Thursday, November 25, 2010

[ZESTCaste] Bastion falls, Paswan now has nowhere to go

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Bastion-falls-Paswan-now-has-nowhere-to-go/Article1-630684.aspx

Bastion falls, Paswan now has nowhere to go
HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times

Patna, November 25, 2010First Published: 01:42 IST(25/11/2010)

Ram Vilas Paswan, who created a world record by winning his Vaishali
seat by a margin of more than 6 lakh votes in 1977 has been finished
with the same impact as the record he created. The man who wished to
be the country's first Dalit prime minister and who had crafted the
art of political related stories
Lalu's bag of tricks fails
survival without ever having the numbers into a fine art, may not make
a comeback this time. For, his guru, Lalu Prasad, who got him a seat
in the Rajya Sabha after his defeat in the parliamentary elections in
2009, is himself incapable of coming back and Paswan may not find
another backer for a very long time.

Paswan has been a family man - in power and out of it. While Lalu
Prasad had his brothers-in-law to support him, Paswan had his
brothers. But like Prasad, he went down like a rock in a pond in the
electoral debate over development versus caste.

Paswan's political ground had always been one-dimensional, sticking to
his own caste with the support of a smattering of upper caste toughs
as opposed to Lalu Prasad's multi-dimensional appeal in his heyday.

With even Paswans rejecting him this time -as is apparent in the
results from the Vaishali-Samastipur arc, the fort of extremely
backward castes he led, Paswan had to fall by the wayside.

Paswan has no role now, except being a Rajya Sabha MP for the next
five years. Beyond that, he is not equipped to take centrestage
whether

in alliance or alone - for he is neither a Dalit leader of standing
like Mayawati whom he opposes nor does he have the clout to rise above
single-caste politics.

Paswan must be credited for pursuing development politics -- the most
famous of his efforts being establishing the East Central Railways
headquarters in Hajipur. But if this very constituency, which
benefited heavily because of him, decided to reject him this time,
where does he go?

Apparently nowhere. Number game


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[ZESTCaste] Locking of temple leads to tension

 

http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu/locking-of-temple-leads-to-tension/225745.html

Locking of temple leads to tension

M Rafi Ahmed & S Kaththasami

Express News Service

First Published : 25 Nov 2010 11:22:00 PM ISTLast Updated : 25 Nov
2010 11:15:03 AM IST

COIMBATORE/TIRUPUR: Deadlock continues in Dalits temple entry issue at
Uthamapalayam village in Tirupur district as the caste Hindus, who are
in a sizable number in the village, continued to avoid several round
of talks chaired by Dharapuram RDO as they felt it as a disgrace to
allow Dalits to sit equally with them.

Hence, tension prevails in the village. M Thangavel, state organiser
for Avinashi-based Vizhuthugal, an NGO working for the rights of
Arunthathiyars, told Express that a similar situation arose five years
ago when they were denied entry into the 600-year-old Mariamman temple
(under the control of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
department) during a temple festival. However, the gates were opened
for them after the intervention of HR&CE department officials on
January 15, 2005.

And the caste Hindus, who felt that the temple lost its sanctity
following the entry of Dalits resolved to construct a new Mariamman
temple adjacent to the old temple.

Dalits were on their feet again seeking right to enter the new temple also.

In this connection, 12 Dalits outfits formed the Uthamapalayam Temple
Entry Protest Committee with S Karuppiah as the coordinator.

According to Karuppiah, they raised the issue when peace talks were
held in the presence of Dharapuram RDO Akbar Ali.

An accord was reached on August 19 and again on September 29 that all
people irrespective of their caste could worship at the new temple.

Trouble started during the consecration held on October 21 when Dalits
prevented from entering the temple.

In a step further, the Dalits were assaulted by the caste Hindus.

He said during the peace talks convened by the RDO on two occasions,
none of the representatives from caste Hindus were present to give
their views along with Dalit outfits.

Sensing problem, the RDO ordered for closing the temple and sealing it
until the issue was sorted out.

As the officials failed to close the temple, the caste Hindus were
conducting routine poojas at the new temple.

Meanwhile, Karuppiah announced a temple entry protest against the
poojas being performed.

Following which, the officials sealed the temple amidst stiff protest
from caste Hindus. Opposing this, the caste Hindus of surrounding
villages hoisted block flags at their houses and observed a token fast
on November 21.

Collector C Samayamoorthy told Express that the issue was being
handled by Dharapuram RDO and the next round of talks has been
scheduled for December 2.

Meanwhile Section 145 of CrPc has clapmed to maintain peace in the village.

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