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A few days ago our finance minister and the legal brain of the current government Mr Arun Jaitley... more A few days ago our finance minister and the legal brain of the current government Mr Arun Jaitley spoke in a conference and said that ‘you can not ban anything in the current age of information'.…

www.countercurrents.org, 2019

Who is champion of non violence in peace in India. Can peace happen without social justice and un... more Who is champion of non violence in peace in India. Can peace happen without social justice and undoing historical wrong. Can there be non violence when our philosophical guide book preach violence and discrimination. Can non violence be status quoists too. Based on his life work, Dr Ambedkar can be termed as the most influential non violent philosopher and guide in 20th and 21st century.

Santosh Dass is an Equality campaigner, a human rights defender and President of Federation of Am... more Santosh Dass is an Equality campaigner, a human rights defender and President of Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations ( FABO) UK and Vice Chair, Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance in UK. This article is based on a conversation with her on a wide ranging issues related to Dalits, caste discrimination, gender violence in India and UK. Excer[pts of the interview already published by The Wire.

A new chief minister has sworn in Tripura. Obviously, BJP also played the same politics by select... more A new chief minister has sworn in Tripura. Obviously, BJP also played the same politics by selecting the Bengali immigrant as chief minister of the state as the CPM has been doing. In the din of despicable and condemnable attack on Lenin's statue, the larger issues that these results have thrown have been ignored deliberately. Normally, the elections in the North East have never been that publicized in the so-called national media as these times because it gives them to campaign further for 'their' party. Like the leader, the media today is in the campaign mode 24x7 and perhaps the aim is to ensure power to their party and wipe out the entire opposition. Though the results from North East were not unexpected given the resentment of the indigenous people in the region and how the Sangh Parivar played to the contradictions largely unresolved by the ruling party. What disturbed me this time observing various website and video posts that none of the channels were bothered about other states once the things were clear for Tripura? It was really difficult to find out what was the status in other state as the PR agencies went overboard on Tripura. They relished the defeat of the left parties in Tripura. The honest man got defeated and BJP's shameless loudmouth in the north east suggested that he should leave Tripura and take shelter elsewhere. If the defeat of an individual means that he should leave the country then it is not a great omen for democracy.

Nepal's Dalit issues have been never addressed in true spirit. The radical parties who believe in... more Nepal's Dalit issues have been never addressed in true spirit. The radical parties who believe in revolution do not speak against brahmanism the root cause of the caste subjugation. With in the Dalit movement, the issues of the Madhesi Dalits is on the margin. Difficult that Nepal's Dalit movement did not take in to account of issues of most untouchable communities like Doms, Mehtars, Chamars, Badis etc. This presentation is an attempt to understand Nepal's Dalit issues.

S. Chandramohan's poetry reflects the brilliance of his thought process and the rebel inside him.... more S. Chandramohan's poetry reflects the brilliance of his thought process and the rebel inside him. The seer diversity and variety of issues that he has taken up shows his concern for human values that transcends the boundaries of nation state, caste, class, gender and religion. In true sense only a humanist could do so. I had the privilege of close association with legendary Mulk Raj Anand, whose first novel 'Untouchable' with an introduction from E M Forster created ripples internationally and exposed the hidden caste hatred including the issue of manual scavenging prevalent in our society, even when I was just a village boy from Uttarakhand as he would pronounce, where I was fortunate to have met many laureate of Indian writings who took up the issue of the marginalized but very few coming from the communities. During the Mandal's war in 1990, we saw English language media was used as a tool to spread hatred against the Dalits and marginalized. They were mocked and there were absolutely negligible numbers of writers who could pose a counter cultural question to the brahmanically corrupted intellectual elite which looked secular in their mask yet uncomfortable to the core question of social justice but in the Mandal two, we saw the Dalit OBC students were writing their own blogs, had learnt to use social media strongly and numerous websites and journals emerged to counter the 'merit' propaganda unleashed by the 'devotees' of corporate culture in India who never ever saw 'wrong' in the corrupt practices by these in educational institutions in the name of 'donation'. In the following ten years after Mandal, we saw counter narratives taking bigger shapes. Alternative media grew with web portals like " countercurrents.org " providing space to the forces struggling against all forms of exploitation including brahmanical cultural subjugation and capitalist onslaught on socialism and state's accountability. Magazines like 'Forward Press' energized debates on Bahujan literature and enlightened us with stunning Bahujan cultural discourse with number of emerging young writers. With growing new young writers challenging the popular brahmanical discourse the contempt and assault on them is also visible throughout the country. But, the Rohith Vemulas in our universities have refused to play Eklavya today and therefore consciously proving that Ambedkarism and legacy of Dalit Bahujan consciousness, which refused to be part of brahmanical structure has finally arrived.

The student unrest in India has thrown several important issue and that a new political alliance ... more The student unrest in India has thrown several important issue and that a new political alliance of secular forces which includes e Dalits, Muslims, Aadivasis, OBCs and other left progressive forces could pose a serious challenge to the Brahmanical Hindutva in long term. There are important lessons to be learnt from these episode but the most important is for those who understand the current threat of communal fascists looming large on the nation.

All the official secret files must be disclosed after certain period of time as it would help his... more All the official secret files must be disclosed after certain period of time as it would help historians and political scientists to understand the important period of history and what and why government took a decision. There are lots of myth around Netaji. There are people who want to continue with this myths for their ulterior political goals without discussing his ideologies as well as grave mistakes that he made. It is important to do a fair analysis.

There has been lot of discussion about growing 'intolerance' It is true that the Hindutva right w... more There has been lot of discussion about growing 'intolerance' It is true that the Hindutva right wingers never had so much of liberty to abuse any one as they have now but if we keep that factor aside, intolerance is a small word as Arundhati Roy suggested to what and how we have been humiliating, intimidating and finally killing people brutally. Right from our mythological texts to independent India's history we have celebrations of killings and yet every time some thing happen and we start saying it was not so in the past. We need to explore our past which need not to be golden and glorified. The day we understand this, our children may be much more tolerant and respectful to dissent.

Secularism is being defined at different places through different ways. Sangh Parivar has no love... more Secularism is being defined at different places through different ways. Sangh Parivar has no love for secularism. It decries. Over the past few years it has been working on a strategy using those voices who are victimised in their own religion to justify their positions. We have seen many Muslim intellectuals who have been fighting against Jehadis and Muslim fundamentalism have found their heaven in Sangh Parivar. Secular Muslims will have to fight along with secular Hindus or secular people. Siding with one kind of fundamentalists to justify your own position is dangerous and will not take us anywhere.

Bihar's election results have again shown the importance of social justice and its effective usag... more Bihar's election results have again shown the importance of social justice and its effective usage can counter the communal agenda unleashed by the hate monger. That rural poor do not suffer from communal virus even when some time he or she may become victim of the distortion and propaganda war but it proves that effective communicator and explanation about the issues can make people understand the issues. It also reflect that politicians must stop thinking people foolish using media for their own purposes. People will not react to your hate propaganda and know better as who could be a better choice for them.

On August 8th, 2015 about 150 Dalits from Bhagana village of Harayana embraced Islam as a mark of... more On August 8th, 2015 about 150 Dalits from Bhagana village of Harayana embraced Islam as a mark of protest when every democratic methods failed to get justice. The Dalits have been sitting on a Dharana for over three years against attempt to evict them from the village by the powerful Jats and the rapes and abduction of three young girls of the community by the Jats. They approached political leaders, met ministers, went to autonomous commissions yet never got a satisfying answer. The question need to asked is why did they take this step and can this step help them further or isolate them further. I have seen closely the entire movement and sharing my understanding of the issue.

Acceptance of Mandal Commission Report on August 7th, 1990 was a historical decision of the then ... more Acceptance of Mandal Commission Report on August 7th, 1990 was a historical decision of the then Prime Minister VP Singh and his government. It shook the earth in India as the caste Hindus launched one of the biggest campaign of slander and acrimony against the government in particular and Dalit-OBCs in general. A strong government did not dither though ultimately fell to the manipulating tactics of some of the over ambitious leaders and constant support of the opposition Congress Party. It is important to remember those heady days and learn a few lessons from Mandal report which can open ways to develop closure dies between the OBCs and Dalits aadivasis and minorities, Mandal's first battle was fought more by the Dalits and not really by the OBCs and it provided a great political understanding. Alas, it had remained there. We would have seen a new India. Sad, the caste forces are playing their own games and differences between different communities are being 'develop' further to strengthen the kamandal forces. Mandal is the need of the hour and all forces who support it need to understand its importance.

Yakub Memon is executed yesterday morning. He did not confess to his crime though his complicity ... more Yakub Memon is executed yesterday morning. He did not confess to his crime though his complicity was established in the court of law yet somewhere a feeling of betrayal exist after the revelation in the article written by B Raman. My note here is on the way one community is being hounded and targeted through slanderous media campaign does not bode well for the country. Secondly, death penalty will not serve any purpose. The most civilised world does not have death penalty and all those countries where execution is highest have not become heaven for people to live. In India most of those who have been condemned in the prison belong to either minorities or Dalits and aadivasis. There is a growing feeling that law is being used to suppress their dissent and issues of identities. India need to think on these various issues with an open mind so that we build a better society.

Ambedkar is the philosopher of 21st century. He is the emancipator and liberator of millions and ... more Ambedkar is the philosopher of 21st century. He is the emancipator and liberator of millions and hence those who are opposed to him in person are trying to appropriate him. Many are projecting him as icon of capitalism or freemarket while Hindutva want him as if he championed their cause. One has to be careful with such distortion.

There are two pieces here. One is the history of Sangh Parivar to create troubles with beef eatin... more There are two pieces here. One is the history of Sangh Parivar to create troubles with beef eating and its political significance for mobilisation of people against Muslims. In the second part, I have tried to explain how beef's export business is going to emerge stronger after the ban as common man would be denied its chief healthy product while exporter will enjoy it. The beef export in the past one year has increased to 11%. It is a Rs 30,000 crore industry and the owners include Marwaris and Jains too. Will the government act against their business interests ?

Doms are the most marginalised and isolated community among the Dalits in India. Varanasi is famo... more Doms are the most marginalised and isolated community among the Dalits in India. Varanasi is famous for its Ghat and one of them where the Doms burns the dead bodies. Doms had been traditionally engaged in picking up and cremating dead bodies but that apart they are also engaged in cleaning human excreta manually. They are still out of civilisation and thoroughly isolated and ostracised. It is time when we seriously make our policies and planning as per communities and reach them. Varanasi Municiple Corporation claim there is no manual scavenging in the city but we have proof of it. We ask the government, what has it done to honorably rehabilitate those who are engaged in Manual scavenging.

www.countercurrents.org, 2019

People's Literature Publications, 2017

Those of us who wish to understand dynamics of African American struggle in United States as well... more Those of us who wish to understand dynamics of African American struggle in United States as well as their understanding about Dalit movement in India, about Martin Luther King and his so-called 'appreciation' of Gandhi, I am sure reading this entire conversation will provide you these details and ideas. Part of my book "Contesting Marginalisation : Conversations on Ambedkarism and Social Justice' , published by People's Literature Publications. Those of you who wish to read other such conversations with eminent Amvedkarites might write to Vivek Sakpal for the details.

Prof Kevin Brown teach law in the Indiana University and fascinated by Dr Ambedkar's struggle in India. He regularly visits India and converse with Ambedkarites regularly. Sharing my interview with Prof Kevin Brown. Its quite long but hope it will be of some use for your understanding.

, 1962 is a well decorated poet, born in Samblpur Town and grew up in paternal hamlet on the bank... more , 1962 is a well decorated poet, born in Samblpur Town and grew up in paternal hamlet on the bank of Hirakud Dam Reservoir, Bichchedgarh in Jharsuguda Dist. in Orissa. His father late Moulana Mustakim Khan Gountia was an eminent local amateur vocalist, instrumental music artist, astrologist and mother Late Jubeida Bai a housewife. He has so far more than forty books both in Oria and Hindi to his credit. His works have been translated into many national languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu and foreign languages such as English, Russian, German, French. He has received numerous national and international awards for his poetry and has also been felicitated by many cultural and literary organisations all over the country. Mr Kumar Hasan has been associated with left democratic movement in Odisha. A journalist by profession while a poet activist by heart, he was in various movements and wrote extensively against the exploitation of Odisha's natural resources by the various government who sold them to corporate. We are sharing this important conversation of Mr Kumar Hassan with Mr Vidya Bhushan Rawat who met him Odisha during his visit and followed it up further through email.

Upper caste Hindus and Jat Sikhs did every effort to defeat me in my election to Wolverhampton Co... more Upper caste Hindus and Jat Sikhs did every effort to defeat me in my election to Wolverhampton Council : Bishan Dass Bains, former Mayor Wolverhampton Bishan Dass Bains is the first South Asian Mayor of Wolverhampton in United Kingdom elected at Labour Party ticket in November 1985. A staunch Ambedkarite Bains Saheb migrated to England in 1963 in search of a livelihood as well as to pursue further education. His life journey is that of struggle and determination. As an Ambedkarite he participated in various movement under the Republican Party of Great Britain too in the beginning but slowly he realised that he would serve his people better under the mainstream political parties in UK and Labour came as a natural choice for him as it was the party with socialist principles, supporting migrants as well as people who faced different kinds of discrimination. Bains succeeded in giving a new dynamics to his Mayoral position. He refused to follow the traditional way of the inauguration which was the domain of local church. Instead, he organised a local civil reception. His book " Pride vs Prejudice " reflect the discrimination that he faced on the caste basis and explain in details as how the Jat Sikhs and caste Hindus did their best to defeat him in elections. This important conversation reveals how the caste minds have crossed overseas too and infected everyone there. Bains Saheb is not in active politics but Wolverhampton does not leave him and has been provided with the title " Alderman " which is confirmed by the city council. He is active in strengthening Ambedkarite Buddhist movement in UK and India. Here is Bishan Dass Bains in conversation with Vidya Bhushan Rawat. BDB: I was born and brought up in a small remote village Shaffipur, in northern state of Punjab India. The village had no shop, school, no health provisions and no community facility or religious place for people to get to gather. The education was not an important part of their life. Consequently, 99% habitants were backward, illiterate, orthodox and superstitious. The village was epitomized thousands of villages in India where people were and still destined to born in poverty, live in poverty and died in poverty. I was second of my parent " s ten children. After going through a great deal of hardship in my early life, walking five miles to primary and high schools and traveling twenty miles to my college, I completed my graduation in 1963. The caste prejudice was wide open at every level of life as such upper caste Jat Sikhs will not socially mix or dine to gather with SC,OBC and at school some of the teacher will not eat anything touched by children from lower castes. I remember, in 1959 organising two months strike against caste prejudice at school. I was the first person from my village to educate to a degree level and it was a matter of pride for the whole family. They were not very happy about my idea of going abroad but reluctantly agreed to support me.

In Conversation with Bhanwar Meghwanshi BSP is the only alternative at the moment to defeat the f... more In Conversation with Bhanwar Meghwanshi BSP is the only alternative at the moment to defeat the forces of Hindutva in Uttar Pradesh : Bhanwar Meghwanshi. Bhanwar Meghwanshi is an incisive and forthright contemporary voice of the progressive Dalit movement in Rajasthan. He has untiringly participated in campaigns and movements across the country, creating awareness on communalism, casteism, gender violence, globalisation, displacement and so on. Born on February 25, 1975 in village Siridiyas in Bhilwara district into a Dalit weaver family, Meghwanshi was indoctrinated at the fragile age of 13, by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), with whom he spent five active years. He was made the head teacher (mukhya shikshak) of his village's 'shakha' (camp) of the Sangh, and later on, its district office head. He was part of the first 'kar seva' that set out to demolish the Babri Masjid, but was arrested before reaching Ayodhya and spent 10 days in the Agra jail. Thereafter, a certain incident completely shattered his faith in the RSS, making him realise their extreme, anti-Dalit stance. He severed ties with them, openly taking a stance against them. After leaving the RSS, Meghwanshi worked full-time on communal harmony, brotherhood and peace, which he continues to, till date. He was vociferous in his writings against the Gujarat carnage of 2002, and took part in the documentation and report writing with members of the Concerned Citizens' Tribunal formed for the Gujarat victims. He also published the magazine Diamond India between 2002 and 2012, which lent voice to struggles against communalism and casteism. He broke many stereotypes and myths regarding minority communities, uncovering truths. Bhanwar Meghawanshi speaks out his heart in this candid conversation with Vidya Bhushan Rawat. VB: What is the biggest challenge before the Dalit movement at the moment? BM: There are many; both external and within. It is really worrisome the way communal forces have coopted the movement. Today, a large section of Dalit leadership is getting trapped by Sangh Parivar with their lips sealed due to lure of power. Dalit representatives no longer speak about Dalits. Bureaucracy and those occupying seats of power are busy repressing Dalit voices. And the Sangh agenda is that to either take them together but if they don't join hand then trap them false cases. Hence we are witnessing the repression of Dalits more vigorously. The Dalit movement is also losing some of its innate fervor. It appears befuddled, and many a time, seems to lack clarity about whom it is standing with. It is unable to discern between friends and foes. Dalals who have sprung within the community have distorted the fundamental spirit of the movement. Most of the Dalit leaders are in the twilight of their careers. The challenges are new but their methods are old. The new generation Dalits want something different, but a direction seems to elude them. And then, there are internal conflicts. The caste 'layers' amongst Dalits themselves threaten to be tainted with the same brush of casteism. Many Dalit castes are so busy buttressing their own identities; they have completely turned away from the work of annihilating caste. The firming up of caste identities

Adijan history and culture are filled with inclusion, resilience, primacy of women and nonviolenc... more Adijan history and culture are filled with inclusion, resilience, primacy of women and nonviolence : M C Raj M C Raj is acclaimed social reformer in Karnataka. With many national initiatives to his credit he has been spearheading impactful work for the development of Dalits whom he calls Adijans through the Adijan Panchayat Movement, for global warming mitigation through a CDM Gold Standard project, and a major national campaign for Proportional Representation system in India. M C Raj is an intellectual who has been inspiring many people not only with his new social vision but also with his innovative approaches of social engagement. A prolific writer, Raj has written many books, fictions, theoretical and ideological positioning of the aadijans. In this conversation, he explains his views on Dalit cultural identity issues and the future of the Aadjians. Raj is well read and has his own perceptions about many things and in this candid conversation he has spoken without keeping them in his heart. Hope this conversation will raise the debate on caste identities and culture in a positive way.

A fascinating narrative of Ambedkarite movement in United Kingdom by our friend Mr Arun Kumar, Ge... more A fascinating narrative of Ambedkarite movement in United Kingdom by our friend Mr Arun Kumar, General Secretary, Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisation UK and Ambedkar Mission, Bedford. Each of these friends who migrated to UK after facing caste discrimination in India has a story to tell and need to be recorded. In this conversation with me Mr Arun Kumar provide detailed answers to the growth of the movement, the discrimination he faced back home in Punjab and how Ambedkarites in UK tried to build up an international movement of enlightened people. Their combine strength in UK compelled the government to bring equality law and caste discrimination was made unlawful. A right wing government now is not keen to fulfill the promises it made in Parliament but the mission continues. Sharing this enlightened conversation with Mr Arun Kumar. Hope this series of conversation with eminent activists, writers, film makers will provide thought provoking ideas for action in future.

Chakma MK is a Human Rights activist working with indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts... more Chakma MK is a Human Rights activist working with indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh since 1980s. He has been working with Human Rights organizations on the issue of Indigenous People. He has spoken at various national and international forums on the issue of Chakma people. In a conversation with Vidya Bhushan Rawat, he explains the current crisis of the Chakma people in Bangladesh, their problems and how government deals with them. Equally important to understand the issues of indigenous people as far as partition of India was concern. It is difficult for human rights defenders, political activists in South Asia to speak candidly and boldly due to various security concerns of our friends. We are not providing much details of our friend due the security concerns but sure that this interaction will give you enough idea of the issue of indigenous people in Bangladesh and how they have been treated. They all are collectively known as Jumma (High Landers). Besides, a very small number of descendents of Assames, Gorkha and Santals also live in there. They are distinct and different from the majority Bengali people of Bangladesh in respects of race, language, culture, heritage and religion. The CHT is divided into three hill districts, namely, Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban. The legal and administrative system in the CHT is nevertheless separate and distinct from those in other parts of the country. The general administrative setup does equally exist in CHT i.e. elected bodies of people " s representatives at two levels – Union and National level – along with the implementing line agencies at Upazila, District and National level. Alongside there are decentralised government institutions in CHT i.e. CHT Regional Council at regional level and Hill District Councils at district level. In addition to the above institutions, the CHT has a three tier traditional structure based on the customs of the local indigenous Jumma people with Circle Chiefs, and Headmen at Mouza and Karbaries at village levels. The Chiefs are the heads of their respective revenue and administrative circles. There are three Circles in the CHT, the Chakma Circle, the Bohmong Circle and the Mong Circle. All of these institutions are supervised by a new ministry, the Ministry of CHT Affairs. These are reflective of the distinct socio-political, cultural and historical background of the region. Main issues of Jumma peoples are:  Government's policy of Islamisation of CHT region and ethnic cleansing as well  Infiltration of Bengali Muslim population to CHT  Non-implementation of CHT Accord that was signed between the Government of Bangladesh and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) on 2 December 1997 for peaceful and political solution of CHT problem

Vidya Bhushan Rawat in Conversation with L R Balley, Founder Editor, Bhim Patrika, Jallandhar Lah... more Vidya Bhushan Rawat in Conversation with L R Balley, Founder Editor, Bhim Patrika, Jallandhar Lahori Ram Balley is one of the doyens of Ambedkarites missionary journalism in India. Based in Jalandhar, L R Balley started Bhim Patrika in Urdu first immediately after the passing away of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar leaving his government job in Delhi. Bhim Patrika became voice of Ambedkarites all over the country once it started publishing in Punjabi, Hindi and English and to do this tedious work, Balley Saheb did not have a very big dedicated staff. Even today at the ripe age of 86 years, he constantly work and suggest that working for the mission of Baba Saheb Ambedkar is his life, his soul, his breath. This interview was recorded at his office cum home in Jalandhar last year in August 2015 and is available on http://peoplesvoice.in/2016/04/18/conversation-l-r-balley/ and I am now placing it for record through my liberal translation of the conversation for a large segment of non Hindi speaking people.

Conversation : S V Rajadurai, V Geetha & Vidya Bhushan Rawat on Periyar's ideology, self respect ... more Conversation : S V Rajadurai, V Geetha & Vidya Bhushan Rawat on Periyar's ideology, self respect movement and opportunism of political parties S V Rajadurai is one of the leading intellectuals from Tamil Nadu who has written, in English and Tamil, on a range of issues to do with Marxism and literature; with Tamil politics and modern history, including Periyar and the Dravidian movement and translated widely, both fiction and non-fiction. Associated with a broad spectrum of left movements, he has worked for several years in the civil liberties movement and was Vice-President, PUCL. V. Geetha is a feminist historian, writer and translator, who has been active in the women's movement for several years. She writes, in English and Tamil, on issues to do with caste, education, feminism and contemporary Tamil society. V. Geetha and S V Rajadurai have worked together for over 25 years-as authors and translators. Their major work comprises essays on the Dravidian movement and politics published in the Economic and Political Weekly, and the book, Towards a Non Brahmin Millennium: from Iyothee Thass to Periyar. They have also authored monographs on western Marxism, including a comprehensive volume on the life and thought of Antonio Gramsci. Rajadurai and Geetha continue to translate poetry and fiction from English to Tamil. The importance of Periyar and his self respect movement is immense and yet neither the Indian state nor the state of Tamilnadu where politicians chant his name, none have felt it important to compile Periyar's speeches and writings and make it available to rest of the country men. This rare conversation of Vidya Bhushan Rawat, with Rajadurai and Geetha will definitely be important for students of social movements and political science in India. Even though it is lengthy yet it explains so many things hitherto unknown to common people. VB : Periyar was one of the tallest revolutionaries of India. His thoughts on secularism, on Brahmanism surpass any other political leaders of his time. He was enormously popular with the masses. Why does today's Tamil Nadu seem absolutely reverse to Periyar's thoughts when we see the growing religiosity in the state and a huge number of Shudras following it? SV & VG : Periyar's radicalism comprised several parts – his critique of Brahminism was many-sided. At one level, it was a rejection of the Brahminical abhorrence of labour and touch. Describing the differences he harboured with Rajaji, who was also a personal friend, he remarked that C. Rajagopalachariyar (Rajaji) stayed true to his mission, which was that ‗he did not want his caste men to have to pick up a spade and labour'. In another instance, speaking of the winning flexibility of Brahmin intellectualism, he observed that some Brahmins might abhor a ‗Panchama' entering their homes, whereas others might not be averse to the same ‗Panchama' entering their kitchens; why, some might even ‗allow' a Panchama to enter the sanctum sanctorum of their altar-room, and there were Brahmins who did marry Panchamas. In all this, though Brahmins made choices that worked to their advantage – he used the Tamil word ‗balithavarai', that is whatever ‗worked' for them. At another level Periyar argued that Brahminism had to do with the hierarchical logic of varnadharma, which, like a ladder implicates everyone – in this sense, each of us carries a ladder in our consciousness, and we measure ourselves and others on the basis of where we are placed on this ladder. However, what drew the

Hasina Nat is from Nat community, Nat is a very underprivileged tribe who had to struggle a lot t... more Hasina Nat is from Nat community, Nat is a very underprivileged tribe who had to struggle a lot to survive. It is a nomadic community which face ostracisation and untouchability in our villages. Hasinaji is fighting for her rights within her community and outside her community; she struggled a lot all through her life. Today we are going to talk to Hasinaji about human rights on natural resources and land resources and we will see what is the women stand point regarding these issues.

Peoples Literature Publication, 2019

The issue of Land Ceiling is highly important for the Land Reforms movement in India. Unfortunate... more The issue of Land Ceiling is highly important for the Land Reforms movement in India. Unfortunately, the Land Ceiling Laws which came into effect after the gaps were found in the Zamindari Abolition Act in the mid fifties. Urban Land Ceiling is already done away with and rural land ceiling too had so much complication and escape routes that most of the rural poor suffer because of procedures and court cases which rarely reach to culmination.

People's Literature Publication, 2017

Dr. RM Pal was the principal of the Rajdhani College in Delhi who actively worked with the human ... more Dr. RM Pal was the principal of the Rajdhani College in Delhi who actively worked with the human rights organization People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), gave lectures on secularism and issue of Dalits and minorities at various government institutions including police academy and other such places. He was an associate of the legendary M.N. Roy. A radical humanist Dr. Pal became President of Delhi PUCL and edited its journal PUCL Bulletin for many years. He also edited The Radical Humanist for many years. This interview was conducted at his Greater Kailash residence several years ago and part of my book ' Contesting Marginalisations : Conversations on Ambedkarism and Social Justice', published by People's Literature Publication, Mumbai, 2017. The article also appeared in the www.countercurrents.org

International Land Coalition, 2019

Gender Relations in Land Rights is a work of organisations working on Women and Land issue under ... more Gender Relations in Land Rights is a work of organisations working on Women and Land issue under the umbrella organisation of International Land Coalition. This is a five country study in which partner organisation shared the best practices and laws related to inheritance, common properties etc. The countries are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Cambodia.