http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_dalit-finds-dalit-untouchable-moves-court-to-drop-the-term_1324507
Daily News & Analysis Thursday, December 17, 2009 2:14:00 AM Dalit finds ‘Dalit’ untouchable, moves court to drop the term Deepak Gidwani / DNA A social activist and former MLA wants the term Dalit dropped from all government communication. Kaushal Kishore has filed a public interest litigation in this regard in the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court. “The use of the word Dalit to describe Scheduled Castes (SCs) is derogatory and demeaning. It doesn’t find mention anywhere in the Constitution,” he says. Even the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) issued a circular last year disallowing use of ‘Dalit’ in government communication, he said. But his action has opened a Pandora’s Box in a state ruled by a Dalit chief minister, and where SCs hold a decisive vote (over 22%). “The term Dalit is not interchangeable with SC,” said advocate Hari Shankar Jain, who argued the case in high court on Tuesday. “The Constitution clearly defines SCs. Using ‘Dalit’ to refer to them is a kind of abuse, it degrades them and indicates that they are suppressed… it conveys a sense of untouchability.” He said it violates Article 17 of the Constitution, which prohibits untouchability, and Article 21, which guarantees dignity. However, noted Dalit activist and writer Chandrabhan Prasad differs. “The term ‘Dalit’ is a progressive way of identitying SCs as defined in the Constitution. It is an indicator of pride and assertiveness,” he said. “Mayawati calls herself ‘Dalit ki beti’… in the US, African-Americans prefer to be called Blacks. It is an assertive identity… ‘black is beautiful’ is a slogan they have coined themselves,” he said. “Perhaps, there is a section of people which is hurt as it can’t see Dalits asserting their own identity.” Sociologist and writer Gail Omvedt was quoted saying: “The term Dalit is not in the Constitution but that does not make it unconstitutional. It’s a widely used word, which has acquired acceptability.” The HC has sent notices to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and the central and state governments asking them to file their stand. The case would be heard in the third week of January. ------------------------------------ ---- 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 [email protected], 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 [email protected] TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to [email protected] 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: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
