Saturday, June 07, 2008

Dalit Woman Burnt Alive over Water issue

Here is another sad incident which took place on June 6, 2008. The Dalit people suffer from many kind of oppressions. In many regions they are not allowed to fetch water from the same well or handpumps.


The story from msn.com :


Harda (MP): An elderly Dalit woman was burnt alive allegedly by three members of an upper caste community over a dispute on fetching water from a village hand pump.

Prembai, 55, suffered 80 per cent burns as she was set ablaze on Tuesday, Abhishek Ranjan, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, said today.

The incident took place at Harda's Kantada village where Prembai was stopped from using the village hand pump by three upper caste persons, Ranjan said.

A quarrel erupted as she refused to budge, following which Hiralal, Dinesh and Rajendra allegedly set her on fire, he said adding Prembai succumbed on Wednesday.

The incident came to light yesterday when Kantada villagers, along with the her body, held demonstrations in front of the Harda Collectorate demanding action against the accused.

A complaint in this connection has been registered by Hukumchand, the deceased's husband, Ranjan said adding only after verifying the charges, a case of murder will be registered against the accused.

© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved.


Remember, Jesus talking to an untouchable woman two thousand years ago and asking water from her. He gave her life and the water of life. He went into her community, stayed with them, talked to them, drank their water and taught them that God loves them too. So many women and their people are waiting for same Jesus message of hope for them.


The real story can be read here:

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1436276

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c618ba10-6fb0-4a94-830d-5b2fd469664b&MatchID1=4698&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=5&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1185&PrimaryID=4698&Headline=Dalit+woman+torched+in+MP+district

Posted by Raj at 02:40:28 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Basic Reasons to stand up with the Oppressed

I was going through the Book of Isaiah a few days ago and I noticed some important lessons from these two chapters 58 and 61. These truths are simple, plain, important and fundamental to the Christian ministry. These truths include Spiritual and Physical aspects.


Thank God when Christ came to this earth in the flesh, He took initiative to do the both and asked His followers to do the same in the coming ages, while telling about Him to the needy people. Jesus showed by His life that He has come to do the Father's will on this earth. And He did it and fiinally said, I have brought glory by doing the work you entrusted to me.


We shall continue the great work which  God Himself began and asked His believers to carrry on. I am glad Lord Himself is with us in the mission. After all it is His Mission and not man's.

 Here are some of the important aspects to encourage you to do the same as you believe and serve Him. Please join with me in the coming days to keep on this work. Our work will include all these points.


  1. To loose the chains of injustice

2. Untie the cord of Yoke

3. To set the oppressed free and break the yoke

4. Satisfy the needs of oppressed

5. Sharing food with the hungry

6. provide a shelter to the homeless.

7. providing clothes to the naked

8. Good News to the poor

9. Binding up the broken hearted.

10. To proclaim freedom for the captives

11. Bringing people out from darkness

12. To proclaim the Year of Freedom.

13. To comfort all those who mourn.

14. To provide them happiness instead of mourning

"Knowing God-Serving people". This is what I believe. Knowing God should make a difference in our lives.

Goal: To glorify God in all. The chief end of man is to bring glory to living God.


Objectives: Spiritual, social, economic freedom of our people

Means: God, Prayer, redeemed ones and  all God-given resources

Posted by Raj at 05:48:51 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Oppression: Ban on Dalits writings

"Lucknow: After targeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his anti-Ram remarks, the BJP in Uttar Pradesh today demanded an immediate ban on the sale of books by Dalit icon Periyar alleging they contained "objectionable" references to Hindu gods and epics...." http://content.msn.co.in/News/National/NationalPreT_251007_2133


A few days ago, BJP, a political party demanded immediate ban on the books of a Dalit intellectual and writer in North India. The author was born in South India and worked for the betterment of the oppressed classess. He is credited to be the father of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu state.

He also wrote few books on social issues including 'true Ramayna". I am not much familiar with his writings but only little but I am sure he wrote against the discriminatory nature of Hindu gods, who oppose the people who belong to the lower castes in the social system.


I want to ask to the BJP and its supporters, why should we ban the writings of Periyar?

1. Why is it because, he is not a high caste author?

2. Is it because he was not an Indian like Ramayana author, Tulsidas?

3. Is it because He did not deserve to be heard?

4. Is it because He does not belong to the aryan race rather to Dravids?

5. Is it because any inferiority?

6. Was he not a human being like the any other man in our nation?


Why should people ban him? Is it because he does not speak to us? Is he not relevant?

No, Periyar has all the rights to say and to express himself as does the Tulsidas of Ramayana. If Tulsidas can write Ramayana, why not Periyar a True Ramayana?


If Tulsidas and Manu (in Manusmiriti) can abuse the oppressed and lower caste people in their writings thusands of years ago, under the protection of then kings, then why not the today's dalit cheif minister can publish the writings of a author like Periyar.


Is Tulsidas or Manu any unique or special than Periyar ? no, Not at all. The people from weaker sections and oppressed society must be allowed to express themselves. They had been kept outside of the society, If they raise their voice against that old-aged oppression, what's wrong in it?


After all, Periyar did not a scarry book, He did not write an imaginative story, But he wrote the things (bitterness, harassment, discrimation) which he and his people experienced. He wrote things which makes sense to the modern society.


If the Hindutwa party want this nation to be peaceful and fair then they should not only allow the writing of like Periyar but should encouraged to publish them, so that the younger generation might know our history and they also learn that authors and intellectual not only born in the so called higher castes but in the lower too.


Every action has a reaction. Why would Periyar write things agaisnt some Hindu dieties? Was Periyar a nonsense? No, simply responded to the teachings of Hindu scriptures. Periyar simply defended the millions of people, he represents. He did not do anything wrong.


We as good people should not ask ban on the books of the Periyar but rather allow public to go thourgh, so that all the people know the reality of Ramayana, and true Ramayana.

Recently, a Tamil movie has been prepared on the life of Periyar, it is going to shown in the Goa International Film festival, all those have access to it, must watch it and try to learn what Periyar has to say.


Asking ban on the thoughts of Periyar is not appropriate. His writings deserved to be read and translated into many languages, so that the people know, the reality of our ancient history. If BJP and its allies want ban and do not allow the writings and movie for the public then, let the whole world know that discrimination still continues in Indian society.

We should work for a society where everybody can say, what he/she has to say. We should live and let others live.

Posted by Raj at 03:38:21 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Oppression: Even the Names reveal it


 

Names are revelatory in nature. Names reveal of a person character and his/her personality. Although at times it may not be true for we are human beings. But everybody desires a good name. The names were officially given by a Brahmin priest in the Indian society. They usually did not like the shudras and the untouchables, so when called at the time of birth of a new born baby, these clever pundits never gave good name to the child of a Shudra or untouchables. So the oppression and discrimination started from the very birth of oppressed classes in India.

A few days ago only I watched a very famous Hindi movie ‘Lagan.” Lagan is a good movie made by Amir Khan, a well known Bollywood Star. In this movie, all the peasants had a Cricket match with the British, on the condition if Indians won, they will get Lagan (tax) free 3 years but if they loose they will be forced to pay 3 times more Lagan to the British in spite of the bad weather.

The movie showed a good point that all the sections (Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh) of Indian society fought together against British oppression. The Director also included a Dalit Character in the game, called ‘Kachara’, the director showed that caste people were not comfortable at his entrance to the Team. This was an example of the common behavior of caste Hindus toward their ‘lower brothers.’ They opposed anything against the Dalit people. Kachara proved to be a good player in the match in spite of his weak hand. Over all, Kachara’s opposition in the team was just a glimpse of the deep rooted oppression.

I wonder, If Amir was the one to give Kachara name to the Character or it was some body else. Well, what is wrong with Kachara name? Actually ‘Kachra’ means ‘junk’ ‘a pile of dirt’ ‘thrown over’ ‘left over’ ‘garbage’ etc. Yes, this name gives the full explanation how the Dalit people were considered by the majority of Indian people. The Dalits were really ‘junk’ for them. In the movie it was not a big thing who gave this name to this Dalit Character; this could be a natural one from the society.

I know from the society, How lower caste people were given names like Kurdh i (a heap of dirt), Jaimal (hail to human dirt, Buddhu (foolish), or some without any meaning.

In my childhood I read a version of Ramayana, it is written by Yashwant Singh. At that time, our family also took part in the play of Ram story. And I recollect from my memory that this Ramayana had a commentary on names. The author suggested the good names for the caste Hindus and made a fun of the oppressed classes names. At that time I did not understand it but I do understand it that it is the part of the oppression of the Dalits.

The Hindu scriptures still record ‘rakshasas’ (monster), ‘Adharmi’ (not righteous), ‘chandals’ (wicked, notorious) names for the original people or the oppressed people of India. And show that how badly they treat them.

A Very prominent Dalit leader became from ‘Ram Raj’ to ‘Udit Raj’. He removed ‘Ram’ from his name, and replaced it ‘Udit’ means ‘arisen.’ Why because, He did not want to identify with a god or king who was opposed to Dalit people.

In conclusion, the oppression of oppressed classes started from the birth of a baby and ended up when he/she died. The Brahmins oppressed Dalits in two ways, in this regard, at the time of birth of a baby they took “dakshina’ (money, clothes, animal, land as gifts) from the family and they also gave funny and bad names to their children. It is a sad thing to know that the oppressed people are still bearing this and don’t want to be part of a liberation movement. May all the oppressed people understand this truth that they need to come out of a system which opposes them from their very existence in this world

Posted by Raj at 11:50:59 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |