Latest News Update: Jan 30, 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Dalit lady attacked

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Dalit-lady-attacked-/articleshow/7387555.cms

Dalit lady attacked
TNN, Jan 30, 2011, 12.41am IST

THENI: Petrol bombs were hurled at a 55-year-old dalit woman on
Thursday night following a month-long caste clash over the use of a
common burial ground in Koolayanur village near Bodinayakanur in Theni
district. A four-member gang entered Chinnaye's house on Thursday
night and hurled petrol bombs at her, burning her back and face,
police said.

The dispute arose over the death of 70-year-old Raju on 2nd January.
Although Koolayanur village had separate burial grounds for both
dalits and non-dalits, the plot was converted into a common ground
recently to bridge the divide between the two groups. However, the
non-dalits never allowed the dalits to cremate their dead in the
common ground. On December 22, 2010, the officials called for a peace
meeting at the village office where they had asked the dalits not to
use the common burial ground. An agreement was soon signed in the
presence of officials without explaining the issue to the dalits.

The youth in the village, however, were against this. When they were
talking Raju's body to the common burial ground, the non-dalits
stopped them. Police intervened and arrested 13 dalits, inlcuding
Raja, a youth who led the procession. Although the issue was resolved
with the help of police, the non-dalits were waiting to take revenge
on Raja. On 27th January, four persons allegedly entered the house of
Raja and hurled petrol bombs at his mother Chinnaye. The neighbours
rushed her to the Madurai government hospital where she is undergoing
treatment now. Police have registered a case and investigation is on.

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[ZESTCaste] My open letter to so-called “Dalits”

http://sabhlokcity.com/2011/01/my-open-letter-so-called-dalits/

My open letter to so-called "Dalits"
On January 29, 2011, in Call for action, Reservations/ Affirmative
Action, by Sanjeev Sabhlok

The "Dalits" are not slaves – they should wake up and throw away their chains!

I am sick of hearing that the "Dalits/Harijans/SCs" have been
oppressed in the past and so INNOCENT non-oppressors must COMPENSATE
them today. That is a shoddy argument that beggars belief, but forms
part of the reservations rigmarole which has condemned India to
mediocrity, and led to the exodus of (most) Indians capable of
standing on their own feet in the face of world-level competition.

This disease of affirmative action has spread even into 'gender'
matters, such as reservations for women. The thinking capacity of
Indians is worsening with each passing day, till the point is now
close when they won't be able to distinguish the right from the wrong,
good from bad, evil from greatness.

What is particularly galling is that the "Dalits/Harijans/SCs" are
themselves at the forefront of this ridiculous demand for continued
reservations. I wrote a detailed article on this subject but
apparently not many people have read it. Please read it. It clarifies
why reservations are FUNDAMENTALLY wrong and UNJUST, and offers a
clear way out of this mess.

But let me put out a CLEAR message to my so-called "Dalit" friends
today. I say "so-called" because it is THEY who call themselves
Dalits. I don't call them such names nor see them differently from ANY
other human being.
MY OPEN LETTER TO SELF-PROCLAIMED "DALITS":

Dear Friends!

If you know me by now, you'll also know that I treat EVERYONE around
me as an EQUAL HUMAN BEING. People are different in talent and
capacity, but being equal humans, each deserves the same level of
regard – and political rights.

You also know by now that I have no engagement with any religion. I do
retain, however, some affinity for many Hindu philosophical concepts
and those of Buddhism (plus some affinity with good things from all
religions). In any event I do know some things about Hinduism. This
one thing is clear beyond the slightest iota of doubt: that the idea
of a hereditary caste system does not form part of the original
conceptions of Hinduism and was introduced much later, as a
distortion.

Let me make it clear, that as a FREE human being (no less, no more), I
have discarded ALL religion and take on, as a guide to my thinking,
only what I decide is right. I discard all garbage; all rubbish; all
false ideas. I don't care for blindly obeying anyone who is living or
dead. I ONLY trust in myself. That is because as a human being I THINK
FOR MYSELF. Because I am a human and not a sheep, nor a coward afraid
of 'big names' or 'scriptures'.

You, my good friend, are NOT a slave. Please note that when you
advocate the false and flawed socialist policy of reservations (based
on the nonsensical idea of 'social justice'), you become PARTY TO THE
CRIME and INJUSTICE that this represents. By doing so, you also
connive with (rather than challenge) the FALSE system of caste that is
NOT part of Hinduism as it was and should be. Indeed, by accepting and
acknowledging your caste, you become a slave to the distortions of
history.

TODAY PLEASE BECOME A FREE MAN. Yes, today, not tomorrow. Not when you
have squeezed out more undue benefits from the 'reservations' system
for yourself and your children, but TODAY.

TODAY if you are an honest man (or woman) nothing stops you from
freeing yourself from the caste system but you, yourself. You are your
own greatest enemy today. None other but you are holding you back. No
living or dead man is blocking your freedom.

Personally speaking, I would be deeply offended if in a race in the
Olympics or in a match in the Wimbledon I was given additional points
(or a special handicap) just because of my 'caste'. That would destroy
my confidence in myself totally. I want to know HONESTLY how I fare in
this world after my best efforts. I don't want to be molly-coddled. I
am NOT a TODDLER needing a pat on my back. I am a MAN.

Today I challenge you to grow up into a MAN (or woman), and stop being
a SELF-IMPOSED slave. I challenge you to become a free human being –
capable of thinking for yourself. If you are a man (or woman) and not
a slave, you will THROW OUT YOUR CHAINS – RIGHT NOW.

If, however, it is sheer GREED for reserved seats that makes you stick
to a FLAWED version of Hinduism, then you are CONTEMPTIBLE and deserve
the calumny that is often attributed to your caste by ignorant fools.
You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't claim to want to be
treated with respect, but want reservations too.

If you are SERIOUS about gaining self-respect, you will REJECT
HINDUISM OUTRIGHT, RIGHT NOW – or at least any version of Hinduism
that treats you with contempt. REJECT YOUR CASTE. REJECT YOUR
RELIGION. Rise ABOVE these things. If you are bothered that a
"Brahmin" priest doesn't let you enter a temple then BUILD YOUR OWN
TEMPLE!!!

The Upanishads say: Tat Tvam Asi. You are it. You are the God so for
God's sake! get some self-respect into your bones.

Join me today in freedom. Become a free human being. Lead your own
life: choose your own destiny.

If anyone dared to judge me on my 'caste' (which I once had) I would
SPIT on that person. I care to be judged by my acts, by my
contributions. I want to be ONLY an ORDINARY human being. That is
creditable enough – if I rise to the standards expected of a good
human.

If I can kick my so-called 'caste' with my shoes and break ALL
shackles to my thinking capacity, then why do you want to stick to
your stupid 'caste'? SPIT ON IT. THROW IT AWAY.

Reject it outright. Right now!! And having done that, learn about the
ways of freedom. Critical thinking is the foundation of freedom. Read
The Discovery of Freedom (still a draft).

Then learn how, as citizens of FREE India we can ensure that all our
children are educated effectively. Read Breaking Free of Nehru
(Chapter 6 in particular) on how this can be done. And when you –
FINALLY -understand the meaning of freedom and want a free India, then
JOIN THE FREEDOM TEAM. Together, we will transform India's policies to
ensure that EVERY child is educated in the best possible way.

After that is done, let all people in India compete on merit and let
the best win.

Let's oppose reservations tooth and nail, equally as we demand freedom
for everyone and expect them to behave with self-respect.

Your sincerely,

Sanjeev Sabhlok

29 January 2011

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[ZESTCaste] NCSC again suggests date for review of Dalit schemes

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/NCSC-again-suggests-date-for-review-of-Dalit-schemes/743764

NCSC again suggests date for review of Dalit schemes
Virendra Nath Bhatt Posted online: Sun Jan 30 2011, 07:19 hrs
Lucknow : For the fourth time in three months, the National Commission
for Schedule Castes (NCSC) has suggested a date to the UP Government
for a review of the various schemes for the welfare of Dalits and
their security. The commission has suggested February 8 for the
exercise this time.

"The commission has communicated the date to the UP government and we
are waiting for their consent. On the past three occasions, the UP
government cited one or the other problem and requested for another
date. Let us see what is their response this time," said PL Punia,
commission chairman, who is also Congress MP from Barabanki.

Asked if the UP government seeks another postponement, Punia said, "If
the UP government says they do not believe in the Indian Constitution,
then the commission can do nothing. We will make a mention of the
conduct of the UP government in our report which is submitted to the
President of India every year. The commission may also public the
record of our communication with the UP government on this matter."

Punia alleged that the UP government was reluctant on the review as it
would expose the pathetic state of affairs prevailing in UP, be it
rampant corruption in the implementation of the welfare schemes for
the SCs or the incidents of atrocities on Dalits under the BSP rule.

According to Punia, UP topped in incidents of atrocities on Dalits at
the national level and this was confirmed by the figures furnished by
the state government to the National Crime Records Bureau. However,
the UP government had claimed that it was incorrect. "The fact is that
poor Dalits have to seek the intervention of courts for lodging FIRs
against their tormentors," he said.

During the proposed review, the commission would ask the state
government to furnish information about matters including the status
of reservation for SCs in state services and utilisation of funds from
the Special Component Plan, Punia said.

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[ZESTCaste] Defying Manu: Rise of the Dalit capitalist

http://www.tweetington.com/2011/01/defying-manu-rise-of-dalit-capitalist_29.html

Saturday, January 29, 2011
Defying Manu: Rise of the Dalit capitalist

Recently, a group of 30 Dalit entrepreneurs, many of whom are
manufacturers, visited the Planning Commission at the invitation of
its deputy chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia. The meet was
unstructured; the hosts content to watch the new phenomenon the Dalit,
quintessential underdog, embracing entrepreneurship and becoming a
capitalist or at least, setting up small-scale industries. Meanwhile,
the Dalit visitors were elated at the reception they got.

Almost all of them are first-generation entrepreneurs. Just a couple
of decades ago, they were neither well-endowed nor well educated. Only
a few had benefited from government schemes. Each one had a
rags-to-riches story.

Three decades ago, Rajendra Gaikwad was a fogger in a pesticide
company. Today, he has an ISO-certified company G T Pest Control Pvt
Ltd., which operates in Punjab, Maharashtra, Goa and Delhi and employs
400 people. Further afield, it also operates in Singapore and has
plans to enter Malaysia and Thailand.

Then there is Kalpana Saroj, who made headlines a few years ago when
she took over Kamani Tubes Ltd. Right now, she is in the process of
putting the company back on the rails.

Ratibhai Makwana's Gujarat Pickers is a large polymer distributor. His
nephew, Jeetu Makwana produces monofilament and multifilament yarn
twine tape.

The 30-strong group's activities are strikingly diverse. Their range
of products includes hi-fi sound systems and home theatre, sugar,
spirit and ethanol, cement products, automobile parts, garments and
knitted garments, printing machines. Some others are in construction,
the services sector, garment export and handicrafts, etc. Their visit
to the Planning Commission was a message to the power elite that they
exist. Before leaving Delhi, they threw a party that became a media
event.

What next? Milind Kamble, chairman of the Pune-based Dalit Indian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), says the 1,000-member body
is largely confined to western Ind! ia but p lans are afoot to open
chapters in other states. DICCI's Punjab chapter is to be inaugurated
in March.

Two inferences are inescapable. First, the development is nothing
short of a minor revolution. That these entrepreneurs are a
microscopic minority in a community known its poverty and deprivation
cannot diminish their significance. They have proved that India now
offers enough opportunities, irrespective of caste and creed, to make
it in life with hard work. The Dalit entrepreneurs appear to have
understood and grabbed the new opportunities offered by economic
reform since 1991.

Second, Dalit capitalism a term coined by activist Chandra Bhan Prasad
is no transient phenomenon. The spirit of entrepreneurship initiative,
hard work, ambition, etc is well-entrenched in the Dalit community.
There is increasing evidence of this from a survey carried out by
Devesh Kapur of Pennsylvania University's Centre for the Advanced
Study of India.

Too often do policymakers treat capitalism as a system of economics
and finance. Too often do they ignore its potential for social
transformation. The truth is the tenets of the market and Manu Smriti
cannot coexist. When the market's influence increased after 1991, the
Dalits did not wait for the state to guide them towards
entrepreneurship.

Dalit capitalism today is akin to the origins of a mighty river. The
spirit of adventure will find its own course, the journey will take a
long time and it will be turbulent. What is certain is this - the
Dalit capitalist will be an effective catalyst in ending the
community's mental bondage that is the belief they are inferior, their
plight is linked to birth and that the government alone can raise them
up.

(The author is a fellow at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies.)

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[ZESTCaste] 2nd postmortem confirms rape, murder of Dalit girl

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/2nd-postmortem-confirms-rape-murder-of-dalit-girl/743052/

2nd postmortem confirms rape, murder of Dalit girl

Express News Service Posted online: Fri Jan 28 2011, 02:51 hrs
Lucknow : * Four youths held; doctor responsible for first postmortem
suspended, to be booked

A second postmortem has confirmed that the teenage Dalit girl, who was
found dead in a field under Chinhat police station area on Tuesday,
had been raped and strangulated. Four youths were arrested for the
crime on Thursday.

A postmortem conducted on Wednesday had ruled out rape and
strangulation but the second postmortem on Thursday confirmed both.

Dr RK Saxena, who had conducted the first postmortem, has been
suspended and an FIR has been ordered against him for concealing
facts, said Special DG (Law & Order), Brij Lal. On basis of the fresh
report, IPC Sections of rape and the SC/ST Act was added in the murder
case lodged on Tuesday.

According to police, Arti (17), had gone to a sewing training centre
in Chinhat on Tuesday afternoon. When she failed to return till late
evening, her family launched a search and found her body in a field
outside the village. She appeared to have been strangled with her
scarf and shawl. Doctors at Gomti Nagar's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
declared her dead and a case of murder was registered that night.
While sending the body for postmortem, the police had mentioned
ligature marks on the neck and bruises on the back.

But the postmortem conducted by Saxena ignored the references and said
the cause of death could not ascertained and the viscera was preserved
for laboratory test. The report failed to mention the bruises on the
body and said she was not raped.

Following contradictions, the body was exhumed and the second
postmortem was conducted. The second report confirmed she was raped
and strangled and mentioned there were eight bruises on the body.

In the FIR, girl's father Ram Chandra had mentioned Arjun Yadav, Ashok
Yadav and their aides as suspects. On Thursday, police arrested Arjun,
Ashok, Santosh Pasi and Rajkumar — all from same locality.

The accused told police that they were frequent visitors to the
deceased's house. On Tuesday, Arjun and Rajkumar dragged Arti to a
secluded field and raped her when she was returning from the sewing
training centre. Santosh and Ashok also were there and they too, had
raped the girl. Later, Rajkumar and Arjun strangulated her with her
scarf and escaped.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes, meanwhile, has sought a report .

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[ZESTCaste] Police protecting accused under minister''s pressure: Dalits

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4858365

29/01/2011
Police protecting accused under minister''s pressure: Dalits

Alwar, Jan 28 (PTI) Members of the Dalit community here have alleged
that the police and a Rajasthan minister have been protecting some
people of the Mev community who had committed atrocities on them.
"The houses of Dalits in Husaipur were ransacked and they were beaten
up few days back by Mev people but police did not take any action
under the pressure of state health minister Duru Miyan," P L Meemroth
of Dalit Adhikar Kendra alleged today.
"Police officials are not taking action against the accused, hence we
have decided to approach the High Court to seek justice," he said.
According to members of the Dalit community, their houses were
ransacked after a clash between them and some people from Mev
community in which a Mev man was killed.
After the death of the man, several Mev people attacked and ransacked
the houses of Dalits and beat them in the presence of police, who did
not stop them as the Mev people were being protected by the Health
Minister who also belongs to the region, the Dalits have alleged.
The minister could not be contacted for his comments. PTI Corr SDA

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