Dr Jas Simran Kehal It is said that if we can learn from our mistakes and not let them rob us of our boldness or hope, then we can grow. It was perhaps this boldness which emboldened Dr B R Ambedkar to vigorously pursue the cause of real political representation of the depressed classes after …
Why Are They Scared Of Periyar’s Statues?
Bodhi Ramteke Statues represent symbolic actions. They are responsible for more than just remembering history or culture. The process of installing a statue is one of many ways to demonstrate assertion against oppressors and reclaiming places that were denied in the Bramhanical social structure. Among oppressed communities, statues have played a significant role in increasing …
Žižek and Law: Life, Its Supremacy and Overdetermination
Umar Nizar In a televised debate in Australia, Žižek ’s vehement defense of Julian Assange was stymied by an opponent’s counter argument that some of Assange’s actions endangered the lives of US and allied personnel on the ground. Žižek ’s last stand, against this ultimate riposte, was that though it might have won the argument …
Periyar: The Man That He Was!
Gurinder Azad If anyone has left a rich legacy of aggressively challenging Brahmanism, it is our own Periyar. His full name was Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy Nayakar. Periyar means ‘great man’. Bahujan youth today express their aggression and restlessness against the Brahmanical system by sharing quotes of Periyar on social media, and strive to advance the …
Growing Up With Caste: Experiences Of Caste In Rural And Urban Kerala
Meera and Pranav Jeevan P ‘Mukkuva’ denotes ‘fisherman’ caste in Kerala, considered among Other Backward Castes (OBC) in the National list and Other Eligible Castes (OEC) in the State List. Most of this community is limited to coastal areas of the state, and engage in the occupation of fishing. Here, it was caste that determined …
Feudalism By Other Names – London Bridge!
Bobby Kunhu Many of us aren’t grieving a head of state, but rather grieving truth as we watch history be rewritten right before our eyes. – Brea Baker I bear no ill will towards Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, known as Queen Elizabeth II, the ruler of 15 sovereign nations at the time of her death as …
Sayed-Ashraaf Outreach To Brahmin-Savarna: Scope And Limitations
Dr. Ayaz Ahmad[1] A group of Sayed-Ashraaf social elites met RSS head Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur recently. It included former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Lieutenant General (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah, Rashtriya Lok Dal national vice-president Shahid Siddiqui and businessman Saeed …
Anarchism In Periyar
Pranav Jeevan P If a larger country oppresses a smaller country, I’ll stand with the smaller country. If the smaller country has majoritarian religion that oppresses minority religions, I’ll stand with minority religions. If the minority religion has caste and one caste oppresses another caste, I’ll stand with the caste being oppressed. In the oppressed …
Hidden Casteism In Indian Educational Institutions
Ankush Bicka Rahul was studying in 11th standard in a good private school. Like many of his friends and classmates, he wished to prepare for the IIT JEE. For those who don’t know, it is among the most challenging entrance examinations. However, Rahul’s struggle began even before he began preparing for the exam. The struggle …