Khamost Dastan - D. D. Kalyani

 

The work of cleaning and sweeping is present in all countries, even in countries where science has reached to its peak. But, there is not a single country, except India, in the world where such work is done by a special class/caste of people or community. It has also not seen a human being lifting the excreta has been given ugly treatment. But, all this happens in India only where human right does not play any role. High class society, peoples spreading dirty environment in surrounding are worshiped. On contrary the peoples from the lower class get treatment against the human right. The reason for this inequality is varna vyavastha (Varna System) the base of which is Brahmin dharma shastras, in which the people doing this work of cleaning and sweeping are treated as lower class community. They are also categorised as Chudha, Kotana, Hela, Makhiyar, Dumar, Mahar, Mang, Madiga, Dhanuk, Rawat, Valmiki, Lalbegi, Massali, Mehetar, Halalkhor and Khakrob etc. An effort has been made to reach the sentimental story “Khamosh Dastan” of this caste to everyone in Mulnivasi bahujan through the media of exhibition. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar said, “Make the Slaves aware of their slavery, One day they will revolt against it." (Gulam ko Gulami ka Ehasas karava do toh, wo Bagavat kar dega). In 1945-46, during the discussion on freedom, Sir Stafford Crips asked a question to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,“ Was it that, all your anchestors were always doing the work of Bhangi, Khansama, Nai, Dhobi?”. The quick answer from him was “No”, and he said, they were the administrators of India. The basic aim of this exhibtion was to make aware the slaves(Gulam) of their Slavery, as the People from Mulnivasi Valmiki caste never fears about the death but they fears about to change themselves. Was it not true that on the ground of battle they saved the lives of their emperor without any fear of their lives? In 1857 at Lucknow residency, they saved the life of English females and children's. They also helped monetarily to children's of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Jaffar. A human being, who helped the ninth Guru of Sikh Community, Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Singh to escape out from Aurangjeb’s prison was from Bhangi community. He made works for others. Nothing has been done to improve his living status/conditions. Devotion has been done for others, hands has been made strong of exploiter’s, a money has been earned and deposited for Brahmin’s and Bania’s, worship has been done for other’s prosperity. But, they never think of their own development/prosperity.  With these thing in mind, a sweeper community from Punjab and Himachal state together with politicians, literate youths and few municipal corporation officers has made a conclusion that, they have to make all effort themselves for their growth and prosperity. Enemies can only kill them but not help them for their improvement. For inauguration of this exhibition a written request was made to National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, so that they shall also know how the rights are not still privileged. But, it is sad to say that, none of the officer from this commission has given his consent to attend the exhibition. Not only this they communicated in written that due to busy schedule of their officers they cannot attend the exhibition.

            The commission, which cannot find the time to attend the exhibition, how can they provide us the human rights? That is why, we have decided on our own to let the Mulnivasi bahujan shall know about the Slavery, so that they can develop thinking to became good administrator. It is necessary to be thankful to them who have helped in the project of “Khamosh Dastan”. The aim of Khamosh Dastan is not to keep the silent but story can speak out and we are trying in that direction.