Vol: 03 Issue: 03 QUARTERLY July-Sept 2015 MINO-VIEW LAHORE VoicVeo icoef mofi nmoinriotireitsie asn adn do popprperessseedd p peeooppllee iinn sSoouutth Asiiaann sSooccieities Delhi is Now India’s Rape Capital

Caste-Based Slavery In Pakistan

Caste And Gender-Based Bonded Labour UN 2015 Side Event In Thy Name Ambedkar By, Anand Teltumbde

Dalit Children In Bangladesh Police Action Against Kathmandu Protest

Produced by: Sir Ganga Ram Heritage Foundation,Lahore Editor Syed Shaheen Hassan

CONTENTS

 Editorial I

 Caste-Based Slavery in Pakistan (Pakistan) 1  Title Story (India)  Delhi is Now India’s Rape Capital, Show NCRB 4 Data

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0  Bonded labour · Report – Caste and Gender- (International)

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p Based Forced and Bonded Labour – UN 2015 3

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0 Side-event

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o u  (India) s Low Caste Children Suffer in India’s Cottonseed

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Industry

e  Police Action Against Kathmandu Protest (Nepal)

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o Organized By Dalit Lawmakers and Rights

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a Activists L E

I  (India) In Thy Name, Ambedkar 12

V (South Asia)  Dalit Watch 16

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(Bangladesh)  Dalit Children in Bangladesh 20

O (India)  Steep Rise in Dalit Murders In 2014 23

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Q M Sir Ganga Ram Heritage Foundation 2-Court Street, Lower Mall, Lahore. Ph: +92 42 37115810 37115230 Web: sgrhf.org.pk, E-mail: [email protected] MINO-VIEW i July-September 2015

EDITORIAL

Violence against women and girls is not However, 13.8% (4,648 victims) victims were confined to any particular political or in the age-group of 30–50 years while 0.7% economic system, but it is prevalent in every (256 victims) was over 50 years of age. The society in the world. It cuts across boundaries Indian Newspaper The Hindu published report of wealth, race and culture. It is an expression in which Delhi declared as rape capital of of historically and culturally specific values India where in 2014 not only total number of and standards which are today still executed rape cases but also the number of such cases through many social and political institutions proportionate to its women population was that foster women‟s subservience and higher than for any other city or State. Mino– discrimination against women and girls. In View also highlighted Caste and Gender- many parts of the world, rape is very rarely Based Forced and Bonded Labour UN reported, due to the extreme social stigma cast 2015Side-event. The new report „Cotton‟s on women who have been raped, or the fear of Forgotten Children, released by the Stop Child being disowned by their families, or subjected Labour Campaign and the India Committee on to violence, including honor killings. Up to 7 the Netherlands (ICN), finds that almost half a in 10 women around the world experience million children in India work as child physical and/or sexual violence at some point labourers in the cottonseed production in their life time. Rape and Violence against industry. Most of them are Dalits, Adivasis or women are a massive problem in India. other low caste children (OBCs). The report According to the National Crime Record warns that most of these children are not in Bureau of India, crime against women has school and are subjected to hazardous work increased by 7.1 percent since 2010. The and harmful chemicals. Caste-based salary in number of rapes reported has also risen. Pakistan, dalit children in Bangladesh, dalit Nearly one in three rape victims in India is lawmaker and activists organized protest under the age of 18. One in 10 is under 14. march against police action in Kathmandu is Every 20 seconds in India, women raped. also included in this issue of Mino-View. We According to UN report India, is third in rape also thankful to Mr. Anand Teltumbde from cases, second in murder in the world. The India for his article “In Thy Name, yearly data of National Crime Records Bureau Ambedkar”. This current issue of Mino-View highlighted that in 2011, 24206 rapes were is a minor attempt to raise the voice for the reported and in 2012 the reported cases were cause of down trodden people. The main 24923. NCRB latest 2014 report shows that purpose for this magazine is to bring into there were 33,707 reported rape cases in the limelight the brutal system i.e. oppression, country during the year 2013. 13.1% (4,427 atrocities and discrimination which low caste out of 33,764) of the total victims of rape were suffer. Through the platform of Mino-View girls under 14 years of age, while 26.3% we invite people all over that world to join (8,877 victims out of 33,764) were teenage hands and take positive step to end this girls (14–18 years). 46.1% (15,556 victims) inhuman system by showing global solidarity. were women in the age-group 18–30 years. EDITOR MINO-VIEW 1 July-September 2015

PAKISTAN

Caste-based Slavery in Pakistan

Pakistan has ratified a particularly common in the Hence the calculated number number of international areas of agriculture, brick- of people kept in bondage covenants and conventions making, carpet-weaving, based on the PILER study which proscribe slavery, mining, tanning, cotton seed amounts to more than 8.6 forced labour, and debt- production, handicraft million. The Human Rights bondage. The Constitution of production, production of Commission of Pakistan in Pakistan forbids slavery and glass bangles, and domestic 1994estimated that forced labour, and the work, reports another ILO approximately 20 million are Bonded Labour System working paper. kept in forced labour. (Abolition) Act of 1992 along There is no exact calculation The majority of the bonded with the Bonded Labour of the number of bonded labour community belongs to System (Abolition) Rules of labourers. Research by the marginalized and excluded 1995 completely outlaw Pakistan Institute of Labour groups such as the scheduled bonded labour. They also Education and Research caste Hindus, Christians and cancel all existing bonded (PILER) in 2000 estimated Muslim Sheikhs. debts and forbid lawsuits for that the total number of the recovery of such debts. sharecroppers (haris) in debt Agriculture and brick kilns bondage across the whole of Worst forms of modern-day Pakistan was over 1.8 million The two most prominent slavery people. Furthermore, surveys sectors characterized by a Yet bonded labour in showed that more than 6.7 significant use of bonded Pakistan is widespread. The million people are involved labour are agriculture and in the practice of beggar, brick kilns. Research carried ILO assesses the problem of which refers to a traditional out by PILER in Pakistan in debt bondage in Pakistan as system of family labour 2000 indicates that up to 1 one of the worst in the world. which is unpaid, compulsory, million brick kiln workers in Bonded labour is and amounts to debt bondage. Pakistan are bonded. A 2004 MINO-VIEW 2 July-September 2015

survey of brick kilns in the geographical area of severe and Rehabilitation of freed Punjab district in Pakistan by oppression against brick-kiln bonded labourers (an the Federal Bureau of workers and their families. extension of the 1992 Bonded Statistics found that nearly 90 PILER estimates that these Labour System Abolition per cent of brick kiln workers sharecroppers will be Act)(12). were bonded. Also, surveys subjected to increased suggest that agriculture and excesses of bondage because In 2002, a Bonded Labour brick kiln work are of the landlords in recent times have Fund was established as part worst and harshest kinds due been facing adverse of the law for the welfare of to the physical strain, social economic pressures. the children of released discrimination and hazardous bonded labourers, the working conditions. Human The sharecroppers often live majority of whom are Rights Watch interviews with in camps, where they are also scheduled castes. Six years brick kiln forced labourers subjected to incarceration, later a substantial portion of reveal consistent cruel, and some report of being the funds remain unused and inhumane and degrading shackled and raped. As with held by government and the treatment, including physical the general scenario, children released bonded labourers punishment, detainment and are even more vulnerable continue to live in subhuman denial of the right to than their adult counterparts. conditions in temporary organize. Children in brick kilns report camps on the outskirts of of being beaten with sticks Hyderabad according to a Dalit Hindu minorities the and whipped to the point of joint NGO alternative report main target injury. They do not receive for CERD (13). compensation for their work, Bondage both in agriculture and are also sometimes kept UN Treaty body and in brick-kilns includes as insurance to prevent the recommendations severe forms of oppression. escape of adult family members, reports Human This ranges from physical In its review of Pakistan Rights Watch restraints upon the movement during its 74th session in of the workers and their February 2009, the UN families to beatings and Ineffective Legislation Committee on the sexual abuse of female Elimination of Racial workers. Dalits and other low The Bonded Labour (System) Discrimination (CERD) caste Hindus bear the brunt Abolition Act 1992, created addressed the persistence of of these abuses because of to eradicate this practice was bonded labour in the country. their minority status. The initially considered a major Some of its recommendations multiple disempowerment of intervention on the part of the on this topic were: being poor, low caste or Dalit State. However, 15 years as well as non-Muslim are down the road, bonded labour 1. The government should the main contributing factors is far from abolished. ensure that ethnic and to the oppressive conditions religious minorities are of bonded labour in Pakistan A recent report from Anti- adequately represented in all claims a PILER report. Slavery International government services, prepared in association with especially the armed forces, Violations against PILER in July 2008 stated superior civil services and sharecroppers are particularly that the Government had judiciary. acute in lower Sindh and in failed to implement the 2. The Bonded Labour southern Punjab bordering National Policy and Plan of System (Abolition) Act. 1992 India. The latter is also Action (2001) for the should be applied and considered to be the main abolition of Bonded Labour amended further to penalize MINO-VIEW 3 July-September 2015

land lords maintaining Moreover the Vigilance quota for religious minorities bonded labour. committees given in the law and scheduled castes in 3. The jurisdiction of labour should be formed and a government services. A officer should be extended to transparent functioning monitoring desk should be agriculture sector and their should be ensured. established to oversee the implementation of quota. number should be increased 4. The Government should for effective monitoring. restore the six percent Source: International Dalit Solidarity Network

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MINO-VIEW 4 July-September 2015

INDIA

The city reported 1,813 rapes in Delhi is now India’s Rape 2014, up from 1,441 in 2013. While Delhi continues to lead Capital, show NCRB Data other big cities in the number of reported rapes, the increase in reported cases has tapered after a sharp spike in 2013 Delhi reported a larger actual reported 1,813 rapes in 2014, number of reported rapes up from 1,441 in 2013. While than other cities, but cities in Delhi continues to lead other Madhya Pradesh, including big cities in the number of Gwalior and Jabalpur, reported rapes, the increase in For the first time in history, reported higher numbers of reported cases has tapered Delhi is officially the “rape rapes proportionate to their after a sharp spike in 2013. In capital” of India. Even while populations. This year, Delhi Mumbai, in contrast, while the pace of increase in the is higher in both absolute and the number of reported rapes number of reported rapes in proportionate terms, show was comparatively lower, the city has slowed down, the data from the National Crime there was a sharp spike number of such cases Records Bureau released on between 2013 and 2014, from proportionate to its women Tuesday. The NCRB Collects 391 to 607 cases. Nearly all population was higher than data from all first information of India’s custodial rape — for any other city or State last reports filed in police stations 189 of 197 cases — was year. During the past years, across the country. The city reported in Uttar Pradesh,

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proportion was 94 per cent or Contributing to the spike in higher. Delhi was a sharp increase in cases of robbery, burglary There was a sharp rise in and theft, especially auto reported crimes against theft. The capital now women between 2012 and accounts for over a fifth of all 2013, as a result of increased crime in all big cities. awareness following the December 2012 gang-rape, but the increase was sharply lower between 2013 and 2014, the police say. which along with Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh The new data all but establish recorded the highest numbers Delhi as the country’s crime of alleged gang rapes. For the capital; the rate of cognizable country as a whole, as the crime under Indian Penal number of reported crimes Code charges, which grew by against women increased to only a few percentage points Nationally, the country over 3.3 lakh, or 56 incidents for the country as a whole, recorded nearly 34,000 per lakh women, the rate of nearly doubled for Delhi, to murders. The country increase has tapered off. 856 per lakh population. This recorded 66,000 incidents of While the share of reported places the city next only to riots, but the majority was rape cases in which the Indore in terms of cognizable classified as not sectarian, offender was known to the crime proportionate to its political or caste-based but as victim remained significantly population, but Indore’s “others”. high at 86 per cent, it was crime rate grew only Source: National Crime Records substantially lower than in marginally between the two Bureau, NCRB & the Hindu past years, when the years. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

MINO-VIEW 6 July-September 2015

INTERNATIONAL

“Successful fight against Bonded labour · Report – Caste and stigmatization and deeply Gender-Based Forced and Bonded entrenched discrimination necessitates the involvement of Labour – UN 2015 Side-event all, which is only possible by means of broad awareness Opened by a statement from necessitates raising, increased social the UN Special Rapporteur the consciousness and denouncing on contemporary forms of involvement of continued discrimination slavery, Urmila Bhoola, the of all, based on caste, gender and event highlighted the strong which is other factors that undermine links between caste and only human dignity and violate slavery and uncovered possible by means of broad human rights. Events such as recommendations for ways awareness raising, increased this one are an important part of forward both within the social consciousness and United Nations framework denouncing of continued it.” Urmila Bhoola, UN Special and beyond. discrimination based on Rapporteuron contemporary forms of slavery caste, gender and other “Successful fight against factors that undermine human stigmatisation and deeply dignityand violate human entrenched discrimination rights. Events such as this MINO-VIEW 7 July-September 2015

one are an important part of ,moderated the event and Speakers working directly it.” Urmila Bhoola, UN Special echoed the concerns of Coen with the issues on the ground Rapporteuron contemporary in South Asia included Durga forms of slavery Sob (Nepal) and a statement read out from Zulfiqar Shah Coen (Pakistan). These speakers Kompier, Senior gave examples of the Specialist in intersection of caste and international Kompier that despite gender in forced prostitution, labour rehabilitation efforts, if the manual scavenging, work in standards from underlying stigmatization and construction and textile discrimination is not the International Labour industries and agricultural Organisation(ILO) offered addressed, Dalits will be work including the Haliya insight into the realities of forced to relapse into these Dalits working in forced and inhumane labour conditions. practice in Nepal. bonded labour and the many challenges to their successful Ms. Manjula Pradeep briefed Meena Varma, of the Dalit rehabilitation. He warned that participants on the issues of Solidarity Network in the UK the UN and the ILO need to manual scavenging and also spoke of how to create do more to support Dalits in forced prostitution, two change through multi- their struggle and also need specific examples of stakeholder initiatives and to diversify internally when inhumane forms of labour about Dalit girls working in hiring new staff. Mr. forced on Dalit women and forced labour under the Kompier also raised a sharp girls due to intersecting caste Sumangali schemein India’s critique of the global and gender discrimination. textile industry. negligence in addressing “Ms. Pradeep explained that caste discrimination. approximately 1.3 million All speakers called for more Dalits in India were engaged action by the UN and “Caste-based discrimination in manual scavenging, the highlighted the need for is globally the most neglected removal of human waste comprehensive research and form of discrimination, which from dry latrines by hand and a multidimensional approach seems to be accepted by tools such as a b room and to address the lack of countries and the UN through basket”. While there were no implementation of legislation a lenient approach of cultural reliable figures on the amount and policies; they further relativism instead of a firm of Dalit women and girls kept recommended endorsement stand against a most devious in Devadasi temple by the States of the UN Draft Principles and Guidelines for way of discrimination.” Coen prostitution or other forms of the Effective Kompier, Senior Specialist, ILO caste-based prostitution in Elimination of Laura Dolci-Kanaan, India and Nepal, Discrimination Secretary of the this was a Based on Work Humanitarian Funds (for widespread and Descent. problem, she Source: International Victims of Torture and Dalit Solidarity Victims of Slavery),Office of said. Network (IDSN) the High Commissioner for Manjula Pradeep, Director of ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Human Rights(OHCHR) Navsarjan Trust, India

MINO-VIEW 8 July-September 2015

INDIA

The new report ‘Cotton’s Forgotten Low caste children suffer Children’, released by the Stop Child Labour Campaign and the India Committee in India’s cottonseed on the Netherlands (ICN), finds that almost half a million children in India work as industry child labourers in the cottonseed production industry. Most of them are struggle to keep up with their Gujarat, Rajasthan, Dalits, Adivasis or other low caste children school work. Two thirds of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, (OBCs). The report warns that most of the children are girls, who finds an increase in the these children are not in school and are are also found to receive number of children working subjected to hazardous work and harmful lower wages than the boys. It in child labour in the cotton- is furthermore found that seed industry while finding a chemicals. around 70% of the children slight decline in the amount are hired or trafficked from of child labour in the other states. As previously industry, relative to the size The report also finds that documented in reports on of the industry. The increase workers are paid far below child labour in India, Dalits in the amount of workers is minimum wages and are and other minority groups in due to rapid growth in the often working to repay their India are particularly cottonseed industry in India, parents debts. The children vulnerable to labour while the report stipulates are made to work 8-12 hours exploitation due to the that the relative decline in a day. Most are school drop- multiple discrimination child labour may be due to an outs and those who do attend against them. The report, increased awareness school in the off season covering Andhra Pradesh, following campaigns.

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Nonetheless, the report finds 36.8%. The proportion of the problem alarming and family labour to the total detrimental to the children workforce increased involved. significantly since 2006-07 in The data clearly indicate that Gujarat (from 17.6% in 2006- across all states there is a 07 to 36.8% in 2014-15) and Tamil Nadu (from 14.7% in 2006-07 to 25.5% in 2014- 15). The trends in employment of seasonal migrant workers clearly indicate that, except in Andhra Pradesh, there is a steady decline of seasonal migrant workers working on cottonseed farms since 2006. The decline is very large in Gujarat. The proportion of and the payment of minimum seasonal migrant workers to wages to employees; the total workforce declined knowledge sharing across companies to help end child from 83.4% in 2006-07 to labour; urging the 47.8% in 2014-15. Government to take action to

The report has detailed ensure the minimum wage steady growth in the statistics from each state and and live up to the ‘duty to proportion of family labour in offers a number of concrete protect’; ensuring effective the total workforce. recommendations to help grievance mechanisms and The proportion of family combat child labour in addressing the many labour to the total workforce India’s cotton-seed industry. interlinked issues. The recommendations Source: International Dalit in 2014-15 is highest in include companies Solidarity Network & Cotton’s Rajasthan with 48.8%, monitoring all links in their Forgotten Childrens. followed by Gujarat with supply chain for child labour ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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NEPAL

A scheduled and broadcasted protest rally on August 4 2015 in Kathmandu, organized by the Joint Dalit Struggle Committee including the Coalition of Dalit Constituent Assembly (CA) Members, Dalit civil society and the Joint Political Dalit Struggle Committee, ended in a violent altercation with police. The Dalit activists were calling for Dalit rights to be secured in the new draft Constitution and demanding proportionate representation with additional compensation in the central and provincial governments and legislature.

Police action against Kathmandu protest organized by Dalit lawmakers and rights activists

During the rally, police required to place the situation constitution does mention allegedly used excessive under control after the non-discrimination, the force against protesters and protesters turned violent. elimination of all forms of Durga Sob, President of the The demonstration was caste-based discrimination Feminist Dalit Organization triggered by a deep concern and untouchability. However, (FEDO) and a number of of Dalit activists for the concern has been raised with other Dalit activists and CA dilution of Dalit rights in the regards to some of the actual Members were injured. new constitution-making provisions including the On August 5, following process. The rights secured in sections on women’s rights, appeals from among others, earlier drafts appear to have Dalit rights and rights to the Chair of the CA and been watered down in the inclusion, equality and social FEDO, the government new constitution. Dalit justice. Dalit activists have, announced that it would form activists have therefore been among other things, called a committee to investigate demanding to ensure that for guaranteeing equal into the alleged police their rights are secured in the proportional and additional excesses. The police claim new constitution-making representation of the Dalit that the use of force was process. The new draft community in legislative MINO-VIEW 11 July-September 2015

bodies. Specifically, activists (NWC) and the National National Inclusion are calling for an additional Dalit Commission (NDC), Commission lacks mention of 10%, 5% and 3% at the local, the new draft Constitution Dalit representation. regional and national level lacks mention of the quasi- According to Dalit activists, respectively along with judicial powers that they merely highlighting non- proportionality, as was require in order to function as discrimination as a right and secured in previous drafts of investigating and monitoring not guaranteeing other rights the Constitution. institutions and remains silent related to life, dignity, Across the board, the with regards to their representation and application and enjoyment of coordination and participation and following a a number of fundamental complementarily with the human rights approach rights (Article 45 of the draft National Human Rights throughout the constitution- constitution) are restricted by Commission. Additionally, making process will be the addition of the clause ‘as the NDC continues to lack an inadequate in addressing the provided by law.’ In effect, independent status as well as rights of Dalit people. The the application and Dalit women representation. majority of national enjoyment of certain rights Furthermore, and contrary to organizations including are subjected to the the UN Paris Principles FEDO have appealed for enactment of relevant relating to the Status of their concerns to be legislation. Thus, until and National Institutions, the addressed, underlining that unless, relevant legislation is draft constitution lacks a unless the new constitution enacted, these rights, provision securing diversity addresses the marginalized including those relevant to during appointments of and particularly the Dalit the Dalit community, will not Chairpersons and members of community, ownership and be secured. the commissions. Further, finally the legitimacy of the mention of the human rights In terms of the National constitution is at risk. mechanisms at the provincial Women’s Commission Source: The Kathmandu Post level is lacking and the ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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INDIA

Anand Teltumbde Is a writer and civil rights activist with the Committee for the Protection of Democratic Rights, Mumbai

There is a rush for memorials dedicated to Ambedkar. The In Thy Name, Ambedkar Sangh Parivar is leaving no stone unturned to appropriate Ambedkar who, given his vitriolic comments on Hinduism, should have been their greatest bungling over the issue was Ambedkar international enemy. At the same time, the gap revealed in the third week of convention centre at Janpath between the Dalits and non-Dalits August when the current in Lutyen’s Delhi. Another continues to widen and atrocities owner of the house issued an memorial would be against Dalits continue angry ultimatum. This was constructed at 26, Alipur with impunity. too embarrassing for the Road in Outer Delhi, braggart ministers of Ambedkar’s residence when Maharashtra, who had he was heading the declared, months ago, that constitution drafting they had acquired this house. committee. The memorial is Now, there shall be an Things moved fast after the touted to be grand enough to international memorial to ultimatum and it appears that thrill aerial viewers. Still Babasaheb Ambedkar in the deal is clinched so far as another memorial is slated to London. Ambedkar used to the acquisition of the 2,050 come up at Mahu, where he live in this house in the early sq ft house for £3.1 million is was born when his father was 1920s, when he was a student concerned. In India, Narendra in the British army. In at the London School of Modi has already laid the Mumbai, yet another, and Economics. Bureaucratic foundation stone for a grand

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perhaps the grandest of all pride, will never understand parties began realizing the memorials is planned at the this ruling class ploy to power of Ambedkar as an premises of Indu Mills. This blind them to their own icon to mobilize Dalits to is where the Republican Sena reality. vote for them. The first-past- had erected a makeshift Mystery behind Memorials the-post type of election that memorial after forcefully There is no issue about we adopted amplified the occupying the premises on 6 Ambedkar deserving these sponsored by Norway and December 2011, unleashing memorials and perhaps many Denmark. importance of a competitive spurt of more, notwithstanding he even a small vote block Ambedkar- bhakti. The himself was against hero beyond proportion. With 84 Union Minister of Social worship. Memorials reserved seats in Lok Sabha Justice and Empowerment symbolize gratitude of people (and reserved seats in state Thawar Chand Gehlot has and also serve as beacon for assemblies and local bodies) already declared the Modi future generations to emulate and being relatively more government’s resolve to people who worked beyond organised than other castes, develop all important places their selves for others. Even Dalits became a cost effective related to Ambedkar’s life. communists who vehemently target for all parties to woo. So, there could be a memorial hold people to be the creator The first party to reflect this in New York, if not in Bonn, of history have memorialised attitudinal change was, of and perhaps at all the places their heroes. In the case of course, the Congress which if one could discover them— Ambedkar, right after his unleashed its co-optation where Ambedkar stayed death in 1956, his disciples strategy in 1965. The while he was living on a erected a modest structure in construction of Ambedkar paltry scholarship from the Mumbai at Dadar Chowpatty iconography became a part of Baroda state. Beyond at the place where he was this strategy. Suddenly memorials, the government cremated with their humble Ambedkar statues began has already declared that the donations. The structure in dotting cities, and towns and entire year that brings up his the shape of a Buddhist stupa roads were named after him. 125th birth anniversary shall symbolized the culmination Even then, there was no be celebrated with several of his life-long struggle memorial to Ambedkar. After programmes, provoking the for annihilation of caste and Chaitya Bhoomi, the most rival Congress to launch a was named Chaitya Bhoomi. important places to grand rally in Mahu, along That small structure attracts a commemorate Ambedkar with a conference of Dalit stream of people from all should have been his two intellectuals, to celebrate over the country. The crowd rooms in Dabak Chawl in the centenary of Ambedkar’s swells to over 2 million on 6 Parel where he lived until graduation from Columbia December, his death 1931 and Rajgruha which University. The ―three Dalit anniversary. Beyond it, there was his home—and also Rams‖ who played Hanuman was no memorial to houses his library—until he to Bharatiya Janata Party Ambedkar until recently. No shifted to Delhi in 1942. The (BJP) during the last political party or the state former is largely forgotten elections can rightly claim showed even sympathy but Rajgruha should have credit for all this. Indeed, when Dalits struggled for been made a memorial. But it what more could one. It is only after the mid- got caught in the cobwebs of Ambedkarites ask for? The 1960s, when electoral politics Maharashtra politics and only person who would be became competitive with stands ignored although sad at these developments, the emergence of regional Dalits visit it every day. One however, is Ambedkar parties floated by the newly day, this important himself. Sadly, his followers, empowered populous middle monument is going to be lost intoxicated with identitarian castes that the political forever to the people. With

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the ascendance of BJP to survives even in public every possible front. If power, the competition to discourse; its place has been atrocities are taken as the claim Ambedkar has usurped by the World Bank’s proxy for caste intensified and this clamour concept of inclusion and the consciousness, then one can for memorials is a mere Hindutva brigade’s notion of hardly escape the conclusion manifestation of this comedy. samarasata. India today that the latter has risen with Erect Memorials, Bury the ranks among the most unprecedented pace and Mission unequal societies in the intensity during the past Memorials may make sense if world! Fraternity anyway nearly two-and-a-half decads the mission of the man also is was inconceivable in the of neo-liberalism. Around respected and progressed. caste society; it is much so in 40,000 cases of Ambedkar’s mission was the newly casteised post- atrocities against Dalits are annihilation of caste, so as to 1991 India. The state of registered every year. The usher in a society based on Dalits for whom Ambedkar persistent trend of acquitting ―liberty, equality, fraternity.‖ worked his entire life could the perpetrators of However, the display of love be another parameter to atrocities— Kilvenmani for Ambedkar appears assess the love of memorial (1968) where 44 Dalit directly proportional to the makers for Ambedkar. There women and children were disdain for his dreams. Forget is no development parameter burnt alive, massacre of castes, untouchability, on which the gap bet ween Dalits in Karamchedu (1985) outlawed by the Constitution, Dalits and non-Dalits and Chunduru (1991) in lingers—in even its crudest (unfortunately it includes Andhra Pradesh and the Dalit form. From the dawn of the Muslims whose state also is massacre cases in Bihar 21st century, three major as pathetic as Dalits thereby (Bathani Tola in 1996 where surveys, the Action Aid dam pening the statistics) is 21 Dalits were killed, survey (2001–02) of 565 not signifi cant. Take any Lakshamanpur–Bathe in villages in 11 states, yard stick—poverty, 1997 where 61 people were Navsarjan survey of 1,589 urbanisation, employment, butchered, Miyanpur in 2000 villages in Gujarat (2007–10) mortality rates (infant, where 32 people were killed, and the recent National neonatal, child), occupational Nagari Bazaar where 10 Council of Applied distribution, anaemia people were killed in 1998, Economic Research report of (children, pregnant women), and Shankar Bigha where 22 November 2014 reveal body - mass index, literacy, Dalits were massacred in shocking incidences of enrolment (at various levels 1999)—has clearly untouchability. of education), dropout rates, established that casteist Untouchability is an aspect of and access to various public criminals enjoy state backing castes. With caste surviving, amenities—Dalits are way against Dalits. untouchability can never behind the non-Dalit Defiling Legacy, Disfiguring disappear. Ambedkar’s ideal population. The most Icon of liberty, equality, fraternity worrying feature of this gap It is interesting to note that on is of course light years away, is that it appeared to be one hand the Sangh Parivar and is getting distant with reducing, albeit slowly, in the and its BJP government are each passing day. Liberty has first four decades after waxing eloquent over been a chimera for a vast independence. But after the Ambedkar but on the other majority of people, gripped adoption of the Social hand they are systematically with basic livelihood Darwinist neo-liberal defi ling his secular legacy. concerns and additionally reforms, the gap has been His vitriolic comments on fettered by the police state widening rapidly. These Hinduism and Hindutva that has effectively stifled policies have hit Dalits hard should make Ambedkar the their voice. Equality no more and marginalized them on greatest enemy of the Parivar.

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But tragically, thanks to the the greatest benefactor of the friends, met Ambedkar at the ideological disorientation of Hindus. Why? Because, he Bombay airport, when he was Dalits, it converted this threat accepted Buddhism, which a member of the flag into a golden opportunity. was just aspect of Hinduism! committee, and handed over They made him their What a monumental lie. He a saffron flag to him with a pratahsmaraniya (literally, was against Muslims. He was plea to make it the national one who is venerated in the friends with Hedgewar and flag. Does it mean that Morning Prayer). By indu that guru of poisonous Ambedkar really supported cting him into their pantheon, ideology, Golwalkar. He was their cause? Does that mean the Parivar has been slowly praise for the Sangh and he proposed Sanskrit to be but systematically disfiguring soon. Yes, it is true that the national language? They Ambedkar. Weaving a Hedgewar, Golwalkar, are dwarfing Ambedkar to cobweb of lies around a Savarkar and others in the their own pigmy stature as a strand of tenuous truth in Rashtriya Swayamsevak petty communalist. Such Ambedkar’s life they have Sangh met Ambedkar (not appropriation is a direct insult been propagating, with vice versa) but that did not to Ambedkar. But pity, the Goebbelsque zeal, a saffron amount to his being friends Ambedkarites are too Ambedkar. This Ambedkar is with them. He never praised inebriated with memorials to shamelessly projected in their creed. It is true that B S notice it. favour of ghar wapsi. He is Munje, along with his Source: Economic & Political Weekly ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

MINO-VIEW 16 July-September 2015

SOUTH ASIA

DALIT WATCH

Dalit woman gang- a lantern rally to protest the Committee demanded at against the draft constitution least three percent reservation raped near Bhilwara and create pressure on in the federal parliament, five Jul 18, 2015 political parties to ensure per cent in the provinces, 10 AJMER: A Dalit woman was their rights in the new per cent in local bodies, and ganged-raped by seven constitution.The rally that proportional representation of youths in Kanechen village of Shahpura block of started from Maitighar Dalits. Source: The Himalayan nearby Bhilwara Mandala converged into a Times district. The gathering at New Baneswor victim was in front of the Constituent 50 Dalits in Haryana hospitalized and Assembly (CA) building convert to Islam is undergoing where leaders lashed out at treatment. All the 9 August 2015 the draft constitution. Dalit accused are New Delhi: absconding. According to leaders including CA Nearly 50 police, two youths Rahul member Biswendra Paswan, members of the Kumar and Sager lured the central member of Nepal Dalit community woman and raped her. Later, National Dalit Liberation of Haryana's five more drunk youths Front Khim Bahadur Bhagana village on Saturday reached the spot and raped Biswokarma ,among others, converted to Islam during the victim and left her in the protest demonstration at jungle. Later, the victim criticised the leaders for cutting out all the rights of Jantar Mantar in the National reached main road and via a Capital. The demonstration, roadways bus went to the Dalits. They have also organised by Bhagana Kand Shahpura police station. She demanded secularism in the Sangarsh Samiti (BKSS) was was admitted to government country besides their proper against the alleged hospital. Source: The Times of representation and warned persecution faced by the Dalit India that they wouldn‟t accept the community at the hands of Lantern rally for Dalit new statute if the draft upper caste Jats. At the heart of the conflict in Haryana is constitution rights the struggle over land and it's was not 2, August 2015 use and ownership by the amended. poor Dalits which has been KATHMANDU :Dalit Binod grabbed by the dominant Rights Struggle Pahadi of castes. Speaking to dna 45- Committee (DRSC) DRSC said year-old Ved Pal of the on Saturday organised BKSS said that the

MINO-VIEW 17 July-September 2015

movement to convert to Islam that other Islamic nations Ambedkarite and Buddhist has been gaining pace ever would raise voice against the Organizations, U.K.; the since the brutal gang rape of persecution the Dalit Caste Watch U.K.; and the four Dalit girls in Bhagana community faces. Source: DNA South Asia Solidarity Group. village in 2014.The girls U.K. Dalit groups The letter condemns BJP were going out to fetch water leader Giriraj Singh for in the evening and they saw a question Modi’s having earlier described the white colored car rushing silence on Cobrapost slain Ranvir Sena leader towards them and grabbed revelations Brahmeshwar Singh, known them inside the car. The girls, as „Mukhiya‟, as “Bihar‟s 25 Aug 2015 aged between 13 and 18 Gandhi” as the Cobrapost years, belong to the landless documentary exposes the Dhanuk caste, and worked man to be the mastermind of for upper caste landowners. the killings of Dalit men, Ved Pal said the khap women and children. It has panchayat had imposed a also noted with concern that social boycott against the the Amir Das Commission, caste group, forcing 250 which was set up in 1997 families to leave their homes after the Laxmanpur Bathe

and flee the village. "The killings to investigate these villagers had to leave our New Delhi: Ahead of Prime massacres, was disbanded in village facing total boycott. Minister Narendra Modi‟s 2005 by Nitish Kumar, then Barbers not cutting hair, kids visit to the United Kingdom, in alliance with the BJP, “in being removed from schools four U.K.-based Dalit order to appease and shield and denying entry into organizations have written to his erstwhile BJP allies.” temples is a common Mr. Modi expressing dismay Raising the question whether happening," Pal said. On at his silence over the such horrific violence could Saturday afternoon, around revelations made by news be tolerated in a democratic 50 people, all of them men, portal Cobrapost on the country, the letter demands gathered for demonstration alleged involvement of senior that all the politicians and after brief speeches of BJP leaders in the massacre including senior BJP leaders community leaders converted of Dalits in Bihar. Their letter named in the Amir Das to Islam. The protesters questions why Mr. Modi has Commission report be recited verses of Quran and neither spoken out against the dismissed from their posts. It offered prayers as well. The self-confessed killers and has also demanded that the development comes after their accomplices nor taken Army and ex-Army almost a year of holding a sit- any action against the senior personnel who allegedly in protest at Jantar Mantar. BJP politicians allegedly trained and armed the banned Previously, in a written involved in the massacres of Ranvir Sena members be statement, the victim families some 144 Dalit men, women brought to justice. and children in Bihar. In the had said some of the victims Amnesty plea on have already converted to August 19 letter, the groups Islam in protest against the have urged Mr. Modi to act khap rape atrocities of upper caste as his “lack of action on this diktat gets issue gives the shocking Hindus. Satish Kajla, was over 2.6 lakh among the men who message that Dalit and converted to Islam on oppressed caste lives do not signatures matter in India.” The groups 6, Sept 2015 Saturday. While speaking to are: the Dalit Solidarity MEERUT: An reporters said that by Network; the Federation of becoming Muslims he hopes online petition to Uttar Pradesh

MINO-VIEW 18 July-September 2015

chief minister Akhilesh take all steps to ensure the state. On Sunday, police Yadav by human rights group safety of the family so they lobbed teargas shells near Amnesty International, can return home and for an Ladva village in Patan district seeking protection and justice investigation into the rape to disperse members of for two Dalit sisters allegedly order and prosecution if Patidar and Chaudhari threatened with rape by a necessary. According to communities as they resorted khap panchayat in Sankraund Amnesty International, the to stone-pelting over a minor village of Baghpat district has petition to CM Akhilesh incident. Patan SP A G so far gathered over 2.60 lakh Yadav has so far attracted the Chauhan said about 100 signatures, mostly on its attention of over 2,60,000 Patidar women had gathered British website since the people. Only 17 people had on the road clattering plates petition was launched last signed the petition on with spoons to block traffic. week. Meanwhile, from the Amnesty's India site till "Just then a Chaudhari family vernacular press to the September 3, said Matta. travelling by car urged the national media and even Meanwhile, BBC expressed women to let them go as British public broadcaster its disappointment over the there was an emergency. BBC have reported that no issue stating that the world is However, a minor altercation such kangaroo court was held concentrating on something took place and soon in Sankraund. The story of that did not happen instead of Chaudhari members from the ordering the rape of two Dalit young people who cannot nearby Taloj village reached sisters because their brother choose who they marry. The there and stone-pelting eloped with a Jat woman BBC reached out to Amnesty resulted," added Chauhan. gained international attention International only to discover On Saturday, a group of after Amnesty International the human rights organization agitating Patidar women in published a petition to save did not confirm the story Ramol had confronted the girls. Meanwhile, the before they set up a petition. members of Rabari villagers of Sankraund "We have not been on the community. On August 25, village, across all the castes ground, we have not visited there was a conflict between including Dalits reportedly the village," explained residents of Thakorevas and said that no such panchayat spokesperson Gopika Bashi Patidars in Vadaj area. Police had been held at the village. to BBC. Amnesty, however, officials said they rushed to Amnesty International stated that it has no plans to the spot soon and dispersed launched its petition on withdraw the petition. "We the crowds which by then had August 24, in which it says: will continue to push for resorted to minor stone "Two Dalit sisters were protection for the family," pelting. "We had to lob 3 tear ordered to be raped and Bashi said. Source: The Times gas shells to disperse the paraded naked by an of India mobs" added Chauhan. unelected all-male village Caste clash in Patan Chauhan said they then called council in Baghpat, Uttar leaders of both community Pradesh. Their house was village and made them sit togather. ransacked and they are now 21, Sep 2015 "They too responded well in New Delhi, too scared to and compromised never to go home. Why are they being indulge with each other" punished? Because their addedChauhan. However as brother eloped with a married news of the incident reached woman from a Jat (dominant DGP office in Gandhinagar, caste) family." Himanshi senior police officials were Matta from Amnesty AHMEDABAD: The spectre worried and directed their International India told of the ongoing Patidar quota subordinates to calm the agencies that the petition stir turning into an inter-caste situation. Source Times of India called on the government to conflict looms large over the

MINO-VIEW 19 July-September 2015

IN Rape Cases, Even atrocities. Director of accused my daughter of being in love with a boy outside our Filing an FIR is Evidence A Kathir presided over the meeting, called caste. The accused were also Difficult: Dalit Women 'Dalit Women Speak Out'. later released on bail,"said 27, Sep 2015 Saradha (name changed), a another dalit woman from Madurai: Many 47-year-old mid-day meal Ottanagampatti. According to of the 30-odd dalit worker from Thirupuvanam, statistics given by Evidence, women who said she was raped by a 24- around 923 rape cases were attended a public year-old man while she was registered in Tamil Nadu in hearing meeting in returning home from the 2013 and a whopping 10,565 Arasaradi in the school. "Everyone asked me cases were registered in city said they had been to settle the issue without 2014, of which 1,110 were subjected to sexual registering a police complaint cases of rape of minor harassment, including rape, to protect the honour of the girls. Of these, one of the but had been unable to take village," she said. "On most vulnerable groups was the legal path for justice due February1 2014, my 17-year- dalit women, who face to pressure and old daughter was raped by a several hindrances right from the time of filing a complaint discrimination. The meeting gang of four men, who later in the police station to getting was held by Madurai-based dumped her in a garbage site medical checkups done, they NGO Evidence so as to in our village. It has been a said. Source: The Time of India provide legal assistance to year since we last went to the dalit women who had faced village, because the villagers ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

MINO-VIEW 20 July-September 2015

BANGLADESH

The alternative report on Dalit children in Bangladesh is written Dalit Children in Bangladesh by the International Dalit

Solidarity Network (IDSN) and submitted to the UN Committee Caste discrimination affects caste discrimination. They on the Rights of the Child for the both the Hindu and the are frequently prevented from entering the homes of non- 70th Working Group session (14 Muslim populations in Bangladesh, and perpetuates Dalits and are often met with September –2 October 2015). The the poverty trap the country discrimination when trying to report examines the current is caught in. Dalits exist far bury members of their family situation of Dalit children and below the poverty line with at public graveyards. A large provides information about the extremely limited access to number of child labourers in implementation gaps in the health services, education and Bangladesh are Dalits. enforcement of the International employment. They live in Members of minorities, most Convention on the Rights of the ‘colonies’ with very poor of whom are Dalits, hold Child, and makes housing and work almost almost no official positions. recommendations for the exclusively in ‘the service The estimates of the number Committee’s examination. The sector’, doing unclean jobs in of Dalits in Bangladesh vary from 3.5-5.5 million. They observations are based on urban areas such as street sweeping, manual scavenging have been much overlooked independent studies and reports, and burying the dead. The in the development and rights case documentation, and lives of Dalits are particularly discourse and have only recommendations by other UN harsh due to the practice of recently been able to raise human rights bodies

MINO-VIEW 21 July-September 2015

their voices. Having started are as low as 10%, with disparities are adequate and to engage with government dropout rates of those that did effective in the family, and international donors, they attend school at around 95% schools and other settings, have now managed to place compared to national and in particular among the issue of caste enrolment rates of 85%. Over marginalized and excluded discrimination on the agenda. 80% of Dalits surveyed children, including girls, Girls and women from Dalit experienced discrimination in children of ethnic minorities communities in Bangladesh admission to schools, with and refugee children. None of often fall victim to some Dalit parents being the government initiatives to prostitution and trafficking of actively discouraged by achieve ‘universal’ access to bonded labour. They are teachers from enrolling their primary education have had a deprived control, not only children. Further, 82% of specific focus on improving over property, but also over Hindu Dalits and 84% of the literacy and educational their own bodies. They are Muslim Dalits had levels of Dalits or countering excluded from political experienced discrimination the caste-based participation, community by the time they had started discrimination they face in development and school and many experience schools. The implementation employment, and have faced discrimination in schools, for of even general educational violent attacks when trying to example being forced to sit measures to the benefit of vote. Dalit children are even on the floor or to clean Dalit students is not known in more vulnerable than their toilets. the absence of educational adult counterparts and face Despite the Government’s data that is disaggregated by discrimination in education recent education policy social group. and are particularly which committed them to vulnerable to child labour. educate children in their Recommendations Moreover, Dalit girls suffer mother tongue, this is still not  National and local multiple discrimination at the being implemented. Further, governments should take intersection of caste and there is no provision made effective measures to reduce gender discrimination. for Dalit children to learn dropout rates and increase Bangla which is also a major enrolment rates among barrier to them attending Education, leisure and children of caste- affected schools. In 2009, the CRC cultural activities: Dalit communities at all levels of Committee strongly children in Education public and private schooling, recommended that "the by providing scholarships or Despite the Government’s principle of non- other financial subsidies, efforts to promote the right to discrimination, as provided combating classroom education, most Dalit for under article 2 of the segregation, harassment and children do not complete Convention, be fully and discrimination against pupils formal education, with the vigorously applied by the of caste-affected majority attending for only State party and integrated communities and ensuring one or two years. Poverty and into the implementation of all non-discriminatory access to caste discrimination within other articles to guarantee, such schemes, including schools from both teachers without discrimination, the through provision of and students are key reasons rights set out in the adequate equipment, staffing why Dalit families choose for Convention. The Committee and quality of teaching in their children to work rather further recommended that the public schools, as well as than attend school. According State party take the necessary adequate means of physical to one study, 64% of Hindu measures to ensure that access to schools for children Dalits and 61% of Muslim efforts to address persistent living in dominant caste Dalits have no education at discrimination and reduce all. School enrolment rates MINO-VIEW 22 July-September 2015

neighborhoods and armed human rights problem in There are no specific conflict areas. Bangladesh among Dalit measures and no  Governments should take communities. According to disaggregated data available all necessary measures to one study, 26% of Hindu on the representation of remove obstacles, including Dalits and 35% of Muslim Dalits among the country’s child labour, which keep Dalits are, to a larger or populations engaged in children from regular full smaller degree, bound by bonded, forced and child time education. loans from employers. The labour. Without official Constitution prohibits forced tracking of the Dalit  Governments should also or compulsory labour. involvement in these forms of pay particular attention to the However, implementation is prohibited labour, the need of providing adequate lacking. Also, laws, policies possibility to comment on the education to children and and programmes on forced, status of implementation vis- adults who are unable to read bonded or child labour àvis Dalits is very limited. and write because of lack of currently being implemented formal education. by the Bangladesh Recommendations  The government should government do not make constitute an ‘Equity reference to caste  The government should Working Group’ within the vulnerabilities to these forms review its programmes to Education Ministry to of prohibited labour. eliminate prohibited forms of labour - bonded, forced and continually devise and As per the national child child labour, including monitor targeted education labour survey 2002-2003 trafficking - and report on schemes for Dalits. These conducted by the Bangladesh both how many Dalits are schemes should be devised in Bureau of Statistics (BBS) victims of these forms of consultation with Dalit the estimated number of labour as well as how many communities and CSOs. working children in Dalits become beneficiaries Schemes would include Bangladesh is 7.4 million. of the various government scholarships allocated for Out of these, 3.2 million efforts in this regard. Dalit children in order to children are considered as encourage their schooling child labour, of which 1.3 and higher education. million children are engaged Economic exploitation: in hazardous labour. Child labour and Dalit Again, many are likely to be Children Dalit children, given their Source: International Dalit Bonded labour and child poorer socio-economic Solidarity Network labour represent a significant conditions. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

MINO-VIEW 23 July-September 2015

INDIA

Steep Rise In dalit Murders in 2014

The latest crime figures Tamil Nadu. There were also released by the National 52 SC victims of attempt-to- Crime Records Bureau murder cases in the State. (NCRB) reveal that the The data says the 72 murder situation in Tamil Nadu is as victims came from 43 bad as it is in several incidents, indicating Northern States with respect prevalence of mob attacks or to murder of Dalits, with 72 clashes. Bihar, for example, such cases recorded in 2014. had 56 victims from the same Tamil Nadu saw a This is higher than Bihar, number incidents. Thirty- disconcerting rise in the which registered 56 murders, three Dalit women were number of Dalits murdered in and just below Madhya raped in Tamil Nadu in 2014, 2014, even though the overall Pradesh with 80 cases under compared to 28 in 2013. incidence of crime against the Section 302 of the Indian There was a lone attempt-to- Scheduled Caste (SC) Penal Code. In 2013, 28 rape case. community has dropped. Dalits were murdered in MINO-VIEW 24 July-September 2015

Overall picture Underreporting to a high rate of acquittals in cases registered under the The overall Calling the increase in Prevention of Atrocities Act. picture though murders of Dalits a provided a positive trend, “disturbing trend”, Viduthalai “There have already been with the incidence of crimes Chiruthaigal Katchi leader D. questions raised on the against Dalits dropping from Ravikumar said Dalits faced number of farmer suicides the 1,845 in 2013 to 1,546 in huge hardship in getting NCRB reported. I feel there 2014. The NCRB data used cases registered. At a recent is a clear case of the Census 2011 figures for public hearing conducted by underreporting,” he said. population of Dalits, which the National Scheduled Caste was pegged at 1.4 crore for Commission, many pointed Source: The Hindu Tamil Nadu. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Quarterly MINO-VIEW Lahore

We Remind the Nation

The importance Pakistani nation gives to it minorities can be measured by public announcement of the founder of the nation, Qauid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which he made just three days before the declaration of the partition of India. He said in his historical speech delivered in parliament on September 11, 1947 that: There would be complete freedom to the minorities in Pakistan for spending their lives according to their faith and life style. They will be absolutely free to go to their temple, churches, and other worship places for performing their religious practices. It was not just the word of ordinary assurance after the formation of Pakistan when a three Member committee had been constituted under convener ship of Syed Ameer Hussain Qudwai, for designing the national flag of newly born nations, the committee followed Quaid’s approach towards the minorities in the region by considering minorities as essential part of the nation, our First national assembly approved the proposed national flag, where, color white was suggested as the symbols of minorities. By adopting this two colored flag we gave message to the whole international community that minorities are essential section of Pakistani nation. Although minorities at large in Pakistan are satisfied, as they themselves and the people outside the country recognized this fact. Now when election campaign is going to stand, Sir Ganga Ram Heritage foundation remind the nation Particularly all political parties that chalking their election program they should keep in mind Quaid’s and people’s commitment with our friendly and patriotic minorities as Pakistani Muslim majority is religiously and morally bound to protect the interests and right of the minorities of the country.

SIR GANGA RAM HERITAGE FOUNDATION LAHORE