The episode of Dinesh Khatik, a minister of state in the Yogi Adityanath Government of Uttar Pradesh, resigning and then withdrawing his resignation has made it clear to the nation what Ram Rajya means. Some may describe the Khatik episode as a political stunt. But at the same time, one cannot ignore the fact that no matter which political party or alliance is in power, for Dalits in the government, it is like living between the jaws of a crocodile. And if those in power happen to be Hindutvavadis, the situation is even worse. If even after 75 years of Independence, Dalits have to remain content with unimportant assignments, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s publicity blitzkrieg centred on Amrikaal cannot be considered anything other than a crude stunt.
About The Author
Dwarka Bharti
Dwarka Bharti was born into a Dalit family on 24 March 1949. He studied up to matriculation and worked for the government for a while before going to Iraq and Jordan as a labourer. On his return, he embraced the familial occupation of shoemaking. He has translated several works in Punjabi into Hindi and written on, among other topics, cultural issues and rights of Dalits. His writings have been published in various Punjabi and Hindi magazines. His autobiography ‘Mochi: Ek Mochi ka Adabi Zindaginama’ has been well received
