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MY VISIT TO CALIFORNIA
Raj Kumar Oshoraj
Vice President
Indian Buddhist Society Toronto (Canada)
During my recent visit to California (USA) from August 16th -27th, 2007 I had
the pleasure meeting with our organizations that are working actively for the
upliftment of our community.
Among these organizations there were Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha Bay Area, Ambedkar
Education Aid Society Fremont, IBO and Ambedkarite Buddhist gentlemen.
Firstly I met, an Ambedkarite and Buddhist who had spent a great deal of time
serving our community in Toronto and now he is actively working for our
community from Yuba City (California, USA) and he is very well known to
the active workers of our community: he is Mr. Mohan Gill.
He shared his wealth of practical experience with me about how we can be
released from the leprosy of castism that has been around us for thousands and
thousands of years.
Mr. Gill commended Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's contributions for our
community and at the same time he felt sad for all those who claim to
understand Baba Sahib's mission but do not follow his path to liberation
from castism by embracing Buddhism. He also felt grief-stricken for people who
are propagating Baba Sahib but don't spend enough time to understand his
mission by themselves. But he was very optimistic about the future of
Buddhism in India
and abroad.
Secondly, Mr. Prem Kumar Chumber (Ambedkartimes.Com) was
kind enough to lend his time to meet me. We had a great time discussing about
the advantages of Electronic Media in 21st century and the role of
Ambedkartimes.com. His website is the first of its kind that is
bringing our people together to share their thoughts and also making
them aware about the community activities around the globe. Mr. Chumber
also shared his thoughts about facing and upgrading the website in near future.
He seemed to me that he is very well up to date with the new technology and
very keen to provide his services for the community. I was really
impressed with his interest and dedication to continue this project without any
personal financial benefit to him.
The credit goes to Mr. Prem Kumar Chumber for making arrangements for
me to meet Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha Bay Area, California (USA) on Sunday. It was
great opportunity for me to share my views with our brothers and sisters in
this gathering which had blessing of Sant Shri 108 Sant Amar Dass Ji Dera
Sherpur Dhakkon Near Mahil Pur Barian District Hoshiarpur (Punjab) I was able
to share the common mission with the sangat to get social equality for our
people from the times of Lord Buddha - Shri Guru Ravidas and all the way
to the struggle of Baba Sahib Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Sangat was very appreciative
and they provided me their full co-operation to deliver my message.
After the Sunday Gurudwara at noon we had a meeting with some of the active community
workers in the evening. They all felt the burning need of electronic media
in today’s world. Mr. Prem Clumber’s services of his website were
appreciated by all and also everyone assured him the ongoing support. Everyone
also shared their practical experiences of social injustices here and in India.
All were concerned to remove the social
inequality based on castism and commended Baba Sahib's contribution
for our community to show us social, economic, political and religious
direction.
The following gentlemen were present in the meeting...Vinod Kumar
Chumber, Sucha Ram Bharta, Baldev Suman, Dharam Paul Jhamat, Prem Kumar
Chumber.....
The following Saturday, Mr. Amrik Chand, a great personality, a great
Ambedkarite and a great Buddhist also arranged another collective meeting with
all representatives of the local organizations. The meeting was scheduled
at Golden Peacock Banquet Hall in San Jose.
Mr. Ram Murti Saroy, a well known personality in San Jose
and the owner of the Banquet Hall also participated in the meeting. The meeting
lasted for almost for five hours. The following gentlemen were present in
the meeting: Amrik Chand, Kewal Bolina, Ram Murti Saroy, Ramesh Chander,
Surinder Soni, Chander Mohan, Satnam Ram, Ram Lal, Surinder Saroy, Balbir
Thind, Sonu Ambedkar, Bhupinder Singh, Major Kumar, Ram Gopal, Paramjit Rai,
Randhir Suman.
A great extent of thoughts was exchanged in this meeting. I was given the
opportunity to present my thoughts first and share my views with all present in
the meeting which was followed by questions to me. All possible opportunities
and challenges were discussed during this meeting by all participants. The main
theme of the meeting was to find the best possible opportunities for all
active workers to help promote the message of our Maha Purkhas and make every
possible effort to achieve their dreams.
I was impressed by the questions raised by the participants since all
those questions were very common for our community living in India
and abroad except some questions. Issues were raised as to what we can do
to improve the current condition of our community living in India
and abroad. How can we get together and what could be done to bring our
community at one platform. But the underlined concern of all participants was
the same as all others living abroad that we must stand together for our
community. All agreed to commend Guru Ravidas, Baba Sahib Dr. Ambedkar
for their struggle to help our community to bring it where we are today. I
felt a burning flame in their hearts to do something good for our community.
I enjoyed my trip with my family to California,
USA even though
I must admit the weather in California
35-40 Celsius was above normal for us as compared to our weather in Canada.
On behalf of INDIAN BUDDHIST SOCIETY TORONTO, CANADA .......I personally thank
all of them who took their time to meet me during my trip to California
and shared their thoughts with me. I assure them that their time is appreciated
and all their thoughts will be considered and given a collective attention to
help and support our community.
Some pictures during my visit to California:
Sant Amar Dass Ji (Sherpur Dhakkon) honored by Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Bay Area
Bhai........ .............., Sant Amar Dass (Dera Baba Kalran, Sherpur Dhakkon, Hoshiarpur), V.K. Chumber
Raj Kumar Oshoraj at Ambedkartimes office Left to Right: Mrs. P.K. Chumber, Mrs. R. K. Oshoraj, R. K.Oshoraj & M.L. Gill
Raj Kumar Oshoraj honored by Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Bay Area
........, V.K. Chumber, R.K. Oshoraj, Randhir Suman
Raj Kumar Oshoraj with community members in Bay Area R.K. Oshoraj, D.P. Jhamat, S.R. Bharta, B.S. Suman, P.K. Chumber, V.K. Chumber ......., ......
Raj Kumar Oshoraj with community members in Bay Area Siting: ......., Randhir Suman, Raj Kumar oshoraj, R.M. Saroya, Balbir Thind Standimg: Ram
Kumar, ...., Surinder Saroya, Chandan Mohan, A.C. Lakha, Paramjit Rai,
K.K. Bolina, Surinder Soni, Ram Gopal Bains, Sonu Ambedkar, Rakesh
Chander.
POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2007
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What is Ambedkar Mission? 
L. R. BALLEY
Editor , Bheem Patrika, Jalandhar.
Mission
means Message; it is from MISSIO, a Latin word. Therefore, Ambedkar Mission
means the message i.e. the philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar. The
first foremost question is: Has Ambedkar left any mission, any message, any programme
to be carried forward to its fulfillment? Yes, Dr. Ambedkar has definitely left
a mission to be fulfilled. In a message he exhorted his followers to carry
forward the CARAVAN. He said: “My
message is struggle and more struggle, sacrifice. It is struggle, more
struggles, without counting sacrifice or sufferings that will bring their
emancipation. Nothing else will”. Exhorting
the real proletariat Dr. Ambedkar said:
“The untouchable must develop a collective will to rise and.
1.
The untouchables have been and are the real working class in India.
Ralph Miliband, Marxist scholar that part of the “collective labour” which produces Surplus value, from a position
of subordination, at the lower ends of the income scale, and also at the lower ends of what
might be called the “scale of regard”. These three criteria absolutely apply to
the untouchable now called the scheduled castes resist and must believe in the
greatness of their task and develop a common determination to achieve their
goal. Their task is so great and the purpose so noble that all that
untouchables should commit themselves to the following: Blessed are they who
vow to give the flower of their days, their strength of soul and body and their
might, to further the campaign of resistance to slavery. Blessed are they who
resolve: Come good, come evil, come sunshine, come tempest, come honour, come
dishonoured not to stop until untouchables have fully recovered their manhood.”
In
his speech broadcast from all India
radio, New Delhi
on the 3rd
Oct. 1954 he said, “My Philosophy has a Mission
I have to do the work of conversation for I have to make followers of triguna
theory (based on Bhagavad-Gita) to give it up and accept mine. Indians are
today governed by two different ideologies. The political ideal set out in the
preamble to the constitution affirms a life of liberty, equality and
fraternity. Their social ideal embodied in their religion denies them.
Basis of Society Ambedkar
Mission aims at the reconstruction of society basing it on scientific
materialism with Man its pivot. In one of his essays Ambedkar said: My ideal
society would be a society based on liberty, equality and fraternity. “He has
explained these cardinal principles of his ideal society as Follows---
LIBERTY: Allow
liberty to benefit by an effective and competent use of a person’s powers
liberty in as much as it involves liberty to choose one’s profession to object
to this kind of liberty to perpetuate slavery. Fordoes not merely mean a
legalized from of subjection. It means a state of society in which some control
their conduct. This condition obtains even where there is no slavery in the
legal sense. It is found where, as in the caste system, some people are
compelled to carry on certain prescribed calling which are not of their choice
‘Thus according to Ambedkar, essence of liberty is: Absence of all sorts of
exploitation, forced division of labour and that of the labourers.
EQUALITY: One
must accept to equality as the governing principal. A man’s power is dependent
upon, (1) Physical heredity, (2) social in heritance or endowment in form of
parental care, education, accumulation of scientific know-ledge, everything
which enables him to be more efficient than the savage and finally, (3) on his own efforts. In all these three
respects men are undoubtedly unequal because they are unequal? This is a question which the opponents of
equality must answer. From the stand- point of the individual-list it may be
just to treat men unequally so for as their efforts are unequal, it may be
desirable to give as much incentive as possible to the full development of
every- one’s power. But what would happen if men were treated unequally as they
are, in the first two respects’? It is obvious that those individuals alone in
whose favour there is birth, education, family name, business connections and
inherited wealth would be selected in the race. But section under such
circumstances would not be a selection of the able. It would be the selection
of the privileged. The reason therefore, which forces that in the third respect we should treat man unequally demands
that in the first two respect we should treat men as equally as possible. On
the other hand it can be urged that if it is good for the social body to get
the most out of its members it can get most out of them only by making them
equal as far possible at the very start of the race .That is one reason why we
cannot escape equality.
FRATERNITY:
Fraternity is another name for brotherhood... An ideal society should be
mobile, in other words there must be social endosmosis. This is fraternity,
which is only another name for democracy. Democracy is not merely a form of
Government .It is primarily a made of associated living of conjoint
communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence
towards fellowmen’.’
The
economic programme of Ambedkar Mission is thus to establish socialism through
the law of constitution retaining parliamentary democracy. If this cannot be
achieved through constitutional means then, says Dr. Ambedkar, people will be
at liberty to apply non –constitutional methods to achieve the desired end.
In
short, Ambedkar Mission demands and requires a person, if he or she has to
become a true Ambedkarite, to be practically:
(1)A
Rationalist: Negatively, one who does not believe in the supernatural God and
Soul, one who does not believe in the sacredness and infallibility of religious
books; One who does not believe in speculation and one who does not believe in
and does not practise religious observances, rituals and ceremonies.
Positively,
thinking and a creative being, judicious person, endowed with reason,
intelligence and scientific temper.
(2)A
Moralist: of good universal moral
conduct; VOLUNTARILY OBSERVING PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL GOOD.
(3)
A Socialist: He must be believing and working for the establishment of
casteless and classless society.
(4)
A Missionary: Sincere to the cause, friend, philosopher and guide of the
people, contribute his mite to courageously and relentlessly carry forward the Mission.
The
exploited people, the victims of castism, the toiling brave men and women, come
forward, organize them selves and let us strive to shatter the centuries old
shackles so that the aspirations of man are fulfilled and Ambedkar’s ideals are
realized. Posted on August 31, 2007==========================================================================
FUTURE OF
BUDDHISM
(With Special reference to
India)
L. R. Balley
The
causes that led to disappearance of Buddhism from its land of birth need to be
pointed out so as to comment upon
and determine the future of Buddhism especially in India. Historians
have pointed put many causes for the decline rather ruination of Buddhism India.
Some of the main causes were as under:
1. Brahmins
propounded the system of four varnas which ultimately created more than ten
thousand castes and sub-castes, graded and inequality, monopolisation of state
power, property all around domination of Brahmins. Buddha scathingly attacked
Brahmins system and did his to uproot it. He opened the doors of the Sangha to
the women. He converted lowly people such as Sopaka and Suppiya, the
untouchable, Sunita the sweeper, Upali the barber, Sumangala and the other low
caste people. He converted Prakrati, Chadalika. The conversation of these
people gave a blow to the position and prestige of the Brahmins. Therefore they
had a grudge against Buddhism and were very impatient to regain their power and
prestige by whatever means and methods they could imply. In 800Ad the Brahmins made a united from with Abu-bin-Qasim the first Muslim invader of India.
The Buddhist King Brihadrath was got murdered by his own commander- Push Mitra.
Thus a Brahmin- Muslim combine ruined
Buddhism. A counter- revolution was started against Buddha’s revolution of
Humanism that was with service of mankind.2. The Brahmins incorporated some of the noble
teachings and good qualities of Buddhism in their scriptures and rituals and
even social set up. Bhagavad Gita is one conspicuous example of religious manipulation.
As one intellectual has correctly said, “Buddhism is the resistor and Hinduism
is debtor.” 3. The
Brahmins spread disinformation about Buddhism. 4. Brahmins
Intruded into the sangha and corrupted it in many respects. 5. Lethargic
attitude of the laity who proved incapable of d the sangha. To
ensure better and brighter future of Buddhism in India
the causes mentioned above should always be kept in view.
The falgbearer of Brahmanism has not long
ago demolished a mosque in Ayodhya. There have been cases of rape of Christian
nuns, plundering of their churches. The Buddhists have been the continuous
victims of Brahmins persecution and oppression. At many places the statues of
Buddha were broken and Buddhist shrines were desecrated. The management of the
Bodh Gaya is still in the hands of such Hindus as have no affection for
Buddhism and many unbuddhistic practises are being observed in the Maha Vihra
of Bodh Gaya.The Brahmist leaders often boast that India
is the birth of Gautama Buddha. But the social set up is not congenial to
Buddhism. Therefore the new Brahminic
zeal is a potential danger to Buddhism.
The lowly people of India
who are termed as the scheduled castes in the constitution of India
and who numbers more than 150 million are the descendants of the Buddhists. The
majority community being the Hindu, its governing class being the Brahmins,
they don’t like Buddhism to flourish because in Buddhism lies the annihilation
of the graded inequality, monopolisation of administration and financial
resources. There would have been atleast 100 million Buddhists in India
by now had the Hindu majority not created legal impediments in the cultural
advancement of the oppressed section of the Indian Society. It may be noted
here that it was provided in the Indian Constitution, through an amendment,
that “no person can be a member of the Scheduled caste unless he professes
Hindu religion.” After a strenuous struggle this legal bar has been removed. In
the next census the number of Buddhists will certainly increase tremendously.
If the disinformation is being spread
against the Buddhist movement of India
– continues, it may result into misleading those who desire to see the movement
becoming more strong and wide spread.
Some points here need to be clarified:
1. It
is alleged that Dr. Ambedkar (By his followers) is equated with Buddha. This is
a balatant lie. In one of his speech he called ‘BUDDHA , MY MASTER, MY ONLY
TEACHER,” ( Speech on voice of America 1954) 2. It
is said that the Buddhist movement in India
is a political movement. For those Indians who suffered for centuries, Buddhism
is a vehicle of all-round change-ethical, social and even economic. Buddha
preached against exploitation of man by man, to wage a struggle for civil
rights’, social justice and economic emancipation. If it all is considered
politics, then Indian Buddhist do candidly accepts this charge. Buddhism has
taught them to be moral and free from want and worry so they feel pride in
waging struggle for their human and constitutional rights. 3. Often
the lowly people are looked down upon because they are very backward
economically. Their present condition is not of their making. Instead of
contempt they deserve sympathy, compassion and help. This kind of mischievous propaganda against the
Indian Buddhist movement shall have to be disbelieved and totally rejected if
it desired that Buddhism should spread in India. India
has great potential for spreading of Buddhism. Its future can be bright, Very
bright, if needed precautions are taken. And a programme
for the all round emancipation of the people is formulated and organisational
machinery is established and sincerely operated for the benefit of the needy
mankind. I close this brief narration with 3Cs
(1) Clarity about programme (2)
Coordination and (3) Common resources.
If my submissions are given serious thought, I
hope, then the future of Dhamma in India
would be very bright and it may regain its original glory and purposefulness.
It is gratifying that the Punjab Buddhist Society U.K under the benevolent
guidance of Ven: Chanderbodhi has taken lead for fulfilling the historic noble
task of spreading the Buddhism.
Posted on August 08, 2007 ===========================================================================
DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR
INDIA’S GREATEST SOCIAL REFORMER
L. R. Balley
Editor , Bheem Patrika, Jalandhar -144 003
While paying tribute to Dr. Ambedkar,
on his death, on 6th December 1956, the then Prime Minister of
India, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru said: “Dr.
Ambedkar would be remembered mostly as the symbol of revolt against all the
oppressing features had kept peoples mind awake. Although he was highly
controversial figure, he played a very constructive and very important role in
the government activities. He revolt against.”
What he revolted? Though Mr.
Nehru has given an indication, yet his rebellion need to be explained more as
he devoted whole of his life to its success. Among many theories Dr. Ambedkar
propounded, one is very prominent, it is this:
“History bears out the proposition political revolutions have always
been preceded by social and religious revolutions”.
Indian Society is still a tribal society,
steeped in orthodoxy and superstitious, divided in thousands of castes-sub
castes. It is continuously practicing even today inhuman practices in the midst
of the present modern world. Dr. Ambedkar personality was unique. Numerous
author, Indian as well as foreigners, have described his contribution to the
economic development of his country and the emancipation of Indian masses in
different ways. One such author has said:
“Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar was an intellectual, a educationist, a thinker and an advocate of
Humanism.”2
The author has rightly and truly
mentioned the qualities and qualifications are to reconstruct the Indian
Society on the principles of the liberty, equality and fraternity the
principles he learnt not from French “his master, The Buddha.” He persistently pursued his idea of bringing
out basic reforms in the Indian Society as he said:-
1936: “if the source of the power and the dominion
is at any given time or in any given society social and religious then social
reform must be accepted as the necessary sort of reform. 1953:
in India
social structure must be altered.
1954: To leave inequality between
class and class between sex and sex which is the soul of Hindu Society
untouched and to go on passing legislature relating to economic problem is to
make a farce of the constitution and build a palace on dung heap.”
In order to achieve his object of
reformation of Indian society particularly its Hindu part, he piloted code
bill. As the Indian Parliament was, then dominated by orthodox Hindus, the bill
could not be passed. Therefore, in protest, Dr. Ambedkar resigned on 28th September, 1951 as
law Minister of India. After his resignation within 4 Years the Hindu code Bill
was passed in parts.
As a result of enactment of Hindu
marriage Act, Hindus of different Sects, Castes and the Communities and Gotras
could inter- marry which was not possible earlier. It is worth noting the Hindu
code Bill was applicable to all sorts of Hindus – Sikhs, Buddhist and Jains.
This was the first legal step Dr. Ambedkar took to reform the society.
Article 13: All Laws – ordinance, order by law, rule, regulation,
notification, custom or usage having in the territory of India the force
of the Law, immediately before the commencement of this constitution, in so far
they are inconsistent with the provision of fundamental rights shall, to the
extent of inconsistency, be void.
Article 14: The state shall not deny to any person equality before
the law or equal protection of the law within the territory
of India. Article 15: The state shall not discriminate
against any citizen in matters relating on ground only for religion, race,
caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.
Article 16: There shall be equality of
opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment
to any office under the state.
Article 17: “Untouchability” is
abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any
disability running out of “untouchability” shall be an offence punishable in
accordance with law.
Article 23: Traffic in human beings and
beggar and other similar forms of forced labors are prohibited and any contravention
of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law. As a
decisive lasting step Dr. Ambedkar gave a historic verdict on Hinduism, its
proper name being “Brahmanism.”
He opined:
“As Prof. Max Muller observers: Modern Hinduism rest on the system of
caste on a rock which is no argument can shake.”
“Hinduism is overwhelmed with fear of
pollution. It has not got the power to purify. It has not the impulse to serve
and that is because by its very nature it’s inhuman and immoral. It is a
misnomer to call it religion. Its philosophy is opposed to very thing for which
religions stands.”
“Religion is every where else is engaged in
the task of rising and ennobling mankind Hinduism is busy in debasing and
degrading it.”
“The
Philosophy of Hinduism neither satisfies the test of social utility nor does it
satisfy the test of individual justice.”
He therefore
discarded Hinduism and got converted with Buddhism on October, 1956 at Nagpur
in Maharashtra with millions of his followers. Why did
he embrace Buddhism? On this question he
clarified as under:
I prefer Buddhism because it gives three
principles in combination which no other religion does. All other religions are
bothering themselves with god and soul and life after death. Buddhism teaches
‘Prajana’ (Understanding as against superstition and supernaturalism). It
teaches ‘karuna’ (Love). It teaches ‘Smata’ (equality). This is what a man
wants for a good and happy life on earth. These three principles of Buddhism
make their appeal to me. These three principles should, also make an appeal to
the world. Neither God nor soul can save society.”
Thus Dr.
Ambedkar not only presented his theory of social re-construction, he took
measures to do so would be evident from the details given above. It is Dr.
Ambedkar and none else from the Indian leader ship may be social, religious or
political who could be so realistic, so courageous and so farsighted who could
lay principles of social reform and become an example to be followed faithfully
and sincerely.
Indians as a
nation are therefore, grateful to Dr. Ambedkar for his all round constructive contribution
to the Society.
REFERENCES;-
(1) Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar Writings
and speeches Bombay 1979, Vol.,
page 43. (2) Mainstream Weekly, New
Delhi, dated 8
May, 1999, page 20. (3) Dr.
Baba Sahib Ambedkar Writings and speeches Bombay
1979, Vol., page 45. (4) Daily
Hindu, New Delhi, Dated 26th June 1953 (5) Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar Writings
and speeches Bombay 1979, Vol.14,
part 2 page 1326. (6) Science of Religion page 28 Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar Writings
and speeches Bombay 1989, Vol.3,
page 92. (7) ibid page37 (8) ibid page71 (9) Talk on BBC London on 12th
May, 1956.
Posted on August 03, 2007 |
UNTOUCHABILITY AND STARVATION LIVE TOGETHER IN INDIA
Palash Biswas
Untouchability and Starvation Live
together in India! This is the ultimate truth of sense shining, to be Hindu Superpower
India!
Local
goons raided a Dalit hamlet and attacked women and children for allegedly
‘frolicking’ in a community temple in Shivalapar village under Shahpur police
station in Danapur of Patna district on Friday evening.A tiff erupted between
the Dalits and Ramavtar Yadav, when he objected to the Dalit children ‘dirtying
the premises of the Goddess Durga temple.’
Yadav and
his three sons Sanjay, Umesh and Dinesh raided the hamlet, comprising 50
families.
They
caught hold of Gyanati Devi, pulled her hair, beat her up and poured boiling ‘Dal’
on her.
Her six-month-old
daughter Sunita, too, suffered burns.
Untouchability
Offenses Act (1955, India)
Encyclopædia
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...the
constitution provides these groups with specific educational and vocational
privileges and grants them special representation in the Indian parliament. In
support of these efforts, the Untouchability (Offenses) Act (1955) provides
penalties for preventing anyone from enjoying a wide variety of religious,
occupational, and social rights on the grounds that he is a Harijan,
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The
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for all round
development of Scheduled Castes and to bring them in the mainstream of national
life and ensure their full participation in socio-economic development of the
country.
Nearly 50
percent of the world's hungry live in India, a low-income, food-deficit country. Around
35 percent of India's population - 350 million - is considered food-insecure, consuming less
than 80 percent of minimum energy requirements. In 1947, untouchability was
banned by the Indian constitution established after independence from the
British. Yet, as a social organization and economic constraint, untouchability
is very much alive today. Its grip and that of the caste system, from which it
derives, will necessarily be challenged to the very core if India is to become an industrialized nation. This
question has now become urgent for India's 800 million people. As the 21st century
nears, either India will find within itself the capacity for cultural regeneration
permitting economic development, or as Mahatma Gandhi predicted, Hinduism will
perish, and India with it.
Nutritional
and health indicators are extremely low. Nearly nine out of 10 pregnant women
aged between 15 and 49 years suffer from malnutrition and anemia. Anemia in
pregnant women causes 20 percent of infant mortality. More than half of the
children under five are moderately or severely malnourished, or suffer from
stunting.
More than
160 million people in India are considered "Untouchable"—people
tainted by their birth into a caste system that deems them impure, less than
human.
Human
rights abuses against these people, known as Dalits, are legion. A random
sampling of headlines in mainstream Indian newspapers tells their story:
"Dalit boy beaten to death for plucking flowers"; "Dalit
tortured by cops for three days"; "Dalit 'witch' paraded naked in
Bihar"; "Dalit killed in lock-up at Kurnool"; "7 Dalits
burnt alive in caste clash"; "5 Dalits lynched in Haryana";
"Dalit woman gang-raped, paraded naked"; "Police egged on mob to
lynch Dalits".
Dalits
are not allowed to drink from the same wells, attend the same temples, wear
shoes in the presence of an upper caste, or drink from the same cups in tea
stalls," said Smita Narula, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch,
and author of Broken People: Caste Violence Against India's
"Untouchables." Human Rights Watch is a worldwide activist
organization based in New York.
India's Untouchables are relegated to the lowest
jobs, and live in constant fear of being publicly humiliated, paraded naked,
beaten, and raped with impunity by upper-caste Hindus seeking to keep them in
their place. Merely walking through an upper-caste neighborhood is a
life-threatening offense.
Nearly 90
percent of all the poor Indians and 95 percent of all the illiterate Indians
are Dalits, according to figures presented at the International Dalit
Conference that took place May 16 to 18 in Vancouver, Canada.
National
Commission for socially and economically backward sections among religious and
linguistic minorities
A
decision has been taken to appoint a National Commission to recommend measures
for welfare of socially and economically backward sections among religious and
linguistic minorities.
The Terms
of Reference of the commission are:
to
suggest criteria for identification of socially and economically backward
sections among religious and linguistic minorities.
to
recommend measures for welfare of socially and economically backward sections
among religious and linguistic minorities, including reservations in education
and government employment.
to
suggest the necessary constitutional, legal and administrative modalities as
required for the implementation of their recommendations, and
to
present a Report of their deliberations and recommendations.
http://socialjustice.nic.in/newpolicies/welcome.htm
RESEARCH/EVALUATION
STUDIES SPONSORED UNDER THE SCHEME OF GRANT IN AID FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS.
The
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing a number of Schemes
for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes,
Minorities, the disabled, children in need of care and protection, the aged,
victims of alcohol and drug abuse, etc. It is necessary that the impact of
these Schemes/Programmes should be assessed and evaluated from time to time, so
that these can be suitably modified /revised to make them more effective or
phased out if their utility is found to be doubtful. It is also necessary to
identify through research, areas where social problems are likely to arise in
future so that the Ministry can plan timely interventions. The Ministry,
therefore, sponsors research and evaluation studies under the Scheme of Grant
in aid Rules for Research and Publications to assist in the task of review and
future planning.
Under the
Scheme, Universities/Research Institutions and Professional bodies are given
financial assistance to meet the expenditure on research and evaluation studies
in the broad areas of Social Policy, Social Development and Social Welfare,
particularly to evaluate the Programmes/Schemes implemented for the welfare and
development of Disabled Persons, OBCs, and Minorities and in the field of
Social Defense.
Research
proposals on the specified priority areas from established research
institutions and universities are considered.
In cases,
where it is felt that the problem needs to be studied on larger scale, a common
research design is devised and the study on the subjects carried out
simultaneously in several States/UTs.
The types
of studies sponsored by the Ministry are (i) Evaluation Studies; (ii)
Diagnostic Studies; and (iii) Documentation Studies. In the case of evaluation
studies, the Ministry's programmes/schemes implemented at the field level are
evaluated to know the effectiveness of the schemes and to modify/revise the
schemes appropriately. The diagnostic studies are those on social problems
relating to the areas of prostitution, drug abuse, the aged, children in
difficult circumstances, minorities and OBCs and the disabled population. The
documentation type of studies are - Preparation of summary of research
projects, Preparation of Handbook of Social Welfare Statistics, Preparation of
Compendium of Schemes, Directory of voluntary organizations in the field of
Social Welfare, etc.
Since the
inception of the Scheme from 1973-74, 433 Research/Evaluation Studies have been
sponsored. The findings and recommendations of all these studies have been
useful for the Ministry for evolving further intervention at the policy and
implementation level. The reports are being utilized by research professionals
working in related fields to review the progress of work and to identify social
problems requiring urgent intervention.
The list
of Research/Evaluation Studies sponsored from 1973-74 to 2003-04 (up to 31st
December, 2004) is
annexed.
The
National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) has decided to launch a state
wide agitation in Haryana in protest against the "continuous atrocities on
dalits" in the state. A decision to this effect will be taken at a joint
meeting of various Dalit organizations which has been convened by NCDHR on
September 15 at Delhi. According to Arun Khote, secretary of the NCDHR, the Dalit organization
have taken a serious note of the alleged murder of Rakesh alias Lara and
incidents of violence and arson in Gohana town and else where in the country
and they have decided to call a joint meeting on September 15 in Delhi to chalk
out the future course of action on this issue. He said that the Dalit organizations
wanted to impose President's rule in Haryana and declaration of Haryana as
Dalit Utpeeran Grast Rajya. He also disclosed that the NCDHR has already
apprised the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission and Kumari Selja
Union Minister of State about the incidents of atrocities on dalits in Haryana
and demanded immediate taking of steps to check such cases in future. Referring
to the alleged murder of Rakesh alias Lara, Khote said that it was a conspiracy
and per-planned murder and the police have utterly failed to ensure the safety
of dalits. If such types of atrocities continued, the Dalit organizations have
no alternative but to launch a statewide agitation on this issue.
The
Communist Party of India on Saturday demanded an end to the intimidation of Dalits
in the Gohana area of Sonepat district in Haryana. This demand was made a day
after CPI national secretary D. Raja visited Gohana, where a Dalit youth was
killed last week resulting in clashes in several districts of the State. Posted on September 4, 2007
===========================================================================
MANUSMIRITI PROMOTED BY
INTELLIGENTSIA
Palash Biswas
The largest circulated Hindi daily
which is incidentally most popular amongst the Dalits in eastern part of India
including Kolkata and aspires to become national very soon- publishes quotes
from Manusmiriti daily on its Edit page!
Bengali
and English Dailies in Kolkata do not quote Manusmiriti. The ruling Left in Bengal is said to be up against Manusmiriti and it
launches a Marxist Dalit movement with a platform named Dalit Samanyaya Samiti.
CPIM Hyderabad conference officially passed Dalit agenda.
Our Constitution
is based on justice, liberty, equality, fraternity! Even Manusmiriti sustains. So much so Namboodaripad
supported castism and the People’s president APJ missile man Abdul Kalam quotes
from Manusmiriti.
In Bengal, the Brahmincal system is most organized,
systematic and scientific. It is never as rough and rigid as the Hindi daily
representing feudalism persistent in rest of India.
In fact,
media as well as so called Mainstream Intelligentsia promotes Manusmiriti in
most sophisticated way. Take any Bengali or English daily you may get the tone.
They have sophisticated the folk and the dialects and use them against the
indigenous people. Politicians play vote bank game. We may identify the caste
logy in the polity. But the most dangerous type of discrimination is monopoly
on knowledge, information, art, literature and culture.
Indian Intelligentsia has the single
agenda of post modern Manusmiriti Galaxy Order under Zionist Hindu Imperialism.
Thus, while they pose standing United with Nandigram singur resistance, they
never allow a real Dalit movement in India!
The former Bihar Governor, M. Ramajois,
said here on Sunday that despite the propaganda against it, the Manusmiriti
remained a source of eternal values for humanity. At a popular lecture on the
role of professionals in enforcement of contractual obligations in the
construction industry, Justice Ramajois said the good points in this ancient
law text must be taken and the irrelevant and unsuitable ones discarded. He
opined that Manusmiriti elaborated on the "right to happiness" which
contained within its ambit all other rights developed by western jurisprudence.
Dalit
activists in Jaipur have taken strong exception to then President A. P. J.
Abdul Kalam making a reference to "Manusmiriti" while extolling the
virtue of not accepting gifts that come with a purpose, saying his citation
from the ancient Hindu treatise was "unwarranted" and had "hurt
the sentiments of Dalits" by according respectability to Manu’s
pronouncements.
Mr.
Kalam, addressing a function at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi on Thursday, had remarked while quoting from
"Manusmiriti" that by accepting gifts, the divine light in the person
gets extinguished. Centre
for Dalit Rights (CDR) chairperson P. L. Mimroth said the outgoing President
need not have quoted from the archaic Hindu code of law that had created the Varna system under which the higher castes for
centuries denied all basic human rights and dignity to Dalits. "For us,
Manu only symbolizes the unjust social order imposed on Dalits from time
immemorial."
Mr.
Mimroth said Mr. Kalam, shortly demitting the highest constitutional office in
the country, should not have made the "unwarranted reference" to an
antiquated treatise which was squarely responsible for discrimination against
Dalits and flew in the face of the constitutional ideal of a casteless society.
"Quoting
from Manusmiriti amounts to paying homage to a figure who represents all that
is unjust in the Indian society," said Mr. Mimroth. He added that Mr.
Kalam could have mentioned any of the hundreds of literary, spiritual or
religious figures – such as the acclaimed Tamil poet Sumbramanya Bharathi – to emphasize
his point.
The
Rajasthan convener of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) and
PUCL State president, Than Singh, said Mr. Kalam’s reference to Manusmiriti was
"shocking and strange" in view of the known fact that the unabated
oppression of Dalits was because of the edicts prescribed in the treatise.
"The President’s remarks have without doubt injured the emotions of Dalits
who looked up to him for upholding constitutional values all these years,"
he added.
Dharma is
the everlasting friend. It is essential not only for the individual’s happiness
but also for the happiness of other individuals who constitute the family and
the society," said Justice Shri Rama Jois, the Governor of Jharkhand.
Speaking on his latest book, "The Eternal Values in Manusmiriti", at
the Indian Institute of World Culture under the aegis of IGNCA - Southern
Regional Centre, he elucidated upon the ancient text, regarded as the oldest
codification of rules of dharma.
Posted on August 04, 2007 |
ANTI CONVERSION BILL OF RAJASTHAN
FORWARDED TO THE PRESIDENT
Freddi Joseph Khudai
Khidmatgar.
Chief Editor Masihi Sansar
Before leaving the Raj Bhawan to contest forthcoming presidential elections
Rajasthan Governor Pritbha Patil has forwarded the controversial anti
conversion religious bill 2005 to the President Abdul Kalam for his approval. The Governor did not give her
judgment on the bill. The assembly had passed the bill on May 7, 2006. The governor returned it to the
government with some objections and suggestions. Patil had observed that
the bill could have an adverse impact on the secular credential of the nation
and state. She also pointed out a lack of clarity in some of the clauses like
conversion through "deceit" and 'force' but the BJP government passed
the bill again in assembly without changing its draft and returned it to her
mid–May this year. The Bill says:-
* A person indulging in conversion through allurement, force or deceit
will be punished with imprisonment of 2 to 5
years.* A fine up to Rs 50,000 can be imposed on the guilty.* Institutions can
lose their recognition for indulging in conversions.* The investigation officer
will not be less than a Deputy Superintendent of Police.* Interestingly the
bill says converted Hindus can revert to their original religion. But a
Christian or Muslim adopting Hinduism cannot return to Christianity or Islam as
well.
According to the constitution India is secular country and not a theocratic state. The
government neither can control the religion of the citizens nor interfere it.
But it is a matter of great surprise that government is controlling
and interfering the religions of the Indian citizens by making laws that
are absolutely against the spirit of the Indian constitution. According to the
constitution religion is not an issue for the government but practically to-day
the religion is the biggest issue for some of the political parties and these
parties are misusing their political power to snub the religious freedom of the
citizens. It is also notable that so far no case of conversion through 'deceit'
and 'force' has been detected throughout the country. So far anti-secularism
parties have passed anti - conversion bill/ laws in nine states of India. That means in one third of India the religion of the Indian citizens is being
controlled by the state. It is a clear indication that the country is heading
to wards becoming a theocratic state.
It
is a matter of great regret that the Indian Christian leadership has
miserably been failed to realize the seriousness of the present situation and
is totally unaware of its afterwards consequences. Neither it could bring
awareness among the Christian masses nor make the society at large to realize
that the religious rights of the Christians are virtually being killed in
this country. Silence of the Christian leadership over this issue has given the
signal to the nation that the Christians are guilty.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has cleared once far all that the Caesar has
no right over the religious right of the people by saying that give God what
belongs to God and to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. It is a matter of some relief and earnest hope that Paritbha
Patil is going to be the President of India. Hopefully she will discharge
her duty to force the Indian Government to work according to the secular spirit
of the Indian consitution of the country..
RE-POSTED ON JUNE 27, 2007 (REVISED)
====================================================================================
VTRICKERY OF CREAMY LAYER THEORY Freddi Joseph
Khudai Khidmatgar
Opponents of reservation policy for
Dalits have found another trick to oppose the development of the Dalits. Now
they are raising hue and cry against the benefit of reservation to the creamy
layer among the Dalits. These people are not other than those who have been
oppressing the Dalits since last four thousand years in this country. They
plead when a Dalit reaches a certain point of development he should not be
allowed to enjoy the benefit of reservation policy. They further say that
reservation should not exceed the limit of 50%. If this formula is to be
adopted it must not be imposed on Dalits alone. It must be imposed on all the
sections of the society. 50% agricultural land must be given to the Dalits, 50%
factories be given to the Dalits. They must have 50% seats in the parliament
and states assemblies. On the same lines all the sources of income and honor
must be divided between Dalits and other groups of the society.
Then there is a theory of capability or competency.
They say that ‘Dalits’ are not competent for certain high level professions.
Where as practical fact is that when a man is given responsibility only then he
will be able to show his competency. Britishers were of the opinion that not
only Shudras but all the Indians including Brahamins and Kshatreis were not
capable for ruling India. They presented an offer to Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru to
let them stay in India for 20 years more, during this period they will train
the Indians to rule the country. Pandit ji rejected their offer and said that Indians
were competent to run their country. So the Indians took the charge of the
country from them and proved their competency to rule the country. Lalu Parshad
a Dalit has been given the charge of railway, in India he is the first railway
minister who not only stopped the heavy annual increase in the railway fare and
freight but also gave new better look to the railway within the same sources of
income. In India Christian educational and health institutions are leading ones
in their respective spheres. Just see! who are the people that are running
these institutions? Majority of them are Dalits. So hue and cry of competency
theory is another trickery to prevent the development of the Dalits.
There is still another fraud, which is being tried to
prevent the development of the ‘Dalits’. It is being pleaded that the base of
reservation policy should be economy and not caste. They people are trying to
hide the fact that ‘Dalits’ were victimtized on the base of caste and not
economy. So the remedy of their sufferings lies in the reservation based on
caste and not on economic factor. ====================================================================================
The Himachal Pradesh Anti
Conversion Bill is not yet enacted as Law
but started Harassing Christian
Minority in the State
The Care and service to the destitute orphan children
by Pastor Behal from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh – an army retired captain has
been charged as anti social activist by Siva Sena, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (VHP) - the World Hindu Council. A Drug Addict Rehabilitation Center at Kullu attacked and counselors arrested with false
charges.
Mr. Sam Abraham a senior Christian leader from
Himachal Pradesh informed to All India Christian Council that a large number of
Hindu fanatics led by the leaders and activists of Bajrang Dal, Siva Sena and
VHP assembled at the gate of Pastor Behal’s resident on January 21, 2007 and
demanded him to close down the children home and leave the place. Dr. Abraham
Mathai – Vice President of Maharashtra Minority Commission informed Ajay Yadav
– Superintendent of Police, Kangra that any unwanted incident should be
prevented and Pastor Behal, his family and orphan children must be protected
from Hindu fanatics groups.
Latter Ms. Sudha Devi – Sub-Division Magistrate of
Kangra told to All India Christian Council that the Police forces have
dispersed the Hindu Fanatics assembled at the resident of Pastor Behal. Ms
Sudha Devi also told that Hindu fanatics have submitted a memorandum against
Pastor Behal with charges that Pastor Behal has mistreated the orphan children
and converting them to Christian.
Pastor Behal and his family have been living in Kangra
for last twenty years. He hails from Punjab and started
rendering his service of care to the destitute children after he retire from
army.
Another attack happened in Himachal Pradesh. The Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center “Last Restore” at Kullu has been under Hindu fanatic
attack. Four of the counselors have been booked and arrested on January 17, 2007 with false charges.
Mr. Doorja – Sub Inspector of Kullu Police station
told to the All India Christian Council that Mr. Rajesh Toppo, Mr. Nizam
Minthang, Mr. Gopal Singh Bhatia and Mr. Lalboi have been booked (FIR NO.
44/07) under the section of IPC 295A, 341, and 342. Latter they were produced
before the magistrate and released on bail.
Mr. Lalboi – one of the accused told to All India
Christian Council that Mr. Amos – the complaint from Gaziabad and Binod Naini
from Delhi were going through the rehabilitation with the
consents of their parents, ran away from the center without any information.
Both the addicts did not have money to reach their
home and they approached a man for financial help but latter the man happened
to be an activist and leader of VHP. Instead of helping them financially, he
took both the addicts to Kullu Police station and helped them to file complain
against the rehabilitation center. Mr.
Lalboi said that they were accused falsely for very service of care and love
rendered to drug addicts. Dr. John Dayal
– Member of National Integration Council, General Secretary of All India
Christian Council said that The Himachal Pradesh Anti Conversion Bill 2006 is
not yet enacted as law of the state but started harassing minority Christian
NGOs rendering humanitarian service to destitute of the state. He strongly
condemns the police forces, district authorities and Hindutva forces for accusing
falsely to the Christian minorities in the state.
The Last Resort – the Drug Addiction Rehabilitation
center still has 34 drug addicts who are under going the rehabilitation
process. This service is rendered through Thangboi Haokip – son of Mr. Sanson Haokip
– former minister of Manipur state.
Many human rights organizations and political parties
have appealed to State Government to repeal the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of
Religion Bill 2006 which was passed on December 29, 2006 at Dharamsala. The bill bans any force conversion and
defaulters will be imprisoned up to 2 years and/or fined Rs. 25,000.00. Bill
also require 30 days prior information to state authorities if any person wants
to change faith and religion which is totally against the freedom of religion
provided in Article 25 of Indian Constitution and 18 of UN Universal
Declaration.
All India Christian Council
has appealed to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi - President of All India Congress Committee
to use her office to appeal Himachal Pradesh Government to reverse the
controversial and draconian bill. Christian Council has also appealed Mrs.
Gandhi to set up an anti party activity against Shri Virbharda Singh - Chief
Minister of Himachal Pradesh. ( George
MS )
|
An Open Letter to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India : By Nishikant Waghmare
Dr.Manmohan Singh
Hon'ble Prime Minister Of India
7 Race Course Road,New Delhi -110011.
Most Respected Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji,
I am happy to know that our Nation's Government
of India celebrating the 2550th "Buddha Mahaparinirvana Anniversary"
is being commemorated with great solemnity throughout India.
Government of India
for this purpose in the Ministry of Culture has set up a National Committee
under your Chairmanship.
The Minister of Tourism & Culture, Mrs.
Ambika Soni, is the Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee and also heads
the Implementation Committee entrusted with the task of implementing the
various programmes chalked out for a year and for the whole country. 2550 the
Buddha Anniversary programme was inaugurated on 13 May 2006 (Buddha Purnima Day) by yourself and was
attended by many important leaders including religious leaders.
A number of events have been planned including an
important International Conference at Bodhgaya on the theme of Buddhism and the
21st Century from February 4 to 6, 2007.
The closing ceremony will be held at Kushinagar (the place of the
Mahaparinirvana in eastern Uttar Pradesh) on the Buddha Purnima day.
It gives me great pleasure to inform you that The
three Sub-Groups of Implementation Committee has set –up and for Conferences
and Publications Committee Convener Dr. Bhalachandra Mungekar invited me to
attend Bodhgaya International conference on February 4-6, 2007 on this historic
occasion I wish to hand over my "Resolution relating to Ambedkarites and
Buddhist of the World." Along with Dr.Bhalachandra Mungekar in Conference
at Bodhgaya on February 4, 2007.
Mr. Prime Minister, after 60 years of
Independence we must give due justice and human face to Buddhist people of
India in the land of Buddha and Nation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar who has given us
one of the finest Constitution in the world which we all love and respect
Bharat Rattna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for his contribution and Chairmanship.
Dr. Ambedkar's role as a prominent constitution
maker of India
is quite well known. However, his views on religion, particularly his reasons for
renouncing Hinduism, the religion of his birth, are not as widely known.
Ambedkar who was born in an "untouchable" family carried on a
relentless battle against untouchability throughout his adult life. In the last
part of his life, he renounced Hinduism and became a Buddhist. What were his
reasons for doing so?
A detailed
answer to this question can be obtained by studying his Buddha and His Dhamma,
Annihilation of Caste, Philosophy of Hinduism, Riddles in Hinduism etc.
Nonetheless, some of his articles, speeches and interviews before and after his
conversion to Buddhism throw some light on this question.
Ambedkar's statement in 1935 at Yeola Conference
is quite instructive in this regard. Ambedkar believed that the untouchables
occupied a "weak and lowly status" only because they were a part of
the Hindu society. When attempts to gain equal status and "ordinary rights
as human beings" within the Hindu society started failing,
Ambedkar thought it was essential to
embrace a religion which will give "equal status, equal rights and fair
treatment" to the untouchables. He
clearly said to his supporters "select only that religion in which you
will get equal status, equal opportunity and equal treatment."
The Government of India must hand over the
management of one of the Holiest Shrines of world the Maha
Bodhi Temple,
amending the Management Act of 1949. Millions of Buddhists across the world are
upset as non-Buddhists have the control over the Holiest Shrine of Buddhists.
We Buddhist must have control over the management.
We the Buddhist of India wish to make an appeal
to all the world's religious and political leaders to demand immediate
dissolution of the temple management committee to hand over control of Maha
Bodhi Temple in the hands of Indian Buddhists.
If the managements of Hindu Temples, Churches, Mosques and Gurudwaras are
not under the control of other sects, then why not so in the case of the Maha
Bodhi temple in the hands of Buddhists. Buddhists had been given very little
role in managing the affairs of the temple for over five decades. Maha
Bodhi Temple
was given a UNESCO Heritage...
Wisdom and compassion – the way forward! May peace prevail in India!! May peace prevail on Earth!!!
Yours in the Mission,
Nishikant Waghmare Posted on August 31, 2007==========================================================================
JOYTIRAO PHULE-----------SAVITRIBAI PHULE--------------DR. AMBEDKAR
INDIA'S LOWER CASTES
Nishikant Waghmare Mahatma Jotirao Phule, Social Reformer of India,
stared the fight against castes exclusion in our education system . His
book titled Slavery took the Marathi world by storm in 1873. It was
Phule who told the Hunter Commission in 1882 that the British were
collecting revenue from Shudras (Backwards) and Ati-Shudras (Dalits) to
educate upper-caste Brahmins. This, he claimed, was atrocious and the
remedy he suggested was universalisation of primary education. Later
his disciple Dr. B.R.Ambedkar demanded equality of opportunity from
the Simon Commission in 1928. It is from his memorandum one discovers
that enrolment of lower castes in colleges was zero in 1882 and just
one per cent in 1923-24. These facts have never been discussed in our
mainstream discourses.
Government of India's decision to extend 27 per cent proposed
quota to OBC (Other Backwards) in higher educational institutions. The
attack by elites and the corporate sector against the proposed quotas
for OBCs in the IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities, and reservation
in the private sector for SCs and STs is deplorable though predictable.
They condemn the proposals on the ground that quotas would jeopardize
merit and efficiency, which are the two main planks of a globalize and
competitive economy. It is distressing that the defenders of merit
forget that the |
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