King Narakasura is Dalit hero for Diwali
November 5th, 2010
DC Correspondent
Nov. 4: After terming Mahishasura a hero during Dasara festivities,
Dalit scholars of Osmania University have now outraged orthodox Hindus
by lionising Narakasura, whose killing by Lord Krishna is celebrated
as Diwali.
These scholars contend that Narakasura, the son of the earth goddess
Bhudevi, was no demon but a king who was defeated in battle by Lord
Krishna and Satyabhama in a deceitful manner.
As people celebrated Naraka Chaturdasi on Thursday, a group of Dalits
in the Osmania University observed it as vardhanti (death
anniversary).
They also offered floral tributes to a picture of Narakasura in the
Arts College Campus raising hackles among conservative Hindus.
The scholars asked people not to celebrate Diwali and claimed that
Dalits belonged to the lineage of Narakasura and other so called
"demon" kings who they say have been portrayed as evil by upper
castes.
OU SC, ST, BC and minorities students also organised a seminar
'Narakasurudu — Raakshasuda (demon) or Rakshasuda (protector)?"
wherein participants claimed that history has been distorted to
project all those who lost wars as demons.
"We are observing Narakachardashi as vardhanti (death anniversary),"
said Mr Visarvardhan, a research scholar. "It is not an occasion to
celebrate. We are trying to set right the facts. Narakasura is
amaraveerdu (martyr) and not a womaniser."
"Nowhere in the world does anyone celebrate a death," said the Dalit
scholar, Prof. Kancha Ilaiah. "Nowhere in the world have Gods killed
people except in India."
However, the BJP spokesperson, Mr N.V.S.S. Prabhakar, disagreed with
Dalit views and said Diwali symbolised the victory of good over evil
and was not related to the death of any individual.
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