In defence of Mayawati:BSP not against Brahmins but only Brahminism

Many reactions are expressed by many people, some had frivolous views of judging Mayawati’s work on her ability to clean the Jamuna and the Ganga. These must, I am afraid, be called ‘stupid’, to use a mild word and ignored. There are others, who are sworn enemies of BSP. Their views also should be ignored. But even some true Ambedkarites have expressed doubts, which need some clarification.

A healthy discussion of such views must always be welcome. I am not very euphoric about her victory, but I am definitely happy about it and I believe the steps taken by her are in right direction and it is the very first step. The uphill task is further ahead in front of all of us.

DID SHE SURRENDER

I do not think that it is a social revolution; that stage is yet to come. But I do believe that it is a social transformation.

I think not. Mayawati did not use any short-cut. Those who know the working of BSP cadres would know that the BSP workers use the most grass-root level and reach all voters. Is Mayawati likely to work under pressure of Brahmins? This is very unlikely, if we remember her past actions. In 2003, she resigned instead of submitting to pressure of giving 80% seats to BJP.

NOT AGAINST BUDHISM

She is not a religious but a political leader. Those who wish to propagate religion are most welcome to do so. Mayawati has never objected to workers who wish to propagate Budhism. She had in past helped such workers and would do in future whatever is possible for her to do.

Babasaheb had asked his followers that the chariot of his movement, if could not be taken forward, must not be allowed to go backward. Everybody in the movement knows this and everybody believes that what he is doing is helping to push this chariot. At the same time, he thinks that others are trying to push it backwards. That is why he opposes all others. Unfortunately these “others” outnumber his own supporters. This is the cause of fracturing of Ambedkarite movement in India, and especially in Maharashtra.

MAHARASHTRA IGNORED KANSHI RAM

Dr. Ambedkar had asked Dalits to work with other castes. That advice was not followed in Maharashtra. As a result, the RPI remained a one-caste party. When there was the rise of Kanshi Ram in North, people in Maharashtra ignored it rise. They wanted the sun to rise; there was no doubt about that, but they wished that the sun should rise after hearing the sound of their cock. As the sun rose in UP, without hearing the voice of the cock from Maharashtra, they pretended that there was no sunrise. That gave rise to fractured politics in the region.

ADMITTING BRAHMINS

Did Babasaheb, say that Hindus should be kept out of the Ambedkarite political party? He wanted people from all religions. His Independent Labor Party was for all castes and religions. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh was its president of the province. He had to start Scheduled Castes Federation only under some restrictions put by the British, the history of which is well known to Ambedkarites. But even in that party, there was admission of non-SC sympathizers. This I know because I heard Babasaheb saying so in Shyam Hotel tea party.

MANU SMRITI BURNING

When RPI was envisaged, he told in the speech that, he had already contacted leaders from other political parties like Dr. Lohia, S. M. Joshi, Madhu Limaye etc. If RPI was formed during his life time, all these people would have joined the party. If he were alive for some more time, and if the party of his vision had come in effect during his lifetime, all these Hindu leaders would have been the members of the Babasaheb’s party.

Those who object to Mayawati admitting Brahmins to her party should try and understand what Babasaheb’s vision was. Does this mean Babasaheb’s views about Budhism were clouded by political thoughts?

Babasaheb never kept the Brahmins out. Right from the days of Manu Smruti burning day (1927), till the formation of People’s Education Society, Brahmins were associated with him. He had fought a case for Dinkarrao Jawalkar and got him acquitted from charges of defamation of Tilak. Babasaheb said he was against Brahminism and not against Brahmins. He was friendly with the son of Tilak.

So why object to Mayawati admitting Brahmins? BSP, right from the times of BAMCEF and DS4, was never a Dalit party, it has always been a Bahujan party. Now only upper castes are admitted and made it a sarvajana party. Right from the beginning, there were members of all castes and religions in BSP. There were Hindus of all castes Dalit and non-Dalits, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. If one comprehends ‘the concept of Bahujan’ expounded by Kanshi Ram, it is not very difficult to understand the concept of sarvajana, now expanded by Mayawati.

RESERVATIONS

Mayawati and reservations is a subject not understood by many. Kanshi Ram never wanted to be beneficiary of reservations. He always said that we must become the givers of reservations and not the receivers. That status, of giver of reservations, Mayawati has now achieved. For those who have a mind-set of becoming the picchlaggu (in Kanshi Ram’s words), it would be difficult to understand this sentiment.

SOCIAL ENGINEERING

The Brahminic writers have termed this change of political power as social engineering thereby implying that there is some element of trickery, dishonesty, deception, or deceit and a feeling of impermanence in her victory.

This is because they are not digesting her victory. Unfortunately, our own people are also using that term. It is not social engineering but social transformation, which has always been the aim of BSP. I had written an article in Dalit Voice about five years back, explaining the difference between social transformation and social justice. Kanshi Ram, referring to Andhra, had said that giving rice for Rs.2 a kilo may be social justice, but enabling people to buy rice at market price of Rs.7 is the social transformation, and that BSP always stood for social transformation and economic emancipation of all.

Those not acquainted with BSP rhetoric may think what Mayawati is trying to do something new. But there is nothing new in what Mayawati is doing, may be a little more expansion of old strategy. What was taught by Babasaheb was perfected for practical purposes by Kanshi Ram. And that is only being implemented by Mayawati. Therefore, I have always said that teach Ambedkar to Hindus and teach Kanshi Ram to the Budhists.

It has always been the goal of BSP to capture political power for purposes of effecting social change. As the Brahminic press never does proper reporting of BSP, the general public may not know this, but those attending Kanshi Ram’s meetings know it well. Will she succeed in this? It is difficult to say, but surely she is on the right path.

CASTELESS SOCIETY

What are the means of achieving such a unity in a multicultural environment? Scholars have laid down that there are three stages through which such a process has to go. I have written in detail about this elsewhere. The main points arr: (1) political unity, where people try to live by the same rules and follow same laws; (2) next is religious unity where people follow same faith; and (3) ultimate unity is cultural unity where people unite by matrimonial alliances that would be the formation of casteless society. Babasaheb has given the Constitution and paved the way of political unity; but his dream of bringing various creeds under one political party could not be fulfilled during his lifetime. Mayawati is trying to fulfill that aim.

Casteless society cannot be created by annihilating people of any particular caste. It certainly does not mean society devoid of Brahmins. Let us all try and strengthen her hands instead of expressing any doubts.

PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

Will Mayawati become the Prime Minister of India? Why not? I see no reason why this cannot be accomplished. Not failure but low aim is crime. We must aspire to become the supreme in each and every field. If Deve Gowda, Gujral, Chandrashekhar (and may be Devi Lal) could aspire even when their scope was limited, why not Mayawati, who is the leader of an all-India national party of No.3 stature?

Let us not forget that BSP is the national party and not a Dalit party, and not a party of Budhists alone, it equally is a party of Hindus/Sikhs/ Muslims and all others, who like to follow Phule, Shahu, Ambedkar, Periyar and ideals and idols of BSP.

American interest in India’s Black Untouchables

I am an independent researcher with a degree in “para-legal studies”. I’m a novice writer with an interest in cultural studies as part of my social science research on multicultural education and a human rights issue for African Americans. The issue of human rights has led me to an interest in the Dalit conflict in India. The issue of liberation in the form of cultural enrichment and experiential learning as a concern in the importance of African American children getting a “quality” multicultural education in the public school system in America. It was at this point of my research that I discovered the plight of the Dalit or “the Black Untouchables” of India who are being denied their human rights as indigenous people. This is why I’d like to request your publication sample so I can investigate the issue of the Dalit/Black Untouchables of India. One article in Dalit Voice captured my attention:

“African American liberation is not possible until Dalits are free” (DV April 1993 p.14-15).

What can the church do to liberate the Dalit?

At present, I am doing some social science research to complement my cultural projects for the Africentric community as part of an initiative to help African American children learn better and further my education on the subject matter of multicultural education and cultural pluralism. So I’d appreciate any community insight that may update me on the situation in India.

Role of DV: I know Dalit Voice is the only journal in English for the Black Untouchables. As a amateur writer, I’d like to know if I can be of any assistance to your organization’s human rights cause for the Dalit here in America.

I’d like to request on the plight of the Dalit/Black Untouchables of India and the plight of Japan’s “Untouchables” — the Burakumin.

During my findings I have discovered that you are the authority on India’s social, cultural and religious problems in relation to the ethnic problems of Dalit and Burakumin. I am thinking of a self-publishing/newsletter business because of the situation in compulsory education with the human rights issue in multicultural education and cultural pluralism.

***************************

Victims of Hindu non-violence

India’s Black Untouchables forming about 20% of its 1,120 million population continue to be the slaves being victims of its reigning religion of Hinduism. Though the Hindu (upper castes) form just a micro-minority (15%) led by the Brahmins (3%), they continue to be the rulers even while boasting of non-violence, its “functioning democracy” and “booming economy”. The only person who led this vast mass of subhumans out of slavery was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar but M.K. Gandhi, hailed as the “Father of nation” by the Hindus, pushed them back to slavery. Dr. Ambedkar is India’s most hated man. If the Blacks in Africa and outside are victims of violence, we are victims of non-violence. But the outside world knows nothing of this closely guarded secret as the entire media is monopolised by the disciples of Gandhi.

EXPERTS IN CHEATING

For making the world aware of our slavery we were arrested four times, lobbed in the jail, passport impounded for 20-long years and two attempts on life. Our journal though 26 years old is hated by the Hindus and every effort is made to see that our Voice is suppressed. This is India which is slipping from the Third World to the Fourth.

But our ruling class (just 15% of our population) controlling the media is putting out false reports that India is “shining, jumping, soaring”. Believing this the Americans started investing in India. You can take it from us that India’s upper caste rulers, who cheated us, will not hesitate to cheat anybody.

If you go through history you can make out that these upper castes have cheated everybody, every foreign ruler. With what confidence the Americans are investing in India when this country itself is in a terrible mess? — EDITOR.

CLOSING DOWN D.V.

“100 Best Brains” to avert “sunset over Dalit world”

Dalit Intellectuals Forum, Dindigul, TN, wants to have a national seminar for “100 Best Brains”, on applying Mao’s Law of Contradiction (for photocopies write to DV office Rs. 45) to Indian conditions. The seminar may be held for three days in May/June 2008. The following three topics will be discussed. V.T. Rajshekar, the Editor of Dalit Voice, will chair all the deliberations for three days.

Day-1 : Mao’s law of contradiction.

Day-2 : Applying the Law of contradiction under Indian social and political conditions.

Day-3 : Indian revolution by Dalits and Non-Brahminical forces.

Those who have already mastered or who want to master Mao’s Law of Contradiction and Dr. Ambedkar’s works can participate in the seminar. Dalit Voice family members and other thinkers will also join. Noted political thinkers and social activists may also attend. The purpose is to give a theoretical guideline to the Dalit thinkers engaged in launching the Indian Revolution. The venue is Dindigul which is a district headquarters town right in the middle of TN connected by train and highway.

Those who attend the seminar will choose the “100 Best Brains” suggested by the Editor (DV March 1, 2000).

Any generous soul to sponsor the seminar?

After deep and regular study of DV, I feel this seminar must be held for all important Dalit and BC politicians too. The problem, however, is money. I am inspired to hold this seminar at a national level after reading the May 16, 2007 touching Editorial “Sunset over Dalit world? Editor seeks permission to close down Dalit Voice”. Those who have mastered the Laws of Contradiction will never despair of their endeavours.

If there is life among Dalits, sudras and minorities it is due to the marvellous, intellectual work of our Editor. So don’t lose heart. You will leave your footprints on the sands of Dalit time. Please respond to my mail.

(xavier_eng@yahoo.co.in)

***********************

Never heard of DV

I was shocked to read in Bombay’s Marathi daily, Dainik Vruttratna Samrat (10.6.2007), about the great movement you have been associated with through your powerful English bimonthly, Dalit Voice. I and many Dalit brothers were till now quite ignorant about the great work you have been doing all these years for the liberation of Dalits. It was a moment of truth for me to know that there is someone — so illustrious, so committed, so knowledgeable and with indomitable spirit and genuine concern for the Dalit masses— who has been all these years fighting a one-man battle against our oppression, injustice and deprivation, raising Dalit-related issues at national and international level. We feel proud, strengthened and ignited.

Sir, we are also sad to know that you have decided to stop publishing this wonderful potent weapon, mind- awakening and motivating magazine. It is my humble request to you to continue publishing the only potent voice during this troubled times. We all need you. I am personally going to make efforts to spread your message among our community and appeal and urge you to not to stop DV. I wish to become a life member soon. (jitendradanane@yahoo.com).

Rats afraid of Big Cat

Brother Danane’s Letter came as a shock. Every thinking Brahmin in India and outside has not only heard of DV but is doing everything to kill it. But a highly placed Dalit banker has not even heard of us. This is what we call as “slaves enjoying their slavery”. How long you will remain like this? It is the reservations that has pushed you and your brothers into slavery. By this time, the products of reservations, the fruits of Babasaheb’s sweat and tears, should have become tigers and lions pouncing on our enemies. But, alas, reservations have produced only rats, afraid of the Big Cat. We are sorry, you are too late — EDITOR.

***********************

IDBI Dalit emp. appeal

I on behalf of the SC/ST employees of IDBI Bank, urge our Editor not to close down DV but continue his movement.

If you want the DV to survive, highly placed people like you must become our life members (Rs. 3,000). Those who say they are committed to the cause of Babasaheb’s mission must pay for it, suffer for it and if necessary die for it. Mere lip sympathy is no use — EDITOR.

***********************

Save DV

This refers to the news published in the Samrat (10.6.2007) to save the Dalit Voice. I appreciate the Voice of Ambedkar published in English since long time. I am sending my annual subscription to keep Dalit Voice alive.

*****************************

DV is “conscience of India”

Thank you very much for sending every issue of DV since the past 25 years. I was really shocked to read that DV is going to be closed. I understood your difficult financial situation. I am going to send a part of my support. It may be too late and also too small. I hope DV being the “conscience of India” should not be stopped. I am translating your DV Editorial: “Dalits alone can protect Brahmin life & property: Lessons of UP election”, into Japan on the web:

http://dalit.way-nifty.com/japanese

I also introduce my personal blog in English: http://shinya.typepad.jp/en.

*************************************

It is a historic error to close DV

I was shocked to read that you want to close down Dalit Voice facing financial crisis (DV Edit May 16, 2007). From my next due date I will subscribe for two copies of DV. I also request every member of DV family to do so to help double the DV circulation. As for the UP elections, the Dalit politics is towards a change. Although the Brahmins voting for Mayawati is no sign of any philosophical change towards Dalits, yet it is the first step for the same purpose. The working class today is suffering from inhuman working conditions and a round-the-clock workload.

Leaders rising by the votes of the oppressed millions just wait for a chance to make their way into the “shining” society. The so-called marxists are now proving to be the most loyal servants of the capitalists (Nandigram incident).

With all such chaos mounting in the society, if you close down DV you are committing a historic error for which the future generation will never forgive you.

Hyderabad DV silver jubilee : Aug.12

The AP state-level Dalit Voice silver jubilee celebration is fixed for Aug.12, 2007 (Sunday) at Madina Education Centre, Opp. Public Gardens, Nampally.

It will be a day-long function in which the entire AP DV family members and others will join Editor V.T. Rajshekar. Members outside AP are welcome.

The meeting will begin sharp at 9.30 a.m.

As we are not issuing any formal invitation, this announcement itself may be taken as our personal invitation.

With Ambedkarism under threat, reservations doomed and our very future uncertain, are we to live as slaves permanently? Come to listen to our Editor.

Contact persons:
Ms. Gogu Shamala: 98669-78450
M. Premkumar: 98481-39629

Dr. Yadaiah: 93910-11031
Dalit M.A. Saleem: (040) 2480-0134.

BOOK REVIEW:

Strengthening “caste identity” will kill Brahminism

Hindu society is a myth but caste is a reality. And this reality is getting recognition in India’s two politically most important states, UP and Bihar, where caste assertion is growing and those without any political representation are living on the margins.

Critics may say it is absolutely fanatical to talk of “caste as a nation” but V.T. Rajshekar’s book, Caste — A Nation Within the Nation (Recipe for a Bloodless Revolution), reveals the importance of the subject. The Anthropological Survey of India report, People of India, by an IAS officer, K.S. Singh, has also maintained that India has 2,800 castes in which 450 are Scheduled Castes, 461 Scheduled Tribes and 766 Backward Classes. Under the Indian subcontinental reality it is entirely baseless to say that the “caste identity” does not exist. If the castes were not a reality, Bangladesh would not have come into being.

V.T. Rajshekar says caste system must be destroyed but not the castes. He is right. “Dalit” is not one single caste. It includes a variety of castes and each one is a separate identity. That is why the word Scheduled Castes is plural. Dr. Ambedkar was fully aware of the fact of the diversity within the Dalit society. That the caste is a reality and not rhetoric has been very effectively explained by V.T. Rajshekar. In fact, he was one of the first who fully supported a quota within the quota on the issue of Mala-Madiga, Mahar-Mang, Chamar-Valmiki and others which can be easily resolved if there is feeling of caring and sharing. He opposes abolition of subcastes. Abolition would help Brahminism. If they are so interested in caste annihilation why they confine their marriage to their jati? If caste is a rural phenomena but not an urban one, why the hell it is not eliminated from our English newspapers and their matrimonial columns? The caste consciousness of the Dalit-Bahujan would make their struggle stronger.

That is why the upper castes give their saintly advice of elimination of castes without touching the caste system.

The demand for annihilation of castes comes from only the upper castes. Why the Brahmins are so much interested in demolition of caste which they only created? The answer is provided by the author himself. “Caste identity” is a threat to Brahmins. But it is beneficial for the Dalits and the Bahujans. Democracy is a number game and, therefore, assertion is important.

It is easier to say “I do not believe in caste”, but how many of them have stopped their religious rituals and practices based on caste system?

On Dec.16, 1993, V.T. Rajshekar wrote a historic Editorial in Dalit Voice, “Strengthen every caste to annihilate Brahminism”. This was an important departure from the usual academic theories, which talks of elimination of caste system without really intending to do so. In Dec.1992, Babri Masjid was demolished and Dalit Voice was the only journal which exposed the myth of the “Hindu tolerance”. Some of us who developed our understanding by reading Dalit Voice and the books by its Editor realized that the aim of the Babri demolition was not really against the Muslims but to further subjugate the Dalit-Bahujan masses which were aggressively asserting their caste identities in the aftermath of the anti-Mandal protests in North India. Had it not been for the assertion of Dalit-Bahujan, India would have turned into a fascist state. Is it not a reality that after the Babri mosque was demolished the Dalit Bahujans of UP joined hands and threw away the BJP fascist government? It is the growing assertion for the Dalit Backward communities in these states which kept the Hindutva forces thoroughly marginalized.

In the latest UP election, they have brought back a govt. led by a Dalit woman and both the upper caste parties have lost. However Mayawati has to be extra vigilant when she makes Brahmins her ally who have not come to Mayawati as honest brothers leaving their caste mindset.

The Brahminical manipulation is non-violently violent, says V.T. Rajshekar. The Dalit-Bahujans are made to hate themselves is the worst kind of Brahminical violence. How can a people or community progress if they do not know their own history but hate themselves? They very often talk of the “contradictions” between the Dalits and Backwards. Is there no contradiction between a Brahmin and Thakur or a Kayasth or a Bania? Contradictions in society are always used to divide only the Dalit-Bahujans to fulfill the grand agenda of the Brahminical elites.

HINDUISM AS A POLITICAL THEORY

An important point often stressed in the book is that Hinduism is not a religion but a political theory. Some people differentiate between Hindutva and Hinduism believing that Hindutva was propagated by Savarkar while Hinduism is essentially a very tolerant religion. This is historically inaccurate and incorrect for various reasons. Hinduism as such is not a religion but a name given by the Muslim invaders. Originally, it was called Varnashram Dharma, a religion based on caste and colour. But in real terms it is a political theory, says V.T. Rajshekar quoting profusely from Babasaheb’s writings.

How then to abolish the caste system? Academics over-simplify them in terms of education, urbanisation or industrialisation and inter-caste marriages. The author brilliantly exposes all the three. Education, as he rightly points out, is an instrument of oppression in the hands of the ruling class to retain its domination over its subjects. Secondly, caste is not just confined to rural India but more virulent in urban India. Inter-caste marriages have not taken place yet. Most of the marriages are like a Brahmin girl marrying an elite Dalit boy who is either a government servant or politician. This is not really inter-caste marriage. Marriages at local levels and village levels have not been possible. Urbanisation and industrialization have not helped the Dalit-Bahujans as it might have helped in other countries. Henc the need for “caste struggle” which would ultimately lead to revolution. That is why the author suggests that the marxian dialectics of class has to be modified in Indian terms replacing it with caste. Another important point that the author mentions is that urbanization in India has pushed the Dalit-Bahujan to the brink unlike other countries where urbanization is considered to be a better option for replacing the old feudal system but in India urbanization is creating new slums. It is badly hitting the Dalit-Bahujans.

QUALITIES OF A TRUE AMBEDKARITE

While speaking strongly for ‘caste identity’, the author feels that an enlightened Ambedkarite must rise above narrow caste interests. Dr. Ambedkar always felt proud to be a Mahar but his struggles were for all the oppressed communities. Can any one say that he fought only for the Mahars? The author makes it clear that every caste is today seeking its space under the sun. If it does not fight it will be thoroughly marginalized. The aim of strengthening the “caste identity” is not to divide the Dalit-Bahujan movement but to strengthen it. He pleads for proportional representation. Every caste has a history and it is tracing that history and it is good. Babasaheb said no community can move forward which remains isolated and forgets its history.

RELIGION NEVER UNITES

He suggests that religion has never been a uniting factor. Despite conversion to Christianity, Dalits still remain Dalits. They are not allowed to join the churches of the upper castes. Marriages are exclusively caste-based. Even Islam has been unable to unite the people. Bengali Muslims refused to believe the Punjabi Muslims. Babasaheb said:

Religion can help to produce justice within a community. Religion cannot produce justice between the communities. The call of nation and the call of community has proved more powerful than the call of religion for justice.

HINDUS ARE CASTEISTS

Recently on a trip to Uganda, I was shocked to see that even outside India people are unable to leave their castes. I met a few Indian Sikhs in a gurdwara called a Ramgaria Gurdwara in Kampala and most of those were Dalit Sikh. A Dalit woman told me that there was a separate gurdwara for Jat Sikhs. Similarly, there were several temples among the Gujaratis. A Ugandan friend Deo, chairman Uganda Humanist Association, criticised Indian as casteists and racists. So, despite a common religion, the caste is dominating even in Uganda.

V.T. Rajshekar’s book is an important milestone in the country’s caste debate. It has broken many myths and it has to be taken further. His important contribution is “caste is a nation”. While from the title of the book it looks as if the author is promoting rabid casteism yet reading it gives refreshing ideas.

This is an excellent book and the debate must go further including the democratic rights of an individual within the castes and how castes should follow their own customs and traditions leaving the dependence of Brahmins for every rituals. That would ultimately eliminate the Brahminical domination in our daily life.

-------------------------------------------------------------

CASTE — A NATION WITHIN THE NATION

(A Recipe for Bloodless Revolution)

V.T. Rajshekar

pp.121 Rs. 140

Books for Change, Bangalore.

Available in Hindi also.

Write to Dalit Voice for copies.

Intellectual prostitutes causing slow death of India

[Keynote address to South Indian conference of Dalit University Professors and teachers organised by the Indian Social Institute, Bangalore.

Subject: ‘Role of Intellectuals in creating an alternative social order’. May 25, 2007]

In the course of last 50 years I must have delivered scores of lectures and attended hundreds of meetings as a journalist and writer in different parts of India. But this is the first time I am at a meeting called to discuss the “Role of intellectuals”.

Why this hesitation? Why the “role of intellectuals” is never discussed? Why “intellectuals” are treated as a sacred cow? Such question marks help us to understand the secrecy surrounding this sensitive subject.

WHO IS AN INTELLECTUAL

The subject is so vast and so important effecting the life and death of this country that it cannot be tackled in two hours.

All of you participating in this workshop belong to the noblest profession of teaching and hence fully come under the definition of an intellectual — namely one who earns his livelihood from the power of intellect. I am not a teacher but a journalist and writer. Journalists do not fully come under the definition of an intellectual. They may be half intellectuals. But writers are intellectuals. So I am also a bird of the same feather.

As the subject for discussion is very important but never discussed,we need to have a frank discussion because we may not get another occasion to discuss this subject as it is considered a “closely guarded secret”.

It is not a fashionable subject. It is unpleasant and will lead you into all sorts of trouble — very risky.

I was arrested four times, once handcuffed and thrown into a jail in far off Punjab, passport impounded for 20 long years, two attempts on life, dismissed from Indian Express and all sorts of trouble.

In other words, those who dare discuss this subject are literally playing with fire.

It is not enough if you are an intellectual. We have hundreds and thousands of “intellectuals” in India but are they honest intellectuals?

During the Emergency, what did this intellectual class do? I was then in the Indian Express. Prime Minister India Gandhi merely asked the intellectuals to bend. But they literally crawled. Why? Because they were not honest intellectuals.

An honest intellectual has to question, fight and if necessary ready to even give his life. But this never happens in India where we hardly find “honest intellectuals”.

CASE OF ARUN SHOURIE

We have lot of differences with the Western society — for its crimes against Blacks, their imperialist adventures, recent war against Iraq. But the West has also produced hundreds of honest intellectuals who have fought against all such inhumanities and given their life itself.

But look at our intellectuals in India. I will give you one famous example, a fellow journalist and writer and my own editor when I was in the Indian Express — Arun Shourie. You all know his name. He was a Union Cabinet Minister in the Vajpayee cabinet and the darling of the Indian intellectuals even today.

He is the author of many thick books. In one book, Worshipping False Gods, he has attacked Dr. Ambedkar. In this book, the last chapter is devoted to me.

He belongs to the Brahmina jati Party (BJP).

I have brought with me one book of Arun Shourie, his very first book, Hinduism — Essence & Consequence, (Vikas), in which this great Hindu leader has torn Hinduism to pieces.

The book was published in 1979 by the country’s then most famous publishing house (Vikas). But the critics tore it to pieces because Arun Shourie criticised Hinduism, the Upanishads, the Gita, Vedas and all the bullshit.

I will read just one sentence from his introduction to the book. He says:

Upanishads, the Bhagawad Gita and the Brahma Sutras, is the triad on which our philosophical tradition rests... Much in them is just nonsense.”

What is most shocking is Arun Shourie, described as one of India’s greatest intellectuals, only criticising his own religion of Hinduism but completely disowning his own book when the critics tore it to pieces and asked the publishers to withdraw the book which they did.

Today this book is not available anywhere. Even the publishers will not reply if you write to them. And Arun Shourie maintains a strict silence on this book.

MIND MANIPULATORS

Arun Shourie is a Punjabi Brahmin. He was the Editor of Indian Express, author of dozens of thick books, Union Cabinet Minister. Can he be called an “intellectual” — not to speak of “honest intellectual?

The problem of India is this country is full of such intellectuals.

I am having a copy of his book because he personally presented it to me as soon as it was published. In those days he used to like me very much. Today, the same person does not even like to meet me or talk to me. His conscience is pricking him. Those interested can write for a photocopy of this book (Rs. 300).

The problem of India is such mind manipulators are posing as intellectuals. It is these people who are making the loudest noise on “money corruption” as the greatest problem facing the country.

In any country a large mass of people simply follow and imitate the intellectual class and believe them.

What did India’s “intellectuals” say: They said the sole cause of India’s suffering, its poverty etc. is “money corruption”. Politicians are all dubbed corrupt.

The media is full of corruption stories which are music to our ears. CBI raids on corrupt officials become a front-page story.

The mind-manipulators have diverted our attention to money corruption and yet corruption is increasing day by day.

But these mind manipulators called intellectuals will not tell you of the other forms of corruption.

There are four varieties of corruption: (1) Money corruption, (2) moral corruption, (3) caste corruption, (4) and intellectual corruption.

But we don’t discuss the other three varieties of corruption. Moral coruption like sex, drink etc. may be discussed but only “money corruption” is highlighted and called the greatest of all crimes.

MOTHER OF ALL CORRUPTIONS

India’s intellectual class is deliberately hiding the intellectual corruption because that is the mother of all the other varieties of corruption. If our intellectuals had been honest and free from corruption by this time we could have killed all the three varieties of corruption.

That means India’s greatest and the only problem is its intellectual corruption. India’s intellectual class is hiding this form of corruption and misleading the country, thereby killing the country itself.

BRAHMINS POSING AS INTELLECTUALS

I will quote Dr. Ambedkar’s own words.

Whether you accept the theory of the great man as the maker of history or whether you do not, this much you will have to concede that in every country the intellectual class is the most influential class, if not the governing class. The intellectual class is the class which can foresee, it is the class which can advise and give lead. In no country does the mass of the people live the life of intelligent thought and action. It is largely imitative and follows the intellectual class. There is no exaggeration in saying that the entire destiny of a country depends upon its intellectual class. If the intellectual class is honest, independent and disinterested it can be trusted to take the initiative and give a proper lead when a crisis arises. It is true that intellect by itself is no virtue. It is only means and the use of means depends upon the ends which an intellectual person pursues. An intellectual man can be a good man but he can easily be a rogue. Similarly an intellectual class may be a band of high-soled persons, ready to help, ready to emancipate erring humanity or it may easily be a gang of crooks or a body of advocates of a narrow clique from which it draws its support. You may think it a pity that the intellectual class in India is simply another name for the Brahmin caste. You may regret that the two are one; that the existence of the intellectual class should be bound with one single caste, that this intellectual class should share the interest and the aspirations of that Brahmin caste, which has regarded itself the custodian of the interest of that caste, rather than of the interests of the country. All this may be very regrettable. But the fact remains that the Brahmins form the intellectual class of the Hindus. It is not only an intellectual class but it is also a class which is held in great reverence by the rest of the Hindus. The Hindus are taught that the Brahmins are Bhudevatas (Gods on earth)...”

(Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings & Speeches, Vol.1, p.71, Maharashtra Govt. Publication, 1979).

“Independent India” has not produced an honest intellectual giant greater than Babasaheb.

Look at the latest UP assembly election. Not a single paper or TV predicted that BSP would win. But they were all unanimous that BJP would have a slight edge. Why this soft corner for BJP? Because it is the Brahmana Jati Party.

These are the types of intellectuals leading this country. Their sympathy goes with their jati.

How such jati-wadi journalists can create an alternative social order?

SCIENTISTS JOIN YAGNA

Recently the Bangalore Palace had a Maha Yagna for three days in which they spent over Rs. 20 lakhs. Many scientists from the Indian Institute of Science and other professors of IIM etc. attended it. But not one criticised the burning of ghee, butter, milk, grains when millions of Indians are going hungry daily.

I asked some of them present. As the Bangalore Palace is close to my house I also went to see the tamasha. Do you know the reply I got from these Brahmin scientists?

They said it is a question of “faith”. Our religion, our dharma. You can’t question the faith. Can we commit a crime in the name of faith? In the name of their religion, these very people demolished the Babri Masjid but our historians simply kept silent even when thousands of Muslims were killed.

Dr. Ambedkar says an intellectual is one who has to act as the “scourge and scavenger of the society”.

DR. AMBEDKAR CRITICISM OF GANDHI

A person can be called an intellectual only if you are ready to question. Fight anything that goes against your conscience— even if the person committing a mistake is your close relative. Even if it is your religion or even if it is god.

Dr. Ambedkar was the first and only one who had the courage to criticise Gandhi. This was when Gandhi was alive. Now even after 60 years nobody in India has the courage to criticise Gandhi.

If you are an intellectual like Arun Shourie you will have one opinion today, another tomorrow. In what way you are better than a prostitute? She will sleep with one today another tomorrow. Can such people be called intellectuals?

INDIA KEPT ILLITERATE

The problem of India is these “intellectuals” have deliberately kept the country illiterate. The English knowing people are not even 5%. The language literacy may be 30%., And those literate, particularly English, are mostly Brahmins and other upper castes.

These intellectuals are keeping the country deliberately illiterate so that they can manipulate all of us.

Dr. Ambedkar has said that intellectuals and intellectuals alone can lead a country.

But what India’s intellectuals are doing? They are not only not leading but misleading us — converting India into a beggar nation. India has become the world’s largest illiterate country.

POLITICIANS CALLED CORRUPT

All these intellectuals are unanimous in calling the politicians corrupt. But a politician has to face an election every five years and the people may reject him if found not suitable.

But our intellectuals are permanent fixtures. They can’t be demolished. They go on advising us on every subject under sun without following their own advice.

Had India’s intellectuals been honest, we would have wiped out all varieties of corruption including political corruption.

Do our intellectuals stand for the under dog?

See how they behaved during the recent controversy on IIT and IIM reservations to OBCs. These intellectuals say all admissions to higher education should be on the basis of “merit”. They insist on this “merit” because they all belong to the upper caste. The aim of the merit-mongers is to see that the oppressed castes do not open their eyes. (V.T. Rajshekar, Merit, My Foot, DSA-2006).

These intellectuals hate the country’s SC/ST/BCs and Muslim/Christians. What is the total population of these sections? They comprise over 85%. They want to subjugate the overwhelming population (85%) in the name of merit. Only when we are saved from these merit-mongers, India will progress.

It is these intellectuals who have manufactured so much of hate against Muslims subjecting them to daily attacks.

FALL OF INDIA

India’s fall and slow death is because of these corrupt intellectual class which is the other name for Brahminical class.

That is why India has not produced a single revolutionary after Dr. Ambedkar.

If the menace of the existing fake intellectuals has to be countered, the only people who can do it is yourself — the children of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dalits being the lowest of the low and the worst despised, they have to study and master the writings of Babasaheb and get ready to clean up this filth produced by our fake intellectuals.

But as the Editor of Dalit Voice, the country’s largest circulated Dalit journal for the past 26 years, I find no light at the end of the tunnel. I have to say this with great sorrow that we have not been able to produce a second Dr. Ambedkar.

**********************

INDIA’S INTELLECTUAL DESERT

V.T. Rajshekar

1999 pp.50 Rs. 50

Dalit Sahitya Akademy

Write to Dalit Voice office.