Makhdumpur is a village in Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi district. Adjoining
it is a cluster of huts inhabited by people of the Nat caste, one of the
lowest among Dalits. Congress party general secretary Rahul Gandhi
visited a hut in the settlement just before the recent State Assembly
elections. He spent some time inside the hut, interacted with the
residents, shared a meal with them and then went on his way. After the
victory of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the elevation of Akhilesh Yadav
as Chief Minister, the hut was vandalised and burnt down by a mob
claiming its affiliation to the Yadav caste. Though the act was a grave
offence against Dalits, neither Mr. Gandhi nor Bahujan Samajwadi Party
(BSP) leader and former Chief Minister Ms Mayawati condemned it. In
fact, atrocities against poor and vulnerable Dalits by powerful middle
castes and supporters of the SP have been on the rise in the State but
there have hardly been any protests by political parties.
Mainstream intellectuals and the media too have not reacted to the
Makhdumpur violence. However, since the incident, some protestors have
been holding meetings in Allahabad, Bhadohi and Varanasi highlighting
instances of escalating violence against Dalits and also exchanging
booklets on the issue.
Insights into issues
So, who are these protestors? They are Dalit intellectuals who write
popular booklets on Dalit issues, which they self-publish. These
publications are sold in large numbers in fairs organised in honour of
Dalit heroes. They are also stocked by Dalit Chetna Mandaps —
small bookshops catering exclusively to Dalits. From these outlets, the
booklets (which are printed on cheap newsprint and cost between 50 paise
and Rs.20) reach political rallies organised by the BSP. The literature
can be easily tucked in the waistbands of dhotis worn by Dalit rickshawpullers or menial workers.
The authors of these booklets usually live in the provincial towns of
Balia, Ghazipur, Etawa, Allahabad, Bahraich, Gonda, Aligarh and Hathras.
Most of these authors are not well-educated and teach in local schools
in these towns. Some of them are also BSP activists. Although most of
them belong to the Dalit castes, some are also from the OBC social
group.
Interestingly, the booklets do not feature the biographies of celebrated
Dalit icons. Instead they offer social critiques against Brahminism,
caste histories, narratives of struggles of Dalits, and so on. Some of
them also publish songs and poems written by Dalit poets like A.R. Akela
from Aligarh. Published from towns, the books are affordable and have
found a new readership among Dalits who find them educative, addressing
their sense of identity and nurturing their desire to read. However, the
very reasons that attract Dalit readers to the books also offend the
upper castes who feel insulted by the criticisms. At times they even
lodge complaints against the authors who end up facing police and legal
actions.
The authors don't just write in a different style from Dalit authors
living in Delhi. The subjects they deal with are those that directly
affect Dalits living in villages and small towns. Exploitation,
oppression and land issues are the most commonly discussed topics, and
the authors even organise agitations, demonstrations and protests around
these subjects.
Some of them also bring out newspapers and newsletters for Dalits. One
such popular writer, Dev Kumar, who lives in Duari village in Kanpur,
led a demonstration against the acquisition of land belonging to Dalits.
While Dev Kumar is fighting for the liberation of the Balmiki caste of
Kanpur, Guru Prasad Madan, a lawyer living in Ajuha village close to
Allahabad is a prominent figure who is fighting against the exploitation
and oppression of Dalits in his region.
In the mould of Antonio Gramsci's “Organic Intellectuals,” the authors
are playing the role of agents of change in the lives of Dalits. Though
they have played a strong role in strengthening the BSP in U.P., hardly
any was granted recognition either with positions or with awards during
the BSP regime.
Today when everyone is silent on the issue of the rise in the incidents
of violence and crime against Dalits in U.P., at least the popular
writers are registering their protest, even if they are like the
flickering lights of candles in the darkness.
(The writer teaches at the Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute in Jhusi, Allahabad, and is an analyst of Dalit issues.)Source
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