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Bharatiya
Dalit Sahitya Akademy of Delhi has published a book, Adi Jati Chamar.
It is a great contribution to the "Chamar nation".
The book needs a critical review to erase certain Brahminical thoughts
in it which go against the spirit of Chamar nation. From the various
articles of Chamar intellectuals, the following inferences can be drawn: Nobody created the Chamars. They evolved themselves. As the
name Chamar indicates, they are a product of: Chamars are not Hindu: The upper castes (Hindus) are anti-human because they do not recognise even the Universal Declaration of Human Rights while all Bahujan saints preached humanity. Therefore, the Chamars are not Hindu. They were the first people who preached humanity to the masses. They were also Budhists. The word "Chamar" came into existence after the first Muslim invasion by Mohd. Bin Qasim in 712 AD. He called the shaitans as Hindu while those who were honest and dutiful were called "Chamars". Guru Ravidass also confirmed the great qualities of Chamar: Nigurav Baman No Bhala, Sagura Bhala Chamar Devtan Te Kutta Bhala, Nit Uth Bhanke Dwar. The Chamars form a separate nation and will continue to remain a separate nation. Anybody touching them will be destroyed. How they lost caste identity: When the Brahmin is proud of his caste why not the Chamar? The Chandals (Chamars) became powerless and oppressed because they lost their caste identity. When the Chamars deviated from the path of Budhism (supreme wisdom), they lost their caste, religion, cultural identity and became directionless. Editor's warning: The whole of India was a country of Chandals (Chamars). They lost their power because they lost their identity. Over 95% of the Christians, Muslims and Sikhs are Chandals. Our Editor always says: Religion does not protect the masses. It is the masses that protect the religion. Dr. Ambedkar is the Messiah of the Chamar nation. All the clashes that took place in the name of Hindu vs. Muslim, Hindu vs. Sikh or Hindu vs. Christians are nothing but clashes between Chandals and Chandals. To the Brahmin, all Chandals, whether Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian, are enemies. They instigate the Chandals against Muslim, Christian and Sikhs. In all clashes, the Chandals die. The Brahmin is an expert in making brother fight the brother. Say with pride "I am Chamar": If the Chamars want to rule this country they must say with pride that they are Chamar. Jatav, Jadhav, Pasi, Mahar, Madiga, Valmiki, Balai, Ramdasia etc. are also Chandals (Chamars). They must together strengthen the "Chamar nation". We must have a massive Chamar Maha-conference in Delhi. The Editor must take the initiative. DV
Edit July 1, 2004: "Chamar power rescues
Sikhism from slow death". DV to strengthen Passi "identity":
How yesterday's rulers became paupers ? Bangalore: We received a complaint that our Lucknow DV workshop (Jan.23 - 25, 2004) was a Chamar show and that we ignored the Passis and other small Dalit subcastes when we held the "caste identity" seminar on the last day of the workshop. But the workshop was confined only to seniormost Dalit readers from UP but the seminar on the last day was open to public. Some Passis were present. When we selected the Dalit invitees to the workshop we did not know their subcastes. If the Chamars were in a majority or the Passis were ignored it was just an accident. Why DV supported Madigas: Our "caste identity" thesis aims at strengthening every subcaste within the Dalits or BCs or for that matter every jati. In fact, we are more concerned with the smaller and weaker jatis. Hence our heart goes to Passis. In Andhra, we backed the Madigas because they complained of discrimination at the hands of dominant Malas. We always go with the numerically smaller and weaker jatis like the Passis. This is the secret of the popularity of the "caste identity" thesis which aims at strengthening the roots of the weakest jatis and making them stand erect and fight for their share in proportion to their population. Only some jatis have came up leaving a majority of jatis behind. This is the case with the majority of subcastes among SC/ST/BCs. Even Muslim/Christian/Sikh jatis have similar complaints. Glorious history of Passis: We are fully aware of the glorious history of the Passis who were once the rulers of Lucknow and several other parts of UP. We have read Chief Minister Mayawati's preface to her Passi Minister R.K. Chowdhury's book, Passee Samrajya (1997). In our book, Grave Diggers of History (DSA-2001), we had called upon Dalit writers to do research into the roots of each and every Dalit subcaste and trace its glorious past history and rewrite the history of each jati. DV supports the weakest of the weak. If the Passis are weak, we will fight for them. Brother R.K. Chowdhury has done such a work. He says before 800 years Lucknow, Allahabad and Faizabad were under Passi kings. Population suppressed: We learn that the Passi population figures are very much suppressed. In the 1991 census, the Scheduled Caste population of undivided UP was 2.93 crores (22%). In this, the Passis constitute 1.5 crore which includes all the different sub-subcastes of Passis. One claim puts the Passi population at 2 crore out of the total SC/ST population of 4.5 crore. Subcaste-wise population census will verify the truth. If the Passi population is so high and its past history is so glorious, why the Passis have fallen? What caused their fall? What should be done to put pride into the Passi hearts? This is the job of the Passi intellectuals. DV is ready to support honest intellectuals among Passis and hold a seminar of such intellectuals at Lucknow to exclusively discuss steps to strengthen the "caste identity" of Passis. There is no doubt that the Passi population figures have been suppressed and their glorious past is erased. DV will assure the Passi Samaj that it will see that justice is done. Another important aspect of the Passis is they are not confined to UP alone. Passis are found in all the North Indian states and even Bengal. It is possible that Passis may be an all-Indian community. This needs research. Lucknow named after Passi ruler: Maharaja Bijlee Paasee is the most famous name in the Passi history. He was the ruler of Awadh during the 12th century. Maharaja Lakhan Paasee was a famous ruler of Lucknow which derives its name from him. The King George Medical College of Lucknow stands on the ruins of his palace. There were many other famous Passi rulers. Veerangna Uda Devi was a brave Passi warrior who fought the British. She died in the battlefield sometime in the 1857. The work of digging out the Passis's glorious past and reconstructing it has to be done by Passi scholars. Each subcaste (ethnic identity) must produce its own historians and intellectuals. This is the job of all subcastes among SC/ST/BCs. This is the meaning of "caste identity". Each subcaste (identity) must find ways to strengthen itself. This is the job of honest intellectuals of that subcaste. What are the Passi intellectuals doing? The Passis can't expect other jati people to support them. Why Chamars galloped: If the Chamars
have galloped it is not because of their
numerical
strength.
Brahmins are just
3%,
why are they
dominating the society despite being
a micro-minority? Passis must hold caste conferences in different UP districts. Political leaders should be kept out. It is now proved that the solution to the problem of a caste cannot be found in political power or economic development. It is social and cultural development of a particular caste that can take it forward. Weakest link in cycle chain: DV is here to support the weakest link in the cycle chain. If the Passis are weak, we will take up their cause. Unless the weakest, the rusted link (ethnic identity) in the cycle chain is repaired, rejuvenated, well-oiled and made fighting fit, the chain will not work. If the cycle chain does not work, we can't ride the cycle, that is India. The Indian cycle has come to standstill because 90% of its links in the chain are rusted. This is "caste identity". We assure
the Passis and all other weaker ethnic
identities (subcastes)
all over
India that
DV gives the top-most
priority to strengthen
their identity. Chamars of Jammu & Kashmir proud of "caste
identity" The Untouchables of J&K are listed under 13-subcastes: They form about 8-10% of the total 1-crore state population. Of this, Meighs (Bhagats) are 30-35%, Chamars 25-30%, Dooms 25-30% and rest are Batwal and other castes. All these castes are found in Jammu province (Jammu, Udhampur, Doda, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts) only except for Ratal and Watal present in Kashmir. In the Ladakh (Leh, Kargil, Ladakh districts) province, the people are Budhists and Muslims. Chamar subcastes: Chamars are concentrated in Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur districts. They are of two sects:
The Jatoi Chamar subcastes are: The Chamar subcaste surnames shown within bracket are hinduised (enslaved). Many Chamars use their gotras as surnames (clan name) to hide their caste. Many of the original subcaste names and gotras of Chamars are found among Rajputs and Brahmins of Jammu also. My inquiries revealed that not very lately, Chamars and upper castes (Rajputs/Brhamins) used to worship the same family deity together. Most of the subcastes names akin to those of Chamars are also found among so-called middle and low cast among the upper castes. Almost all the Chamar subcastes are proud of their jati feeling and their "caste identity". That is why they flaunt their surnames. With the sharpening of caste contradictions, even uneducated Chamars have become conscious of their "caste identity". Elite hiding caste: However, it is the elites among Chamars who are hiding their caste. Two intercaste marriages took place between Chamars (both doctors) and upper castes. A Bhagat thinks he is at the top among Dalits but a Chamar thinks he is above others except the Bhagats. It is a paradox that among the worst victims of the caste system, the caste contradictions are so strong and defeat all efforts for their unity and brotherhood. Blood groups: About 95%
of patients attending my private clinic are Chamars. They provide
lot of
information on various aspects
of Chamar
problems and history. What I observed is
the Chamar blood group and its relationship to
their physical
and mental
makeup. The
blood groups
distribution among Chamars is B-40%, O-27.25%,
A-20% and AB-8.45%. This pattern is almost
identical with
others of Jammu. Over
90% of the Chamars have wheat complexion
and their average height
(males) is 5.5 ft or more. But the Chamars
(both male
and
female) with
blood
groups A and AB show very distinguishing
characters. Most of them are tall, have sharp features,
very fair and aggressive.
However,
the general intelligence level of Chamars
does not seem to
vary relation to their blood groups. Various
studies have established that persons
with blood group antigen A are mostly of
Aryan origin and therefore, in Chamars with A and
AB groups, this
antigenic
character may
be partially responsible for their peculiar
behaviour. Veeramani must intervene to stop Thevar-DKV violence in South TN Casteist forces in Southern Tamil Nadu are bent upon crushing our caste leadership. Devendra Kula Velalars (DKVs), the erstwhile wetland cultivators (also called Mallars) and rulers of three Tamil dynasties — Chera, Chola and Pandiya — have organsied under the leadership Dr. K. Krishnasamy, the rising red star of Tamil country under the banner of Puthiya Thamizhagam (New Tamil land). On July 26, 2004, country bombs were thrown at his convoy at Palayamkottai (Thirunelveli dt) when he was attending a court case. He, however, escaped the murder attempt. Eight people were caught by our party cadres and handed over to the police. All of them belong to the Thevar caste. Such a caste terrorism is being let unleashed in Southern TN for which the DMK and AIADMK are mainly responsible. National parties and communist parties are silent on "caste terrorism" while criticising "religious terrorism". Thevar culprits: Immanuvel Sekaran, a Congress worker and our caste leader in Ramnad dt., who incurred the wrath of the late Muthuramalingam (Thevar), was murdered in 1957. This was followed by the notorious Mudhukulathoor caste riots in 1957. Dr. K. Krishnasamy, a medical doctor, a product of Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy and Dr. Ambedkar, has become a popular leader of Southern TN but casteist forces are bent upon finishing him. They are using Mukkulathors, a combination of three castes (Kallars/Ambalakarans/Nattars, Maravars and Agambadyars). This group is called Thevars. During the British rule they were considered a criminal group. The Thevar leaders (not people) consider Dr. Krishnasamy as their main enemy. Meenakshipuram mass conversion: (1) In 1979, five DKVs were murdered for wanting to participate in the festival of Iyanar (Budha) temple of Unchanai, near Devakottai. (2) The 1981 Thevars attacks on the DKVs resulted in the Meenakshipuram mass conversion in Thenkasi, Thirunelveli dt. (3) Caste riots at Puliyankudi led to loss of lives and properties. (4) Murder of an old lady by Thevars led to caste riots in Cumbum in 1989. (5) In Kodiyankulam village, Thoothukudi dt. (1995), the police attacked theDKVs during the AIADMK regime. (6) The two-glass system in tea shops was removed in few villages of Coimbatore dt. by the action of Dr. K. Krishnasamy (1998) for which he incurred the displeasure of the DMK regime. This form of untouchability is very common in southern districts. (7) A DKV settlement was attacked to disturb our party (PT) conference at Ramanathapuram in 1998. (8) Plantation labour, mainly Dalits, was organised for the first time by Dr. K. Krishnasamy. (9) At Swarnamurthy Eswarar temple of Kandadevi, near Devakottai, participation of DKVs is blocked by Thevars. Dr. K. Krishnasamy filed a case in the High Court and got orders to celebrate the festival with the participation of all, irrespective caste and creed. No democracy in South TN: The Thevars want to rule the whole of South TN and control water, fish, temples and common land. They run the courts and "settle" various disputes. There is no rule of law in South TN. Dr. K. Krishnasamy has been trying to democratize the socio-political sphere of South TN. But casteist forces are using the innocent but unthinking Thevars to fight the poor, oppressed DKVs. The Thevars are also equally poor and oppressed but they are being instigated against the equally oppressed DKVs whom they consider to be Untouchables. Progressive forces within the Thevars influenced by the thoughts of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy should ponder over this issue. Brother Veeramani, Dravidar Kazhagam leader who is organising all the BCs and SCs, can facilitate such a dialogue between the Thevars and DKVs. Meanwhile,
the Govt. of India should provide the Z security for Dr. K.
Krishnasamy and deploy army to avoid caste riots
and bloodshed
in South TN. "Caste identity" is a step towards PR Brother Satinath, a distinguished Dalit scientist from US and an old member of the DV family, has been talking of the PR system for a long time. His several articles have appeared in DV. But in a poor, illiterate, highly chaotic country under the merciless overlordship of Hindu nazis, PR may be difficult to understand, not to speak of practising it. Better Democracy within caste: Our "caste identity" thesis is a step towards the PR. Since the caste comes from birth, every person including the religious "minorities" remember their caste because caste (identity) has become an inseparable part of our life. That is why caste-based parties, caste-based census, caste-based reservations, caste armies are coming up in a big way. Hundreds of caste conferences have already taken place. Why this growing love for one's caste? The answer is very simple. The people are learning from the upper castes (Hindu) who went up by using their caste ladder. One finds better security and fellow-feeling within his caste. That is why persons belonging to a caste live in a cluster in all villages. Even in cities. India is a country of villages where people lead a natural life. Desperate Vaidiks: Brahmins were the leaders in following "caste identity". The rest learnt from the Bhoodevatas. The very same Brahminical forces have now purchased some Dalits to attack us but such critics do not know that the upper castes are the most uncompromising advocates of casteism. It is they who started caste banks, caste schools, caste associations, even caste clubs. Even those who live in West have caste associations. All the upper castes use their caste surnames but ask us to drop ours. They marry within their caste but ask us to go for intercaste partner. "Caste identity" is growing and is now unstoppable. That is why the vaidiks are desperate. Our Dalit "intellectuals" must note that the common, illiterate masses of people have better brains and better common sense. That is why they find hope only in "caste identity". Justice
within Jati: The masses of people, who are very much bound within
their jati, are asking: Caste
consciousness is growing only because the upper caste rulers are
consciously casteists. — EDITOR. |