-Dr. Rahul Kumar, PhD-
The Asian Independent (UK)- The Dalit community is divided. From Kashmir to Kanyakumair, there are dozens of Dalit organizations operating. Some are working for the welfare of the Dalits and some are simply on the papers. It has been observed the majority of the Dalit leaders chose to operate alone due to their own selfish political and economic objectives. Dalits are reported to be suffering on social and political fronts as a result of their lack of unity. After the unfortunate passing of revered Bharat Rattan Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, no other Dalit leaders showed themselves to be capable of fostering unity among the Dalits.
It is a fact that there are different classes among the Dalits. One is a political class; the other is a retired bureaucratic class. Bharat Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar fought laboriously in the Parliament and achieved reservation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The political class benefited greatly from political reservation but achieved nothing significant for the welfare of the community. This has been going on since the departure of Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar from this world. Those who are rejected by the Dalit communities they are found joining non-Dalit political parties. A bulk of them are found to be shy, meek and boot-lickers when they join non-Dalit political parties. They undermine the community`s social, political, and economic well-being when they join non-Dalit political parties. Those who occupy the highest post in the government ministries and departments are unreachable to the poor Dalits. For the last many years, Hindus organizations have been attacking reservation. Their attention is to annihilate Reservation but sorry to say not a single Dalit Minister has the courage to launch a state wide agitation to save Reservation unless or until the sufferers comes to the road. There is not a single Dalit defense attaché` in any Indian Embassy or High Commission abroad. Similar to this, there are just one or two Dalit ambassadors currently serving abroad, despite the fact that India has High Commissions or Embassies in 130 countries of the world. Dalits are under-represented in all sectors, ministries and departments in India and abroad. Not a single Dalit Member of Parliament have even attempted to find out the reasons behind this. Although the Dalit political elite profits from political reservation, they do not serve the Dalits who send them to the legislatures. It has been discovered that the majority of the Dalit political elite represents the corporate houses owned and run by Brahmins. Here, the former Dalit chief minister of Uttar Pradesh serves as a good example. She had ties to Japrakash Gaur`s Jaypee Group- owned and run by Hindus, which has its headquarters in Noida. According to media accounts, she never chose construction companies, small or big owned or run by Dalits, for major or small state projects – always preferred Brahmins instead.
Atrocities against the Dalits are increasing day by day. Violence against Dalit and Advasi women are rising and turning violent. According to data released by National Crime Record Bureau (NCR B), the atrocities or crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) have increased by 1.2% in 2021 with Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest number of cases of atrocities against SCs accounting for 25.82% followed by Rajasthan with 14.7% and Madhya Pradesh with 14.1% during 2021. Further, the report reveals that atrocities against Scheduled Tribes (ST) have increased by 6.4% in 2021 with Madhya Pradesh reporting the highest number of cases accounting for 29.8% followed by Rajasthan with 24% and Odisha with 7.6% in 2021. (https://www.newsclick.in/NCRB-Report-Shows-Rise-Atrocities-Towards-Dalits-Adivasis). Given the increase in crimes against the Dalits through India, it should be demanded that anyone found guilty of horrendous crimes against Dalits or stealing their land in the countryside be disqualified from receiving government benefits. Their offspring should not be allowed to work for the Government. Bank loans should not be given to such families. It is necessary to prevent future atrocities against the Dalits along with the implementation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Given the rising cost of living, the financial aid that the federal and state governments provide to SC/ST/OBC/Minorities is quite meagre. It is regrettable that not a single Dalit minister or MP has brought this issue in the Parliament or called for an increase in the scholarship amount for the last so many years. For Scheduled Caste students who wish to pursue a PhD at a foreign university, the Punjab Government does not provide scholarships. Not a single Dalit party or leader has ever raised this issue.
Typically, retired Dalit IAS/IPS officers are seen pinning for prestigious government positons following their retirement. They simply waste their time, energy and money trying to get a parliamentary seat, regardless of whatever political party they belong to or what their ideological stance is. Those who choose to join anti-Dalit or anti-reservation political groups continue to be a devoted tailing wagging dog. They are very few Dalit retired IAS/IPS officer who start a school for the underprivileged Dalit students` education. Another problem with the retired Dalit IAS/IPS officers is that they feel proud of writing books about Dr. BR Ambedkar and Buddhism and will believe till the day they die that they have accomplished enough for the Dalit community. The majority of Dalit retired IAS/IPS officers desire to be appointed chairman or trustee of the well-established Dalit Organizations/ trusts/societies and dictate the seniors who have dedicated their entire lives to the mission. If the positon is not provided to them, they attempt to smear the institutions, trusts, and societies involved or bring a lawsuit with the help of anti-Dalit individuals or organizations.
The Dalit community is now facing a wide range of challenges. One major challenge from the Upper caste Hindus who refuse to abandon the caste system. Another obstacle they face comes from their own people, who are hell –bent on taking undue advantage of them. The need is to recognize opportunists. Show the door to those who make money in the name of Dr. Ambedkar. Show the door to those who are sitting in the lap of anti- Dalit organizations. Expose them so that they should not dare to make a fool of you. Support wholeheartedly those Dalit politicians and retired IAS/IPS officers who are really honest and dedicated to the mission and society.
I have talked about a few challenges that the Dalit community must address without further delay. The members of the Dalit community must remember one thing that any Dalit politician or Member of Parliament who knock on your door to solicit your physical, financial support or vote must be questioned. It is urgently necessary to put personal interests aside, get together, and organize a national movement under the direction of elders and show the world that the members of the Dalit community can be taken for granted by any Tom, dick and Harry.
Dr. Rahul Kumar, Ph.D. in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi (India), is an independent researcher. His area of interest encompasses social and political issues, diplomacy, foreign policy and international relations. The views expressed in this article are personal.
