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Editor-in-Chief: Prem Kumar Chumber Contact: 001-916-947-8920 Fax: 916-238-1393 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] VOL- 12 ISSUE- 49 February 17, 2021 California (USA) www.ambedkartimes.com www.deshdoaba.com CONGRATULATIONS ON 644th THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SAHIB SHRI SATGURU RAVIDASS JI MAHARAJ Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, whose completely rejected the concept of liv - 644th birth anniversary is being cele - ing on charity or miraculous ways of brated throughout the world, was a amassing ill-wealth. He proved that great Sant-poet/Guru of the golden there was no linkage between any job medieval Bhakti movement of North performed and spiritual knowledge. . He was born in the so-called While defeating the famous lowest of the low castes in India Kashi Pundits in a formally organized whose touch was used to be consid - Shastrartha, Guru Ravidass proved ered polluting to the Savarnas/Upper that merit is not the fiefdom of so Castes. He, through his unique form called upper castes alone. Everybody of social protest rooted in the univer - is capable of worshipping Him irre - sal value of 'humanity is one', boldly spective of caste and kind of profes - challenged the oppressive social sion. He further dismantled the structures of caste-based hierarchies. fourfold division of Hindu society as a He totally rejected the institution of big lie and a trick to make and keep a Brahmin priesthood as a mediator of large section of the Indian society reaching the Supreme Being. He was under the cruelty and control of the of the firm view that in the kingdom few in the name of purity-pollution of almighty there are no categories of principle made by the so-called crafty high and low. He said that God had priests. It is against this very system made everyone in His own image. of religiously sanctified social differ - Everyone has equal worth and it was entiation that Guru Ravidass envi - against the very principle of human sioned establishing a state where equality that the system of caste sys - there would be no place for fear, tem was created to promote the hunger, social bondages, untouchabil - vested interests of the select few - the ity and social oppression. For the so - so-called upper caste peoples. He em - cial transformation of the society, phasized on the dignity of all forms of Guru Ravidass laid emphasis on dig - labor and strongly rejected the divisive nity of labor, compassion, virtue, pro - and oppressive categorization of pol - hibition of alcohol and all bad deeds. luted jobs including mending and mak - He also reiterated on the urgent need ing shoes. He said one needs not to of remembering the formless God hide his caste or leave his low profes - whom he addressed by varied names. sion because of the false division be - Some scholars are of the view that tween pure and polluted categories of Guru Ravidass did not form an organ - jobs. He also underlined that there is ization nor he launched any consistent no link between the kind of job one and systematic agitation against the performs and his/her proximity/dis - system of untouchability. This is true. tance to God. He assigned dignity to But to raise a loud voice at his times the so-called polluted/lower category was no less than a clarion call to dis - jobs while proving through his existen - mantle the unjust system of Brahmini - tial deeds that even a cobbler can cal social order. It is also true that the reach exemplary heights of spiritual path told by him has become the knowledge and command the respect of heads of the Brahmin priests (Bip - beacon light for the movement in the country and abroad. perPradhans). Guru Ravidass became a model for his fellow beings to over - come the hierarchical barriers of Brahminical Social Order and to establish Begumpura - a state without fear and sorrows. He elevated the status of the Prem K. Chumber labor by emphasizing on the fact that honest labor is empowering. He Editor-in-Chief: www.ambedkartimes.com URGENT CARE CLINIC DR. TAKHAR’S FAMILY MEDICINE & URGENT CARE CLINIC 8191 Timberlake Way, Suite # 400, Sacramento, CA 95823 Phone: 916-688-8888 Fax: 916-688-8837 Clinic Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM & Sunday closed Dr. Paramjit S Takhar, MD We speak your language: Panjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Arabic and Spanish Goodie Takhar, PhD www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-12 2 Issue-49 www.deshdoaba.com Feburary 17, 2021

DHAN DHAN SRI GURU RAVIDASS JI Bole’ So Nirbhay! Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ki Jai!

Guru- Piari Sadh Sangat Ji, CDC/Contra Costa County COVID guidelines. Everyone must wear a mask/face covering,

February 26-27-28, 2021 Gurpurb Sri Guru Ravidass Ji wash hands or use sanitizer before entering the Gurughar. Anyone with temperature or

Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha CA, Pittsburg is celebrating the 644th Parkash Utsav of any COVID sysmptoms is humbly requested to refrain from coming to Gurughar.

SATGURU RAVIDASS JI on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at the temple as per program noted Sri Guru Ravidass ji was born in 1377, in Kanshi, in India, in a humble family of below: Baba Santokh Dass ji and Mata Kalsa Devi ji. Guru Ravidass Ji was a great religious and

ARAMBH SHRI AKHAND PATH- February 26, 2021 (Friday) 9:30 AM, social reformer. Guru Ji dedicated his whole life for the welfare of the humanity. He

Nishan Sahib Hoisting Ceremony- February 27, 2021(Saturday) at 10:30 AM. preached social harmony and equality among all human beings. He stood against caste

BHOG SHRI AKHAND PATH- February 28, 2021 (Sunday) 9:30 AM followed based discrimination.

by KIRTAN DIWAN bygm purf shr ko nfAu Ò d¨Ku aµdohu nhI iqih TfAu Ò

Prominent Jatha of Bhai Vijay Singh from Milpitas, Giani Gurnam Singh & Giani nF qsvIsu iKrfju n mflu Ò AuPu n Kqf n qrsu jvflu Ò1Ò

Ompal Singh will enhance this Kirtan Diwan along with distinguished Speakers and com - ab moih K¨b vqn gh pfeI Ò hF KYir sdf myry BfeI Ò1ÒrhfAuÒ munity leaders well versed with life and teachings of Satguru Ravidass ji. kfiemu dfiemu sdf pfiqsfhI Ò dom n sym eyk so afhI Ò

For the safety of the Sangat and Sewadards, SANGAT is requested to follow afbfdfnu sdf msh¨r Ò AUhF gnI bsih mfm¨r Ò2

Begumpura, 'the city without sorrow', is the name of the town. There is no suffering or anxiety there. There are no troubles or taxes on commodities there. There is no fear, blemish or downfall there. Now, I have found this most excellent city. There is lasting peace and safety there, Oh my brother, God's Kingdom is steady, stable and eternal. There is no second or third status; all are equal there. That city is populous and eternally famous. Those who live there are wealthy and contented.

“NANAK NAM CHARDI KALA TERE BHANE SARBAT DA BHALA”

Sangat De Sewadar Chairman President General Secretary Treasurer Jagtar Bhatia Shinder Paul Narabut Dharam Pal Chonkria Vinod Kumar www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-12 3 Issue-49 www.deshdoaba.com Feburary 17, 2021 Book Review – Mahapran Jogendra Nath Mandal – Jiwan Aur Vichar Jogendra Nath Mandal remained an determination, continued his higher ment jobs for depressed classes as Delhi to unsung hero of after the recog - education of BA in 1929 from Brij agreed to in the Poona Pact signed take stock nized icon Babasaheb Ambedkar. I Mohan College at , MA and, between Ambedkar and Gandhi in of the read some pieces about Mandal Sahib LL.B from Universities in Dacca and 1932 in the wake of the Communal emerging from here and there but had not read Calcutta respectively. While in his col - Award of PM Ramsey MacDonald. He, political much as Jogendra Nath Mandal lege and university days, he showed in cooperation with other dalit lead - situation in somehow got pushed to the margins lot of concern for the pitiable condi - ers, established Independent Sched - the wake of history by sheer quirk of geo-polit - tion of his under-privileged brethren uled Caste Party. There were two of Cripps ical and socio-economic ground reali - in the community. He resented at - political formations in Bengal; one Mission in ties in the 1920s to 1960s in the run tempts by his fellow students of was led by Fazlulalhaq and Syama which up to the and cre - upper castes to refrain him from join - Prasad Mookerjee and the second by Babasaheb ation of India and ; the period ing Sarswati Pooja. Once he was ad - . Mandal created Ambedkar in which he played an important role monished for entering Kali Mandir at his own independent group as a cau - and Jogin - Ramesh Chander as a lead player. On the birth anniver - Barisal, being a low caste, and dese - cus to take care of the interests of der Nath Ambassador - I.F.S. (Retired) cration of the deity. Jogendra was an dalits. Khawaja Nazimuddin showed Mandal sary of Jogendra Nath Mandal on 91-99885-10940 January 29, I got an e-mail from Prof. orator with a great sense of argument inclination and roped in Jogen Da and also partic - Ishtiaq Ahmed of Stockholm Univer - and logic even in his college and uni - appointed him as Minister in his gov - ipated. It sity in Sweden which made some versity days. In 1936, he started ernment. Jogendra proved to be a was said to be the first formal meet - very informative observations on Jo - practice in Calcutta High Court to vocal Minister particularly with regard ing of two dalits leaders. Both the gendra Nath Mandal which were very earn his bread and butter but due to to the issues pertaining to dalits and leaders could develop good rapport kindly forwarded to me, as usual, by caste prejudices could not succeed. other weaker sections of the society. with each other with regard to the fu - my senior colleague and mentor Am - He shifted to his native place Barisal He stood with Subhash Chandra Bose ture political space of dalits. It was bassador Bal Anand. On one in 1941-42 with regard to Bose’s dis - decided to float an all-India political of my recent visits to a book agreements with Congress Party and outfit for the purpose. The next meet - exhibition at Desh Bhagat Mahatma Gandhi. Jogen Da was a ing was held at Nagpur in July, 1942. Yaadgar Hall in Jalandhar, I Joginder Nath Mandal along could get a small book of with his associates in the Inde - 120 pages in Hindi written pendent Scheduled Castes by Sheelpriya Baudh – Ma - Party also participated in the hapran Jogendra Nath Man - Nagpur meeting and joined dal – Jiwan and Vichar hands with other leaders in published by Samyak which it was decided to re - Prakashan. On reading the name the All India Depressed book, which is in no way a Classes Federation, an outfit well researched work, never - started by Ambedkar in 1930, theless, I could get some in - as the All India Scheduled formative material on Caste Federation to carry for - Jogendra Nath Mandal which ward the agenda of the side may be of interest. The au - lined segments of the society. thor Sheelpriya Baudh has The Bengal Chapter of the new not claimed any affinity or party was headed by Joginder firsthand interaction with Nath Mandal himself. In the Jogen Da, the nick name of subsequent years, Ambedkar Mandal Sahib. It was just a and Joginder intensified their chance meeting of the author contact and cooperation, Man - with one of the close rela - dal Sahib as a Minister in the tions of Jogen Da, A.K. Man - Bengal Government and dal, a senior professional fearless leader. The book under re - Ambedkar as a Member of the with the Indian Railways view has mentioned an incident in Viceroy’s Council in spite of some which prompted him to write 1943-44 when he stood like a rock complaints of local Bengali leaders about the great leader of his times as and established himself as a success - on the issue of employment to dalits. against Jogen Da on account of his stated by him in the introduction of ful practitioner of law and also started I quote from page 35 of the book links with Subhash Chander Bose and the book. participating in public affairs with which would say all. On a heated ar - seeking help from Congress Party on Jogendra Nath Mandal was focus on matters of concern and in - gumentative discussion in a meeting, various occasions. The book has in - born in a nondescript and poor dalit terest to the socially and economi - Jogen Da responded angrily to MLA cluded a couple of letters exchanged family on January 29, 1904 in the cally marginalized sections of the Hamidulhaq Chaudhary and said between Ambedkar and Jogen da district of Barisal in society and also communal harmony “Mr. Hamidulhaq Chaudhary which give a positive flavor of the which ultimately became East Pak - between Muslim and Hindu commu - apni yeh lal ankhen kisi aur ko rapport and understanding that ex - istan on partition of India in August, nities. Jogendra Nath Mandal’s first dikhana. Mujhe bhi ankhen dikhana isted between the two stalwarts’ of 1947 and later in Decem - public recognition came in 1936 with atta hai. Mein apne mantripad ke the time. Ambedkar further cemented ber, 1971. Since his uncle (Chacha), his election to the Member of Munic - dawara uchit kaya kar raha hoon. the mutual understanding and respect Ram Krishan did not have their own ipal Council of Barisal which was fur - Mein is mantripad ki seva karne nahin when he honored Jogen Da to for - issue; they adopted Jogendra Nath ther complimented by his election to aya hoon. Yeh mantripad kisi ki kirpa mally open the Ambedkar School of Mandal and gave him the best possi - the provincial assembly in 1937 ka fal nahin jo meri jholi mein dal diya Politics in Poona in October, 1945. ble upbringing with their meager under the formula of reserved seats gya hai. Yeh jo rang bhawan hum The glorious chapter of Jogen Da’s sources and lowly social status in the for depressed classes. With the sup - logon dawara nirmit kia gya hai use contribution was yet to open. He was caste ridden society. Jogendra was a port of forces opposed to the Con - mein 24 ghanton mein katam bhi kar the lone successful MLA on the ticket brilliant and dedicated child who gress Party, Mandal Sahib won with sakta hoon” – Mr Chaudhary please of All India Scheduled Caste Federa - passed his Matriculation in 1924 in an impressive margin of votes as an show this anger to someone else. I tion among the 30 odd reserved seats first division as he was admitted to Independent against a Congress can also be angry. I am doing my job with 26 of the Congress Party and school at the age of 8 under difficult heavy-weight, Saral Kumar Dutt. Ma - a Minister. I am not here to enjoy the three independents. He became a social and economic hardships. Jo - hatma Gandhi was not happy on Ministership which is not a gift given Minister in H.S. Suharawardy’s gov - gendra was keen to get higher educa - these developments and castigating to me. Whatever we have created ernment in April, 1946 as a Hindu tion and he got all support from his the local Congress leadership on the with our own efforts could also be nominee for communal balance in the uncle Ram Krishan in joining the col - victory of Jogen Da, as quoted by destroyed in 24 hours, if I want. Cabinet. Now an epoch making chap - lege. Meanwhile Jogendra got mar - Sheelpriya Baudh, said, “For the suc - Joginder Nath Mandal proved ter opens in May, 1946. The Con - ried to Kamla Devi in a somewhat cess of a real public worker, no trade - his mettle in Bengal and started stituent Assembly was to be formed economically better off family. His fa - mark is required. Real service and spreading his wings beyond Bengal in by the members elected by the ther in law agreed to finance his fur - love for the masses is his only trade - 1942 by the time Babasaheb Ambed - provincial assemblies. The process ther education. In spite of numerous mark”. Mandal Sahib was an active kar had made his mark in the Indian started and Congress Party ‘closed all hurdles, Jogendra, with his grit and politician. He fought for reservation political firmament. In March, 1942, doors and windows; even the for dalits in education and govern - dalits arranged a pan-India meeting in (Contd. on next page) www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-12 4 Issue-49 www.deshdoaba.com Feburary 17, 2021 Book Review – Mahapran Jogendra Nath Mandal – Jiwan Aur Vichar (Continue from page 3) Muslim League quota and handed him their own standing belonging to the Nath Mandal decided to stay back in ventilators’ for the entry of Babasa - a letter of in All India Scheduled Castes Federa - Calcutta and resigned on October 8, heb Ambedkar to the Constituent As - this regard. It was a real surprise. tion? Jogen Da established his cre - 1950 from the coveted positions he sembly from anywhere in India. It is Jogen Da, considering the treatment dentials as a vocal leader of a secular held in Pakistan and sent his resigna - a well documented fact. Dalits all of dalits by the Congress and Hindu mind with particular focus on rights tion to PM . The text over India were worried. The book prejudices, accepted the offer of Jin - and space of minority Hindus and dal - of the resignation letter is given in the gives some insights of the situation. nah. Obviously, it was not liked by its as the Law Minister of Pakistan. book on page 106 and I quote from it It was Jogendra Nath Mandal and his Mahatma Gandhi and other Hindu He was doing his job well with clear for the benefit of readers but I doubt, associates and supporters who came leaders. Accordingly, Jogendra Nath support and understanding of Pak - given the language of the said letter, forward and invited Dr. B.R. Ambed - Mandal joined the Interim Govern - istani Head of State Qaid-e-Azam Jin - that is the correct text, “The treat - kar to come to Bengal and they would ment in November 4, 1946. It was a nah. But the things were getting ment meted to Hindus and other mi - send him to the Constituent Assem - difficult decision but took the plunge difficult with planned and willful vio - norities by the so called Nazi bly. It was a proposal engulfed with with explicit understanding and bless - lence by majority Muslims against mi - Muslims/Gundas during the recent so many uncertainties. But there was ings of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the nority Hindus. Jogen Da Jinnah riots in February, 1950, I firmly be - no other option. Ambedkar reached community lead - threatened to lieve that the entire Pakistan is not a Calcutta in the second half of June, ers in larger in - The next very important phase resign from the place for Hindus to live. They even be 1946 and accepted the offer. Both terests of dalits Cabinet. The converted by brutal force.” This Jogen Da and Ambedkar with the ex - of not only Ben - in the life of Jogendra Nath details of an in - chapter of short lived ‘tryst with Pak - plicit understandings with Khawaja gal but of the teresting tiff istan’ of Jogen Da came to an end. Nazimuddin did their best to gather united India. Mandal came with the forma - with Jinnah are Only researchers, scholars and histo - support. Congress Party employed Jogen Da, as tion of Interim Government given in the rians would evaluate and analyse every trick to see that Ambedkar may Law Minister in book at page these momentous decisions for the not succeed in filing his papers for the Interim Gov - under the leadership of Jawa - 103. Jinnah benefit of the general public. But it is the election as an independent candi - ernment led by first tried to un - for sure that Joginder Nah Mandal date. With lot of grit and planning and Jawaharlal harlal Nehru in August 1946. derplay the re - was a leader by his right. even aggressive posture on the part Nehru, wrote to The Muslim League and dalits sentment of On return from Pakistan, of dalits from the Doaba region of Ambedkar on Jogen Da but Mandal Sahib engaged himself in Punjab engaged in leather business May 30, 1947 like Ambedkar opposed to Con - later sensing public service with regard to the dis - in Calcutta, all these designs were de - and solicited his the mood said, placed people. During the course of feated. On July 17, 1946, the elec - advice as to gress Party were not accommo - as quoted in the his activism, he went to jail several tion day, it was a do or die situation. what should be dated in it. Meanwhile, book, “Mr. times in . Meanwhile, The book gives a detailed account of done by him to Mandal pa - Ambedkar also resigned from Jawa - these events. The supporters of safe guard the communal situation was tense tience in politics harlal Nehru’s Cabinet in 1951. Jo - Ambedkar led by Punjabi leather tan - interests of dalits is the essence gendra Nath Mandal did not agree ners stormed the Assembly building in the emerging particularly in Bengal. Jogen Da of success. I with one of the reasons of Ambedd - where voting was to take place. One political scenario was already serving in the was just testing kar’s resignation on the issue of divi - Budh Singh from a village Tallan in Ja - to which your patience. I sion of the state of Jammu and landhar district of Punjab brandished Ambedkar Suharwardy Government am equally per - Kashmir, as mentioned in the book a sword and declared that anybody replied on June turbed over the under review. In the run up to the first seen trying to stop or negate Ambed - 2, 1947, the in Bengal. situation in East elections in 1952 under the new con - kar’s election will not be spared “yeh text of the letter Pakistan. I have stitution of India, Jogen Da floated a talwaren gadharon ke khoon se lath is available in the book. The reality of ordered for a special flight for going new political outfit called United Peo - path ho janengi aur mein apne jiwan partition of India into two countries to accompanied by you ples Organisation and contested elec - ki ahuti de doonga” – this sword will on the basis of two nation theory of so as to solve the problem.” Jogen tions but could not make any dent. be bathed with the blood of traitors Muslim League and its leadership led Da also kept Ambedkar in India on He himself lost like Babasaheb and I will sacrifice my life. Jogen Da by Jinnah was being realized as Con - the loop and kept him informed of the Ambedkar and his All India Scheduled himself led that show of anger and gress and its leadership led by Nehru emerging communal situation in Pak - Caste Federation. After Ambedkar’s strength. On counting of votes on was amenable to the idea of partition. istan particularly with regard to dalits. passing away in December, 1956, July 20, Ambedkar got elected to the Jogen Da and other leaders like Sarat The book contains letters of Ambed - Jogen Da tried to gather likeminded Constituent Assembly hands down Chandra Bose, elder brother of Sub - kar which he wrote to PM Jawaharlal forces to carry forward the legacy of with a huge support. It has been re - hash Chandra Bose among others Nehru and his Cabinet colleague K.C. Babsaheb Ambedkar but could not do vealed in the book that even more floated the idea of independent Ben - Nyogi. Jogen Da’s hopes were shat - much. He died as an unsung hero on than 6 Congress MLAs defying the gal, as stated in the book, but could tered particularly the sudden death of October 5, 1968. party whip voted for Ambedkar. It not go far as it was already too late. Qaid-e-Azam Jinnah on December 11, As a tail-piece, may I mention was a sigh of relief to the entire dalit It was certain that the Janam and 1948. The new leader, Liquat Ali here that I had an opportunity to see community. Jogen Da made his mark Karam Bhoomi of Jogen Da were to Khan was not supportive of Jogen and listen to Joginder Nath Mandal at as a leader of dalits along with become East Pakistan. These ground Da. He did not like Jogen Da’s stance my native place at Bootan Mandi in Ambedkar. The rest is history. If realities coupled with high-handed - on treatment to Hindu and other mi - Jalandhar in Punjab sometime in Ambedkar was not elected to the ness of Congrss Party and Hindu norities in Pakistan and tried to side - 1964-65 as a young lad in my form - Constituent Assembly from Bengal leaders in dealing with dalits in the line him. In June 1950, Jogen Da, ative years. I vividly remember he under the leadership of Jogendra caste ridden society on one hand and being Labour Minister of Pakistan, was a tall man nicely dressed in white Nath Mandal, the history of the con - some soft corner and promises of was not sent to a meeting of the In - kurta and dhoti. He spoke in English stitution making would have been dif - Muslim leadership including Jinnah to ternational Labour Conference (ILO). which was interpreted by an up-com - ferent. provide due space to dalits in the new Jogen Da sensed trouble and in one ing local leader at that time and a The next very important dispensation on the other made Man - of meetings with Liaquat Ali offered staunch Ambedkarite, Lahori Ram phase in the life of Jogendra Nath dal Sahib to side with Pakistan. Ac - to resign and said, as per the book, Balley. I don’t remember the contents Mandal came with the formation of cordingly on the advice and directions “If you wish, I may slip down’. There of his speech but somehow feel that Interim Government under the leader - of Jinnah, he left for the new capital were rumors that Jogen Da even be these must be of value. ship of Jawaharlal Nehru in August city of Pakistan on August 5, 1947. dismissed from the Cabinet. In Sep - All said and done, Mahapran 1946. The Muslim League and dalits Pakistan came into being as a nation tember, 1950, he got a telegram that Jogendra Nath Mandal – Jiwan Aur like Ambedkar opposed to Congress on August, 1947 under the leader - in Calcutta his son Jagdish Chandra Vichar is a book that provides some Party were not accommodated in it. ship of Mohammad Ali Jinnah as Mandal was seriously down with basic facts to introduce the leader. I Meanwhile, communal situation was Governor General and Liaquat Ali malaria and he should immediately hope some well researched book tense particularly in Bengal. Jogen Da Khan as PM. As a political master - come to see his son. Jogen Da came about Jogendra Nath Mandal comes was already serving in the Suhar - stroke to assuage the ruffled feelings to Calcutta and fell sick himself. in the future with more and an au - wardy Government in Bengal. The po - of Hindus including dalits, Joginder Meanwhile, political developments thentic version of his life and mission. litical scenario in Delhi was changing Nath Mandal was retained as the first and communal situation in Pakistan I conclude with a quote from Babar - by every passing day. One fine morn - Law Minister of Pakistan. Was it a de - was generating a worrisome situa - nama given at page 117 of the book: ing, Suharwardy summoned Jogen sign or chance that Dr. B.R. was tion. Pakistan was increasingly ceas - अरसे से कोई न मेरा यार न मेरा दयार है ; Da to his office and asked him made the first law Minister of free ing to be a country of secular and पल भर को भी नहींमुझे हासिल करार है, whether he would like to join the In - India and Joginder Nath Mandal of democratic values. With consultation आने को अपनी मर्ी जसे मैंआया था यहाँ; terim Government in Delhi from the free Pakistan, both dalit leaders of with his associates in India, Jogendra जाने का पर यहाँसे नहींइख्यतार है ! www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-12 5 www.deshdoaba.com Issue-49 Feburary 17, 2021 Let Them Play You may have seen on the news challenging enough, but I think could determine their entire fu - tenden - or outside your car window as we can agree that physical edu - ture as a pathway to college or cies are you drive through town that a cation has its own unique difficul - even professional sports opportu - right there movement is growing in Califor - ties. Does the child live in a home nities. State officials may con - for all to nia. There is increasing support with a large yard? Near a safe sider what type of future see. Chil - for the simple notion that children park? Does the child have access California children will have with dren need Sue Frost in California need to get outside to an outdoor gym or online fit - so much critical development to get off Sacramento County Supervisor and play. Since the onset of the ness class? Children with access time spent looking at a computer of Zoom COVID-19 pandemic, children to some or all the above may be screen in isolation. and on the field to be protected have been denied access to youth having an easier time getting the California stands among from these avoidable conditions. sports, physical education exercise they need than children only around a dozen or so states The future of our children is not classes, and even playgrounds. who do not. That is why the de - holding on to the practice of re - something to think about tomor - Like many drastic steps taken in cision to restrict physical activi - stricting youth sports to such an row but today. For the sake of the early days of the pandemic ties for youth so stringently is not extreme level. It is unnecessary. comprehensive well-being, Cali - when much was unknown about only an issue of health but also Models for the safe continuation fornia officials need to get to - the virus, such actions seemed an issue of equity. of youth sports exist across the gether, listen to the pleas of like acceptable, short-term pre - Then there is the impor - country, and in every regard, they desperate children and parents, cautions. It is not March 2020 tance of mental health. I have are successful. We know now and the research piling up from anymore. We have more informa - spoken before of the dangers of that a lack of exercise has devas - entities interested only in the tion on which to make decisions focusing too closely on one tating effects on physical and facts. When the reality that has about our citizenry's health and health crisis at the expense of mental health. We know that been created is looked at through safety. The time has long passed creating others. Everyone re - transmission among athletes is a pragmatic lens, it is clear the for children to get back in the ceives mental benefits from exer - significantly lower than other need exists for our children and game. All priorities being about cise, none more so than children. forms of social contact. It is diffi - our state to let them play. protecting health right now; Exercise is an excellent way to cult to understand any reasoning Thank you for reading – physical activity for our youth is cope with stress, socialize with at this point to keep kids from and as always, if you want to becoming more important than friends, and build confidence. having adequate access to sports contact me, call me at 916-874- ever. That simple notion is defen - There are also the benefits and exercise. 5491, or e-mail me at sible with the common knowl - of participating in team sports like As I said, I do not want us [email protected]. edge we know to be true that learning how to work together, to focus so narrowly on one Sue Frost represents the 4th Dis - kids need exercise to protect their responsibility, communication. threat to health that we become trict, which includes all or part of physical health. Cardiovascular Stripping away these critical out - blind to others. The reality of chil - the communities of Citrus health, body composition, lets and opportunities for children dren struggling more with mental Heights, Folsom, Orangevale, An - strength, coordination are all is depriving them of some of the health than ever before is beyond telope, Rio Linda, Elverta, Gold things that are put at risk if chil - most important aspects of being anecdotal. Studies and stories of River, Rancho Murieta, North dren are not getting enough phys - a kid while preparing for a stable increases in depression, eating Highlands, Carmichael, Foothill ical activity. Virtual learning is future. For some children, sports disorders, anxiety, and suicidal Farms and Fair Oaks BJP 'won't mind' any realignment of forces BJP President L.K. Advani said here national politics of a minority govern - The BJP leader hailed the gress-I. on Tuesday that from a purely party ment sustained by two ideologically Indo-Nepal agreement that helped to The BJP, he said, had not perspective, the BJP would not mind diverse political blocks - the BJP and restore bilateral relations to the pre- been exerting any pressure on the any realignment of forces in which, the Marxists - could not be an alter - 1987 level. The worsening of rela - V.P. Singh government for partisan instead of having to play its present native to the Congress-I. All the prob - tions with Nepal was a glaring gains. The four main issues on which difficult role of critical support to the lems faced by the NF government had instance of the bankrupt neighbour - it had strongly come out against the National Front government, it emanated neither from the BJP nor hood policy of the Rajiv government, government were, handling of the Ru - functioned as an opposition party from the Marxists but from within the he said. biya abduction, replacement of Gov - zealously defending the people's Front's own ranks, he said. If the However, he said, his party ernor Jagmohan, the inflationary interest. Janata Dal was able to manage its in - was stoutly opposed to any move by nature of the budget and the failure Participating in a meet-the- ternal party affairs properly it could the V.P. Singh government to extend to give statehood to Delhi. The sup - press programme at the Thiruvanan - well last its full term of five years as reservation to converts to Islam and port for the NF government could not thapuram Press Club, Mr. Advani the BJP, for its part, would very much Christianity from the Scheduled be by way of 'ganging up' and avoid - clarified that he was stating the like. he said. Castes and Tribes. ing principled positions. party's position in the light of com - But there was talk of a re - It had supported the exten - The party had already ex - ments from certain quarters that the alignment of political forces inspired sion of reservation to SC/ST converts pressed its strong opposition to a BJP was the main beneficiary of the by quarters unhappy with the present to Buddhism because under the Con - number of official amendments to the V.P. Singh government and the talk in alignment. The Congress-I was natu - stitution, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains Prasar Bharathi Bill which with a few political circles of a national rally very bitter about the present were classified as Hindus. To extend reservations was all right in spirit and government. It was to honour the equations and had been itching to reservation to converts to other reli - frame. He disclosed that the govern - 1989 electoral mandate for the destabilise it. gions would be violative of the rec - ment had agreed to have detailed dis - ouster of the Congress-I that the BJP There were sections in the ommendation of the Constituent cussions with the BJP and Marxists had decided to extend critical support Janata Dal unable to reconcile them - Assembly, he said. before introducing the official amend - to the NF government, he said. The selves to the V.P. Singh leadership Replying to questions, the ments. Mr. Advani said that he did party was also convinced it had and wanting a new leader in his place. BJP President said that the BJP, not believe that the Madhya Pradesh played this role in the last seven The Marxist camp, as a Janata Dal and the left parties were Chief Minister had supported demoli - months with responsibility and matu - whole might not like to disturb the having a successful interaction tion of the Babri Masjid mosque as re - rity. But the party would not be present equation but some sections among themselves. From the personal ported in a section of the press. He averse to playing the far easier role of were feeling sore that all their pre- talks he and Mr. Vajpayee had with evaded questions on the Ram Jan - opposition if there were to be a fresh election plans to marginalise the BJP senior CPM leaders, he had gained mabhoomi agitation planned by the re-alignment of forces. had gone awry, he said. the impression that the CPM leaders Viswa Hindu Parishad. The events in the last seven They too would not mind were themselves now questioning the Source Courtesy: months had disproved the assump - some new alignment taking place if wisdom of having had joint anti-com - The Indian Express, tion that the unusual configuration in only that could curb BJP. munal conventions with the Con - 13 June 1990 www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-12 6 Issue-49 www.deshdoaba.com Feburary 17, 2021 RS okays bill conferring SC status on Neo-Buddhists should be extended to the spirit of secularism. cluding former Minister of State for FROM THE NEWS ARCHIVES Christians and Muslims The bill set off much legal Welfare, Mrs. Margaret Alva (Cong-I), on similar grounds. The wrangling between the National Front Mr. V. Gopalaswamy (DMK) and Mr. Minister for Welfare, Mr. and the Congress-I with the latter Ajit Yogi (Cong-I) wanted similar sta - Ram Vilas Paswan, re - wanted the bill rephrased to avoid any tus to be conferred on Christians. sponding to members' possible litigation subsequent to its They said it would be 'a grave dis - NEERAJ PAUL suggestion, said that passage. Leader of the Opposition, crimination' if the same facility was matter could be dis - Mr. P. Shiv Shankar, said that the Bill, denied to them. +91-99683-69972 cussed among leaders of in its present form, would highlight Mr. Gopalaswamy said it was various political parties the caste of the neo-Buddhist in order ironical that while ST converts to later to consider the sug - to afford him the benefit of SC status. Christianity enjoyed their benefits gestion. This would be a retrogade step as the even after conversion, converts to SC Email: [email protected] The Bharatiya Janata Buddhist religion did not believe in the did not get the same facility. Party, however, adopted caste system. Minister of Law and Prof. C.P. Thakur (Cong-I) Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill a different stand on the question of Justice, Mr. Dinesh Goswamy dis - while supporting the bill wanted eco - extending Scheduled Caste status to extending SC status to Christians and agreed with him, saying that there nomic criteria to be the basis for ex - neo-Buddhists on the basis of their Muslims. Mr. Pramod Mahajan (BJP) was no way to confer status on Neo- tending various constitutional caste prior to conversion. The meas - said SC status could not be extended Buddhists without determining their benefits. Determining various benefits ure, which comes on the eve of Bud - to Christians and Muslims because caste before conversion. on the basis of castes was wrong, he dha Pournami, was hailed by the their religions were not offshoots of An argument ensued and Mr. added. Mr. Sabir Ahmed Salaria (NC) elders unanimously. Hinduism. His party had no objection Paswan assured members that the pleaded that Christians and Muslims Accordingly, all such Bud - to SC status being given to Sikhs and government would take care of any should not be denied the same bene - dhists who belonged to Scheduled now Buddhists because they were problem that would arise later. He fit being given to Sikhs earlier and Castes before conversion will now be basically offshoots of Hinduism. This wanted that the Bill to be passed on now to Buddhists. able to enjoy the benefits of SCs. argument was sought to be coun - Tuesday since Buddha Poornima fell Speaking on the bill before its tered by several members who said it on Wednesday. The members then Source Courtesy: passage, members cutting across would amount to discrimination in the took up the discussion in right The Indian Express, party lines, pleaded that this facility name of religion and would be against earnest. A number of members, in - Wednesday, May 9, 1990 If Dalits can be Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, why can’t they be Christians and Muslims? Christian and Muslim Dalits have been to the Adi-Dravida caste, i.e., before he of Sociology, University of Delhi) had pre - The reservation of seats on the denied benefits available to SC groups converted to Christianity. Since he be - pared a report for the National Commis - basis of caste in India is not a post-inde - among Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. longed to the cobbler community, he was sion for Minorities, Government of India pendence development. They have been A petition challenging the discrimination considered to be an untouchable. His in 2008 titled ‘Dalits in the Muslim and in existence since the end of the 19th has been pending in Supreme Court caste was also mentioned in the Sched - Christian Communities: A Status Report century, mainly initiated by princely for years uled Caste list. Despite converting to on Current Social Scientific Knowledge’. states. In 1932, The Communal award National Herald India Abraham Mathew, Christianity, his economic and social con - In this report they affirmed ‘… was introduced by the then British Prime August 10, 2020 dition saw no considerable change. But there is a strong case for including Dalit Minister Ramsay Macdonald and as a re - Monday, August 10 is the 70th anniver - when free bunk beds were allotted to Muslims and Dalit Christians in the sult the depressed classes were awarded sary of the Constitution (Scheduled members of his Scheduled Caste cat - separate electorates. Castes) Order, 1950, which sought to caste-community, egory. There are com - After independence, special priv - identify communities that come under Soosai was excluded pelling arguments in ileges for the scheduled castes and the Scheduled Caste status in India. because he was not favour of such an in - scheduled tribes were allocated by Indian The Constitution (Scheduled a Hindu or Sikh. clusion based on constitution through Articles 15 and 16 Caste) Order, 1950, however left out His religious principles of natural by reservation of seats in the educational Muslims and Christians of scheduled identity made the justice and fairness. institutions to continue their studies and caste origin. Both these communities state overlook his The balance of prag - further reserving employment for them. since then have observed this day as a socio-economic con - matic considerations The main thrust behind these introduc - black day because they believe the order dition, which was on is also in favour of tions was giving equal opportunity to the was discriminatory and denied them the par with others who their inclusion…” candidates from socially and economi - right to be included in the Schedules were eligible and Many attempts cally deprived sections of the society. Castes list. It is also violative of the fun - were not Muslims or Christians. Religion have also been made to analyse this The only hope for them is the damental right to freedom of conscience then becomes an obstacle and as a result issue and identify if this discrimination is Constitution because the Indian Consti - and belief, they have argued. many are forced to discard their beliefs permitted by the Constitution. tution is an outcome of the aspiration of The third paragraph of the Con - so that they can avail of ‘reservation’, The First Backward Classes common masses to have an egalitarian stitution (Scheduled Castes) order 1950, which is essential for their upward mo - Commission (Kaka Kalelkar Commission, society. They consider it an anti-thesis to i.e., the Presidential Order, stipulates that bility. The order therefore also infringes 1955)) recommended that the State all kinds of hegemonies and segregations “no person who professes a religion dif - on a Dalit individual’s right to freely pro - must take special steps to empower that subjugate the common masses. Fur - ferent from Hinduism shall be deemed to fess, practice and propagate religion Christians and Muslims of SC origin. The ther, the role given to Ambedkar in draft - be a member of Scheduled Caste”. which is clearly guaranteed by Article 25 Second Backward Classes Commission ing the Constitution went on to display This is a clear contradiction to of the Indian Constitution. (Mandal Commission, 1983) stated that the importance that the nation’s leaders the spirit of the constitution which is This is the reality that has been religious conversion does not change were willing to assign to the ideal of supposed to ensure the equality of citi - highlighted by Dalit Muslims and Dalit socio-economic status. equality in independent India. zens. Further amendments to the order Christians for a long time. They suspect Sachar Committee Report A civil writ petition is still pend - were made in subsequent years to in - an elitist state with a religious bias has (2006) and The National Commission for ing before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for clude Sikh Dalits (1956) and Buddhist turned a deaf ear to their legitimate plea. Religious and Linguistic Minorities (Ran - further hearing. It was filed by Adv. Dalits (1990). However, Dalits practising There are also political and social under - ganath Misra Commission, 2007) also Franklin Ceaser Thomas in which the Na - religions such as Christianity and Islam currents to this nature of discrimination, highlighted the need for granting of tional Council of Churches in India and remained excluded from the categorisa - because of which justice is being denied Scheduled Caste status to Christian and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of tion. The experience of untouchability to many. Muslim Dalits. The UN Commission on India, two apex bodies representing coupled with extreme social, educational It has been argued that Christi - the elimination of Racial Discrimination churches in India are also a part. and economic backwardness are the cri - anity and Islam are egalitarian and has no also recommended that the state party Seventy years of struggle to teria that determine Scheduled Caste caste hierarchy that segregates the com - should restore the eligibility for affirma - establish the rights of a section of a status in India. Dalits in India share a munities. Although they rightly point out tive action benefits of all members of marginalised group still continues with common legacy of humiliation and seg - that these religions cannot, scripturally scheduled castes and scheduled tribes the dream of attaining justice, liberty, regation, because irrespective of their re - or theologically, promote such forms of having converted to another religion. equality and fraternity in an India as ligious affinity, untouchability based on segregation, it is also a reality that they Study after study conducted in envisioned in the Indian Constitution. their birth has been rampant in both pri - remain victims of the deep-rooted nature the last 70 years, have recognised that vate and public spheres. of caste in Indian society. severe socio-economic and educational The Author is the Executive Take the case of Soosai (1985) Satish Deshpande with the as - backwardness continue to plague all Dal - Secretary of the National Council who was a cobbler in Chennai, belonging sistance of Geetika Bapna (Department its, irrespective of their religious faith. of Churches in India www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-12 7 Issue-49 www.deshdoaba.com Feburary 17, 2021 Why SC Status for Dalit Christians, Muslims should not be linked to religion They are denied the Scheduled converts to Hinduism, Sikhism or per Article 25 (1) of the Indian Con - not be underestimated and degraded. Caste status because of what is Buddhism, he will forthwith become stitution (6) Article 17. Abolition of Untouch - written in the Constitution, and the socially, educationally, economically If Sikhism and Buddhism are ability, and the demand for Schedule problem should be addressed with and culturally backward. Also, if he the offshoots of Hinduism, then Sikhs Caste status for Dalit Christians and consideration for human rights and again converts to Christianity, he will and Buddhists of Scheduled Caste Muslims based on reality. become socially, educationally, cultur - Origin could have been granted SC “Untouchability” has been Franklin Caesar Thomas ally and economically forward. This is privileges in 1950 itself. abolished and its practice in any form Irrespective of their religious affilia - contrary to Articles 14, 15, 16 and There would have been no is forbidden. The enforcement of any tions, the poorest among Christians 25 of the Constitution. need to make separate amendments disability rising out of ‘untouchability’ and Muslims with Scheduled Caste Following this circular, about in the Constitution (Scheduled shall be an offence punishable as per origin (converted Christians and Mus - 5 million Dalit Christians (from 1950 Castes) Order, 1950, Paragraph 3, in law. Since the President of India lims) continue to be confined to de - till the present day) have been forced 1956 (for Sikh Dalits) and 1990 (for abolished untouchability based on scent-based menial jobs — manual to reconvert officially to Hinduism, Buddhist Dalits). historical caste discrimination on Jan - scavenging, washing, cremating/ Sikhism and Buddhism for availing As per Article 25 (1) that pro - uary 26, 1950, (Articles 15 (1), 15 burying bodies, drumming, cobbling Scheduled Caste benefits. The home tects personal laws in matters such (2) (a), 15 (2) (b) bar all forms of un - on road sides, working as agricultural ministry order and the interpretation as marriages, etc, Sikhism and Bud - touchability), Hindus, Sikhs and Bud - slaves and so on. of the anti-conversion laws of various dhism are treated as offshoots of Hin - dhists of enumerated castes have They are denied the Sched - state governments engender forced duism; but as per the National availed of the Scheduled Caste status uled Caste status because of what is conversion for material benefits. This Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 without creamy layer restrictions written in the Constitution, and even if they are socially, educa - the problem should be ad - tionally and economically ad - dressed with consideration for vanced (because their caste human rights and based on real - names are listed in the Sched - ity. ule). Paragraph 3 of the Con - Christians and Muslims of stitution (Scheduled Castes) Scheduled Castes Origin Order, 1950, states, “Notwith - should also been given the ben - standing anything contained in efits as they, too, inherited the paragraph 2, no person who untouchability stigma because professes a religion different of the castes their forefathers from the Hindu, the Sikh or the belonged to. Moreover, the Buddhist religion shall be castes that these people be - deemed to be a member of a long to are listed in Scheduled Caste.” Schedule. They should, there - This acts as a stumbling fore, be accorded the Sched - block in extending the Sched - uled Caste status status by uled Caste privileges to them, declaring Paragraph 3 of the even though their castes are Constitution (Scheduled listed in the Schedule of the Castes) Order, 1950, unconsti - Order. While it is widely argued tutional. that religion-based reservation Discrimination based on caste should not be allowed, the above is nothing but religious allurement. (Act approved by Parliament), Sikhism affects over 250 million people in var - paragraph makes religion the main cri - The state is indirectly indulging in and Buddhism are separate religions. ious countries, including the Dalits of teria for according the Scheduled forcible conversion in a diplomatic Like Sikhs and Buddhists of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka Caste status. way (by making people stick to Hin - Scheduled Caste Origin, Christians and Pakistan; certain Buraku people Now, let us consider some myths and duism, Sikhism and Buddhism). This and Muslims of Scheduled Caste Ori - of Japan, the Osu group among lay out the reality. goes against the religious freedom of - gin should also be given the Sched - Nigeria’s Igbo people, Romas of Eu - (1) Christianity and Islam do fered by the Indian Constitution. uled Caste status through an rope and some cluster of groups in not recognise the caste system When Dalit Christians seek amendment to the 1950 Order or by Senegal and Mauritania. So, social For all practical purposes, un - privileges, it is said the 15% quota deleting, through amendment in Par - exclusion is different from religious touchability exists among Indian would be insufficient. It is, however, liament or through judicial interven - sanctioning. Christians. Just as the upper caste argued that the reservation would be tion, Paragraph 3 of the Order that Casteism is found not only in Hindus, the dominant, elite Christians sufficient if all Dalit Christians con - denies Christian and Muslim Dalits India; it is prevalent globally. It should and Muslims (upper caste) also treat vert to Hinduism, Sikhism and Bud - the SC status. not be linked to Hindu, or any other, members of their religion with Sched - dhism; some even say the quota can (5) The extension of Sched - religion. Christians and Muslims of uled Caste Origin as untouchables be - be increased in such an event. uled Caste status to Christians and Scheduled Caste Origin inherit ‘impu - cause of the menial jobs they do, the (3) Christians and Muslims of Muslims of Scheduled Caste Origin rity’ by birth because of the caste stigma of untouchability that gets at - Scheduled Castes Origin want to ben - will lead to sudden mass conversion they belong to. tached to them through birth, and the efit from both Scheduled Caste and from Hinduism, Sikhism and Bud - Racism is prevalent in Amer - casteist mindset of some sections. religious minority rights dhism to Christianity and Islam. ica and Europe, even though African No upper, dominant caste Buddhist and Sikhs of Sched - Absolutely not. When Sikhs and Bud - American people and the White peo - Christian, Muslim or Hindu will treat uled Caste Origin can exercise rights dhists of Scheduled Caste Origin ple mostly follow Christianity. So, Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims as as both religious minorities and were given the Scheduled Caste sta - casteism and racism are different touchable and equal. Scheduled Castes. Many enjoy multi - tus in 1956 and 1990, respectively, forms of social exclusion. They As per the SC/ST (Prevention ple other benefits simultaneously Hindu Scheduled Caste people did should not be linked with any religion, of Atrocities) Act 1989, anyone/any - along with caste privileges — ex-ser - not convert to Sikhism and Buddhism including Hinduism, which is a way thing promoting untouchability should vicemen, physically handicapped, lin - in large numbers. Similarly, providing of life. be prosecuted. Here again, the Hindu guistic minorities, women the SC status to Dalit Christians and Untouchability and apartheid religion should not be treated as the (gender-based reservation). In the Dalit Muslims will not result in mass prevail because of this social exclu - only source instigating/recognising same way, Dalit Christians and Dalit conversion of Hindu, Sikh and Bud - sion. They are descent- and job-based untouchability. It is wrongly inter - Muslims can also avail of Scheduled dhist Scheduled Caste people to discrimination and should not be preted that only Hinduism gives li - Caste privileges along with religious Christianity and Islam. mixed with any religion. cence to practise untouchability and minority rights. The religious values of Hin - (The author is an advocate that the other religions do not as (4) Sikhism and Buddhism do dus, Sikhs and Buddhists should not practising in the Supreme Court and they link it to Hindu ideologies and not recognise caste system, but be disrespected and defiled with such a representative of National Council dogmas about castes. Sikhs and Buddhists of Scheduled wrong perception. Also, the self-re - of Dalit Christians) In effect, it means if a well- Caste Origin were given the Sched - spect, dignity, cultural and spiritual educated, socially, economically and uled Caste status since the two reli - values of the Hindu, Sikh and Bud - Source Courtesy: The Federal culturally forward Dalit Christian re - gions are offshoots of Hinduism as dhist Scheduled Caste people should August 15, 2020 www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-12 8 Issue-49 www.deshdoaba.com Feburary 17, 2021 No SC Quota For Those Converting To Islam Or Christianity- Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Clarifies February 13, 2021 tion from BJP mem - to Para 3 of the Con - elections. Ravi Shankar Prasad was ber G.V.L. stitution (Scheduled In 2015, the Supreme Court replying to a question from BJP member Narasimha Rao Castes) Order, no per - had ruled that once a person converts G.V.L. Narasimha Rao when he clarified when he clarified son who professes a from Hinduism and becomes a Christian, the matter in Rajya Sabha. that those who religion different from the social and economic disabilities aris - New Delhi: Responding to a have adopted Hindu, Sikh or Bud - ing because of Hindu religion cease, question Union Law Minister Ravi Hindu, Sikh and dhist religion shall be making it is no longer necessary to give Shankar Prasad in Rajya Sabha said that Buddhist faiths are deemed to be a mem - the person protection and for this rea - Dalits converting to Islam or Christianity eligible for contest - ber of a Scheduled son, he/she is deemed not to belong to cannot claim reservation benefits and ing from SC re - Caste. a Scheduled Caste. the conversion also deprives the person served seats and getting other The minister then stated that Prasad, in his response, made it of the eligibility to contest parliamentary reservation benefits. He then talked there was no proposal to bring in an clear that there exists a clear distinction or Assembly election from constituen - about the aspect of eligibility for fighting amendment in the Representation of between Dalits adopting Islam and cies reserved for Scheduled an election from reserved People Act to debar SC/STs converted to Christianity with those choosing to Castes (SC). constituencies. either Islam or Christianity from fighting adopt Hinduism. Prasad was replying to a ques - It was explained that according polls: parliamentary or Assembly Source Courtesy: ABP LIVE For 70 years, Dalits have been denied freedom of religion – through a presidential order Dalits who converted to Islam and his wife’s relatives in Kerala. His only submitted to the Government of India targeted even to this day. Dalits have Christianity continue to be outside crime was that he had dared to love in 2007 that, “caste is in fact a social been killed for daring to ride a horse to the fold of affirmative action and marry an upper caste woman. phenomenon shared by almost all In - their wedding, for entering a temple benefits. This needs to change. Principal sessions court judge C Jay - dian communities irrespective of their and for daring to fall in love with an Tehmina Arora achandran noted in the judgment that religious persuasions. Many of the par - “upper caste”. This month marks 70 years from the the motive of the murder was caste ticular castes are found simultaneously Paragraph 3 of the 1950 Pres - passing of the Constitution (Scheduled prejudice. Sadly, this was but one of in various religious communities, idential Order in an insidious manner Castes) Order, 1950, which aimed at many incidents. equally facing problems of social works in the same way. It penalises ensuring that Dalit communities would In the 1992 landmark judg - degradation and mistreatment both by Dalits for choosing a religion or reject - be able to fully enjoy the fundamental ment of Indra Sawhney and Others v their co-religionists and the others.” ing a faith tradition. freedom and rights protected under the Union of India and Others, the Double vulnerability It forces the Dalit to continue . However, Para - Supreme Court noted: This stranglehold continues to operate in a religious tradition by graph 3 of the 1950 Presidential Order “Though Christianity does not ac - because the entire premise of the failing to allow them the ability to prevents Dalits communities from ex - knowledge caste system, the evils of caste system is not about how individ - make a free choice. It is unjust to be ercising one of the most basic of caste system in some States are as uals views themselves, but rather how forced to choose between one’s reli - human rights, the right to freedom of prevalent as in Hindu society especially the society views the person. The prej - gious beliefs on the one hand and pro - conscience and belief. among the converts. In Andhra udice and bias against them are based tections and special benefits under the The 1950 Presidential Order Pradesh, there are Harijan Christians, on the traditional work undertaken by law on the other hand. The state identifies the caste communities who Reddy Christians, Kamma Christians them or due to their birth into a partic - should never force any person to com - have experienced extreme social, edu - etc. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, there are ular family. The caste system is deeply promise on their religious belief. This cational and economic backwardness Pillai Christians, Marvar Christians, entrenched into the Indian mind, gov - is a clear violation of the protections arising out of the traditional practice of Nadar Christians and Harijan Christians erning many areas of social interaction. under the Constitution of India and nu - untouchability. These castes are also etc. That is to say all the converts to This results in double vulnera - merous international conventions. referred to as Scheduled Castes or Christianity have not divested or set bility for Dalit Christians without the Protection against discrimination Dalits. off themselves from their caste labels protection of the law. According to Religious conversions are an These Dalit communities were and crossed the caste barrier but carry MapViolence, a violence tracking web - act of human agency. The ability to singled out for deserving affirmative with them the banners of their caste site, Dalit Christians have reported fre - change one’s religious beliefs or to ex - action benefits under various govern - labels. Like Hindus, they interact and quent social boycotts and violence on press one’s deeply held belief lie at the ment policies, including education and have their familial relationship and mar - account of their caste and faith core of what it means to be human. Dr jobs. Dalit communities also have spe - ital alliances only within the converted identity. BR Ambedkar’s conversion to Bud - cial protections under the Scheduled caste groups.” In fact, so acute is the problem dhism was as much a political act as Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention In a petition before the that the National Commission to Re - an expression of his religious beliefs. of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and political Supreme Court of India, the National view the Working of the Constitution We can no longer deny Dalits reservation in various Council of Churches in India and the observed in 2002: “In view of the fact their freedom of religion and penalise forums. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, that in some parts of the country par - them for choosing a particular religious Paragraph 3 of the Presidential two apex bodies in India, together rep - ticularly in the south converts to Chris - tradition. The government of India Order, however, limited the classifica - resenting over 20 million Christians, tianity from specific SCs are subjected must adopt the recommendations of tion of Scheduled Castes initially only have expressed their deep dismay at to crimes and atrocities as their exact the National Commission to Review to Hindus. Due to the political activism how the Church in India continues to Hindu counterparts are (difference of the Working of the Constitution to of Sikh and Buddhist communities, the struggle with caste practices. religion making no difference in this re - “completely de-link the Scheduled 1950 Presidential Order was subse - But even more pertinent is that gard)”. The commission recommended Caste status from religion and make quently amended to include Sikhs in Dalit Christians do not live in isolation. that the Scheduled Castes and the the Scheduled Castes net fully religion- 1956 and Buddhists in 1990. The While they may interact with other Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atroc - neutral like that of the Scheduled 1950 Presidential Order, however, con - Christians on Sunday mornings, their ities) Act, 1989 be amended to include Tribes.” tinues to leave out Dalits who con - weekdays are filled with social interac - “converts to Christianity from Sched - The Constitution of India guar - verted to Islam or Christianity from its tions with all sections of society. Their uled Castes” to ensure that Christians antees protection from discrimination, ambit, despite ample evidence that names still betray their caste. They are are equally protected under the law. not only on the basis of immutable they suffer equal hardships as other marked as Christians and as Dalits. The Act was never amended. grounds such as race and gender, but Dalits communities. The Mandal Commission Re - This lack of protection and also on the basis of the choices we Caste prejudice endures port noted the stronghold that caste loss of benefits is a heavy price to pay make, such as religion. This protection The rationale seems to be that has in the lives of non-Hindus and held to exercise the most basic of freedoms against discrimination is critical for Islam and Christianity are more egali - that, “non-Hindu minorities living in – the freedom of conscience and the true freedom to flourish and for the tarian religions and therefore a Dalit pre-dominantly Hindu India could not freedom to follow the religion of one’s recognition of the inherent dignity of would not face the same escape from its dominant social and choice. all persons. discrimination in their new found faith. cultural influences. Thus, both from Dalit communities were for The author is the director of Sadly, however, Dalits converting to within and without, caste amongst centuries told that they had no agency, ADF India, a legal advocacy organisa - Islam and Christianity found that their non-Hindu communities received con - they could not make the most funda - tion leading a campaign called No One “Dalitness” clung to them and followed tinuous sustenance and stimulus.” mental decisions freely about where Should be Targeted for their Faith. them, even after their religious The National Commission for they work, who they marry and how conversion. Religious and Linguistic Minorities they worship. They were denied entry Source Courtesy: Scroll, In May 2018, Kevin Joseph, a under the chairmanship of Justice Ran - into homes, schools and places of wor - August 21, 2020 Dalit Christian youth, was murdered by ganath Misra also noted in its report ship. They continue to be abused and