Tuesday, August 23, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Re: [The Buddhist Circle] Excellent article by Prof Thorat "Ambedkar's way & Anna Hazare's methods"

 

It's great article! It says, 'Dalits continue to stay in segregated localities in Anna's village.' 

It clearly shows the true (castiest) face Anna and his team.


 

Know Buddha, Know Life

No Buddha, No Life..!





From: Rahul Gajbhiye <drgajbhiyerk@gmail.com>
To: aim_usa <aim_usa@googlegroups.com>; buddhistcircle <buddhistcircle@yahoogroups.com>; MFC <mfc_mumbai@yahoogroups.com>; Ajitkumar Nandagawali <anandagawali@yahoo.com>; aman31_kamble <aman31_kamble@yahoo.co.in>; amardaroch <amardaroch@yahoo.com>; ar123_pasi <ar123_pasi@yahoo.co.in>; Naresh Barsagade <bnaresh@yahoo.com>; Suresh Babu <drbsuresh95@yahoo.co.in>; Chandrabhan Prasad <pioneercbp@yahoo.com>; Chakradhar Hadke <hadke1505@yahoo.co.in>; mthevar1@comcast.net; DR HarshdeepKamble <drkambleh@rediffmail.com>; Dr.Deepak Raut <drdeepakraut@gmail.com>; Dr. Ramraje <sushmaramraje@yahoo.com>; Dr.Sunil Khaparde <sdkhaparde@gmail.com>; drajayovhal <drajayovhal@yahoo.co.in>; drsureshlaw <drsureshlaw@yahoo.co.in>; drsureshmane <drsureshmane@gmail.com>; mangesh.dahiwale@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, 23 August 2011 11:09 AM
Subject: [The Buddhist Circle] Excellent article by Prof Thorat "Ambedkar's way & Anna Hazare's methods"

 
Dear All,

Jai Bheem!

I am forwarding you the article published in Hindu by Prof. Thorat. Excellent analysis by Professor Thorat.He has brought out the fact that how Coercive means forced Dr Ambedkar  to surrender the demand for a separate electorate. He also talks about the consequences of the "poona pact".  

Kiasn bapat Hajare and his so called civil society members should use constitutional means to put their demands and should not use un- democratic and un- constitutional measures.

When the lokpal bill be tabled in the parliament for discussion , we must put pressure on the MPs to discuss about the root cause of corruption i.e. Hindu Caste system and what measures are going to be taken to end the caste system. There is never a debate on caste system which is the main cause of all the problems in India.

Here is the link of the article

Ambedkar's way & Anna Hazare's methods


Regards 

Dr Rahul Gajbhiye 


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[ZESTCaste] Anti-Anna voices grow louder

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Anti-Anna-voices-grow-louder-Law-making-not-2-min-noodles/Article1-736300.aspx

Anti-Anna voices grow louder
Zia Haq, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, August 22, 2011

Voices against Anna Hazare, so far inaudible in the course of his
high-decibel campaign, are getting louder. A section of civil society
activists, Dalit leaders and some legal experts are gearing up to
counter the Hazare wave. Their gripe: Hazare's movement is teetering
on the edge of
"fascism".

Udit Raj, a Dalit heavyweight and head of the All-India Confederation
of SC/ST Organisations, will storm India Gate on August 24 with
followers to launch his 'Save the Constitution' movement. It is aimed
at opposing Hazare.

Driven largely by urban folks, the 'Anna wave' has laid itself bare to
charges of being an upper-caste mobilisation, alienating Dalits and
Muslims. The right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's open support has
only reinforced that notion.

On Monday, human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi kicked off a protest
in Mumbai. She called Hazare's movement "violent" and is set to travel
to several states to garner support. "For anybody to say 'accept Jan
Lokpal bill in 18 days flat' is a violent statement. Violence needn't
be physical alone," Hashmi told HT.

Those who supported Hashmi's views in Mumbai included Ram Puniyani,
who years ago quit a teaching job at the Indian Institute of
Technology, Mumbai, to fight rightwing organisations.

"Bills and law-making are not two-minute noodles," Hashmi added.
Hazare's campaign has also riled Dalit leaders because it is being
seen militating against the Constitution, crafted by India's most
well-known Dalit, BR Ambedkar.

"No doubt corruption is rampant. But the fight against it should not
undermine the Constitution made by Dr Ambedkar. Why is there not a
single representation from Dalits, or backwards or minorities in Team
Anna?" Raj, also the chief of Justice Party, asks.

Veteran Dalit leaders such as Anand Teltumbde accuse Hazare of
demanding creation of an unaccountable post of ombudsman with sweeping
powers, to be chosen by a few worthies.

"Hazare is indulging in demagogic, blackmailing tactics," Teltumbde said.

"The ultimate aim of man," says filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, "is to play
God. Anna is succumbing to that temptation." Bhatt is set to join
Hashmi to publicise the "hazards" of what he calls is an "undemocratic
uprising".


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[ZESTCaste] Messiah-ism Is The Product Of Brahmanical System

http://www.countercurrents.org/rawat220811.htm

Messiah-ism Is The Product Of Brahmanical System

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat

22 August, 2011
Countercurrents.org

India at the moment is at the cross roads. Anna Hazare and his team
have presented a Janlokpal bill which according to them will wipe out
corruption from India. They feel that corruption is the root cause of
all our evils. Now, one does not know whether they consider the caste
system, untouchability, dowry as corruption or not. We do not know
whether billions of rupees of cash, Gold and other treasure in our
religious institutions are corruption free or meant for something
else.

Anna seems to have caught the fancy of India's upper caste upper elite
and middle classes. Right from the film stars to our business tycoons
every one is taking oath to fight against corruption. The local
businessmen, dibbawallahs, auto-drivers, taxi unions, doctors and
government servants also seem to agree with Anna and want that
corruption should be ended. The Prime Minister of India also want the
corruption should go. Advani and Gadkari want to hang the corrupt
except Yadurappa. Anna wants to hang them but do not have the courage
to ask the same treatment for Ramdev and Ravishankar or any other
religious guru or corporate leader if they are found guilty. He also
wants to keep safe the 'civil society' from any charges of corruption.

This seems to be well planned exercise with solid backing from India's
corporate. Now, it is coming to lime light and sources are alleging
that the Tatas and Anil Ambani group may be behind the campaign. Both
of them are resourceful and can make our media men and TV anchors
workless hence the TV cameras have to be there all the time and make
it a truly 'national event'. The number of people in the ground was
never twenty thousand as Times of India describe. It could be around
5000 to 10,000 at the peak hour. Anyway, political rallies have always
been huge and to compare it with the political movement lead by either
JP or VP would be too naïve. At least VP and JP had an open agenda and
asked people to vote. Anna seems to be working on a hidden agenda and
that is the real cause of worry.

The Lokpal bill that is produced by Anna's team has positive side but
the one important draw back is a super structure which is
unaccountable to Parliament. We want balance between different power
structures who compliment each other and do not pull leg of each
other. We want a Lokpal who can seek responses from officers for their
failure. I completely agree that this government had tried to shield
corrupt officers. The bill presented by the Central government in
Parliament is a betrayal in fact. It punishes the whistleblowers and
save the corrupt officials. May be, because the ministers and
officials are normally hand in glove together in the corruption cases
and know the history of their cases. The question is not of including
prime minister or judiciary into the Lokpal bill but we do not want
another department harassing and exploiting people. Therefore, a bill
need to be prepared after due consultation. Anna's civil society never
bothered to speak to others and take opinion of diverse sections of
civil society, social movements in the country. It was the case
basically that Sonia Gandhi appointed one set of high profile 'civil
society' to National Advisory Council which was a 'super cabinet' and
therefore those who have been left behind in that must have felt that
it is time we must have 'super duper cabinet' which has 'people's
mandate. And that is why such a big 'reality' show being organized in
Delhi. Sonia's advisory council have elite 'social activists' and
Anna's team too had the same criteria. So, there is nothing wrong to
say if you call it upper caste upper elite clash of interests.

Not every crowd turns into a revolution. We want to look this event as
revolution and the reason is that Gandhi, India's fading icon, must be
placed on top despite the known facts that the same upper caste
actually hated him and killed him. Gandhi and Gandhisim are the best
way to control our mind, preach us fictitious morality of the barbaric
age which none of these 'revolutionaries' will ever agree in their own
personal lives. The caste and religious character of the entire
protest is well known to be described here. As reported in many
dailies, the main organizers of this crowd management team are not
just the corporate jars, former anchors and reporters of television
channels who are producing Anna package to the country but the micro
level management is also being taken care of by the religious fanatics
who have deep rooted hatred towards the Dalits and minorities of the
country. It is this class of people who have no interest in India and
who are ready to ditch the country for their profits and benefits
which are swearing by the tricolor and raising hatred towards the
Dalits. Many of my friends have actually disagreed with my contention
that Anna's movement has caste and communal contours but they too
agreed that some of the people might take benefit of it. But facts are
not that simple. Neither is history that evaporated from us when we
have seen the Sangh parivar and its elements intruded in the
mainstream politics and got legitimized through electoral alignments
in 1975 and 1989. That an organization such as Youth for Equality
which has been spreading continuous hatred towards the Dalits and OBC
in the name of opposing their legitimate quota in AIIMS and other
institutions is a shocking reminder of the nature of the politics
being played at Anna's August Kranti. To add further salt to injury is
another hate monger organization called Krantikari Manuwadi Morcha.
One can understand from the very ideological ground of this
organization how they continue to think that there will not be an
India with equality as even today they continue to believe in
inequality. How have those who used to clean our shoes are ruling us
is a common refrain for the political system. The egalitarian
political system is the bone of contention for these caste minds.
Anna's movement actually exposes openly the hidden apartheid of India.

If you see the crowd and many of those who are speaking you can find
their arrogance and feeling that this country is 'theirs' and now they
have found Anna who will not allow these politicians to do
'corruption' which in other way means 'vote bank politics'. My fears
have always been that the Lokpal case would have more cases against
the reservation and if Lokpal is not accountable to Parliament then he
is bound to indulge in notoriety which would attract appreciation of
the upper castes but would definitely be against the interest of the
Dalitsand particularly against OBCs.

Lot of anecdotes about Anna's greatness are being talked about. Anna
himself glorified himself and his 'sacrifices' for the nation. He said
'I did not marry for the shake of country.' Most of those who are
there at the Ramleela ground, are using this as a point to promote
Narendra Modi, who is not married. Question is if the Indians think
that marriage is bad for the country then why are we over one and a
half billion. All this could not have happened without marriages as
living with out marriage is still not an acceptable idea in this
country and children out of wedlock will never be accepted here.
Another question is if being unmarried is greatness then why the same
upper caste do not respect Uttar-Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and
her mentor Kanshi Ram? There is no law, no rule for these forces of
stats quo. They only have their interests and hence can bend their
ideological positions to suit their interests. And you can see this
during the current campaign.

Anna's many formulations are flawed. There is no doubt that the
Congress party behaved in an arrogant way and political leaders claims
that they only speak for the people is blunted by Anna's campaign yet
we can not mock at the form of democracy which Anna and his team is
indulging. As a civil society you can suggest to the government
various points and do things but did Anna and his team ever spoke to
any other fellow civil society people. Or this was an attempt to
hijack the entire issues of civil society and become their leader.
Today, the corporate has provided space for the likes of those who
were supporters of civil society as leaders of civil society. That is
the danger of the new economic disorder, which claims to makes and
unmake leaders. It creates mass hysteria, create news through these
histrionics' and paralyze the administration. It blocks the opposite
views as it is an embedded journalism. It is an activist journalism
which can not be accepted. Such brand of journalism with hidden agenda
and deep rooted caste prejudices exist in the shining India and
promote ideas which are detrimental to the interest of India.

It is surprising that none talked about the issue as how is this big
movement being funded. Who are the forces supporting it from the back?
Has any one tried to find out? Yes, an Indian Express story exposed
many chinks. So much so that Anna and his team continuously talks
about corruption of political class but refrained from talking about
the corrupt corporate and the corrupt religious gurus who are happily
sitting with Anna and claiming high moral ground. How is this none of
us ever think of challenging those who are becoming our moral
guardians. The big land owning Babas and Sanyasis and hugely corrupted
corporate who were responsible for most of the corruption in the post
liberlisation phase remain untouched by our elites. It is because, in
today's packaging, these corporate are required for running a middle
class movement which is essentially against government and all praise
for the likes of Ambanis who never hesitated in saying that they used
the loopholes of the government institutions to promote themselves.

Such hysteria on a particular issue is dangerous. Times of India
reported that the only solution is to ask for referendum. The Times
forgot that there is no difference in the government and opposition on
Lokpal at the moment. And you can not discuss nitty-gritty's of the
bill in the referendum. Secondly, if the government is accepting the
demand for referendum then there are major issues in the country and
many states who want it. Whether it is Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur or
Telengana, the government must listen to people's voice and come to a
conclusion or organize referendum if the demand of Times of India and
those who are calling for it, is accepted.

India's problems can not be resolved through a Lokpal or more
bureaucrats. The failure of Indian political leadership is happening
because our parliamentary system is actually based on a minority
voting pattern. First past the Post system is the weakest link of our
democracy. You can win election through cobbling together a few people
and dividing the other votes. Therefore, India need to switch to
Proportionate Electorate System, so that its diversity is represented
in is Parliament and assemblies. That will pave the way for state
funding and reduce the burden. The current form of democracy is giving
way to individualism and any system which is based on individualism is
going to be fatalistic. The fancy of an individual become the root
cause of our evils. Therefore, it is important that India's
minorities, the Dalits, OBCs, the Aadivasis and other communities get
fair representation in it. Unless that is done, these issues raised by
certain group of people would snow ball into bigger threat for those
who disagree with it.

Anna may say that his Lokpal is to cleanse the system but a majority
of Dalits, Aadivasis, Muslims, other minorities and OBCs have growing
fear of that this campaign is fast turning into a caste-ist campaign
whose agenda is not corruption but reestablish the supremacy of the
erstwhile ruling elites of India who are losing their grip over power
in the parliamentary process and who are looking to control levers of
power through non parliamentary process. Such a thought would be
dangerous and will be responsible for a caste war in India.

Vidya Bhushan Rawat is a social and human rights activist. He blogs at
www.manukhsi.blogspot.com


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[ZESTCaste] Corruption drives Dalit family to suicide in Bihar

 

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/corruption-drives-dalit-family-to-suicide-in-bihar/20110822.htm

Corruption drives Dalit family to suicide in Bihar
August 22, 2011 20:27 IST

Rambachan Rajvansi, a 30-year-old Mahadalit, doused his wife, two
daughters, and son with kerosene and set them on fire before killing
himself.
Daudnagar sub divisional officer Kamal Nain told rediff.com over
telephone that Rambachan Rajvansi was worried and upset after he was
threatened of dire consequences by a middleman Vinod Kumar when he
inquired about withdrawal of his money allotted for house under the
Indira Awaas Yojana through forgery from his bank account.

"I was told by villagers that Rambachan Rajvansi was depressed after
he came to know that money allotted for his house was withdrawn
through forgery by Vinod. He was even threatened of dire consequences
if he informed anyone," Kamal said.

This shocking incident has exposed rampant corruption and forgery by
middleman of funds allocated for houses under Indira Awaas Yojana to
the poor in Bihar.

The accused middleman Vinod is absconding after the shocking incident.
"Vinod is a known middleman in
government schemes, particularly Indira Awaas Yojana in Haspura
block," a local policeman said.

The Aurangabad district magistrate Abhay Kumar Singh has ordered a
magisterial enquiry into the case after Singh along with district
superintendent of police visited the village.

"Police have lodged a case and have already begun an investigation
into it," a district official said.

However, Bihar rural development minister Nitish Mishra said that his
department will initiate action in this case only after district level
inquiry report was made available. "It is a serious matter if a
middleman harassed and threatened a poor man that drove him to commit
suicide along with his family," Mishra said.

Only three months ago, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his
anguish over large-scale corruption in the schemes being executed
through banks.

"Middlemen in connivance with the bank employees use corrupt means to
earn money in the Kisan Indira Awas Yojana scheme," Kumar alleged.

"Police have lodged a case and already began an investigation into it"
a district official said.
M I Khan in Patna

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[ZESTCaste] Anti-Anna voices grow louder

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Anti-Anna-voices-grow-louder/Article1-736300.aspx

Anti-Anna voices grow louder
Zia Haq, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, August 22, 2011

Voices against Anna Hazare, so far inaudible in the course of his
high-decibel campaign, are getting louder. A section of civil society
activists, Dalit leaders and some legal experts are gearing up to
counter the Hazare wave. Their gripe: Hazare's movement is teetering
on the edge of
"fascism".

Udit Raj, a Dalit heavyweight and head of the All-India Confederation
of SC/ST Organisations, will storm India Gate on August 24 with
followers to launch his 'Save the Constitution' movement. It is aimed
at opposing Hazare.

Driven largely by urban folks, the 'Anna wave' has laid itself bare to
charges of being an upper-caste mobilisation, alienating Dalits and
Muslims. The right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's open support has
only reinforced that notion.

On Monday, human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi kicked off a protest
in Mumbai. She called Hazare's movement "violent" and is set to travel
to several states to garner support. "For anybody to say 'accept Jan
Lokpal bill in 18 days flat' is a violent statement. Violence needn't
be physical alone," Hashmi told HT.

Those who supported Hashmi's views in Mumbai included Ram Puniyani,
who years ago quit a teaching job at the Indian Institute of
Technology, Mumbai, to fight rightwing organisations.

"Bills and law-making are not two-minute noodles," Hashmi added.
Hazare's campaign has also riled Dalit leaders because it is being
seen militating against the Constitution, crafted by India's most
well-known Dalit, BR Ambedkar.

"No doubt corruption is rampant. But the fight against it should not
undermine the Constitution made by Dr Ambedkar. Why is there not a
single representation from Dalits, or backwards or minorities in Team
Anna?" Raj, also the chief of Justice Party, asks.

Veteran Dalit leaders such as Anand Teltumbde accuse Hazare of
demanding creation of an unaccountable post of ombudsman with sweeping
powers, to be chosen by a few worthies.

"Hazare is indulging in demagogic, blackmailing tactics," Teltumbde said.

"The ultimate aim of man," says filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, "is to play
God. Anna is succumbing to that temptation." Bhatt is set to join
Hashmi to publicise the "hazards" of what he calls is an "undemocratic
uprising".


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

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[ZESTCaste] Anna's next: United India show

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_annas-next-united-india-show_1578682

Anna's next: United India show
Published: Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011, 9:45 IST
By Mayank Aggarwal | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA

As negotiations gained pace and Anna Hazare's fast completed seventh
day at the Ramlila Maidan here, the organisers continued to gain
support from different sections of society.

Various tribal, Muslim and dalit leaders are expected to join the
movement in a couple of days to counter allegations of the Lokpal
movement being anti-dalit, anti-poor and anti-Muslims.

Since morning, supporters started coming to the venue. Information
Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, who visited the venue in the afternoon,
lauded the movement and expressed support to it.

"Citizens have a right to say what bills and laws should be like. They
must be consulted. It has not been happening. I believe this movement
would lead to a better and more robust democracy," he told DNA.

Meanwhile, Kiran Bedi claimed that Hazare's kidney was "infected"
though doctors said the 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader was fine.
However later in the night, Kejriwal told the protesters that Hazare
was fine. "There is no infection in his kidney," he said.

Earlier, Manish Sisodia said, "Hazare has lost five kilograms in the
past seven days. His weight has come down to 67 from 72 kg. His blood
pressure is 130/80 and pulse rate 90."

The whole day, Hazare did not address the gathering and lay on a
mattress on the dais for most of the time.

As the day progressed, the number of supporters increased and also the
pitch of the slogans. As it was a holiday, a lot of people from the
NCR reached the ground.

Several approach roads to the venue were barricaded with hundreds of
policemen on the road. But they are not complaining as it has all been
very peaceful. Besides, there was no dearth of food and water at the
ground, as voluntary groups and individuals continued to bring
biscuits, water packets and food for the protesters at the venue.


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[ZESTCaste] Delay dogs delivery of Dalit activist's remains

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Delay+dogs+delivery+of+Dalit+activist%27s+remains+&NewsID=300204

Delay dogs delivery of Dalit activist's remains

Added At: 2011-08-22 4:37 PM

Darnal‚ a Dalit activist and a permanent resident of Mujhung VDC-1‚
Palpa‚ had reached the USA as a Summer Fellow at the Stanford
University.

KATHMANDU: The process to bring the body of founder chairman of the
Jagaran Media Center, Suvash Darnal, who was killed in a road mishap
in the USA a week ago, in Nepal will take some more days, said the
family source.

Darnal, a Dalit activist and a permanent resident of Mujhung VDC-1,
Palpa, had reached the USA as a Summer Fellow at the Stanford
University. He was killed on 15 August while heading to Virginia from
California in a car.

It will take some more days to bring his body home as action against
the driver who was involved in the accident is underway, said the
family source.

Vice chair of Center Kamala Bishwokarma, general secretary Dipak
Pariyar and Darnal's widow Sarita Pariyar have left for the USA to
receive the remains of slain Darnal.


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[ZESTCaste] Man Kills Self, Family in Bihar

 

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=112920

Man Kills Self, Family in Bihar

Patna, Aug 22 (IANS): Driven by poverty, a man set his wife and three
children on fire before killing himself in Bihar's Aurangabad district
early Monday, police said.

The man, a Mahadalit, poured kerosene and set his two daughters and a
son on fire in Mujhar village of Aurangabad, about 100 km from here.

According to police, the family was upset after money allotted to them
under a government scheme was fraudulently taken away by a middleman.

Mahadalits, the poorest of the socially marginalised people in Bihar,
constitute nearly 15 percent of state's 104 million population. The
Census has identified 21 of the 22 Dalit sub-castes as Mahadalits.

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[ZESTCaste] Ostracism of Dalits in Nayakanur to be probed

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2381029.ece

Hubli, August 22, 2011
Ostracism of Dalits in Nayakanur to be probed
Staff Correspondent

Narayanaswamy and Jagadish Shettar visit the village

Minister for Social Welfare and Prisons A. Narayanaswamy said that an
inquiry will be conducted into the incident of Dalit families
ostracised in Nayakanur village recently. An officer of the rank of
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) will carry out the probe.

Mr. Narayanaswamy visited Nayakanur village along with the Minister
for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Jagadish Shettar on Sunday.

The Minister said that action would be taken under the Goonda Act
against those who were involved in atrocities against the Dalits, and
those who provoke such incidents in the State. Assuring the ostracised
Dalits all help and cooperation, Mr. Narayanaswamy asked them not to
panic.

Going on to describe the development works to be taken up by the
Government in the Dalit colony of the village, Mr. Narayanaswamy said
that the Government has released Rs. 50 lakh development grants of
which Rs. 25 lakh would be utilised for developing roads, Rs. 20 lakh
for underground drainage works, and Rs. 5 lakh for the construction of
the community hall.

The Minister instructed Deputy Commissioner Darpan Jain to identify
land to be distributed among the Dalit families here. Besides,
financial assistance through Dr B.R. Ambedkar SC/ST Development
Corporation will be provided to the educated Dalit youth to take up
self-employment initiatives.

Mr. Narayanaswamy said that shifting of exploited families cannot be
the solution for the problem such as ostracism. He said that the
Government wants communities to share a cordial relationship to build
a peaceful and united society. For the purpose, the Government is
committed to provide all facilities. Other communities should support
the exploited communities to join the mainstream society, he said.

Mr. Shettar said the officials concerned were instructed to take
action immediately after Dalits were ostracised in the village, and
police protection was also provided to the aggrieved families.

Mr. Narayanaswamy and Mr. Shettar performed bhoomi puja for
infrastructure development works at the Dalit colony.

Pralhad Joshi, MP; Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, Navalgund MLA;
Veerabhadrappa Halaharavi, Hubli-Dharwad East MLA; Devaraj Urs
Backward Classes Development Corporation Chairman Ashok Katwe; Social
Welfare Department Commissioner Naveendas Singh; Deputy Commissioner
Darpan Jain, and Superintendent of Police R. Dileep were among those
present on the occasion.

Protest staged

Members of the district unit of the Rajya Adijambava (Madiga) Sangha
staged a 'rasta roko' near Shalawadi Cross on Sunday demanding the
arrest of Andanigouda Patil and others who allegedly ostracised Dalit
families at Nayakanur village. They submitted a memorandum to the
Ministers urging them to take steps to confiscate the properties of
Mr. Anadanigouda. They said the Government should rehabilitate Dalit
families by giving them land, financial assistance, besides other
facilities.

Ashok Dodmani, Venkatesh Sagabal, and others led the protest.

An officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police to
investigate the incident
'Shifting of exploited families cannot be the solution for the problem
of social boycott'


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[ZESTCaste] Delhi Imam, Dalit leaders criticise Anna’s campaign

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/delhi-imam-dalit-leaders-criticise-annas-campaign-66731.html

Delhi Imam, Dalit leaders criticise Anna's campaign

FP Editors Aug 23, 2011

Rent-seekers playing the politics of tokenism are targeting the
movement against corruption led by Anna Hazare.

An array of political forces – from leaders of the Muslim community to
Dalit leaders to jholawallas – is stepping out to criticise the
atmospherics of Anna's movement as well the Jan Lokpal Bill that Team
Anna is campaigning for.

On Monday, the Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari,
criticised Team Anna's campaign, saying that it had not done enough to
involve Muslims in the anti-corruption movement.

The Delhi Imam and Dalit leaders are speaking out against Anna
Hazare's campaign. Subhav Shukla / PTI

In particular, the Imam claimed that the slogans raised by leaders and
supporters of Team Anna's campaign – 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata
ki Jai' – caused Muslims some disquiet. "Why not raise more inclusive
slogans like Hindustan Zindabad or Jai Hind," he wondered.

Bukhari told PTI that while he believed it was important that
corruption should be weeded out, it was equally important to tackle
communalism by addressing the problems of Muslims. Communalism, he
said, was a bigger threat than corruption.

Pointing out that Anna had earlier praised Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi, Bukhari said: "(Anna) did not fast for even a day when
Muslims were killed in Gujarat in 2002. We never heard from him when
anti-Muslim riots happened in his home state's capital Mumbai. He
could at least have made an effort to involve the community. We are
hurt by this."

Anna, added Bukhari, "could at least have met some members or leaders
of the minority community… . He could have also made references
against communalism as part of his campaign to make it look more
inclusive."

In this aspect, Bukhari said, Anna had much to learn from Mahatma
Gandhi's inclusive approach. "When Gandhi took up a cause, he made
sure he included grievances of every Indian constituency. Only then
did his campaigns take the shape of an unassailable national
movement."

Asked if he felt that Muslims should not take active part in Hazare's
anti-corruption movement, Bukhari said he had merely expressed his
view and he could not stop the Muslims who were still participating in
the campaign.

In any case, Bukhari said, corruption would not end in a day just by
enacting legislation.

Late on Monday, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, core members of Team
Anna, met Bukhari to clarify any misconception he may have about the
movement against corruption.

Dalit leaders too

Dalit leaders too have criticised Anna Hazare's campaign, arguing that
its demand for sweeping structural changes in governance would have
the effect of diluting the Constitution, which was drawn up by Dalit
leader B.R. Ambedkar.

Udit Raj, head of the All-India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations,
said he would take out a rally at India Gate on Wednesday in support
of his 'Save the Constitution' movement, reports Hindustan Times.

The fight against corruption, Raj said, "should not undermine the
Constitution drawn up by Dr Ambedkar. Why is there not a single
representation from Dalits, or backwards or minorities in Team Anna?"
he wondered.

Similarly, human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi criticised the 30
August deadline set by Team Anna for passage of the Lokpal Bill.
"Bills and law-making are not two-minute noodles," Hashmi told
Hindustan Times. "For anybody to say 'accept the Jan Lokpal bill in 18
days flat' is a violent statement."


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[ZESTCaste] Dalits protest against Jan Lokpal

 

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5384568

23/08/2011
Dalits protest against Jan Lokpal

Ghaziabad, Aug 22 (PTI) Dalit Samaj today protested at the Ambedkar
Park here against Team Anna Hazare''s Jan Lokpal Bill, saying it went
against the Constitution.

Jan Lokpal Bill is against the Constitution made by Dr B R Ambedkar,
Dalit leader Naresh Gautam said after the protest.
Denying that the protest was meant to help the Congress which is
opposed to Hazare''s draft of the legislation, he said they had
nothing to do with the party nor Hazare but were concerned about the
sanctity of the country''s Constitution.
"Nothing can be accepted at the cost of the Constitution," he said.

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[ZESTCaste] Anna Hazare: Muslims, Dalits sceptical

 

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/political-overtones-anna-hazare-stir-aimplb/1/148869.html

Anna Hazare: Muslims, Dalits sceptical
Mail Today Bureau | New Delhi, August 23, 2011 | Updated 09:18 IST
Anna supporters
Delhi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari said Anna did not want to involve
Muslims in the anti-graft protests.

Their heart is with Anna Hazare but their mind refuses to accept the
anti-corruption crusader's mode of protest.

Muslim and Dalit organisations supported Anna's fight against
corruption, but feared that the Sangh Parivar could hijack the
campaign. They also warned him about it.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has decided to stay
away from Anna's a campaign "because of its political overtones". "Our
organisation believes this issue doesn't come under its purview. So we
have decided to be neutral," senior member Zafaryab Jilani said.

The board said demeaning the powers of Parliament would do no good to
the democratic and secular fabric of the country. "In principle, we
agree with what Hazare is campaigning for. But we are not for
dictating terms to Parliament," SQR Illyas, the board's spokesperson
and leader of the Jamat-e-Islami Hind, said. "Let Parliament decide on
the merits and demerits of the Lokpal and the Jan Lokpal Bills," he
added.

Delhi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari said Anna did not want to involve
Muslims in the anti-corruption protests. "He could at least have met
some leaders of the minority community and made references against
communalism to make his campaign look more inclusive," he said.

Jilani agreed with the Imam. "If Anna wanted to include Muslims, he
shouldn't have chosen the month of Ramzan when we stay away from
disputed issues," he said.

The Imam also objected to chanting of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki
Jai as slogans. "Why not raise more inclusive slogans like Hindustan
Zindabad or Jai Hind?" he asked.

Illyas begged to differ. "I don't agree with Imam Bukhari. Chanting
Vande Mataram is not the issue," he said. However, he added that the
Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has an intention to hijack the
campaign.

"It's apparent that the Sangh Parivar is trying to hijack it. It's for
Hazare and his team to block any such move," he added.

"There is an allegation that the movement is actually backed by the
RSS from behind the curtain. The leaders of the anti- graft movement
are yet to give evidence to prove they are not motivated politically,"
Jilani said.

"We believe that corruption is rampant in our country and it should be
dealt with firmly. But Muslims have not been included in the process,"
he added.

Similarly, Dalit organisations have objected to certain aspects of
Anna's protest. "Dalits are particularly afraid that in future, Anna
can ask the government to do away with reservation. What is his view
on the issue of reservation for Dalits in the private sector?" Udit
Raj, chairman of the All India Confederation of SC/ ST Organisations,
said.

He said when north Indians were attacked in Maharashtra, Anna didn't
raise his voice. "He has also not criticised the Narendra Modi
government in Gujarat for the atrocities on Muslims in 2002.

Anna himself should render an account of the expenses incurred on his
movement and the sources therthereof. Though the current scenario is
not acceptable, but with the Jan Lokpal, the country will head towards
a bigger evil from lesser evil," Dr Raj added.

Some Dalit students have also started a Facebook group, named 'Oppose
Anna Hazare and Company'.

"Team Anna is employed by right wing people... This is a conspiracy to
divert people's attention from caste-based census and, most
importantly, has again started a debate on reservation for the
religious minority," a post in the group said.

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[ZESTCaste] Jan Lokpal Bill: Does the fear of space loss make public intellectuals and unsuccessful leaders oppose the Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement

 

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/jan-lokpal-bill-does-the-fear-of-space-loss-make-public-intellectuals-and-unsuccessful-leaders-oppose-the-anna-hazares-anti-corruption-movement/articleshow/9700783.cms

23 Aug, 2011, 02.01AM IST, ET Bureau
Jan Lokpal Bill: Does the fear of space loss make public intellectuals
and unsuccessful leaders oppose the Anna Hazare's anti-corruption
movement

NEW DELHI: Looks like it is the turn of public intellectuals of the
Arundhati Roy mould and unsuccessful leaders among Dalits to get
fidgety over Anna Hazare's growing popularity as the new CEO of
India's Grievance Inc - after the government found itself in a
strategic bad spot.

While Ms Roy castigated the movement as an "awful crisis" that has
stemmed from "the utter failure of India's representative democracy",
so-called Dalit leaders such as Kancha Illaiah and Udit Raj, National
President of the Justice Party, see Anna Hazare's impromptu mass
mobilisation as a conspiracy of forces owing allegiance to "manuwadi
parties".

Roy went to the extent of saying that "the aggressive nationalism and
flag-waving of Anna's Revolution are all borrowed, from the
anti-reservation protests, the world-cup victory parade, and the
celebration of the nuclear tests". For his part, Illaiiah told a
newspaper, "The Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minorities have nothing to
do with it . We oppose it."

Sociologist Shiv Vishwanathan says both these camps - who often find a
common platform - are missing the point. "This is a fight against
corruption and I am sure there is indeed an adequate representation of
all classes in this struggle, but one doesn't need to count and figure
out any such representation."

"At this point it is premature to talk about caste," he says, adding
that people's anger at the collapse of delivery systems and the
government's own 'arrogance' can't be looked at as a farcical act.
"This mobilisation has a lot of passion. This is something new and
intellectuals shouldn't categorise this as a naive phenomenon. They
have to wait and see." Roy said in Hyderabad on Sunday that she felt
uncomfortable over the developments in Delhi.

Across Delhi and other parts of the country, people continued to
throng thoroughfares to march in support of Anna Hazare, who is
fasting unto death to push the government to accept the Jan Lok Pal
bill, which is aimed at curbing graft. The ongoing fast by Hazare
reached the seventh day on Monday.

Visvanathan feels that many intellectuals have understood the
significance of Anna's movement and are sympathetic of it. "Forget the
person. Forget ideologies. Look at the issue. Look at the facts. There
is something that you can't ignore. People are out there offering
their support. I only hope that it doesn't get intolerant by some
chance. So far it hasn't been."

Besides, he adds, "no movement has to have representation of the whole
of society". While no one has done a caste-based survey of the
protesters to substantiate their viewpoint, the so-called Dalit
leaders and opinion leaders like Roy, like the government, see ground
beneath their feet slipping as Anna manages to mobilise masses
discontented with political parties.

Visvanathan says that the media is to blame for putting the spotlight
on "usual suspects" among Dalits and so-called intellectuals such as
Roy who come out with 'old-fashioned' statements about an entirely
'new phenomenon'. Two politicians, a Congress leader and a CPM
functionary, said that intellectuals like Arundhati Roy fear for
erosion of their space as so-called keepers of the other India's
conscience and champions of subaltern politics.

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