[ZESTCaste] Dalits under the upper caste heel in Siraha
http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/07/07/most-popular/Dalits-under-the-upper-caste-heel-in-Siraha/318001/ Dalits under the upper caste heel in Siraha BHARAT JARGHAMAGAR LAHAN, JUL 07 - Unable to face constant discrimination meted out by so-called upper caste villagers, four Dalit families of Ruwale at Chandrodayapur-4, Siraha, are planning to leave their village. The ban on the use of a public water well for the Dalit households by the elite-caste villagers forced Dalits to find every possible ways to lead a normal life being free from social prejudice. Here we don’t get drinking water even when we are thirsty. So it’s better we move out, said Kanchan Mijhar, a Dalit who has faced injustice at the hands of people who have self-proclaimed themselves as upper caste. Located at the foothills of the Chure Range, Ruwale has 17 households, largely dominated by the Magar community. The well built by District Development Office, Siraha, more than 20 years ago is the only source of water for Ruwale residents. However, Dalit families are not allowed to go to the well whenever other villagers are around. The prohibition was enforced from last month, according to the Dalit families. The other village members occupy the well for an entire day, Durga Mijhar said. Even if we’re dying for drinking water we are forced to keep distance from the well, she lamented. The worst is they have to face retribution for just getting too close to the well. Dalits should pay the fine in the form of utensils and other household objects to the non-Dalit families. Only recently, people from the Magar community beat up Ganesh Mijhar and Aitlal Mijhar for tainting the water by merely coming in the contact of the well. Since they belong to the lower caste we do not allow them to use the well when we are there, said Tej Kumari Ruwale Magar. Though caste-based discrimination was outlawed in the country some 47 years ago, Dalit families here still face discrimination. INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: zestcaste-dig...@yahoogroups.com zestcaste-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: zestcaste-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[ZESTCaste] Nepal: Magars ban dalits from using well
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_detailsnews_id=20722 Magars ban dalits from using well MITHILESH YADAV SIRAHA (DHARAMPUR), July 6: The Magar community in Chandrodayapur-4, Dharampur of Siraha has banned dalit families from using a public well. The dalits have lodged a formal complaint of untouchability against the Magars with support from the Crime Vigilance Center. Siraha district police chief Ramesh Bhattarai has assured that action has been initiated in the case. Representative of the center, Radheshyam Ram, said the Magars have stopped the Mijars from filling water for the last one month. The ban came following a dispute between the communities after two Mijar kids were thrashed for trying to drink water from the well when Magars were filling water. Local Tej Kumari Ruwa had thrashed five-year-olds Ashok and Subhash when they went to the well to drink water on their way home from school on June 9, according to Rishi Maya Mijar, a local. “When we went to drink water from the well, she thrashed us saying untouchables should not touch the well,” Ashok recalls. “Our kids are still terrified to go near the well since the incident,” Rishi Maya rues and adds, “We will have to leave the village if we are prevented from filling water from the only well in the village.” The four Mijar households in the village are having torrid time after the ban as they require more water to drink during the summer heat. “We don´t get water to drink even in such hot weather. The police administration also is not sensitive to our plight and has done nothing despite our complaints,” Kanchan, the mother of thrashed Mijar kid Ashok, says. The well dug by Siraha District Development Committee around 22 years ago is the only means of drinking water for 17 households, including 11 of Magars and two of Halwais, in the Ruwale Tole. The Magars, however, claim they have not banned Mijars from filling water. “We have let them use the well at other times. They cannot fill water with us as they are from a lower caste,” argues Tej Kumari, who thrashed the Mijar kids. Untouchability has been banned by the law since 1963. Published on 2010-07-06 19:42:51 INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: zestcaste-dig...@yahoogroups.com zestcaste-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: zestcaste-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[ZESTCaste] Maya’s cultural jaal (Maya’s cultural jaal)
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/op-ed/maya%E2%80%99s-cultural-jaal-707 Maya’s cultural jaal July 7th, 2010 By Kancha Ilaiah When the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati, changed her ideological position from Bahujan Samaj formulated by her mentor Kanshi Ram to Sarvajan Samaj there was elation among the upper caste intellectuals and sadness among the dalit-bahujan intellectuals. Delhi-based intellectuals, who usually hate Ms Mayawati, started praising her for her accommodative approach and for leaving behind the confrontational approach of Kanshi Ram. In fact, many were surprised how a militant anti-manuwadi woman leader could compromise with the Uttar Pradesh brahmins against whom she had been fighting so virulently. When she worked out a formula for roping the Uttar Pradesh brahmins into the fold of her votebank by repositioning her party’s slogan itself, from Bahujan Samaj to Sarvajan Samaj, several dalit-bahujan scholars thought that this would be the end of Ambedkarism in Uttar Pradesh, even north India. Kanshi Ram’s death had led to depression in the dalit-bahujan political circles of the nation. Kanshi Ram was an inspiring and uncompromising political and intellectual leader and Ms Mayawati was not seen as a leader in her own right then. I too was very sceptical of her abilities to lead the Bahujan Samaj Party in a manner that could help it survive — leave alone coming to power as it did later. Once she came to power there was also speculation that she would serve the brahminical interests — leaving Kanshi Ram’s legacy behind. However, it has now become evident that in the cultural realm she is simply dalitising the whole state. This was something unexpected. Not only are districts being renamed after dalit-bahujan icons, but the very ethos of Uttar Pradesh is undergoing a revolutionary change now. Ms Mayawati has built many monuments on the Navayana Buddhist theme (navayana is Pali for new vehicle). Navayana Buddhist refers to the idea that a Buddhist movement may represent a new yana. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: “I will accept and follow the teachings of Buddha. I will keep my people away from the different opinions of Hinyan and Mahayan, two religious orders. Our Bouddha Dhamma is a new Bouddha Dhamma, Navayan”. The Buddhist and Ambedkar parks that Ms Mayawati is building will inevitably reduce the spiritual significance of Ayodhya, Kashi-Benares, Mathura and so on. By renaming districts after Ambedkar, Phule, Sahuji Maharaj, Rama Bai (the illiterate first wife of Ambedkar), the dalit-bahujan icons of Maharashtra and the birthplace of Navayana Buddhism, she has changed Uttar Pradesh’s cultural atmosphere itself. Of course, Kanshi Ram and Ms Mayawati herself have been elevated as icons in the process. In Uttar Pradesh, they are not only names of districts but their statues are being worshipped in Ambedkar parks. Ms Mayawati’s decision to transform the cultural realm of Uttar Pradesh would certainly have all-India implications. I do not think that the brahmins of Uttar Pradesh are in a position to resist this transformation. She has put it on an irreversible course. The Congress cannot stall this course either. Wherever the Congress is in power, they have named institutions after Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. But they do not have any culturally transformative implications. Buddha, Ambedkar, Phule, Sahuji Maharaj, Periyar, Kanshi Ram and so on are not like that. They have serious anti-Hindu cultural implications. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) knows this but is not in a position to do anything because it burnt its hands in Ayodhya and Gujarat. Further, the BJP cannot say that these are anti-national icons. Likewise, the Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav cannot reverse or stop the trend because he has no alternative of his own to offer. His party is now competing for power for the sake of power, without constructing any socio-cultural agenda of its own. Its icons, Ram Manohar Lohia and Charan Singh, do not have much impact in the cultural realm, unlike Ambedkar. The fact is that unless icons are associated with alternative spiritual culture they do not create a following that lasts long. In the modern period only Ambedkar did that and Kanshi Ram brought that icon into unbelievable achievability. And Ms Mayawati’s dalit common sense captured that imagination very well. Even if the Congress, the SP or the BJP come to power they will not be able to dismantle the Ambedkar parks or rename the districts. Earlier, Ms Mayawati was in power only for six months each time — that too with the BJP’s support. But now she will be there for full five years and the chances of her getting re-elected are very high. If she is in power for 10 years, Uttar Pradesh’s cultural history will change beyond recognition. Not many know that Kanshi Ram had a vision of constructing the biggest Ambedkarite Buddha Vihara in Uttar Pradesh along with a massive international airport in
[ZESTCaste] Visiting Chennai on July 8-9 2010 contact:9603.127.474
Dear donors and friends, I will be visiting our projects in Chennai on 8th June 2010 on an unscheduled visit will be there on 9th. I will be meeting all our well-wishers there. Please send me the contacts numbers of any of our well-wishers interested to meet me or have a chit-chat. I will try to meet them in person if possible or just call them to say hello. I will be available at 9603 127 474. Please let me know the contacts, if any. With regards Benjamin -- An educated man without character and humility was more dangerous than a beast. If his education was detrimental to the welfare of poor, he was a curse to society. -Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar Please visit www.friendsforeducation.org or www.ambedkarscholarship.org
[ZESTCaste] 07/07/10-If Mayawati becomes PM, rising prices can be checked: BSP-Make Mayawati PM to bring down prices, says BSP-BSP protests against price rise in Allahabad-BSP holds Dharna and protest
07/07/10 If Mayawati becomes PM, rising prices can be checked: BSP-Make Mayawati PM to bring down prices, says BSP-BSP protests against price rise in Allahabad-BSP holds Dharna and protest against price rise-BSP stages protest in U.P. against fuel price hike Filed under: General Posted by: @ 8:22 am First14News First 14 wanted News Daily If Mayawati becomes PM, rising prices can be checked: BSP Posted by M Chakrabortyon Jul 06, 2010 Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) group leaders are confident enough to let know that if Maya is given the position of PM, she can only take effective steps to curb the rising prices at each of the 71 district headquarters across the state. The BSP showed their protest against the rising prices a day after Monday’s Bharat Bhandh called separately by the Left parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). State multi-portfolio minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui also claimed Mayawati is the only solution for sorting out all the ills faced by the nation. He said “While we urge the central government to roll back the prices of petrol and petroleum products, we must also resolve here today to herald Behen Mayawati as the country’s next Prime Minister, because she is the only leader who has the mettle to check and curb price rise. I am confident that with Mayawati at the helm of affairs, the nation would not find it difficult to tide over many crises facing us”. comment m.singh says: July 7, 2010 at 4:18 am bharat band or any other state band is not the solution to solve the problem.how can we think for strikes or the country band.the country’s already people already facing poverty and on top these political parties which do promises on the time of the votes that they’ll work for the aam aadmi.are they doing the favour to the aam aadmi by band.don’t know how they pass their time in this critical time.my friends find the better solution of the problem.i think behanji mayawati is the best solution .she got the capability to sort out the country’s problem. Prokerala.Com Make Mayawati PM to bring down prices, says BSP Lucknow, July 6 Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders Tuesday called on the people to help make party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati the prime minister, asserting that only she could bring down prices and tackle the other crises facing the country. BSP staged protests against rising prices at each of the 71 district headquarters across the state. Addressing a rally here to mark the BSP’s protest against the United Progressive Alliance government’s failure to contain rising prices, state multi-portfolio minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui claimed that Mayawati alone was the answer to all ills faced by the country. “While we urge the central government to roll back the prices of petrol and petroleum products, we must also resolve here today to herald Behen Mayawati as the country’s next prime minister, because she is the only leader who has the mettle to check and curb price rise,” he said. “I am confident that with Mayawati at the helm of affairs, the nation would not find it difficult to tide over many a crises facing us,” he claimed. While Siddiqui led the demonstration in Lucknow, other BSP ministers and prominent party leaders were detailed to lead similar demonstrations in their respective areas of influence. No violence was reported from any part of the state during the protest. Daily Times India India News and Analysis BSP protests against price rise in Allahabad July 6th, 2010 Allahabad, July 6 (ANI): Activists and supporters of the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) staged a rally in Allahabad on Tuesday to blame Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government for the steep price of essential commodities. The demonstrators held public meetings on the roadside and raised slogans against the Congress-led government at the Centre and criticised the economic policies of the government. Protestors also criticised the Centre’s failure to curb inflationary trends which are affecting the general public. The protest, however, remained peaceful. It didn’t cause any disruption to normal life. Some of the protestors acted like beggars to draw Centre’s attention to common’s man actual condition. ‘By begging, we wanted to show that most of the people in India are very poor. If the Central government suddenly raises price of petroleum products especially kerosene, the BPL (below poverty line) card holders or the people who are just above poverty line, will have no choice left other than begging,’ said Harsh Vardhan Vajypayee, a local leader of BSP, Allahabad. Reportedly, elsewhere in the state, senior party leaders and ministers attended the protest rallies in their respective constituencies. It may be recalled that recently, the government raised the price of petrol by rupees 3.73 and diesel by rupees 2 per litre. (ANI) Samachar Today A news portal about India BSP holds Dharna and protest against price rise BSP holds
[ZESTCaste] Boycott of Dalits raised in Council
http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/07/stories/2010070756420400.htm Karnataka - Bangalore Boycott of Dalits raised in Council Special Correspondent BANGALORE: The Legislative Council on Tuesday expressed concern over the alleged social boycott of Dalits in Ankanahalli village of Kootagal hobli in Ramanagaram district by “upper caste” people. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, R.V. Venkatesh (Congress) alleged that the Dalits had been facing boycott over the last fortnight. This was proof that untouchability was still prevalent in society, he said. . Leader of the Opposition Motamma expressed shock over such boycotts and demanded that the Government should immediately act against it. Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy joined the members in condemning the incident and described it as a “serious issue”. He said he would allow a separate discussion on the issue in a bid to send a strong message against such inhuman practices. Teachers' salaries Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri assured the Legislative Council that the Government would soon provide salaries to teachers of aided private schools whose grants had been stopped by the Government for the last 10 months in the wake of the austerity measures enforced as a fallout of the flood havoc in the northern districts. INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: zestcaste-dig...@yahoogroups.com zestcaste-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: zestcaste-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[ZESTCaste] Mayawati takes oath as member of UP Legislative Council
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mayawati-takes-oath-as-member-of-UP-Legislative-Council/Article1-568725.aspx Mayawati takes oath as member of UP Legislative Council Press Trust Of India Lucknow, July 07, 2010First Published: 13:35 IST(7/7/2010) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday took oath as member of the state Legislative Council after being elected for the second consecutive term. Chairman of the Council Ganmesh Shanker Pandey administered the oath to Mayawati at Tilak Hall of Vidhan Bhawan. Ten other newly elected members, including Athar Khan, Rishipal, Ram Kumar Kreel, Lalchand, Veerendra Kumar, Satish Chand and Subodh Kumar, all BSP, Yashwant Singh of SP, BJP's Hriday Narain Dixit and Naseeb Pathan Congress also took the oath. Two more newly elected members Balram Yadav and Ramsunder were not present on the occasion. Thirteen members were elected to the Upper House on June 3 for seats which fell vacant on Tuesday.
