Analysis | विश्‍लेषण

In and through their differences, and their undeniable similarities, Ambedkar and Periyar point to the Dalit and Shudra communities’ magnificent reckoning with modernity, which continues to inspire those drawn to their worldviews, particularly those who have been wounded by the caste order

As long as we are unable to stop caste atrocities against our own people, we can’t say that we are an independent nation and we can’t boast of nationalism and patriotism

If we had people like him at the helm of economic affairs, the 250,000-plus farmer suicides in the past 16 years may not have occurred, because he recognized that labour, capital and capital goods are all crucial to agricultural production in India

If Mohan Bhagwat’s name is approved, it will open up the possibility of one Brahmin succeeding another at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Meanwhile, the search is on for an Adivasi face for the vice-presidential canddiate. Kariya Munda, the BJP MP from Khunti in Jharkhand, is the frontrunner

In his famous book ‘Caste and Class in India’ (1957), G.S. Ghurye mentioned the name of Ambedkar only once, on page 226, and that too as “the leader of the Scheduled Caste” even though the author discussed at length the importance of endogamy in characterizing India’s caste society

With the help of his Bhim Army, Chandrashekhar Azad is trying to introduce a new form of Dalit movement using methods that are popular among politicians close to or in power. He has come to the fore at a time when Dalit politicians – even when they play a decisive role in today’s politics – are still subject to disparaging comments and other forms of discrimination

The message that has gone out from Saharanpur to the rest of India is that the Scheduled Castes won’t settle for anything less than respect and equality in society and that they want to live with their heads held high. Reservations in government jobs, elections, government contracts and petrol and gas dealerships, along with economic liberalization, a developed transport system and a vibrant media, among others, provide the physical basis to their desire for respect and equality

Sanjeev Chandan talks to Nagendra Prasad Singh and Subhash Chandra Dubey

Shabirpur is a predominantly Rajput village. Yet, the sarpanch is a Dalit. He won the local elections because several Rajputs entered the fray. Then the Dalit community built a Ravidas temple and were planning on putting up an Ambedkar statue there. The Rajputs were angry and wanted to teach the Dalits a lesson. This is the reason for the attack on the Dalits 

While there are frequent references to the Bhim Army in the context of the Saharanpur violence, few know who is actually provoking the Rajputs. An organization called Rajput Regiment is emerging in western Uttar Pradesh in the mould of Bihar’s Ranvir Sena, and Sher Singh Rana is working behind the scenes. Sanjeev Chandan wrote this report on his return from Saharanpur. There are still more exposes to come from the FORWARD Press team