- News>
- Newspapers
A statement of self-confidence: The Hindu
`Stop being obsessed with reservations, and holding up a begging bowl in front of the government. Stop lingering over the details of beastly atrocities on Dalits. Stop abusing rascal politicians, or governments of scoundrels, who we all know have repeatedly let us down. We have very few resources, including time, and we just cannot afford to waste them on tearful, emotional appeals for justice.
"Stop being obsessed with reservations, and holding up a begging bowl in front of the government. Stop lingering over the details of beastly atrocities on Dalits. Stop abusing rascal politicians, or governments of scoundrels, who we all know have repeatedly let us down. We have very few resources, including time, and we just cannot afford to waste them on tearful, emotional appeals for justice.
Let us, instead, begin sensitisation of non-Dalits on a massive scale. A globalised economy is wreaking havoc in our society. Communal forces are prowling in our backyards. Let us start work to face the challenges of the future. Let us launch a Self Help Movement". This, in sum, was the message of the leadership to the Dalit community, as National Conference of Dalit Organisations (NacDor) began its recent regional proceedings on an assertive note in Rampur (Uttar Pradesh).
It is called the Self Help Movement, but that should not be construed to mean that reservations are not regarded as a hard won, treasured right, or that the administration will be allowed to get away with indifference, or with blatantly anti-Dalit acts of omission and commission. The point is about the shift in emphasis. "Dalits should not pin all their hopes on reservations or on the government. Institutions meant for the welfare of the SC/STs, the law and order machinery, the bureaucracy, the courts, the police, the planners — no one would be allowed to shrug off their responsibility to Dalits. We intend stepping up the pressure on all arms of the government to force it to deliver.
But, simultaneously, Dalits must initiate a mass movement of their own." The conference has multiple concerns, but one of the most serious of them is the devastating impact of privatisation, liberalisation and globalisation on the Dalit community. These must be opposed vigorously. But first, their manifestations must be clearly understood: The Government is adopting economic policies which will lead to a shrinking of employment opportunities for Dalits in all sectors. Disinvestment policies of the Government are going to result in a loss of reservation quotas in the public sector. This will take away existing jobs, and close an important avenue of employment for Dalits in the future.
Dalits working in the ever expanding private sector have become more vulnerable to exploitative labour practices, and are increasingly losing the protection of existing labour laws.
In the name of development, large scale displacement of Dalits is taking place, without their consent, and without any plans for their rehabilitation.
Privatisation of educational institutions has led to further exclusion of Dalits, who are unable to pay the high fees at either the school or education at the higher level.
B
Do not wait for the Government to open schools, or to reserve seats. Every Dalit child or adult, if she/he has passed the sixth standard, is fit to educate unlettered Dalits.
The communication gap between Dalit intellectuals and Dalit grassroot workers is being consciously narrowed. The dialogue between non-dalit intellectuals and Dalit intelligentsia is critically important. The onus for initiating this particular intercommunity communication is on Dalits. Not surprisingly, among those invited as honoured guests and speakers, there was a fair sprinkling of non-dalit men and women. There were other striking components of this particular Dalit agenda, which point to the certainty of future success: a spirit of self criticism, theoretical discussion of social and economic processes, careful analysis of official facts and figures, systematic planning for the imminent challenges of a fast changing economy, and, most importantly, a desire to keep the entry points open. Reaching out to a much larger "community" of likeminded people, the conference concluded with a call for partners: "We call on all progressive individuals to join us, regardless of their caste, community or social class. We promise that we, in turn, will support every single forward-looking cause that they champion. A small bowlful of curd can turn a whole pitcher of milk into curd. Come, together let us transform this world!"
But, simultaneously, Dalits must initiate a mass movement of their own." The conference has multiple concerns, but one of the most serious of them is the devastating impact of privatisation, liberalisation and globalisation on the Dalit community. These must be opposed vigorously. But first, their manifestations must be clearly understood: The Government is adopting economic policies which will lead to a shrinking of employment opportunities for Dalits in all sectors. Disinvestment policies of the Government are going to result in a loss of reservation quotas in the public sector. This will take away existing jobs, and close an important avenue of employment for Dalits in the future.
Dalits working in the ever expanding private sector have become more vulnerable to exploitative labour practices, and are increasingly losing the protection of existing labour laws.
In the name of development, large scale displacement of Dalits is taking place, without their consent, and without any plans for their rehabilitation.
Privatisation of educational institutions has led to further exclusion of Dalits, who are unable to pay the high fees at either the school or education at the higher level.
B
The communication gap between Dalit intellectuals and Dalit grassroot workers is being consciously narrowed. The dialogue between non-dalit intellectuals and Dalit intelligentsia is critically important. The onus for initiating this particular intercommunity communication is on Dalits. Not surprisingly, among those invited as honoured guests and speakers, there was a fair sprinkling of non-dalit men and women. There were other striking components of this particular Dalit agenda, which point to the certainty of future success: a spirit of self criticism, theoretical discussion of social and economic processes, careful analysis of official facts and figures, systematic planning for the imminent challenges of a fast changing economy, and, most importantly, a desire to keep the entry points open. Reaching out to a much larger "community" of likeminded people, the conference concluded with a call for partners: "We call on all progressive individuals to join us, regardless of their caste, community or social class. We promise that we, in turn, will support every single forward-looking cause that they champion. A small bowlful of curd can turn a whole pitcher of milk into curd. Come, together let us transform this world!"