, they why Scheduled Caste status given to those Scheduled Caste origins to Sikhism and Buddhism as both the religions does not have caste.

On the other hand, if reservation for only those religions that practice caste then Dalit Christians also deserve it because they suffer caste stigma among Indian society.

Dalit Christians suffer caste oppressed before their conversion. Dalit Christian suffers Religious persecution from religious fanatics and constitutional denial of their statutory from Presidential SC/ST order 1950 is the third oppression of being Dalits.

Dalit Christians seeking to be included in Scheduled Caste status is the constitution, birth and fundamental rights.

Who Benefits SC/SC Status Facilities on Whose Struggle?

By Madhu Chandra

Introduction

Any Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe when they get the SC/ST status reservation facilities should ask this question, “Who benefits SC/ST status facilities on whose struggle?” Many of the young SC/ST generations, when they enjoy the presidential reservation facilities for underprivileged section of Indian societies, do not realize how and whose struggles, these privileges are provided. It will be very true to our north east India community from SC/ST background.

The struggle between High caste and oppressed communities of India has reached its crucial juncture. The presidential reservation facilities preserved in Indian Constitution is most precious gift given to Indian oppressed class community. This most precious gift to protect and preserve the underprivileged communities of India has been under attack again and again by high caste minority ruler of the country.

This short write up is attempted to bring awareness among the SC/ST communities, particularly to those who have benefited SC/ST status facility yet failed to realize the importance of joint effort to safe guard of the constitutional right of the provision for Dalit communities.

Who Are Dalits And Dalit-Bahujans?

Three reasons why reintroduction of Dalit is needed at this hour: First, there is strong feeling that the North East Indian Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) are different from the rest of SC/ST of the country. Secondly, there is no difference between SC/ST of North Eastern India with the rest of SC/ST communities in their definition. Thirdly, the north eastern SC/ST communities rarely know the plights of being SC/ST communities in rest of the countries.

Dalit movement has been widely known today all over India. American and European countries started to hear the plights of Dalit atrocities in India. For the first time United Nations heard the issues of Indian Dalits in 2002.

To understand clearly what the Dalit movement is all about, it will be essential to know what the word “Dalit” actually means. After knowing the definition of Dalit, we may fully understand what is happening among the SC/ST communities in Indian villages, towns, cities and forests. This will also help the SC/ST communities in north east India to understand what means to be SC/ST in India society.

Dalit is the very term that Indian SC/ST communities named themselves sometimes in 1960s when SC/ST of Maharashtra protested to leave Hinduism to get liberated from Hindus Caste system. It is derived from Sanskrit word “Dal” meaning for “Oppressed,” “Crushed,” or “Defiled.” Dalits are not included in Hindu’s four Castes - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras developed by Brahmin forces ever since Aryans invented in Indian soils in 1500 BC.

All SC/ST communities in India including the SC/ST communities in north east India are known as Dalit Communities by definition in the way how SC/ST communities are oppressed by Indian’s upper caste communities. To define it in larger term by including Others Backward Classes (OBC), whole low caste and back class communities are politically termed as Dalit-Bahujans (Bahujan means majority) which represent 85% of Indian population.

Brahmins dominated whole Indian society by placing them on top of all castes that also enjoy and control all Temple power and temple economic. The education is designed only for Brahmin societies. Kshatriyas placed in second row of Hindu caste system designated to enjoy and control over authorities and enjoy tax economic collected from whole society under the influences of Brahmins. Vaishyas placed in third caste row designated to control and enjoy trade economic and power under the influences of their superior Brahmins and Kshatriyas. Shudras placed in fourth caste row designated to serve their three superior Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Shudras. They performed lowest works such as removing the human night waste from upper caste homes. The first three castes are known as UPPER HINDU CASTE and the fourth as low caste.

Where the Dalit communities do falls within Hindu caste structure? Dalits actually does not fall within any of Hindu’s four caste system! Dalits are casteless people because they are not counted as fellow human beings. They are defiled communities. Their shadow on upper caste is considered even defiled. To eras their footsteps they were forced to tight a broom on their backs. Dalits are not to learn Sanskrit, if they happen to hear a Sanskrit phrase, theirs ears are to be poured melted tines. If they happen to remember a Sanskrit phrase, their tongues are supposed to be cut off.

People hearing the plights of being Dalits will not accept it in twenty first century but it is still happening in far and near corners of Indian societies. In 2002 five Dalits were skinned alive for skinning a death cow. It proved that a death cow is more worth than five Dalits. In 2005, fifty Dalits homes were burnt down in the presence of police forces and district authorities in Gohana 70 km away from Indian capital city – Delhi. In 2006 March, a Dalit man’s both the hands and leg amputated in Punjab by upper caste when he fought back the gang rapists of his minor daughter. The story like this never cease in daily print and electronic media. Many went unreported injustice.

What Are The SC/SC Status Benefits?

SC/ST known today as Dalit communities in India was known as “Depressed Class” and “Untouchable” by British before independent. In 1937, for first time, the British termed “Depressed Class” or “Untouchable” as Scheduled Caste and Tribe. Special consideration for their social, economical and educational uplift was considered even before the independent of India.

After Independent, in framing of Indian constitution through initiatives of Dr. Bim Rao Ambedkar gave special provision for SC/ST communities and the Presidential Order of SC/ST was listed in 1950.

Majority of SC/ST communities of North East India see SC/ST status facilities in the terms of employment and educational reservation privileges. The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Acts 1989 amended in 1995 seem to be not fully understood by SC/ST communities of north east Indian which is much beyond educational and employment provisions. Special Acts under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Acts 1995 has been provided to prevent atrocities against SC/ST communities anywhere of the country. The provision given to any SC/ST communities includes some of the followings:

Special provision of employment in Central and state sectors, educational provisions by seat reservation and monetary helps, SC/ST land protections, Atrocity prevention Acts and remedies to the victimized SC/ST communities such as legal punishments, compensations etc. (SC/ST Prevention of Atrocity Acts 1995 is available in concern offices)

Who Struggles For SC/ST And Who Benefits It?

Many SC/ST communities take the SC/ST Status beneficiaries for granted that it naturally came itself to be included in Indian Constitution. It is included in Indian Constitution not without somebody struggling for that. Dr. Bim Rao Ambedkar was one of many who struggle for SC/ST communities in India and many others after him. For the service Ambedkar has done for Indian SC/ST society, he could have been equally given the father of Nation as it is given to Mahatma Gandhi.

Therefore in this short write up, a question is being asked “Who benefits SC/ST status facilities provided in Indian Constitution on who have struggled?” Those who get the SC/ST status benefits must realize the need of helping those who are involved in the struggle to ensure SC/ST cause.

Differences between Being SC and ST!

Scheduled Caste communities are at the receiving end of Hindu caste system. They are considered to be part of Hindu Caste system but upper caste did not allow them to worship their gods in the same temples, they are considered defiled. They are socially, economically, educationally, politically oppressed. The freedom to choose their faith and religions is denied. The movement they convert to any other faiths and religions different from Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism, they are denied all the Presidential Order of SC status facilities.

But Scheduled Tribes are little bit different in the nature they are oppressed. They are mostly oppressed in the form of Education and Economic dental to them for being geographically far away in forests. ST communities are not oppressed like SC when they change their faiths and religions. They are given the SC/ST status benefits even if they convert to other religions different from Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

Scheduled Caste origins converted to other faith and religions different from Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism are fighting for their birth, fundamental and constitutional rights to enjoy SC status even after conversion. ST communities will need to realize that their same brothers and sisters of SC communities, who are oppressed under the same stigma of Hindu caste system, need the constitutional rights to be included in presidential order list of SC/ST 1950 even after their conversion to any of their choice.

What is the SC/ST Situation in India?

There is huge lye against SC/ST from general and upper caste communities that reservation provided to SC/ST communities has not done any good to them. It is open fact that without SC/ST status provision provided in Indian Constitution and reservation facilities, SC/ST communities could never have come up to what they are today. If the reservation facility provided to SC/ST today are denied then they will pushed back to what it was before.

The debate by Sangh Parivar (basically upper caste) on reframing of Indian constitution is the greatest challenge to all SC/ST, OBC and minorities. The content of Indian constitution has been charged an anti Hindu thus they want to change it by removing all the facilities and provision given to SC/ST and non-Hindus. The constitution of India is biggest gift to every SC/ST, OBC, Minorities and every citizen of India. It should be preserved and protected from all communal forces.

Mushrooming of Private sectors is another great challenge for SC/ST because once all the governmental sectors converted into Private Sectors, they will not be any post left for SC/ST communities because, the Private Sectors do not have the reservation system in employment. Mushrooming of Private sectors may not be able to stop from it’s ever growth. However there can be one possible hope for SC/ST that legally and politically challenges the private sectors to provide reservation for SC/ST communities, which is deadly protested by Private Sector owners.

Conclusion

Although SC/ST communities do not realize who struggled for very benefits of SC/ST, there is a group of people like Dr. Bim Rao Ambedkar and his followers who still struggle to ensure SC/ST status benefits. Educated and empowered SC/ST often forgets their SC/ST brothers and sisters who are still in the need of help for their total liberation from caste oppression.

SC/ST status beneficiaries must be guarded even after mushrooming of private sector. It is high call from SC communities to ST communities to stand united especially constitutional denial of SC status facilities when they are converted to other faiths and religions different from Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

Who made India Illiterate and Poor?

(A Critique at Medicos’ Anti-Reservation Protest Juncture)

By M. Madhu Chandra

Thought of questioning “who made India illiterate and poor?” came some times ago when I started looking into Indian sociological aspect but ample of desire to write it down became heavier when anti quota protest by medicos, IIT, and IIM students at Delhi and else where in India mounted up.

When somebody alleges someone who made him/her illiterate and poor, the world will mock at them but question on who made India illiterate and poor will have different answer.

Union Human Resource Development minister – Mr. Arjun Singh’s proposal to hike up 27% reservation for Others Backward Classes (OBC) in professional central educational institutions remained silent for first one week. The resistance from Medicos, IIT and IIM students generated by medico students of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi sparked when Indian Medias who holds the Brahmin IDs, went from college to colleges provoked the senses of upper caste medical students. The present coverage of anti quota movement in print and electronic Medias are clear visible of one sidedness.

The intensity of anti quota movement led by medicos spread to every corners has some thing connected to the question “who made India illiterate and poor!”

Indian Caste System holds the responsibility for making India illiterate.

“One cannot understand India without understanding the complete nature and scope of the caste system in Indian life. Caste considerations dominate people’s lives from birth to death. This understanding of the caste system and how it controls and regulates social, economic, political and religious life is absolutely essential to interpreting the Indian reality.” Dr. Joseph D’souza says.

India is literate country but made illiterate by upper caste literates. Indus civilization is known of its high intellectual among the world community but they are made illiterate after Aryan invention. Ramayana is famous known episode but written by Balmiki Ratnakar Dalit Hindu devote. But today majority of Balmiki communities are illiterate and do lowest activities like cleaning of human night waste from upper caste homes. "How the very pen once used to be in the hands of Balmiki became brooms?" will only remain amaze. Was it some thing done by upper caste on caste card?

Ever since Aryan invention to Indian soil around 1500 BC, Indian societies have been divided into four castes (color) – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Apart from the four castes, there is a fifth caste, known generally untouchables or Dalits; different names are given like Harijan (children of temple prostitutes), Balmiki, Chamar, Megs, and Lois Mashuhars etc.

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas constitute upper caste while Shudras and untouchables categorized as low caste and untouchables. Upper caste represents only 15% of Indian population while Shudras and Dalits represent 85% of Indian population.

Well articulated jobs descriptions are assigned accordingly to each caste. The educational beneficiaries are assigned only to Brahmins. Brahmins alone were to be educated and acquired all knowledge banks through all available educational systems. Educations are religiously, socially, politically denied to lower caste section of Indian societies.

Kshatriyas are assigned the post of authoritarian rulers of the nation under influence and instructive of Brahmins. Vaishyas are assigned to take hold of the market shares under the instructive of ruling caste of Kshatriyas with influences of Brahmin who generate knowledge from education. Shudras and untouchable Dalits are assigned to serve the upper caste in most degraded inhuman manners.

The denial of education to Dalits Bahujan (Dalit Majority) may not be true in 21st century but the manipulation of education crystal clear particularly scheduled tribes (Dalits). Denial of education to Dalits-Bahujans in past has affected the educational and economical condition of Dalit-Bahujan today. One days’ lost in education effect a week’s education, a weeks’ lost effects a month, a month’s lost effect a year, a year’s lost effect a carrier of a life, a carrier’s lost effect one generation. The same has happened to Dalit-Bahujan today.

Majority of Indian societies represent by Dalit-Bahujans remain illiterate is intentionally done to keep Indian majority illiterate by upper caste community. Deadness of medicos’ anti quota movement is another attempt to keep Indian Dalit-Bahujan illiterate forever and ever.

Enough charges have been given to Mr. Arjun Singh from left and right as attempt to divide Indian youth. There is no question of re-dividing the divided Indian society which Brahmins have setup. Quota proposed by Mr. Arjun will level the divided nations by providing special provision of reservation for weaker section of India society.

Indian Caste System holds the responsibility for making India poor.

Education denied by Brahmincal caste system to Dalit-Bahujan has affected today’s economical condition of Dalit-Bahujans. Education and Economic are two sides of the same coin. Economic generates education but it starts with education.

India is rich nation but made poor by rich upper caste desperately poor by accessing exceedingly assets. India in Brahmincal order has produced world’s recorded upper caste richest sons and daughters.

Caste system description to Vaishyas to hold of trade activities has denied Dalit-Bahujan’s economical development. Brahmincal caste system did not allow Dalit-Bahujan to hold trade as the trade was assigned only to Vaishyas. The earnings of Vaishyas benefited by Kshatriyas as tax returned back to them and Brahmin as they hold the temple treasuries. But Dalit-Bahujan remained only to be victims of caste discrimination at the hands of three upper castes.

Deadness of anti quota to OBC forces by upper caste medicos, IIT and IIM students is attempted once more to cease the possibility for Dalit-Bahujan to boost their intellectual and economical status.

Illiterate and Poor Indian Majority have only unused Power to meet their demand

While education and economic development of Dalit-Bahujan communities seems to be only means to ensure their future. But the education and economic are at monopoly hands of upper caste.

When, education and economic have been snatched away, only one possible mean to ensure the future of Dalit-Bahujans comes to every Indian Dalit-Bahujans during suffrage every fifth years.

Endnote:

Centuries old caste discrimination stories existed in India, which has directly or indirectly made Indian illiterate and poor has been kept hidden by Indian elites. Global communities have started asking why it has taken so long to hear India’s most discriminated inhuman episode. Globalizing Indian Dalit problem, although heavily accused by upper caste elites, will gain global sympathy.

Medicos, IIT and IIM students’ agitation against quota on the basis of equality and merit are clearly seen caste identity. Merit can/should not be only at the hands of upper caste, if should be shared with backward communities so that equality among upper and lower caste community will contribute toward making India shining.

What is the Dalit-Bahujan Emancipation Movement all About?

By Dr. Joseph D’souza

President, All India Christian Council
International president, Dalit Freedom Network

Major Debates Over Caste Discrimination Continue in Indian Society

Another major debate has erupted in Indian political and civil society circles after the October 6, 2005, United States Congressional Sub-Committee hearings in Washington, DC, on the issue of caste discrimination in India. Some questions raised as a result of this hearing are: “Why has it taken so long for the world to hear about the persistent problem of caste discrimination in India? We thought the caste system was abolished in India? Why is it that we have not been told about the connection between caste discrimination and the 25 million bonded child laborers, the girl trafficking, the prostitution trade, the illiteracy and poverty, the constant rape and abuse of women, and the plight of the landless laborers?”

Following the hearings in the USA, there was also an extensive debate on the Dalit issue in the British Parliament on November 22, 2005.

For the Christian community around the world the issue is, “Why is it that we have not heard about the serious nature and scope of caste discrimination within the Church in India – no matter the denominational affiliation, whether Catholic, mainline Protestant or Evangelical?”

The blunt answer to the above questions is that until now the Indian reality has been interpreted and articulated within India and around the world through the worldview of the dominant castes in larger society and also in the Church. For all practical purposes, the dominant castes rule, control and articulate the Indian reality.

Without a “Caste Analysis” India Can Not be Understood

The dominant upper castes have been quite content with a “class analysis” of India (focusing attention on the rich, the new middle-class and the poor), knowing very well that it is only a “caste analysis” of India that can uncover the true but hidden reality at the heart of India – the India of the majority masses. One cannot understand India without understanding the complete nature and scope of the caste system in Indian life. Caste considerations dominate people’s lives from birth to death. This understanding of the caste system and how it controls and regulates social, economic, political and religious life is absolutely essential to interpreting the Indian reality. Add to this the “corruption factor” in Indian society and the Dalits and other oppressed people who are poor are left in a completely hopeless situation. India is not a homogenous society where there is a level playing field on which everyone can prosper.

Caste continues to dominate Indian society despite the fact that the draftsman of the Constitution, the redoubtable Dalit thinker and lawyer Dr. Bhim Rao Babasaheb Ambedkar, wrote his prophetic work “Annihilation of Caste” to reveal to the world the brutal stranglehold of the caste system. The Indian Constitution, taking the best out of American and British statutes, outlawed untouchability, one of the manifestations of caste discrimination, but stopped well short of abolishing caste.

Dalit-Bahujan leaders across India refer to caste discrimination as “ India’s silent apartheid” of 3,000 years against its majority peoples – a full 70% of the population. It is a religiously sanctioned racism that has maimed, dehumanized and destroyed hundreds of millions of people through the ages. The horrendous fact is that we continue to destroy millions of people through this system even today in the 21 st century.

The Inhuman Discrimination Against Dalits Continues Unabated

Here is what the former President of India, Dr. K.R. Narayanan, recently stated regarding caste:

“ An empowered India bereft of the respect for women, values of civilized existence and morality will collapse in the face of the disaffection and discontent of those who have suffered for centuries. Day in and day out we take pride in claiming that India has a 5,000-year-old civilization. But the way the Dalits and those suppressed are being treated by the people who wield power and authority speaks volumes for the degradation of our moral structure and civilized standards.

“Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution, had said political equality devoid of economic and social equality would bring about contradictions in our democratic set-up which if not rectified will lead to its doom. In the dark cloud of inequality and social injustice the silver lining represented by the assertion of the hitherto suppressed and exploited sections for their rights inspire confidence for their future empowerment. Their struggle for empowerment represents empowerment of India.

“As the struggle gains momentum and gets accentuated, there is bound to be reluctance and resistance on the part of the high and mighty to accept their upward rise. The killing of Dalits, their exploitation and the brutality they face is a negation of the empowered India.”

Who are the Dalit-Bahujans?

The Dalit-Bahujans make up what are known in India as the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Castes. Together these groups are classically known as the Sudras or the slave / “vassal” castes. (“Scheduled” means they are listed in a special “index” appended to the Constitution. “Backward Castes” are those whose rank and occupational status are above that of Dalits, but who still remain socially and economically depressed.) The Scheduled Castes were until recently also known as the “Untouchables” because they were deemed literally untouchable by the upper castes. The Scheduled Tribes were defined as “Criminal Tribes” because they occasionally challenged, with arms, the dominance of the local landlords.

The word “dalit” means “broken” or “crushed” and the word “bahujan” indicates membership in the majority people or the larger population.

Combined, these groups make up 67% of the population of India.

Among this suffering humanity of Dalit-Bahujans, it is the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes who continue to bear the brunt of caste discrimination and oppression. Plainly stated, caste is modern religiously sanctioned slavery – a slavery that has been overlooked by the world for hundreds of years.

Caste discrimination has an immediate impact on 250 million Dalits. It also affects hundreds of millions more from the Backward Caste communities.

Nature of the Revolt Against the Caste System: Caste Upheaval Influences Indian Politics

Caste turmoil and upheaval fully exploded on the national scene when the recommendations of the Mandal Commission were implemented in the mid-1990s. The Mandal Commission indicated that the Backward Castes were no better socio-economically because of the consequences of the caste system. The Supreme Court supported the view of the Commission and granted affirmative action benefits to the Backward Castes. Upper caste mobs resisted the judgment and anarchy prevailed in major cities for many weeks. Indian politics changed dramatically after the Mandal issue hit the national consciousness. Caste politics became a dominant factor in Indian society, and caste loyalties began to determine elections across the nation. The north Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar saw dramatic movements of the political empowerment of the Sudras, or Backward Castes. Dalit politics, too, was established with the emergence of the Bahujan Samaj Party as a major player in Uttar Pradesh and the surrounding north Indian States in the so-called “Cow Belt”. Consistent with the larger caste assertion by the Backward Castes, the Dalits also began to increasingly assert themselves.

The Religious Revolt

Caste had the sanction of religion, and as the extremist and fascist Hindu Right made a bid for political power in Federal India, open calls were given to Dalits to exit the caste-based Hindu society to more egalitarian faiths and communities.

Dalit and Backward Caste ideologues launched a full-fledged attack against the caste system and Brahminism maintaining and pushing forward the movement first launched by Mahatma Phule, fine-tuned by Periyar in the South, and finally polished by Ambedkar.

These anti-Brahminical movements kept the Hindutva brigade from expanding in the northern bases of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar even at a time when the arch-Hindu Ayodhya Temple movement was at its zenith.

History Vindicates Ambedkar’s Stand Versus Gandhi

Increasingly, the Dalit-Bahujan emancipation movement began to gather more strength across the nation. Ambedkar’s true contribution to the nation, his work for the depressed castes, was progressively more greatly understood and appreciated. Even the upper caste movements and political leaders began to co-opt Ambedkar’s legacy and brand name as their own.

Ambedkar’s bitter disagreement with Mahatma Gandhi was no longer locked in archival documents. Suddenly, Ambedkar’s opposing sentiment became common knowledge. Ambedkar wanted the abolishment of caste itself, which then would result in abolishing untouchability and the inhuman discrimination against the Dalits. Gandhi’s proposal to simply deal with the symptom of untouchability and not touch the issue of the caste system was a major mistake and has marred his otherwise great legacy. Perhaps he was influenced by the orthodox upper caste people who surrounded him, telling him that Hinduism as they knew it would not survive the demise of caste, its foundation, steel frame and bonding force.

Fifty years after Independence, caste prejudice and discrimination continue as a persistent disease. Ambedkar was correct in his thinking that caste must be “annihilated” if untouchability is to be genuinely eliminated.

Ambedkar also concluded that conversion was the ultimate solution if Hinduism was not able to reform itself and annihilate caste. He did not see much hope that this cataclysmic reformation would take place.

Again, fifty years later, nothing of the needed reformation has taken place. If anything, with the emergence of the extremist right-wing Hindu movement, caste discrimination and oppression have increased.

The modern-day increase of caste-based oppression is the reason why the Vice President of the world Hindu federation known as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) can say on national television that the life of a cow is more valuable than the lives of five Dalits after five Dalit young people in north India were lynched near New Delhi, when they were found skinning the carcass of a dead cow.

This is why a Shankaracharya (major community leader) said that Dalits should learn to live in the position in which they were born. This leader was more brutal in his statement than was Gandhi who simply said people must be happy and perform to the best of their ability in their given occupation – scavenging, tanning, sweeping, etc.

The movement for emancipation of the depressed classes kept pace with the freedom movement Ghandi led. While Kabir and Phule’s folk teachings influenced the masses, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar made a frontal assault on caste, using the brilliance of his legal training and his access to the political negotiating tables in London and New Delhi in the days preceding the transfer of power from Imperial Britain to Independent India.

Ambedkar was an intellectual giant and India’s great reformer. Born a Dalit in Maharashtra, he had experienced caste’s depravity first-hand. He bitterly disagreed with Mahatma Gandhi’s cosmetic solution to the problem of untouchability.

History has proven Ambedkar right. The Indian Constitution should have banned the caste system along with the problem of untouchability. Trying to remove untouchability without removing the caste system was like dealing with mere symptoms rather than combating the root disease.

Ambedkar Champions Freedom of Conscience for the Oppressed Castes

Ambedkar championed religious freedom for the Dalits, thereby leading hundreds of thousands of Dalits into Buddhism in 1956 at a public ceremony in Nagpur. Still today, Dalit and Backward Castes have seen an exit to egalitarian faiths as a way out of caste-based bondage. Religious freedom and spiritual rights remain a fundamental component of the Dalit struggle for emancipation.

In a counter-move, the upper caste political leaders have devised and passed several anti-conversion laws during the past few decades in the dubious name of “freedom of religion”. These laws have been a deliberate move to keep the Dalit-Bahujans locked in the dehumanizing caste system.

With the rise and the destructive specter of right-wing Hindu fundamentalism and fascism (which advocates a return to a so-called “Hindu India” where the caste structure dominates and rules), Ambedkar’s struggle and thoughts become hugely relevant, not only for the oppressed sections of India, but also for Indian nationalism itself.

During the recent rule of the right-wing Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the extremist right-wing groups distributed huge quantities of the book the “Manusmriti” which codified and imposed the caste system on the Indian masses. This book was written by the law-giver, Manu, whose statue is installed in the premises of the High Court of Rajasthan. This is the same book which states that if a low caste person hears the word of God, he should have molten lead poured into his ears. Articulating the name of the Lord invites having his tongue cut off. Other infringements of caste laws carry the death penalty. Is it any wonder that the powerful upper castes perpetuate violence against Dalit women, Dalit men, and Dalit children with such impunity?

1. Building a Worldwide Alliance for Dalit Emancipation

It is the process of building a broad-based, pan-Indian alliance of individuals and groups to bring an end to caste discrimination and exploitation. It is a national and global struggle for the human rights of the Dalits and other oppressed sections of our society. The movement seeks to build both a national and global union against the caste system and the ensuing inhuman oppression and discrimination.

The movement works with everyone who is committed to ending the dehumanizing caste system. Caste, creed, nationality and economic standing are no bar in building this alliance for ending India’s silent apartheid of 3,000 years. We believe in a better future for all Indians.

2. Ending Caste Discrimination Around the World

It is the process of building a global alliance to end caste discrimination around the world. Caste discrimination is not limited to India alone. It is rampant in South Asia and extends to wherever the people of the sub-continent live. It is present among Indians living in the United Kingdom, USA, Canada and other places.

The right wing Hindutva movement has now spread across the world with offices in all of the major Western nations including North America, the Caribbean, the UK, and the nations of the European Union. These organizations in the West have financed the violent, caste-based, right-wing Hindu fundamentalist groups in India.

Caste discrimination should be a legitimate item on the UN agenda and on the agenda of global human rights movements and organizations.

Without the active collaboration and support of all global entities that believe in the intrinsic dignity of all humans, caste discrimination will not end. Taking the line of abolitionists like William Wilberforce and Dr. Ambedkar, this movement seeks to end the modern religiously sanctioned slavery produced by caste once and for all.

3. Eliminating and Prosecuting Caste-Based Violence

It is a movement seeking to end caste-based violence against people of depressed castes. The constant rape of Dalit women, the burning of Dalit homes and the blatant physical attacks on Dalits is not acceptable. Year after year physical attacks against Dalits are reported and documented, but fewer than 2% ever reach conviction in a court of law. According to one conservative estimate there are over 50,000 major atrocities committed against Dalits every year. We work towards applying the rule of law to those who perpetrate these crimes.

4. Eradicating Bonded Child Labor

It is a movement designed to deliver the vast majority of Dalit children who make up the bonded child labor market in India. Bonded child labor is a crime against humanity. Estimates report that at least 15 million bonded Dalit children work in inhuman conditions for a paltry sum. Most bonded laborers in India are from Dalit and other backward communities.

5. Rejecting Gender-Based Oppression and the Trafficking of Girls

It is a movement seeking to end girl prostitution, trafficking of women in the sex trade, and other violence against women. There is a huge inter-state trafficking of girls in the sex trade. Dalit and other Backward Caste girls from Nepal are bought and sold into the sex trade in the major cities of India.

Sex trade in the sub-continent draws its victims from the Dalits, Tribals and oppressed castes. The targeting of Dalit and Tribal women for these trades is a symptom of the caste system and its view of Dalit/Tribal women in particular and women in general.

The movement is deeply conscious that caste discrimination extends to all women in India and that Dalit women are twice oppressed. We reject this oppression. We are deeply concerned for the hundreds of thousands of minor/teenage Tribal girls who work in affluent homes in the cities and urban areas of India. We are concerned about the abuse they face – sexual and physical.

Caste ideology also places a low value on women. This prejudice and worldview has resulted in the female feticide of tens of millions causing an alarming decline in the female population in many states of India. Unless addressed immediately, Indian society is hurtling towards a major social disaster and increased abuse of women.

6. Standing Against the Deceit of Cultural / Extremist Nationalism

It is a movement that rejects the “cultural nationalism” (a direct acquisition from Nazi nationalism) of the extremist Hindu right. The right-wing groups and their silent subscribers have used the idea of “external” enemies like “minorities” to try and cover up caste discrimination and unite the oppressed castes in violence against Muslims and Christians in the name of “nationalism”. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists are not the enemies of India, nor are they enemies of the Dalits and other oppressed peoples.

In fact, most Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Sikhs were Dalits and Backward Caste people who turned to these religions to escape the tyranny of the caste system. True nationalism is not separating India along false divisions in society, but instead, it should be uniting and integrating the peoples of India. True nationalism must see the larger Dalit-Bahujan population delivered from caste oppression and discrimination. Their children, their girls, their women and their men must be delivered from modern day slavery.

7. Deploring Religious Exploitation and Encouraging Authentic Spirituality

It is a movement that deplores the religious exploitation of Dalits and other oppressed groups by any religious entity. It is a movement that categorically rejects Pseudo-Spirituality even as it champions religious freedom for the oppressed masses. On the one hand, Dalits have been enslaved by one religious system that denies them any spiritual rights and privileges – such as rights of spiritual equality, access to the temple priesthood, and access to all temples and all religious rites. On the other hand, other religious systems have offered them a place in a “heaven” of the future while continuing to practice caste discrimination within their religious communities.

The Church in India is also guilty in this regard. Large sections of the Church in India have betrayed the legacy of Jesus, the legacy of Wilberforce, and the legacy of William Carey when it comes to dealing with the issue of the caste system and the ensuing inhuman discrimination within society and the Church. At the same time, Dalit leaders acknowledge their debt to those Christian missionaries who reached out to them in love and accepted them as fellow human beings. The present movement seeks an end to this exploitation and Pseudo-Spirituality. It encourages Dalits and other oppressed peoples to seek true and authentic spirituality – spirituality that truly addresses their spiritual, social, emotional and physical needs.

Dalit-Bahujan ideologues speak of this struggle as one of spiritual democracy versus the spiritual fascism of the caste system.

8. Promoting Full-Life Transformation and Empowerment for the Dalit-Bahujans

The movement is about the economic and social empowerment of the Dalit-Bahujan people through effective economic and educational programs. It aims to build effective micro-enterprise projects along with macro-enterprises.

It also calls for the review of various foreign governmental aid programs which do not reach Dalits. We ask for a proportionate disbursement of all aid money and projects. It also calls for a review of funding coming through NGOs into India and the disbursement of the same among the Dalits and other oppressed sections of society.

We acknowledge the heart wrenching poverty that is prevalent among the Dalit majority coupled with the huge problem of overall illiteracy. We believe economic dignity is a critical part of human dignity and that the oppressed must be freed and empowered to take care of their personal economic needs and prosperity.

It aims to provide Dalit-Bahujan children – the future – access to quality English-medium education to allow them to play their leadership role in an increasingly globalized India.

Thus far, Dalit children (and large sections of the Backward Castes) have had no access to such quality education. English-medium education is the preserve of the moneyed upper caste and middle class elite. This movement rejects the hypocrisy of the elitist castes whose children are educated in English, while the children of the oppressed castes are encouraged to study in the “vernacular” in the name of culture and extremist nationalism.

In addition, we are deeply concerned for the lack of medical care and health problems connected with the Dalit-Bahujan people.

We are disturbed that in the battle against AIDS the Dalit and oppressed caste victims of this disease are once again marginalized in the various programs launched to fight this epidemic. The pattern remains the same whether it is the Dalit victims of the Asian Tsunami of 2004 or the Dalit victims of the Gujarat Earthquake of 2001. Dalits are marginalized even in the midst of catastrophe.

9. Recognizing the Global Security Threat Caused by Caste Discrimination

It is a movement that recognizes the huge security threat that ongoing caste discrimination against the Dalit people and other oppressed sections poses to India and the rest of the world. Disenchanted, bitter and angry young men and women drive the extremist violent Maoist and Naxalite left-wing movements from Nepal to South India. As India increasingly becomes two nations in one – one for whom India is shining, and the other for whom India is in darkness – these violent movements will only increase and will attack not only local governments but also international institutions they deem as collaborators with the elitist castes who oppress the masses.

The movement also recognizes the threat of the oppressed castes exiting into other faiths, legitimizing violence and attacking the ruling castes and their institutions. All in all, these facts produce a depressing outlook for the great nation of India if we do not see the abolishment of caste in this generation and the achievement of authentic Dalit Freedom.

10. Demolishing the Tyranny of Caste Hierarchy

It is a movement that seeks to end the oppression within Dalit and Backward Caste groups due to the notion of a superior/inferior caste hierarchy. It acknowledges that in some places, sections of the liberated Backward Castes oppress and discriminate the Dalits out of a mistaken sense of their “better” identity, or patently at the behest of the upper castes. It also acknowledges that the Dalit groups themselves need to unite to end the tyranny of the caste system and that the small number of liberated and well-to-do Dalits must not forget the plight of their brethren who continue to suffer. Restorative reconciliation between castes is an integral part of the emancipation agenda.

Conclusion

We believe in the truths of human equality, freedom of conscience and equal opportunity for all. We reject all forms of racism, caste discrimination, color prejudice and gender discrimination.

We invite all concerned people everywhere to become part of this struggle for the emancipation of Dalit-Bahujans. Action points have been developed for the above goals of the movement. Remember: our work immediately impacts the 250 million Dalits, as well as the hundreds of millions of other oppressed sections of Indian society.

For further inquiries, please write to: info@dalitnetwork.org or info@aiccindia.org

Bant Singh’s Two Toes are Left to Prove the Attacked by High Caste Jat of His Village

An AICC and DFN Fact Finding Report on Bant Singh – a Dalit Activist

By Madhu Chandra

Fact Finding Team: M. Madhu Chandra, Pastor Mansing, Mandali along with two Dalit Leaders from Punjab. (Jose M.D. could not join as he had oversea visitors.) Fact finding team left Delhi on 5th April evening and reached Mansa noon next day. Team met Bant Singh and his half paralyzed wife attending him at Mansa Civil Hospital. Latter team went to Bant Singh village where seven of his minor children are struggling without enough food and care.

Two toes on right leg were left to prove to the government of Punjab that Bant Singh – a Mazhabi Sikh Dalit activist and singer from Burj Jhabbar village under Joga Police station in Mansa district of Punjab was attacked by high cast Jat when Bant Singh fought for justice to his daughter who was gang raped by his villagers in June 2002. Bant Singh is left to live depending his whole life on his half paralyzed with and minor children. He will not able to walk alone, eat, go toilet, dress up etc without someone’s help. (Picture: Action Committee getting documental impression from remaining two toes.)

Bant Singh told to the fact finding team that attack on his life from Jat community was to prove that no Dalits should dare to rise voice when crime is committed against Dalits by high caste Jat. “They could break my three limbs but could touch my soul and spirit” Bant Singh says.

Background History:

Bant Singh about 45 years old man hails from a village called Burj Jhabbar (800 population), 22 km away from Mansa town (Mansa is 450 km from Delhi) and he is a Dalit Activist. He is married to a lady who is half paralyzed. They have four sons and four daughters.

Night mire story of Bant Singh starts with the gang rape of his eldest 17 years old daughter by two of his villagers – Mandhir Singh and Tarsem Singh with the trick of a lady – Gurmel Kaur in June 2002. Initially the First Information Report (FIR) was refused to register in local police station, which is usual to most of the Dalits cases. However Bant Singh being the bold Dalit activist never stops seeking justice for her daughter. Later on, after constant fight for justice, three of the culprits were arrested and the sentence of life imprisonment to three of the culprits was announced on 19 July 2004 by Additional Session Judge of Mansa after two years of trial.

Sukhdarshan Nat – another Dalit activist report to fact finding team that Jaswant Singh – the present Sarpanch (Village Head) and his brother Niranjan Singh (former Sarpanch) could not take the verdict of Judge sentencing life imprisonment to three of the culprits for the crime committed to a low caste Dalit minor girl. Ever since the high caste Jat community under the connived of Jaswant Singh and Niranjan Singh wanted to give revenge to Bant Singh and Dalit community so that no Dalits will dare to rise voice when atrocities takes place on Dalits. That is exactly happen to Bant Singh and his family.

Preplan Attack on Bant Singh’s life

Sukhdarshan Nat reported further that the attack on Bant Singh by seven Jat villagers (High caste) was well plan with local police and administration. On 5 January 2006 evening when Bant Singh was alone in the field, eight Jat persons – Navdeep Singh s/o Amrik Singh, Sandeep Singh s/o Amrik Singh, Harpinder Singh s/o Inderjit Singh, Japinder Singh (Aka Bubbly) s/o Jaswant Singh, Gurdit Singh s/c Balbit Singh, Yadavinder Singh s/o Santokh Singh and Deedar Singh s/o Bikkar Singh attack Bant Singh. He was chased for about miles in the field before his arm and legs were smashed by iron rods until be become unconscious and fail flat. They did not attempt to kill him but to make him life living worthless by breaking hands and legs. He was thrown out in the field and latter Niranjan who is accused to be man behind whole episode reported to Bant Singh’s family members to take him to hospital if Bant Singh life is to be saved.

Attack was so well plan that no blood was found in his body so that police while registering the case will have very little impact on those who attacked him. Bant Singh was taken to Mansa Civil Hospital within one and half hours after attack, where Dr. Prasatham Goel was in-charge of Civil Hospital, Mansa. Dr. Prasatham Goel asked Rs. 1000 from Bant Singh as bride if proper treatment was required to be attended. Sukhdarshan Nat reported to fact finding team that Dr. Prasantham Goel after knowing the fact that attack was carried out by high caste on Dalits, he twisted the report. Police on the basis of twisted medical report, did not frame the charges of attack and allow culprits to go free. No medical attention was given to Bant Singh for firth thirty six hours even after Dr. Prasantham Goel personally knew the seriousness Bant Singh. Delaying 36 hours in giving medical attendance led amputation of his both hands and left leg. The right leg with just two toes with rips broken still under the medication. Sukhdarshan Nat reports that Dr. Prasatham Goel took bribe of Rs. 25,000 from culprits to twist the report.

Latter on he was shifted to Patiala Civil Hosptial, 100 km away from Mansa on 8th January 2006, latter he was again shifted to PGI, Chandigarh on 12th January 2006 where amputation of his both hands and left leg was done.

Police have recorded the statement of Bant Singh on 6th January 2006 and a case against those seven culprits and Sarpach Jaswant Singh and Niranjan Singh alleged to be men behind the attack on Bant Singh under SC and ST Atrocity Prevention Act 1989. Seven of the culprits are arrested by police and one among them has been bailed out. The alleged men behind the attack – Jaswant Singh and Niranjan Singh still remain out of police hand.

The present Situation of Bant Singh

The movement fact finding team enters the medical ward where Bant Singh is hospitalized in Civil Hospital, Mansa, Shukhdarshan Nat and his team was getting toes impression on documentation paper. Two toes were left only to prove that he was attacked by Jat community for being a Dalit and protest of his daughter who was gang raped by two youths from Jat community.

Bant Singh knows for sure that his life left will have to depend on his half paralyzed wife and minor children yet no shadow of sadness and sorry reflected on his face. So much bold for the cause he has been fighting. “They (Jats) wanted to make me a living icon in the eyes of Dalits world, not to raise the face against Jats even when atrocities like rape take place on their daughters and women. But I want to live a living icon so that Jats will remember what will happen when Jats (High Caste) touch on the life of Dalits” Bat Singh says.

Under the leadership of Sukhdarshan Nat has constituted Bant Singh Jabra Kranti Birodhi Action Committee with 14 different organizations. The action committee has take all possible measure to fight the legal rights as per as SC and ST Atrocity Prevention Act. Red Cross Mansa has promised to bear all the medical expenses. However, Bant Singh has medical bill due of Rs. 20,000. He still will need more financial assistance for medical expenses.

Although most of the legal and medical helps are assisted by different well wishers, the daily living expenses for Bant Singh’s family and children remain sad story without any financial assistance. Young Children are at village, 22 km away from the Hospital where both parents are away from them. Bant Singh does not own any cultivation field. He has two buffalos and one cow, his family depends on their milking.

Dr. Prasatham Goel after the intervention of state administration and mounting of pressure from Human Right organizations has been suspended from his job.

Legal Provisions

1. Bant Singh eldest daughter who was gang raped has been married. Sentence is given to culprits but there are legal provisions eight in the form of employment or grant from government are not still fought for. The fact finding team has informed the Action Committee to seek the legal provision for Bant Singh’s daughter.

2. Mansa Magistrate has written to Punjab Government to grant legal provisions as per as the SC and ST Prevention Act. A grant of Rs. 10 lakhs for Bant Singh and his family has been forward to Punjab Government from the office of Magistrate, Mansa. Magistrate has sought immediate release of Rs. 2 lakhs from Punjab Government.

3. The sympathy from district administration seems to come out as Bant Singh’s case has been reported far and wide through Human Right Commissions and many other Human Right Organizations.

Some Proposal to get Involve from AICC and DFN

1. AICC and DFN should mount up the pressure to arrest Jaswant Singh and Niranjan Singh who are alleged to be men behind in engineering the attack on Bant Singh.

2. Accused culprits should be pressurized the court to take its course in rending justice to Bant Singh.

3. AICC and DFN should get involved in ensuring the legal provision for Bant Singh daughter’s rape case and himself.

4. Helping Bant Singh in a visible way will be good testimony of Christians in India. The medical bills seem to be covered from Red Cross, if so we may not need considering helping for medical.

5. The immediate need of family like food, clothing, and education should be considered helping them.

6. Most important part of our help will about making a future for Bant Singh and his children. If the government grant, Mansa Magistrate is seeking from Punjab Government, then it will be a great future. Otherwise, to help their future could be through buying a plot for him or some income generating sources.

Report prepared by Madhu Chandra and submitted to All India Christian Council and Dalit Freedom Network. Dated April 8, 2006

An aicc Fact Finding Report on Kota Christian attack submitted to Prime Minister of India

To,
Dr Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India

Dear Primer Minister

Greetings from the Christian Community!

May I thank you for the compassion and alacrity with which you took my complaint to you about the painful events in Kota against the Emmanuel Mission. Union Home Minister, Mr. Shivraj Patil was kind enough to write to me immediately expressing your concern and promising on his own behalf that he would have the facts as ascertained. Later, the newly appointed chairman of the National Minorities Commission, Ambassador Hamid Ansari also wrote to me saying that he had sought the facts from the State government of Rajasthan. I am sure your communication with the State government of Rajasthan will have its full impact. It has already brought about a sense of relief and hope in the community in general, and in the victims of persecution in particular.

In my own identify as an NIC member and head of two major Church organizations, the Catholic Union and the Christian Council, I also visited Kota, Jaipur and surrounding areas from 18th to 20th March 2006 with a an investigative group for a first hand experience and assessment of the situation, as also our prognosis about the persecution of our people and the pressure on our institutions in the state.

My colleagues on the team were distinguished persons, including Sr. Mary Scaria, an advocate of the Supreme court and secretary of the Justice and Peace commission of the Catholic Delhi Archdiocese, the Rev Madhu Chandra, Delhi region secretary of the All India Christian Council and two independent journalists, Mr. Anil Chamaria who is internationally known for his incisive reportage in Hindi on Minority and Dalit issues and Mr. Vishal Arora.

We visited Kota extensively and also had a feel of the communal situation in the townships en route, including Bundi and the state capital of Jaipur. We also went through the entire coverage in Hindi and English in all the newspapers in the state relating to the recent as well as earlier anti Christian incidents. We met the District collector, the two ADMs and the SSP of Kota as also the two concerned Station house officers of Police Stations in the city police district of Kota. In addition, we met with several Christian leaders, priests, heads of Orphanages and hospitals, patients and ordinary people. Among them were both Hindus and Muslims.

Dear Prime Minister, the main reason to write to you at this stage is to bring to your notice the very volatile communal situation in the state, and not just against Christians. It is obvious that the Rajasthan State government machinery including the Justice system, and the Civil and law and order administration, are overwhelmed by political pressure from the BJP whose members roam free offering large sums of money for the murder of Archbishop M A Thomas others while the state machinery merrily strangulates his orphanages and schools by summarily rescinding their registrations without even giving enough time to respond to a show cause notice. All threads speak of a conspiracy aggressively executed.

I fear violence can flare up at any time and anywhere, beginning with Kota. The community feels threatened. Already several incidents have taken place against the Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical communities which constitute the entirety of the Church in the State to prove that while the Emmanuel Mission may be the immediate symbol and victim, the conspiracy is against the Christian faith and the followers in the state of Rajasthan, and their social work with the people and marginalized groups. Ten years ago, the Sangh Parivar had threatened to make the district of Banswara ‘Free of Christians by 2000 AD’. They failed to do so at that time. They are trying very hard to carryout their promise now. We seek your intervention in this backdrop and emergency. This is with the concurrence with the members of the Investigative Team under the aegis of the All India Christian Council which accompanied me and of which I was the part.

For the sake of brevity, I break down my report and complaint to you into five components, and for each pleading your attention and concern.

1. The communal situation in Kota and the state of Rajasthan, with specific respect to the Christian Community.

2. The conspiracy against the Emmanuel Mission which began in 2002 when the BJP came to power in the state leading to the rescinding of the remigration of seven organizations and the freezing of their bank accounts and the consequences for the inmates of orphanages and hospitals.

3. The precipitate action against the Thomas family leading to non bailable warrants against Archbishop M.A Thomas and his son Rev Samuel Thomas, Samuel’s arrest from Noida in Uttar Pradesh and the daily orchestrated public protests against them.

4. The lack of action against fanatical Sangh Parivar activists, directly liked with the top leaders of the State government and ruling party, who are offering Rs Eleven Lakh for the murder of Archbishop Thomas and Others.

5. Events related to the controversial book called Haqeekat in which there are passages allegedly injuring the religious sentiments of devout Hindus.

In Details

1. As Dr Joseph D Souza, President of the All India Christian Council and I had told you and other Central government leaders in our earlier letter, defeated and frustrated religious fundamentalist and hyper-nationalist groups of the Sangh Parivar have Christians in several sensitive states. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Orissa have been at the top of our areas of maximum concern, with Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Karnataka close behind. The provincial administrations and particularly the education and police in all these states are under the control of the BJP.

All these states have sizable populations of Dalits and indigenous or Tribal people who have historically shown an abiding interest in the life and message of Jesus. It needs to be recalled that the Sangh Parivar had as early as the mid 1990s publicly declared that it would make the Banswara district of Rajasthan ‘Christian-free’ by the end of the century. Despite a reign of terror, Christians remain in Banswara. Kota, with its history of tension between Muslims and Hindus to which the Collector and Police officers attest, seems the likely tinder box for future tension and possible violence. The fact that the Emmanuel Mission is active in this city makes them the logical target. However, Catholic schools have been attacked in Kota and even a Leprosy hospital being run by Catholic nuns has been targeted. Is a leprosy mission a threat to security, or to any religion? Is a leprosy clinic a forum for Conversion? Other attacks have been in Jhalawar, Beawar and in Jaipur

2. The Conspiracy against the Emmanuel Mission: Archbishop M A Thomas has been active in Kota for more than thirty years. His is an independent mission whose charism is caring for Orphans and running schools and hospitals for them. Although he is not part of the mainline Catholic and Protestant Churches and works independently of them, he is popular with the people and his record of service has led to the government awarding him the Padma Shree three years ago but despite this, his work, and the success of his institutions continue to invite hostile attention. As soon as the BJP came to power in 2002, clandestine enquiries were launched against all his institutions which were subjected to a harsh probe and financial audit by the department dealing with Registration of societies and charitable organizations. It is three years, but so far they never confronted him with any wrongdoing. Now suddenly without notice and with no time for him to respond, the organizations have been derecognized. Following this, their bank accounts stand frozen. That leads to a shortage of fuel and food for the orphanages. For three days, the Orphans told our delegation, the food had to be cooked on a wood fire as they ran out of cooking gas. Now the collector has assured us that he has ordered the gas agency to ensure there is constant supply of the gas. In the hospital, patients have been cared off by the staff because of the presence of the police and threats that if any one is treated, the staff would be arrested and the hospital closed down. Inmates include orphans suffering from tuberculosis’s and at least one child in a coma. The timing of these actions is the most suspicious.

3. The Thomas family itself is terrorized. Non-bailable warrants were issued against MA Thomas and Sam Thomas and their senior staff arrested on charges of a controversial book being found on their premises. Without going into the merits of the case, it is obvious that the justice delivery machinery was under great political pressure to see that the Thomas family is incapacitated and is no longer in charge of the institutions. Samuel Thomas was arrested from Noida under controversial circumstances, and it was only some adroit action by the Police superintendent that he was saved from lynched. He is now safe in police custody, but there is much to be said in which anticipatory bail has been refused him in recent days. A notice is pasted at his door declaring his father to be an absconder. Samuel Thomas’s wife, now in the US, has told us by email that all charges are politically motivated charges.

4 The lack of action against fanatical Sangh Parivar activists, directly liked with the top leaders of the State government and ruling party, who are offering Rs 11 Lakh each for the murder of Archbishop Thomas and others, speaks the most clearly of the conspiracy and its political roots and continuing patronage. I am attaching herewith a copy of a press cutting highlighting this murder order. It smaks of what Al Qaeeda does. And the law looks on silently, even weakly.

5. The controversy of the book Haqeekat:. The book has been banned, so we have not seen a copy. However, I have read excerpts in the RSS weekly Panchjanya. They are not in good taste. The law must take its course against the author and translator, but is the Mission and its founder in any way connected even if the book was found on their premises. Even otherwise, by identical yardsticks, former minister Arun Shourie, the late BJP writer Sita Ram Goel, and many a Sangh professor ought to be prosecuted for hurting the feelings of Christians, apart from senior BJP leaders who hurt the sentiments of Muslims on a daily basis. Is the charge for which Archbishop Thomas faces non bailable warrants of arrest as an absconder?

Dear Prime Minister, even our preliminary enquiry shows grave miscarriage of justice, malice aforethought by those in power and connivance between the state machinery, the activists of the Sangh Parivar and the State government.

The immediate victims are not the Emanuel mission or even the Thomas family, much as they have suffered. The victims are the 2,200 orphans, scores of patients, leprosy victims and others. The mission, the Archbishop and the community remain victims of injustice.

May I appeal to you once again to order a high level probe into the entire matter and see that justice is done. Meanwhile, the state government must be told in no uncertain terms that its actions are making India a target of derision in the comity of nations. The warrants against archbishop MA Thomas must be withdrawn, Samuel Thomas must be released, the Emmanuel mission organizations must have their registration restored and their bank accounts made operative, and the Christian community at large assured pf safety in their own homeland.

Dear Prime minister, we look to you for justice. Let the law take its due course without political pressure from the state and the ruling party of that state, and without malice amongst the leaders and officials.

Thank you

John Dayal
(For and on behalf of the All India Christian Council team which investigated the Kota incidents)

Dr John Dayal
Member, National Integration Council, Government of India
National President, Al India catholic Union
Secretary General, All India Christian Council

New Delhi, 20 March 2006

RELIGIO-POLITICAL MOVEMENTS OF INDIA

By M. Madhu Chandra

1.0. INTRODUCTION

For every citizen of India, it is worth and necessary to study the religio-political movement of the country. The religion and politic in India is adulterated and thus to achieve the religious aims and objective of the religion has adopted political power motivation to gain their desired results. Similarly the political agents has also adulterated with religion to get the vote bank of major religion.

2.0. RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH

2.1. Historical Background

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh known in short as RSS is one of the well organized voluntarily organization motivated with saffron ideologies. C. V. Mathew describes that RSS is, “… is one of the most discipline volunteer forces in India and a major political force as well.”[1] The official web site of RSS describes the meaning of its name:

The full name of the 'Sangh' is Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh… Bharat is our nation. Self-inspired people who have volunteered to serve Her cause selflessly are called ‘Swayamsevaks’. The coming together in an organized manner of such inspired men is the ‘Sangh’.[2]

RSS was founded by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at Nagapur on September 27, 1925, the sacred day of Vijayadasami which traditionally symbolized the victory of good over evil.[3] Keshav had humble beginning as he was brought up by his brother after his lost his father and mother on a single day due to the plaque. Keshav from his very childhood had the instinctive national fervor, nationalism and community consciousness which led him to fight for nation and Hindu society. Following Keshav who is known as Doctorji among the sevaks, M. S. Golwalkar who is also known as Guruji took up the responsibility of the movement. It is under his able leadership the Sangh has grown as C. V. Mathew comments, “M. S. Golwalker, better known as Guruji, became the leader and under his able and dynamic leadership the Sangh took rapid strides towards growth.”[4]

2.2. Ideology

The ideologies of both Doctorji and Guruji were to establish a Hindu nation by organizing a well disciple and loyal cadre of Hindu young men. We can study the ideologies of Sangh which Dr. C. V. Mathew has brought out in his work on Saffron Mission. One of the five reasons for the founding RSS is found in its constitutional preamble is, “… to eradicate the fissiparous tendencies arising from diversities of sect, faith, caste and creed and from political, economic, linguistic and provincial differences amongst Hindus.”[5]

Aleyamma Zachariah in her book Modern Religion and Secular Movements in India rightly states the ideology of RSS, “… the RSS stands for is a return to the ancient Brahmanical social structure which is hierarchical and casteist.”[6]

The article 3 of the RSS constitution states the aims and objects of the Sangh, “… are to weld together the diverse groups within the Hindu Samaj and to revitalize and rejuvenate the same on the basis of its Dharma and Sanskriti, that it may achieve all sided development of the Bharatvarsha.”[7]

Originally Sangh did not consider to be integral part of Indian politics as claim to be a cultural voluntarily organization. This has been criticized heavily with the political and ideological support to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “The Sangh wants the BJP to be fully Hinduised and to stand for a Hindu rashtra.”[8] The Sangh and BJP leadership now share a common platform and they unitedly work for a Hindu rashtra. The main aims and objectives of Sangh are as follow:

2.2.1. Enlightening Hindus for Aryanization

Sangh leaders claim of themselves and Hindu community that Hindus are the best people on earth. The origin of Hindus can not be known therefore it is eternal and beginning of human race. The necessity of naming as Hindu came as the human being of foreign lands attracted by different faith. C. V. Mathew quotes from Golwalkar, “When different faiths arose in foreign lands in course of time and those alien faiths came into contact with us, then the necessity for naming was felt.”[9]

Since humanity has come out of Hindus, it has been a vision and dream of Sangh to establish a Hindu rashtra in India then the Hinduizing of whole can only be possible.

2.2.2. Offending and Defending of Hindu Religion

“Offending is the best way of defending”[10] is the high concept of Sangh activities. Sangh’s aim and objective is to equally defend the Hinduism as well as offending. Sangh wanted to defend Hinduism from invasion of Christianity and Islam. The unity and welfare of the world is only possible by the means of Hindu Vedanta, a distinct contribute of Hinduism to the world. Therefore C. V. Mathew quotes the missionary ideology of Sangh from the world of Golwakar, “The mission of Hindu consolidation that the RSS has taken up is inspired by this vision of unlocking the door of supreme happiness for entire mankind.”[11]

2.2.3. Establishing Hindu Samaj, Culture, and Rashtra

According to Golwakar, the average men of India were at one time incomparably superior to the average man of the other land. But when they do not care to live according to their pattern laid by Hinduism, they degraded. Reviving to reach the former state of Hindu society from which the Hindu samaj has degraded is the ideology of Sangh. “… required now is loyalty and devotion to the Hindu community so that once again all Hindus may become incomparably superior to other