Latest News Update: Apr 15, 2010

Thursday, April 15, 2010

[ZESTCaste] SC/ST Federation demands Act for reservation of jobs in private cos

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/jobs/SC/ST-Federation-demands-Act-for-reservation-of-jobs-in-private-cos/articleshow/5813085.cms

SC/ST Federation demands Act for reservation of jobs in private cos
15 Apr 2010, 2006 hrs IST,Nageshwar Patnaik,ET Bureau

BHUBANESWAR: President of All India Confederation of Scheduled
Caste/Scheduled Tribes Organisations, Udit Raj, on Thursday sought an
Act by the
parliament to ensure mandatory reservation of jobs for scheduled caste
and scheduled tribe candidates in private firms.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the state
chapter of the confederation, Raj said although a bill seeking
reservation in private was tabled in the Rajya Sabha in 2004, it could
not be debated for years. In 2009, the same bill was tabled in Lok
Sabha, but the UPA government withdrew it assuring that a revised
version of the document will be placed in House.

"It's surprising that nothing has been done in this respect so far,"
he observed.

Talking on the Right to Information Act, he said the legislation could
not bring desired results "since it does not make it mandatory for the
government servants to send their children to government-run schools."

"Political leaders, bureaucrats and industrialists are sending their
children to private English medium schools since the government-run
schools are not properly managed. The Right to Education Act should
have made it mandatory for all government employees to send their
children to government schools that the standard of such institutes
would have improved," he said.

Criticising Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati for
not agreeing to implement the RTI Act on the ground that it would
require huge fund, Raj said, "As she claims to represent the Ambedkar
legacy, she should have told like this."

"B R Ambedkar stood for education for all. But Maywati does not seem
sincere to follow this guiding principle of the great soul," he said.

Stating that the present state government was not properly
implementing the Orissa Reservation of Vacancies in Posts & Services
(for SCs & STs) Act (ORV Act), he said the confederation would soon
launch agitations in the state to put pressure on the government for
strict adherence of the law.

"We would not tolerate any attempt at dereservation of the jobs for SC
and STs in government establishments. We would protest it tooth and
knell," he said.

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[ZESTCaste] Paswan marches to protest 'atrocities' against dalits

http://www.ptinews.com/news/611452_Paswan-marches-to-protest--atrocities--against-dalits

Paswan marches to protest 'atrocities' against dalits

STAFF WRITER 20:23 HRS IST
Banthal (Gujarat), Apr 15 (PTI) Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram
Vilas Paswan today undertook a march here, demanding "justice" for
dalits who reportedly left this village after alleged harassment by
upper caste people.

The party said hundreds of Dalits participated in the rally and
alleged that more a thousand people of the community had left the
village in last one year due to atrocities against them.

"The population of this village is around 3,500 and nearly 50 per cent
of them are from Dalit communities. The Dalits were subjected to a
number of atrocities as they were denied access to water from tanks
and not allowed to take ration from shops," Paswan said.

He alleged their efforts to get support of the police proved futile
and they had to leave the village.

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[ZESTCaste] Woman of the people

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/36/2010041520100415183549839f211ddb2/Woman-of-the-people.html

Woman of the people

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, an Executive Search Consultant is a long term
Bangalorean with a wry take on life and living

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal
Posted On Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 06:35:49 PM

I am trying to be honest about why I so dislike Mayawati. Why my lip
curls in increasingly automatic nausea. By doing so, I am perhaps
exposing my biases and the disgust that urban middle class
professionals feel for politicians like her. Darn, but there it is.

And *shrug*, I'm okay with it.

Mayawati came to power in UP with a remarkable majority. Apparently,
it is just insensitive, ill-informed people like us with a misplaced
sense of what is right, that have become completely apoplectic about
her.

Completely misplaced?

Of course. And, please don't play the Dalit card. She's gender and
caste neutral on crass quotient.

When the Women's Reservation bill was being debated, she stood out as
a proud example of women in high political office and the corruption
that they too succumb to.

We needed women role models in politics and we got Mayawati. She was a
seemingly simple Ms Every Woman who had worked hard, and admirably
moved up the political system to be the CM of India's most populous
state. Comparisons, then hopeful, were made about her and US President
Barack Obama. However, she sold her people, and to a lesser extent,
folks like us, down the river in the megalomania that followed her
meteoric rise.

She has undoubtedly done some good work. Yet, the image that will stay
with me is the smug, chapathi-like countenance looking matter-of-fact
and stately while huge, obscene money garlands were placed around that
short neck.

There was some talk about how poor Mayawati was being unnecessarily
targeted and vilified by the media and the middle class...because she
was a Dalit.

It had not even entered my mind, except to hope that she would do her
bit to help the same voluminous and troubled vote bank that got her
elected. She hardly did. Unless, of course, the people of UP had a
burning desire to eat the dust off the many statues she constructed,
and bask in the heady (albeit non-nutritious) aroma of freshly minted
Rs 1,000 notes fluttering crisply in the summer breeze.

Adding a contemptuous slap to the face of her critics, aides asserted
that garlanding her with currency notes would now be a regular
practice.

Her supporters say others have done gross stuff like this — weighed
themselves in silver, gold, ghee, whatever. So why pick on her?

I despise all of them. But why am I even more dismissive of this one?

Because she is a woman? Because she could have been a beacon to women
in politics? Because, once long ago, I do believe she had dreams for
her people? Because she proved right the adage that 'power corrupts
and absolute power corrupts absolutely'?

In her quest for absolute power, she became blind and deaf to the
impact of her actions. What perhaps irritates me in all this is her
contempt for people like me.

While she is admittedly no Miss Universe, the sheer gumption of
installing paeans of praise to yourself in your own lifetime stinks of
excessive, ultimate egotism. Defying courts, she sanguinely spends
lakhs, even crores on large, ghastly and unwieldy statues of her and
her mentor in every nook and cranny, and, adding insult to injury,
serenely installs legions of cops to guard them. Presumably from
pigeons and bees that she sees as Enemies of the State. The pigeons —
if you excuse my politically incorrect comparison — are doing to her
statue exactly what we feel they should do to the original.
Is the anger I have because I feel that little upstart got a chance,
blew it, and blew it publicly? Because she was too thick-skinned to
even fathom how much beyond the pale she had gone? While I work hard
and pay my taxes, this silly twit holds the people of UP to ransom,
with her expectation of large monetary gifts, yet ensures she honestly
pays her taxes — ironically, she is allegedly one of the highest tax
payers we have.

And pray, where does she get the darn money? A law unto herself, the
illusionary Mayawati like her name, locked away in an ivory tower of
her own making, has lost the ability to listen to her people (until
the next elections, naturally) and work for their welfare, toiling
instead on more pressing items like putting up umbrellas to protect
her colossal statues from pigeon poop.

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[ZESTCaste] Rahul talks development, Maya sticks to caste

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Rahul-talks-development--Maya-sticks-to-caste/606612

Rahul talks development, Maya sticks to caste

Sanjay Singh Posted online: Thursday , Apr 15, 2010 at 0348 hrs
Ambedkarnagar/Lucknow : The decade's biggest Congress show in Uttar
Pradesh — 10 rath yatras over 403 constituencies for 103 days — was
flagged off on Wednesday with party general secretary Rahul Gandhi's
promise of "politcs of youth, employment and development."
In his 25-minute speech, Gandhi steered clear of any reference to
Chief Minister Mayawati or her memorials. Instead, the focus was on
her government's failure to deliver development and welfare despite
Central assistance.

"There is no crisis of funds," he pointed out. "We have given tools
like MNREGA, RTI, RTE to state governments. But UP does not use the
money properly. Because of this attitude, while other more backward
states have come forward, UP is at the same place."

Laying the blame for migration squarely at the state government's
door, he said: "When we ask the BSP government to implement a scheme
which will benefit the Dalits and poor, they tell us it is hardly
benefiting anyone. When we ask them to ensure proper education of
children, they tell us that the state does not need such education.
But if they do not need these things, then why are people from UP
still moving to places like Mumbai in search of work?" The Centre, he
said, had given a special Bundelkhand package, but there was no
implementation at the ground level. "Money meant for development
reaches Lucknow, but not Ambedkarnagar," he said.

Barely 200 yards away, the BSP organised its protest against the
Women's Reservation Bill, in the process scuttling the Congress plan
to garland the statue of Ambedkar. The statue was hemmed in by BSP
pandals and the district magistrate said he had told the Congress to
garland it after the BSP programme.

While it gave rise to a volley of protests in the Congress camp, in
Lucknow, Mayawati declared that over the years, the Congress, the BJP
and the other parties had ignored Ambedkar because of their "casteist
mentality". "In particular, the role of Congress was despicable. That
is why our government decided to build parks and memorials dedicated
to Ambedkar and other great men who were born in Dalits and backward
communities," she said.

Addressing BSP workers after offering flowers at Ambedkar's statue at
the Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, she said Ambedkar was
conferred Bharat Ratna in 1990 when a non-Congress government was in
power at the Centre. She said her government would not bow down under
pressure from the Opposition parties and continue to honour such great
men.

Regarding the Women's Reservation Bill — which was the focus of the
BSP's parallel rally in Ambedkarnagar — Mayawati said it was against
the thoughts of Ambedkar. Also, the Bill was unfair to women from
Dalit, backward, minority communities and the poor from the upper
castes as it had no reservation for them.

The Lucknow unit of the party held a demonstration against the Bill on
the Gomti embankment. Later, the BSP issued a statement, saying
Ambedkar wanted women to progress in every field. That is why he tried
to get the Hindu Code Bill passed by the Parliament, but the Congress
betrayed him and Ambedkar had to resign from the post of the Union Law
Minister. They also alleged that the Congress also made unsuccessful
attempts to prevent Ambedkar from being elected to the Constituent
Assembly and later tried to stop his entry into Parliament. In
Ambedkarnagar, her ministers Lalji Verma and Ram Achal Rajbhar blamed
the Congress for the bad condition of Dalits and poor across the
country. They said the only way to ensure justice for these sections
was to make Mayawati the prime minister.

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[ZESTCaste] In Mayawati's bastion, Rahul bhaiyya steals show

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/in-mayawatis-bastion-rahul-bhaiyya-steals-show-20031.php

In Mayawati's bastion, Rahul bhaiyya steals show

Indo-Asian News Service, Thursday April 15, 2010, Ambedkar Nagar

If sheer attendance at their respective rallies were to be the
criterion, Rahul Gandhi clearly stole the show over the Bahujan Samaj
Party (BSP) in this Dalit bastion Wednesday.

The Congress rally convened in Ambedkar Nagar, about 180 km from
Lucknow, to mark the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar as well as 125
years of the party, drew a far bigger crowd as compared to the BSP
rally held at a ground just a stone's throw away.

The packed venue of the Congress rally was twice the size of the
ground where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's close aide and
state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma was leading the party
show. Verma's influence as party legislator from this district failed
to make much impact in the face of Gandhi, who had visited the place
just once earlier.

Cutting across age, caste and creed, the crowds cheered Gandhi each
time he promised to alleviate their miseries.

"Rahul bhaiyya appears to be sincere in whatever he says; he somehow
forces you to believe that he means business and will not betray the
poor," said 85-year-old Vishwanath, who reached here by bus from
neighbouring Siddharth Nagar district. "I belong to a backward caste
and have only seen discrimination; but Rahul Gandhi lends hope," he
said.

Said Siya Ram, 45, who was doing good business by selling eatables
outside the Congress rally venue: "I have never seen such a crowd at
any political rally here in many years; Rahul Gandhi has somehow won
the hearts of the people."

Siya Ram, a Dalit, was among those who claimed to have been a staunch
BSP supporter until recently. "I did support BSP in the hope that it
would bring an end to the woes of my deprived community; but the party
seems to be taking us for granted."

Apart from addressing the rally, Gandhi also flagged off 10 "chetna
yatras" (awakening marches) as a part of his mission to revive the
Congress in the state.

Initially, the local administration refused allotment of a particular
ground sought by the Congress for the Gandhi rally on the plea that it
was already blocked for the BSP rally. Later, the administration also
came in the way when Gandhi's desire to garland Ambedkar's statue was
conveyed to them.

"The administration claimed that since Ambedkar's statue happened to
be on the ground where the BSP rally was proposed, it would not have
been practically possible to take Rahul Gandhi to that crowded spot;
hence he had no option but to garland Ambedkar's portrait that was
kept on the dais," state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi told
mediapersons.

"The ruling party had by design allotted the bigger ground to the
Congress so as to embarrass us if the rally did not attract enough
crowd; but that plan too proved counter-productive as Rahul Gandhi was
a huge draw with the crowds," she added.

What added strength to Gandhi's show was the participation by all
sections of the Congress leadership.

"This was the first time in many years that such a large galaxy of
Congress leaders converged at any single occasion, sending the message
that we stand unitedly behind our young leader whose mission is to
re-establish the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh," said Joshi.

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[ZESTCaste] Rahul slams Mayawati for 'misusing' Central funds

http://www.hindustantimes.com/uttarpradesh/Rahul-slams-Mayawati-for-misusing-Central-funds/530937/H1-Article1-531177.aspx

Rahul slams Mayawati for 'misusing' Central funds

Ambedkar Nagar (UP), April 14, 2010
First Published: 16:35 IST(14/4/2010)
Last Updated: 19:02 IST(14/4/2010)

The Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday made deep
forays into the Bahujan Samaj Party's bastion - attacking the Mayawati
government -calling it anti-Dalit and charging it with pilferage of
central funds and not taking care of the poor.

Rahul was in Ambedkar Nagar to flag off the Congress' ten-yatras to
mark its 125 years. But an aggressive Rahul used the occasion to
target the Dalit, the poor and the youth. As he attacked the Mayawati
government the crowd including those hanging on the poles or standing
out of the ground went euphoric.

So, Rahul focused his attacks mostly on the Mayawati government all
through his address before a large crowd that continued to swell
despite the scorching sun at the airstrip grounds. BSP leaders also
held a demonstration against UPA government at a close distance of
(about 300 metres) focus remained only on Congress' yatras. The BSP
leaders blamed the Congress for condition of Dalits.

Rahul began to speak only after garlanding the pictures of Mahatama
Gandhi and the BSP ideologue BR Ambedkar on the dais. This was
probably Rahul's way of giving a befitting reply to the district
administration that had not allowed the garlanding of Ambedkar's
statue at the venue where the BSP leaders including three ministers
held demonstration.

Rahul gave a categorical message that he would continue his focus on
Uttar Pradesh until he accomplishes the objective of bringing Congress
back to power in Uttar Pradesh- changing the political landscape here
and bringing development to the state.

"We were slow but steady as we began our work in UP. They used to
laugh at us. Even newspapers did not make the right projections. They
were surprised to see our performance in the Lok Sabha elections,"
said Rahul.

Rahul said the BSP government was not taking care of the welfare the
poor despite the claims that the BSP government of the poor. "We send
thousands of crore to Uttar Pradesh. These funds do reach Lucknow but
do not reach Ambedkar Nagar or other districts," said Rahul. But when
Rahul said he was not aware here these funds were going the crowd
shouted "for making garlands."

But Rahul continued and said there was no shortage of funds in the
country. "But how to benefit the poor," asked Rahul. "We have
formulated a number of major schemes for the people's welfare. The
Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) is
the biggest employment scheme in the world. But this scheme is nowhere
to be seen at the ground level here in Uttar Pradesh," said Rahul.

"When I go to village and ask people how many of them want jobs. More
than half of the villagers raise their hands. But when I ask how many
of them have job cards? No one raises hands," said Rahul. "These job
cards remain with village pradhans and do not reach the villagers,"
said Rahul.

The BSP government was not interested in implementing the MNREGA in
the state, he said. "When we tell the BSP government to implement the
scheme the state government tells us that the scheme is not beneficial
for the poor," said Rahul. "We have given a package to Bundelkhand.
But there is nothing on the ground," he said.

Rahul said the UPA government had given important tools like the
MNREGA, the Right to Information Act and the Right to Education Act to
the State Government. But the State government was not using these
tools for the benefit of the people, he said.

Rahul also attacked the Mayawati government for not implementing the
Right to Education Act. "The poor want education for their children.
They want their children to learn English," said Rahul, adding, "But
the State Government tells us that there is no need for education,
health or development in the state."

Dwelling at length during the policies followed during the
non-Congress regimes in the state Rahul said the political parties
first resorted to the politics of religion and then to the politics of
caste.

"The communal and caste politics has failed in Uttar Pradesh. Now we
have to take a way out to give jobs to the youth and bring the state
on the path of development," said Rahul.

"We will have to resort to the politics of the youth to give them
jobs," said Rahul. Some youths in the crowd tried to show black flags
to Rahul. But the Congressmen attacked them and pushed them out of the
ground.

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[ZESTCaste] Congmen recall contribution of Ambedkar

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Congmen-recall-contribution-of-Ambedkar/articleshow/5804842.cms

Congmen recall contribution of Ambedkar

TNN, Apr 14, 2010, 11.00pm IST

ALLAHABAD: To commemorate the birth anniversary of architect of the
Indian constitution, Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Congressmen took out
a padayatra from Kaurihar block on Wednesday. They held the party
flags along with the photographs of Nehru and Ambedkar as they marched
amid beating up of drums.

Addressing the gathering, Congress leader and corporator Mukund Tiwari
said Ambedkar was a great personality who worked tirelessly for the
social economic and political uplift of Dalits and other weaker
sections of society. His contribution is worth emulating and Congress
workers follow his ideals while working for the welfare of Dalits and
others, he added.

On the occasion, a free medical camp was organised at Fatehpur Bichua
under the aegis of district Congress committee where free medical
check up of slum dwellers was done by a team of doctors. The doctors
also told the slum dwellers about various preventive measures to ward
off diseases.

Ambedkar Jayanti was also observed under the aegis of National
Students Union of India (NSUI) where its state general secretary
Shariq Umar recalled the contribution of Ambedkar and added that the
great leader would be remembered in history for framing the
Constitution of free India.

Meanwhile, activists of Rajiv Gandhi Youth Brigade observed the
Ambedkar Jayanti by garlanding his statue. They announced that a
campaign would be started to re-name Amethi as Rajiv Gandhi nagar.

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[ZESTCaste] Yeddyurappa assures Dalits of internal reservation

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_yeddyurappa-assures-dalits-of-internal-reservation_1371586

Yeddyurappa assures Dalits of internal reservation
DNA

Thursday, April 15, 2010 10:54 IST

Bangalore: Colourful rallies and garlanding of the statue of architect
of Indian Constitution BR Ambedkar marked the celebration of Ambedkar
Jayanthi on Wednesday.

But the discordant note was struck by politics as the ruling party BJP
and Congress locked horns over the issue of internal reservation for
Dalits.

Reiterating his commitment to social justice, chief minister BS
Yeddyurappa assured internal reservation for scheduled castes and
scheduled tribes triggering a strong reaction from the Congress
leadership.

The chief minister also stated that his government would provide
houses for all the homeless Dalits within next three years and
construct Ambedkar Bhavans in 10 districts at a cost of Rs2 crore
each.

Even as the parties are gearingup for Gram Panchayat polls in the
state to be held in May, Yeddyurappa said, internal reservation for
various castes under SC and ST category would be introduced in the
state. "I will take up the issue with central government very soon. It
will also be discussed in the next session of state legislature.
Internal reservation is our promise for the oppressed Dalit community
and I will fulfil that promise," he declared after garlanding the
statue of Ambedkar.

The system of internal reservation provides for distributing the quota
for SC or STs to various castes in proportion to their population. The
proposal has been mooted in the backdrop of reports that the benefits
of reservation are being cornered by only a few dominant castes among
the SC/STs.

The chief minister's promise invited immediate retaliation from
opposition Congress as Union labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge
accused Yeddyurappa as making irresponsible promises with an eye on
panchayat polls.

"The chief minister should know that internal reservation can be
implemented only with the consent of the Centre." Leader of the
opposition Siddaramaiah dismissed the promise as a political gimmick
and questioned BJP government's commitment for welfare of SC and STs.

Referring to recent decision of the state government to change the
Bangalore Mayor's reservation category from the original BC-A to
general, Siddaramaiah said that it reflected the real mindset of the
BJP government.

Ambedkar Jayanthi celebrations organised by the government on the
steps of Vidhana Soudhawas cancelled due to heavy rains.

------------------------------------

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[ZESTCaste] Duty bound to reclaim Dalit lands: Karunanidhi

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/duty-bound-to-reclaim-dalit-lands-karunanidhi/165459.html

Duty bound to reclaim Dalit lands: Karunanidhi

Express News ServiceFirst Published : 15 Apr 2010 04:13:00 AM ISTLast Updated :

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M Karunanidhi made it categorical that lands
allotted to the Dalits under encroachment would be retrieved.

On the occasion of Ambedkar's birth anniversary, VCK organised awards
function in Maraimalai Nagar near here on Wednesday.

While Karunanidhi was conferred Ambedkar Sudar award, social activist
Krishnammal Jeganathan was given Kamaraj Kathir, and DK chief K
Veeramani was bestowed with Periyar Oli award.

In his acceptance speech, CM, referring to the remarks of Krishnammal
Jeganathan that a judge had encroached upon lands belonging to the
poor people said it was condemnable. Referring to the charges of
encroachment of Panchami lands allegedly by AIADMK chief J
Jayalalithaa, he said the inquiry commission set up to go into the
charges had submitted its report to the government.

"Regardless of persons behind encroachment of lands allotted to the
Adi Dravidar people — be it a judge or a former CM, we are duty bound
to reclaim those lands and return it to the Dalits," he said On the
pathetic and tough times being endured by Dalits, he said the DMK was
struggling only for their emancipation. "Tirumavalavan has joined
hands with the DMK only for their liberation." Earlier, Tirumavalavan,
urged the CM to build statues of Ambedkar and Periyar in the new
Assembly complex.

Karunanidhi, referring to Tirumavalavan's plea said all the promises
would be fulfilled when the DMK assumes power for the sixth time in
the State.

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[ZESTCaste] Caste origins of authoritarianism in Sri Lanka

http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/04/caste-origins-of-authoritarianism-in.html

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Caste origins of authoritarianism in Sri Lanka--Part 2
An interview with Mr. Basil Fernando of the Asian Human Rights
Commission by Nilantha Ilangamuwa of the Sri Lanka Guardian

(April 15, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) We talked about the linkage
between the collapse of the rule of law, democracy and human rights
violations in Sri Lanka and also the relationship to the issue of
caste. Can you elaborate on this aspect?

In a caste based society there is no concept of the equality of the
law. What this means is that there is no acceptance of laws common to
and binding on all persons on an equal basis.

Without this there is also no basis for representation which is the
basis for representative government. In fact, there is no room for
inter-communication between various groups in society. In caste,
instead of inter-communication what you have is very strict
separation; something even more than the separation in apartheid.

Once you have no basis for inter-communication then there is no room
to recognise freedom of speech, communication and media.

When these basic concepts of equality before the law are absent, the
next thing to happen is that the punishment meted out to different
groups varies. Therefore there is disproportionate punishment of the
weak and the poor and those who don't belong to the privileged. This
not only inherent in caste but is conceived to be a virtue.

In caste society the hierarchy is an ideal. If things are organised
hierarchically in caste society the belief is that things will work
well is way.

The top of the pyramid should have everything; the bottom of the
pyramid should have nothing.

That is what caste is and it is what democracy is not. That is why we
are giving up even the limited extent of democracy introduced with the
independence and returning to authoritarianism.

People will argue that there is no equality anywhere. Even in the
developed world like the United States there is a tremendous gap
between the rich and the poor. This is common throughout the world. So
what is so very different in the caste society context and these other
experiences?

The question of equality, in economics or social equality and the
concept of equality before law are two very different concepts.
Equality before law means that despite of being rich or poor, powerful
or otherwise the laws of the country apply to all in a similar way.

For example if there is a crime called murder which is called into
law, a murder committed by a poor man and one committed by a rich man
should not be different. It also applies to any other law, for example
corruption. Let us say there is a crime called bribery. Whether an
officer of lower rank obtains bribes or when the higher ranking
officers or even persons holding political office obtain a bribe under
the rule of law there is no difference.

The same law applies to all. Both officers need to be punished by the
state. And the state must have the political will to punish both for
similar types of crimes.

Of course the rule of law is not only about crime but everything else.
For example, suppose you must declare your income. In fact, everyone,
irrespective of rank has to declare their income according to the
methods prescribed by the law.

It someone does not comply the law should also have the means and the
methods of prescribing similar punishment to both.

No one should be able to enter court and say that he is the holder of
a certain office and therefore he cannot be brought to court. That is
the minimum of the rule of law, even if it is the king himself; the
king cannot say to the court, "Your court is not for me. You cannot
ask me to appear and to answer questions. You cannot even ask me to
reply to charges when they are laid down properly according to the
law".

The idea that anyone is above the law is completely alien to the idea
that everyone is equal before the law. We cannot say that everyone is
equal before the law except the king.

In a caste based society the principle is different. In India the
Brahmins are the top caste. They were above any of the rules. The
rules only applied to those of lower caste according to their rank. If
a high ranking person demands the produce of the villagers, the
working farmers, they have no choice but to give it.

If a Brahmin demands a daughter of even a second ranking caste member,
like the traders or warrior caste they have to hand her over.

Rape was not a crime in a similar way to any Brahmin. It can of course
be a crime of unforgivable nature if by any chance a lower caste, a
Sudra for example who did physical labour or an untouchable Dalit,
were to rape a Brahmin girl not only the rapist but his entire family
and his clan could be wiped out, their houses burned and by that
everyone would be taught a lesson.

So that very concept of crime was relative; relative to the position
held in the caste hierarchy. In the context of the rule of law
irrespective of your economic, social or political position the way
you are treated before the law is the same.

The same crime, the same punishment by the same process of law and the
courts has the power to do that. No such court system could exist
within a caste society. Thus the concept of the administration of
justice as required by a rule of law system never arose in societies
as long as the system which prevailed in the past was the caste
system.

Even when colonial powers introduced it, it did not take root, in such
countries.

Therefore before the colonial powers introduced the courts systems
that developed later, in Sri Lanka we do not have the experience of
justice in the true sense with which we talk about justice today.

For example the word 'yukkitiya' does not have the same meaning with
regard to a landlord or a 'radalaya', an ordinary peasant. It is even
worse if they belong to a lower caste, the fisher folk for example, or
a washer man, there is no common idea of justice.

In caste society, inequality is inbuilt into any kind of punishment or
justice. Privilege is justified and protected by the whole system. Any
kind of advantage is gained only be way of some kind of patronage of
the people at the top. Being servile to the top, showing every kind of
deference to the top, respecting the people at the top, meaning doing
whatever they wish is the normal law of caste and that is the kind of
situation we are returning to in every respect within our social
context also.

So the difference between democratic society and a caste based society
is not about some kind of absolute equality which is not even an
ideal. The ideal is equality before the law, the same laws, the same
kind of treatment for non-observance of the law by the same kind of
courts with the powers of those courts to ultimately monitor the
observance of the law and having the same respect for the rights of
everyone.

There must be rights for everybody, not just for some people and
duties only for other people in caste society; duties for everybody
other than those small privileged groups. The top group has the
privileges the rest of society has only the duties and if they don't
carry them out they can be punished as harshly as possible by those
who have no concept of common right and wrong.

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[ZESTCaste] Many ways of paying tribute to Ambedkar

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Many-ways-of-paying-tribute-to-Ambedkar/articleshow/5804602.cms

Many ways of paying tribute to Ambedkar
TNN, Apr 14, 2010, 10.23pm IST

MYSORE: Rallies and book distribution marked the 119th birth
anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar on Wednesday. Mayor Purushotham
garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Town Hall.

The celebration was jointly organized by the district administration,
zilla panchayat, Mysore City Corporation, Mysore Urban Development
Authority and the department of social welfare. Activists and students
of various dalit organizations and associations took out a procession.
The procession which started from Ashokapuram Park passed through thr
RTO Circle, Ramaswamy Circle, Chamaraja Double Road, Corporation
Office and KR Circle before culminating at the Town Hall premises.

The University of Mysore in association with Dr BR Ambedkar Research
and Extension Centre and SC/ST Special Cell too conducted a programme
at Rani Bahadur Institute. "High Court Judge L Narayanaswamy said it
is unfortunate that untouchability and caseism still persist, even
after six decades of the Indian Constitution."

At another function, H D Kumarswamy and C Madesh Fans Association
distributed books to the government school children.

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