June Delhi: Dalit Phobia: Why Do They Hate Us?; published by Vitasta Publishing Private Limited, New Delhi, has been released by the former Governor of UP and the Chairman of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) Commission, Dr Suraj Bhan. The first Dalit columnist, Chandra Bhan Prasad, is the author of this book. During the book release, experts like Prof. Vinod Kumar of Delhi University, Shri Krishna Anand, a senior bureaucrat and scholar of Buddhist studies, Mr David Devdas, journalist, and scholars from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU) and Jamia Millia, and people from NGOs and media were present.
 

On this occasion, Chandra Bhan cited works of Dr Ambedkar, the messiah of Dalits and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; and then, the former Governor congratulated the author for his book on Dalits and said: The condition of Dalits in our country is still pathetic and requires immediate attention.

The Dalit columnist, Chandra Bhan, echoed his sentiments for reservation in the private sector, where the chief executives and doyen of industries have refused to share such sentiments.  He said: After coming to power, Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA government launched a debate on Dalits; rights to affirmative actions (known as reservations in India) in private-sector jobs. The private sector reacted sharply and differed with the stand taken by the government. In any democratic set-up, differences of opinion and dissents do take place. The private sector has every right to differ and even oppose the government move. But there must be some civility in the arguments made despite differences. The private sector appeared to have lost a sense of balance and turned abusive. He also explained why a sense of Dalit Phobia is still seen among the majority of upper caste people in the country.

Various studies have been made about the status of Dalits in India. Based on empirical findings and field research, most studies have established that 60 years of planned development has failed to give Dalits a life of dignity. While there may be differences within the Varna Order on caste lines, members of the Chaturvarna Order share the same disdain for a Dalit who is an outcaste and also an untouchable despite an Untouchability Act. This often gets transformed into hate. A CEO of an MNC, an editor of a newspaper, a film-maker and a fisherman at Nagapattinam demonstrate the same hate sense in dealing with the Dalits. Why is this so? Chandra Bhan tries to give us psychoanalysis of the Chaturvarna members hate sense. It is in this sense that this book is unique.

The author delves into history to argue that this hate-Dalit is the result of a phobia or fear in the Chaturvarna Order that Dalits may challenge the Vedic Order and demand their share or equality.

The Dalit columnist argues that members of this Chaturvarna Order are sick and the sickness has a hereditary character. Otherwise, how can almost all behave in a similar fashion through generations? He says this disease is passed on from one generation to another and prescribes a therapy called Dalit Therapy.
 

During the discussion, Mr David Devdas, Prof. Vinod Kumar, Shri Krishna Anand, and academicians and scholars from JNU, DU and Jamia Millia also shared their viewpoints.
 

Presented in the form of a brilliant satire, Chandra Bhan prescribes isolation and exposure as cure for Dalit Phobia.
 

A must-book for anyone trying to know about Dalits in this country and the failure of the leadership to bring this huge mass of population into the mainstream.