Asha Kowtal My recent association with campaigns resisting violence against Dalit women has brought me in contact with several individuals, groups and organisations that represent diverse perspectives and histories. Broadly it includes groups which have been advocating ‘gender justice’ and others who have been battling the cruelty of the caste system in India. The …
The Question of Free Speech
Vaibhav Wasnik The question of human civilization is always about the question of power. The question of control is incomplete unless the dynamic of control of the thought processes of a society is addressed, hence the adage ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’. The meaning of rights such as the right of free …
Arundhati Roy replies to Dalit Camera
Arundhati Roy [This is her response to Dalit Camera‘s ‘An Open Letter to Ms. Arundhati Roy‘ published yesterday. We wish Ms. Roy could similarly address the issues raised in other articles in Round Table India by Anoop Kumar – here, here and here – and by Akshay Pathak, here] Dear Friends at Dalit Camera …
Vedic Chants for the 21st Century
Round Table India “I had none of the conditioning that a normal, middle class Indian girl would have. I had no father, no presence of this man telling us that he would look after us and beat us occasionally in exchange. I didn’t have a caste, and I didn’t have a class, and I …
Dalit Women Swabhiman Yatra: Public Meeting on March 12th
[Via Asha Kowtal] All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) would like to invite you for a Public Meeting on March 12, 10 – 3 pm at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The Dalit Women Swabhiman Yatra will culminate here in Delhi after a month long journey for self-respect and justice. The Dalit Mahila Swabhiman …
The caste density of my beard
Arvind Boudhh India, my country, is the eternal abode of castes and discriminations. Here, in one instant, you can see people boasting about the floral, faunal and cultural diversity of their country, while in the next instant, you can see people being discriminated against and exploited because of their caste, creed, religion, color or …
The Semiotics of Fandry
Nilesh Kumar “Wisdom is born in pain, suppression and insult. Experiences lead to the creation of best works” Kannada poet Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy said in a speech at Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Madikeri, early this year. Director/writer Nagraj Manjule too, in his debut feature film ‘Fandry’ (pig in Kaikadi language), with his indelible …
Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra
[Via Asha Kowtal] Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra is yet another significant step in the independent assertions of Dalit women in India. It is a step forward for dignity. A step forward for self- respect. The fore fathers and fore mothers of our community have fought hard, despite all odds, to give us the right …
Great Britain under the Spreading Fangs of Caste
A K Biswas Part-I Caste in New Home In the voyage of caste to the Western hemi-sphere, the first port of call was Britain. The Hindus take pride that they did not conquer any nation with sword. But they exported caste to sabotage England internally. The cancer has gone deep and assumed so critical …