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Thanking Hon. Irene Culas, Chairperson, Voice of Dalit International(VODI) and the delegates attending the conference, Mr. Waman Meshram said that he strongly disagree with the use of terminology “Dalit”, though some of our friends use it with pride. Even Dr. Ambedkar never used this term. But there followers are. Dr.Ambedkar used the term “Bahiskrit” in Hindi and “Depressed” in English. Therefore he used the terminology “Achhut”, “Ashprushya” in Hindi and “Untouchables” in English. The term scheduled caste was used in the constitution. Not only that he formed an organisation with the name “Scheduled Caste Federation”. On the contrary Jag Jivan Ram formed an organisation with the name, “Dalit Varga Sangh”. As Jag Jivan Ram was the follower of Gandhiji, he use the Dalit term and its popularity is associated with the rise of Dalit Panther and Dalit Sahitya (Literature). There must be a strong and definite reason behind, for not using these terms by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. |
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Further Mr. Waman Meshram told that there is a history of struggle for the rights and development of scheduled caste which started with the advent of Rashtrapita Phule in Modern India. Further the struggle was carried over by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar used to tell, “The people who strive for their development should know their history first”. The people who do not know their history, can’t decide their future course of action. Hence one should be aware with the history of development of this depressed class. |
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British parliament passed first govt. of India Act, 1919 on the recommendation of South Bureau Commission to which Dr. Ambedkar submitted a memorandum and raised the issue of right to vote and adequate representation. After this British Govt. constituted “Simon Commission” in the year 1928 and send to India to review the provisions. Simon Commission promised to consider the demands of the rights of this class sympathetically. Gandhiji immediately sensed that untouchables shall have their share in independent India, which can destabilise the supremacy of arya brahmins. Gandhiji and his congress immediately gave a call of “Simon go Back” and Lathi Charge was carried out under the leadership of Lala Lajpat Rai. |
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Due to controversy created over Simon commission, Britishers were in dilemma to find out a solution to the discontent of the Indian masses. To resolve this issue they decided to convey a round table conference at London. Gandhiji declined to attend the first Round Table Conference. Many leaders alongwith Dr.Ambedkar attended the conference. Since there were prolonged deliberations in the conference, second Round Table Conference was organised to take the decision. Immediately a bell rang in the neck of Gandhiji and he rush to London to attend the conference, though he was not called for the conference. Gandhiji tried his level best and ensured that no decision is arrived at the conference. Dr.Ambedkar placed three demands in the conference. (1) Right to adequate representation (2) Separate electorate and (3) Adult franchise. Gandhiji opposed to all and no decision could be arrived at the conference. Prime Minister Ramsay McDonald proposed Indian Delegates to constitute a tribunal under the chairmanship of King Pancham George to resolve the problems. |
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King Pancham George declared Communal Award on 14th August 1932 and all the demands of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar were accepted. Not only this, but dual vote to untouchables was conceded and they were empowered to vote and elect their own representative and also to vote and elect High Caste representative. Again Gandhiji sensed the danger to aryan supremacy and immediately declared fast unto death in Yerwada Jail, Pune (Maharashtra State). Gandhiji and his congress threaten to burn hutment’s and localities of untouchables for whom Babasaheb secured the rights. Dr. Ambedkar was compelled to rethink that there is no use of the rights if the people for whom he had secured the rights are burnt and are no more to enjoy them. This was the deadliest weapon Gandhiji used against the untouchables. Finally the discussions resulted into an agreement known as "Poona Pact" in the history. With this agreement in the immediate election, Gandhiji and his congress got their stooges from untouchables elected through joint electorate. On the contrary Babasaheb wanted to get genuine representatives from the untouchables. With the right of separate electorate and dual voting power, the untouchables would have been liberated from age old slavery and would have emerged a powerful rulling class. But due to conspirical attempt of Gandhiji, Poona Pact became a document of slavery of untouchables. |
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In absence of Poona Pact, the seats in the Parliament would have been reserved in proportion to their population and their would have been a double voting right to untouchables. If this is so, then Dr. Ambedkar would have been the leader of opposition in independent India, because under that system 22.5% representative would have been elected from scheduled caste and scheduled tribes. Backward class and converted minority would have also rallied around him, had Dr. Ambedkar raised their issue in the parliament. This would have resulted to make 85% SC/ST/OBC and minorities, the Rulers of India. This would have been happened by 1965 i.e within three general elections and we would have been liberated from age old slavery. If we are not, then Poona Pact and Gandhiji are solely responsible for this. On the other hand higher caste would have depend on bahujan mass and to seek indigenous vote the high caste themselves would have ensured an end to the slavery. |
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Poona Pact created stooges in the society. It also put an end to the rights and development of scheduled castes. Due to loss of right to dual voting, the slavery of untouchability is still perpetuating. Constitution of India had removed untouchability and liberated untouchables, but in practice, mere word untouchable is removed and slavery of untouchables is still existing. |
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Before living India, Britishers made one condition of making representative constitution of independence India. Gandhiji and his congress made every effort to ensure that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar does not get elect to the constituent assembly. It was the Namo Shudras and Muslim league of Bengal who got him elected to the constituent assembly. Due to pressure from Britishers, the congress was compelled to make Dr.Ambedkar, the chairman of the drafting committee. Dr. Ambedkar used this opportunity to ensure rights of SC/ST/OBC and minorities. Today although the rights are provided in the constitution for the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, but nobody is ready to implement these rights. |
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In today's context our problem is the non-implementation of the constitution. If the constitution is got implemented it is possible to achieve social and economic justice in a peaceful manner. But the point is, who will get it implemented? Can we trust the people who had conspiricaly not implemented the constitution for the last 54 years rather sabotaged it. Can we expect to get it implemented through the stooges which had been created due to Poona Pact.? Can we expect the Judiciary to do it? Then who will implement the constituent? BAMCEF had come to a conclusion that if the constitutional right requires an implementation, then it will require a nationwide struggle. |
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The population of SC is 15% and that of ST is 7.5%. Hence they are in the minority. Also at social and religious level they are untouchable and dependant on economic front. Under these circumstances it is not possible to built a national struggle only by organising SC/ST mass. Therefore BAMCEF had decided to broaden the struggle by taking other depressed class of the society. While finding out on the ideological base untouchables are not only the victims of the Varna Vyavastha or caste system but the vast majority of backward class is also the victim of Brahminical social order. This vast majority includes most backward caste, other backward class and converted minorities (Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim). Keeping this in mind BAMCEF has decided to awaken all these communities and taken steps in that direction right from 1978. To give justice to this work BAMCEF had chalked out its own plan. |
1. To built a organisational network in 580 districts, 5000 tahsils, 50,000 blocks and 6 lakh villages of India. We could build the network in 110 districts in 1999, 199 districts in 2000 at the time of 17th National Convention in Lucknow. This year, the national convention have been organised in Delhi and hope to achieve participation of 300 districts. We will be able to establish this network in 550 districts by 2004.
To do justice to the unfolded plan, we shall be releasing 10,000 full time Pracharaks. At present we have 27 full time Pracharaks. We shall need Rs. 2 crores for their maintenance and shall be in a position to generate resources of 5 crores by 2004. The second phase of networking shall start in Jan. 2005 and shall continue till 2009. By this time we shall have 18 lakh workers intimately connected with one crore people. If 1 crore people can collect 1 crore rupees in a day we shall be able to generate 365 crores every year.
2. We are trying our best to establish publicity media of our own which includes
(a) Electronic Media
(b) Print Media
(c) Traditional Media
(d) Vocal Media.
With the help of above, we shall be able to establish the media through our network. We shall use our own time, talent and money to establish publicity media. This way we shall be able to build national struggle. |
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