Saturday, March 3, 2012

[ZESTCaste] Devoid of facilities, Dalits decide to boycott polls

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/231612/devoid-facilities-dalits-decide-boycott.html

Devoid of facilities, Dalits decide to boycott polls
Ravi Kelangadi, Kalasa, Mar 2, 2012, DHNS:

Pathetic condition of the Harijan colony frustrates Dalits

The plight of Sampigekatte Harijan colony is rather pathetic. The
residents feel that Kalasa Panchayat has forgotten that the colony
belongs to them.

The acute condition of neglect has saddened the residents to the
extent that they say they have nobody coming to their rescue.

The problems existing in the colony are so acute that when one speaks
of problems, there are many more joining to make their voice heard.

Subbaiah, a resident of this colony says that they have been let down
by the elected representatives.

"If there is no one to listen to our problems then why should we elect
a representative? We have decided to boycott Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok
Sabha polls," says Subbaiah.

There are nine houses in the Colony, of which not even one can be
called a complete house. While some houses do not have walls, some
have dry leaves and other materials from areca trees for roof. Doors
and windows too are symbolic. Even as these families are living amidst
squalor, the Panchayat has not done anything to solve the problems of
the residents.

"We have been living here since 35 years. The Panchayat has not given
any funds for either repair or reconstruction of any house here. We
have put up with several monsoons fearing mishap. This year too we
will spend the monsoon under this fear," says Venkatesh pointing at
his dilapidated house.

The main problem in the colony is drinking water crisis. There is only
one motor to fill water into tanks in the colony and Halasikatte. This
old motor cannot be put to continuous use for more than half an hour.
Hence collecting water is the most tedious job in the routine of the
dalit women in this colony.

When this motor was spoilt, the Dalit came forth to repair it by
contributing Rs 50 per house. "If a bore well is dug, then the problem
of water supply can be solved," suggests a housewife Lakshmi as she
waits for water near the tank.

Though there are people eligible to get benefits from Sandhya Suraksha
and Widow Pension schemes, they are not aware of the same. The demand
to have good roads laid in the colony too has not been met yet.

Being daily wage labourers, getting ownership rights over the land on
which they have been living too has become a distant dream.

Balachandra, a youth from the colony who had struggled to get
electricity connection to the colony says that it is not enough if
people sit and crib over problems. What is required is to wage a fight
to get those demands fulfilled. Balachandra and many like him have
taken a stern decision of boycotting the elections this time.

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[ZESTCaste] MIM to work for BCs, dalits, says Asad

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/MIM-to-work-for-BCs-dalits-says-Asad/articleshow/12116494.cms

MIM to work for BCs, dalits, says Asad
TNN | Mar 3, 2012, 01.33AM IST

HYDERABAD: The MIM would soon take up issues specific to dalits and
backward classes, party president Asaduddin Owaisi said while speaking
at the party's 54th foundation day celebrations on Friday.

At the function organized at the party headquarters, Darussalam,
Nampally, Owaisi pointed out that majority of the problems faced by
the dalits and BCs were similar to those plaguing the minorities. "Our
policy is to bring all the economically and socially depressed
sections in society under a powerful umbrella," he said. Owaisi said
the party has decided to increase its participation in the
municipalities of the neighbouring states like Maharashtra and
Karnataka. Akbaruddin Owaisi, MIM floor leader in Assembly, said the
time to demonstrate the presence of his party in the civic bodies in
the state has come.

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[ZESTCaste] Idol Worship Sparks Buddhist Fury

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Ne100312Idol.asp

From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 9, Issue 10, Dated 10 Mar 2012
CURRENT AFFAIRS
KARNATAKA

Idol Worship Sparks Buddhist Fury

Dalit organisations and monks claim that Hindu groups are trying to
appropriate a historical Buddhist site in Gulbarga. Imran Khan reports

A HISTORICAL Buddhist site near Gulbarga, 584 km from Bengaluru, where
the first inscribed image of Ashoka was discovered, has become the
latest communal flashpoint in Karnataka. For the past two weeks, Dalit
organisations and a Buddhist monk have been protesting against what
they claim is an attempt by Hindus to appropriate the monument by
placing a Durga idol.

Four Dalits and a Buddhist monk have been arrested for removing the
idol. However, the protesters claim that they had removed the idol
only to take it to the deputy commissioner's office when they were
arrested.

In 1986, a Buddhist stupa dating back to 1st century BC was discovered
in Sannati, around 70 km from Gulbarga. It is believed that Ashoka
sent his son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra as emissaries to spread
Buddhism in this region, which is now considered the most backward
district in Karnataka. Subsequent excavations by the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) have established Sannati as an important
historical site.

"On 5 February, a group of Dalits led by a Buddhist monk tried to
forcibly take away the Durga idol," says R Vishal, deputy commissioner
of Gulbarga city. "The area is a protected monument and ASI is
conducting excavations there. When ASI men tried to stop them, they
pushed them and ran away. Before the situation could get out of
control and communal tension could be created, we caught them. A case
has been lodged."

Buddhist monk Bodhidhamma Banteji, who is in judicial custody, says,
"A sinister plan has been carried out all over India. Look at the
cases of Khaneri, Elephanta and Mahalakshmi in Mumbai and Karla and
Mansari in Nasik and Nagpur. Efforts have been made to ascribe a Hindu
connection to Buddhist places of worship."

"I have been coming to this place for the past 10 years as part of my
dissertation on Sannati. I never found this idol or any Hindu relic at
this place. Suddenly we saw rituals taking place and this idol
sprouting up," says Banteji.

Banteji and four Dalit leaders have been booked under various IPC
sections for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of
religion, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace,
unlawful assembly intended to outrage religious feelings. Surprisingly
none of the accused have been booked for trespassing, theft or
damaging a historical site.

When contacted, DK Ravi, assistant commissioner of Sedam taluk (where
the complaint has been lodged) and administrator of Sannati Budhha
Stupa Development Authority, refused to comment. The accused allege
that the complaint was filed based on Ravi's insistence.

'I couldn't have just sat back and seen Buddhist heritage being
destroyed,' says monk Banteji

"When I saw this idol, I immediately informed the local authorities
and the district administration. Even after my constant reminders,
they didn't take any action. I couldn't have just sat back and watched
the cultural heritage of Buddhism being destroyed," says Banteji.

"Look at the absurdity of this case. The complaint has been lodged by
a Muslim (ASI worker Azeem) against Buddhists and Dalits for hurting
his religious sentiments. Whereas the deity in question is a Hindu
idol," says the defendants' lawyer Mazhar Hussain. He claims Banteji
has been targeted specifically as he's been instrumental in converting
over 15,000 Dalits to Buddhism since 1995.

ASI Deputy Superintendent Dr JK Patnaik rubbishes the claims. He cites
a study conducted by ASI in 1989 to prove that the practice of Durga
worship was prevalent at the time when the government acquired the
place in 2002, and subsequently declared a protected site in 2003.
"The idol dates back to the 9th century AD — Rashtrakutas period — and
had not been installed there," he says. He admits that ASI is allowing
rituals to take place as discontinuing the practice would incur "the
wrath of locals".

Local Hindu groups led by BJP MLA Valmiki Nayak have been demanding
puja to be allowed at the site. "Twenty years ago, the site belonged
to a villager who used to worship Durga. Hence we demanded that puja
should be allowed. Those who say that the place only belongs to
Buddhists and that this place is only Buddha Vihar are troublemakers,"
he says.

Imran Khan is a Senior Correspondent with Tehelka.
imran@tehelka.com

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Friday, March 2, 2012

[ZESTCaste] Mother Park Chung Soo of Korea will be felicitated by Dr Ambedkar International Award 2012 at Nagpur (India). [1 Attachment]

[Attachment(s) from Dr. Milind Jiwane included below]

Mother Park Chung Soo of Korea will be felicitated by Dr Ambedkar International

Award 2012 at Nagpur (India).

The well known organization named Jeewak Welfare Society Nagpur (India) will going to

organize " Dr Ambedkar International Award 2012 & Jeewak National Award 2012 ceremony"

on 22nd March 2012 at 6.30 PM at Nagpur (India). Global Mother Ven. Mother Park Chung Soo

of Korea, who will be felicitated by " Dr. Ambedkar International Award 2012" on the said ceremony.

Mother Park, who dedicating her whole life for the mission of Dhamma. Mother Park, who is 75 years

old and visited 55 countries. She has established different schools and hospitals for the poor people.

She is practicing meditation too. At the age of 75 years, she is still traveling and spreading the Buddha's

mission, this is very big achievement.

On the aid ceremony, the national Buddhist -Ambedkarite personalities will be felicitated by

the hand of Mother Park by different awards.

* Prof. Dr. Yashwant Manohar - Life Time National Jeewak Literacy Award 2012.

* Prof. Ranjeet Meshram - Life Time National Jeewak Journalist Award 2012.

* Prof. Dr. Prakash Kharat - National Jeewak Teacher Award 2012.

* Hon. Er. J. S. Patil - National Jeewak Labor Award 2012.

* Hon. Charandas Somkuwar - National Jeewak Social Award 2012.

* Ho. Gunwant Devpare - National Jeewak Industrialist Award 2012.

Dr. Milind Jiwane, Chairman, who conduct the ceremony. You are hereby inviting

you to join it on large scale.

With regards.

Mrs. Vandana

Management Trustee.

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Attachment(s) from Dr. Milind Jiwane

1 of 1 Photo(s)

Mother Park Korea..jpg

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[ZESTCaste] DNA: Muslims are Gujarat’s new outcastes: Survey

Muslims are Gujarat's new outcastes: Survey

Published: Friday, Mar 2, 2012, 9:30 IST | Updated: Thursday, Mar 1, 2012, 23:14 IST
By Roxy Gagdekar | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_muslims-are-gujarats-new-outcastes-survey_1657290

The 2002 communal riots not only drove Muslims into new ghettos all over the state, they also reduced them to the status of second-class citizens who do not seem to exist for the government. This is the finding of a city-based NGO, Janvikas, which conducted a survey on the status of the minority community in the state after the riots.

The survey has revealed that Muslims are the new outcastes who, more often than not, are denied basic facilities which are available to people of other communities. Not only that. It appears that this neglect of the community is officially sanctioned for the riot victims find no mention in government records as people who need help.

The neglect of the minority community is evident even in efforts to resettle them as little has been done to provide them access to government schemes, health facilities and loans.

About 16,000 Muslims displaced by the riots are still living in relief colonies that are denied even the most basic amenities.

The riots displaced more than 2 lakh people across the state.

These people remained displaced for almost two years after 2002. However, NGOs and Muslim relief organisations settled a total of 16087 people in 83 different relief colonies."These are the people who cannot or dare not return to their original place of residence and have been living in shelters for the last 10 years," said Vijay Parmar, CEO of Janvikas.

The 83 relief colonies that were built after the riots are almost all located in Muslim majority areas. Fifteen of them are situated in Ahmedabad and the support they receive from the state government is negligible.

"The government did next to nothing for creating awareness about social security schemes meant for Internally Displaced People (IDP)," said Khatunben, a resident of Citizen Nagar, a relief colony in Ahmedabad.

The houses in which the displaced people have been living since 2002 have not been formally transferred to their names.

There has also been a sharp decline in the earnings of almost every displaced individual. The survey has revealed that the average annual income of displaced Muslims in Ahmedabad has come down by 31% as compared to their income before the riots.

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Saturday, March 3, 2012

[ZESTCaste] Devoid of facilities, Dalits decide to boycott polls

[ZESTCaste] MIM to work for BCs, dalits, says Asad

[ZESTCaste] Idol Worship Sparks Buddhist Fury

Friday, March 2, 2012

[ZESTCaste] Mother Park Chung Soo of Korea will be felicitated by Dr Ambedkar International Award 2012 at Nagpur (India). [1 Attachment]

[ZESTCaste] DNA: Muslims are Gujarat’s new outcastes: Survey

Muslims are Gujarat's new outcastes: Survey

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