A platform for shared experience
Anoop KumarFirst Published : 28 Feb 2010 10:32:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 26 Feb 2010 11:03:24 PM IST
Why did you start the magazine and when?
Insight magazine was started by a group of students from JNU in August
2004. Its main objective was to create a platform for Dalit students
of the university to share their experiences and articulate their
views on issues that concern them as well as the larger Dalit society.
Also, Insight is a platform for the community's mobilisation and
networking towards removing the vacuum that exists between the
students and larger Dalit movement as we never had our youth platform.
The idea of this magazine came in response to student outfits like the
SFI, AISA and ABVP. You know, JNU has a strong Left movement that
professes liberalism and progressiveness. However, on caste issues,
every political group tends to ignore these issues or raise it in a
patronising way. But our weak socio-economic and political background
made it tough for us to create a counter-organisation. Hence this
journal.
How did it pick up?
The magazine initially used to be a compilation of photocopies. We'd
type the articles using computer, take Xerox of the printouts and
staple it into a booklet form. And sell them. Within the first three
issues, the magazine became known outside JNU and we started getting
requests for copies across to other places and educational
institutions. Within one year, Insight was printing more than 1000
copies; it had more than 800 subscribers from 50 varsities and
educational institutions across the country and even abroad.
It all began with money being pooled in from within the group but
later we found we could generate finances from the larger Dalit
community. One big achievement is our lending a platform of networking
Dalit students at the national level: we organised a national
convention in JNU in 2005 to commemorate our first year of
publication.
Wasn't there a break after that?
Soon after the convention, reasons like financial crunch and academic
pressure led to stoppage of the printing of hard copies of magazine.
We could restart it only in 2007 — and some editions came out till
early last year. Since last June, we again stopped publication for
lack of funds — it's instead running as a blog. It's a stopgap
arrangement. We are working on a long-term solution to sustain
publication.
Who are the people involved in the making of the magazine?
It was started basically by a group of Dalit students which included
Rajneesh, Rajesh Katulkar, Kaushal Panwar, Pratap and Samuel Tharu
besides me. All of us were students of JNU doing their post-graduation
or PhD. After coming out with a few issues, our team broadened. It has
now more than 20 people from different castes and various part of the
country. Some of us became full-timers for the publication.
Why did you think young Dalit voices (in particular) needed this medium?
Apart from being able to respond towards other student groups on caste
issues, such a medium is important to raise voice against the
discrimination Dalit students suffer in campuses — even from faculty
members and even in premier institutions.
Is there a new Dalit identity you are trying to
articulate?
We don't try for an identity other than what leaders like B R Ambedkar
envisaged. A majority of us come from rural or semi-rural background
and share a similar level of caste prejudices. This movement helps us
contribute back to the communities we come from.
Who is the target reader?
Primarily educated Dalit students and fresh Dalit professionals, who
are our mentors too. We also target non-Dalit students, academicians
and professionals who are sympathetic to our cause. We want to others
to know about the community's long struggle.
What is the most powerful medium to reach your audience, given that
your magazine includes even poetry and cartoons?
Feedback says it's the interviews with scholars,
activists, writers and students on socio-political issues. Then come
articles and poems.
What are the core ideas behind the articulation and mobilisation?
To intervene so as to ensure higher education becomes conducive for
the Dalit students, fight against casteism, fill up a gap that exist
between the Dalit movement and students/youth of the community, create
a Dalit youth leadership, sensitise larger society on the issues of
discrimination inside and outside campus.
— iwitnessfeedback@expressbuzz.com
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