Social Study Circle	Current upload: 15.1 2001
	Last upload: 27.10.2000
SC&ST DALITS IN THE YEAR 2001 Come 26th Jan 2001, Our Democratic Republican Constitution would have completed 50 years of existence. In fact, 26th Nov 2000 would see the completion of 50 years, since the Adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly of India. We are already in the 50th year of operation of the Constitution. The Constitution of the India is unique, and is peculiar in many respects. It was framed by the elected Constituent Assembly, and adopted by the People of India all right. But it was adopted after various Provisions therein were carefully hammered out, almost single handedly by the Leader of the Depressed Classes whom the Indians, particularly the caste hindus, refused to accept even as human beings, and carefully kept them out in isolated areas outside and beyond the Villages, near the shallow low areas and agricultural lands, and in exclusive slum-like-areas in the Cities and Metropolitan Towns. The main Party of the caste hindus and their Leader Mr Gandhi, even failed to acknowledge the Leader of the Depressed Classes, Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar, as the Leader of the Depressed Classes. At the same time, the caste hindus, their Party the Congress and their Leaders led by Gandhi, began claiming the Depressed Classes as hindus, just only to bolster their own numbers in the number game before the Imperial British and their Colonial Govt, vis-à-vis the dominant erstwhile Muslim Rulers of India, their descendents, and their mainstream Political Party - the Muslim League. And Gandhi, went to the ridiculous extent of claiming by himself and on his own, the Leadership of Depressed Classes, specially after the spectacular successes of Baba Saheb, in Leading his People in their Fight against the caste hindus for their Human Rights and Equality, and the Struggle before the British for Civil Rights and Justice. And Gandhi, also stupidly challenged Baba Saheb's Leadership of the Depressed Classes, before the Imperial British and its Govt in London, before during and even after the Second Round Table Conference. He then went on to try, and dupe defraud and cheat the Depressed Classes, by claiming to develop them socially and financially, through his own apology of Harijan Sevak Samaj, with some half-hearted mobilization of paltry little funds, after the 1932 Poona Pact, as rightly and critically observed by Baba Saheb himself in his Speeches and Writings.. The Constitution of India is unique, for when adopted on the 26th of November 1949, it was the most voluminous and detailed work, with almost all the Noble Thoughts and Great Provisions, Human Society in many Parts of the World struggled, fought for, and managed to gain and extract from the Governments of the day and the ruling classes. And within its folds, the Constitution contained the First Govt of India Act of 1919, and the Second Govt of India Act of 1932, enacted by the then British Colonial Rulers in response to the Aspirations of the Indian People for Freedom, Liberty, Independence, Civil-Rule, Home-Rule and Self-Govt. And, the Constituent Assembly was originally constituted by the British Colonial Rulers for a Free United India, during the pre-Independent Days. And, Dr BR Ambedkar originally represented a Constituency that went to Pakistan's Eastern Wing, and is now in Bangladesh. For, Congress and its dominant Leaders did not want Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar anywhere near the Constituent Assembly, and defeated him in the Elections to the Constituent Assembly from his home Constituency in Bombay Presidency. And before the Elections, a very prominent and great Leader boasted that Baba Saheb would never be in the Constituent Assembly. He claimed to not only having closed the doors and windows of the Constituent Assembly, but also the ventilators to prevent Baba Saheb's entry into the Constituent Assembly. True to this claim, he and the Congress saw to that Baba Saheb was defeated. But thanks to Mr Mandal - who went on to be the counterpart of Baba Saheb in the post-British Era, as the Law Minister of Independent Pakistan - Baba Saheb was elected to the Constituent Assembly, in the Bye-Election for the seat specifically vacated by Mr Mandal, for Baba Saheb to contest win and come to the Constituent Assembly, from that part of pre-Independent United India that later went to Pakistan, and is now in Bangladesh. We now have a Constitution, drafted by an unwanted man, an Untouchable, a Leader of those who were not recognized as human beings - in fact it is so even today in many parts of the Country. That is why, the SC&ST Dalits, always revere the Constitution. For them, the Constitution is very valuable, precious and is sacred. It is their Bible, Gospel and Grunth. Where else can they find their rights accepted, acknowledged, assured, guaranteed and protected, other than in Street Fights? Even bloody bleeding Revolutions, as some World Sociologist recently said is imminent in this Country, may not provide these all to the SC&ST Dalits and their Women. Let us not forget, and always keep in mind that in many Countries, Women still don't have many Rights, particularly Adult Franchise. That Right to Vote is the most Powerful Weapon, which when and if rightly used will prove to be the Ultimate Weapon, and bring the caste hindus on their knees before the majority of Shudra OBCs, and Ati-Shudra SC&ST Dalits now divided and scattered in every religious folds and political groupings! That is the best of all the Rights and Powers given to us by the Great Messiah, Baba Saheb! The Constitution is sacred and very valuable to the SC&ST Dalits, not just because it contains many Promises for them, gives them lots of Guarantees and assures them so much of Protections! It is much more than that! The SC&ST Dalits feel that their Life is in this Constitution. It is simply because it was drafted by their Leader, by their own man, that immaculate Baba Saheb! There needs to be no other reason for them! It is infact their own way of paying their respects, being grateful, remaining faithful and silently saying thanks to their Leader! But this is not so with others. Many fundamentalist caste hindus freely and frequently criticize and carelessly rundown the Constitution. They just don't have the due regards and show respect to the Nation's Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land. And that this is much more Sacred, as it is the First Constitution of the Country, the Free India, the United India that never was ever in this shape throughout the history of the land, does not dawn on them! For, their minds are distorted, twisted and they are always unfair unjust and unreasonable. Hence they attack the Constitution, whenever it is possible, and wherever they get a chance. There is a great gap between the ruled SC&ST Dalits and the ruling dominant caste hindus, who infact Use the Constitution to govern or misgovern, administer or neglect the Country and the State, Society, the People and the Govt Machineries including the Courts and other Law and Order Machineries like the Police. Made by the one, blocked initially from even entering the Constituent Assembly, the Constitution had served the Country very well for the last 50 years, in spite of all the trials, tribulations and crisis’s at different times within the Country. Finalized by the individual, who entered the Constituent Assembly later than almost all others, through the Bye-Election as the Representative of the Constituency that had gone to Pakistan, and is now in Bangladesh, it had stood the test of the times, and stood well even during all the trying circumstances, imposed on the Country and the People, by forces from outside and different external environments at various times, and also during external aggressions and War. This Constitution has Great Ideologies, like Justice Liberty Equality and Fraternity of the Western World, which are even today anathema to Indian Population and unacceptable to the Indian Society. This Constitution, shaped by Baba Saheb, has very many Provisions framed by the British Colonial Government. Many of those were actually extracted out, rather forcefully from unwilling caste hindu leaders in pre-Independent India, as the disputes struggles and conflicts were arbitrated before a reasonably fair neutral imperial British Rule. This Constitution had held the Country together, even when great Powers and many Nations in the World were breaking apart. And this Constitution by Baba Saheb, had helped preserve Democracy in this Country, even while Democracy in almost all Nations around were falling down like nine pins. This, when Dictatorial Tendencies and Leaders within, were raising their heads against the Democratic Way of Life Governance and Administration, showing their true colours and intolerance to the Demands of different Sections of People from time to time. They were oftentimes growing not only intolerant, but were becoming totally indifferent and impatient to others, and were against all dissenting voices in this land of wide disparities, extreme diversities and radical differences. The Constitution contains, for the caste hindus two important uncomfortable features. Both part of the concessions that the caste hindus had to agree under force of circumstances, before Independence for this Country could be agreed by the British. In fact, they were the pre-conditions for Independence of the Country. One, the invisible factor within the Indian Union - partition of India into two, as Indian and Pakistan, a practical reality outside for the World. Second, the touch of the unwanted Baba Saheb, the Leader of the undesirable Depressed Classes, who as the SC&ST Dalits are unacceptable even today. That touch of Baba Saheb, is his belief and claim for building in this Country, the four pillars of Democracy and Civil Society anywhere in the World – Justice Liberty Equality and Fraternity, and the resultant necessary Constitutional Guarantees to protect the Weaker Sections. Thus the Constitution contains, specific provisions for protection of all from SC&ST Dalits to OBCs, Working Classes and Women to Children. Nothing tangible could be done by the caste hindus to undo the first. As for the second, We see today, the unending deliberate denigration of the Constitution, its Liberal Principles, Universal Features, and also the subtle condemnation of the various Guarantees to the Weaker Sections, as concessions compensations exceptions and deviations. Baba Saheb struggled almost single handedly for Justice and Reason, at a time when the Society was more Conservative. He fought for Equality and to build Fraternity at a time when social interactions of caste hindus with the Depressed Classes were unheard of. He talked about Liberty and Freedom when and the number of educated employees and earning individuals were very very small, with almost Nil Representations from the Depressed Classes. Yet, there were many enlightened caste hindus who supported Baba Saheb wholeheartedly, worked with him and even helped him in his struggles against the stupidity, superstition, illogical prejudices and dogmas of the conservative hindus and their leaders. As a result of Baba Saheb’s Struggles - in front of the alien Imperial British Government, which was free from caste divisions, and hence could afford to be neutral, reasonably reasonable, unbiased and just some of the educated liberal hindus began to see reason, the logic and force of righteousness in the claims and demands of Baba Saheb, and the endless Sufferings and Struggles of the millions of Depressed Classes. In view of the above, at the time of Independence in 1947, Adoption of the Constitution in 1949, and its enforcement in 1950, the unacceptable SC&ST Dalits could find some accommodation and a little scope for their survival amidst the hindus. For, the caste hindus had come to develop some pity for SCs&STs, particularly for those from their own States, ancestral Home-Towns, parental Villages and Native Districts, though the SC&ST Dalits could not come near or close or be touched. But during the last 50 years, the equation had undergone a sea change, and had grown completely reverse. Today, while SC&ST Dalits can in public shake hands, sit and even dine together with the caste hindus like brothers or family members, the later had come to develop a great aversion and secretly harbors uncontrollable hidden hatred and unspoken enmity in their hearts - which shows off and appears at unexpected moments. The cruel face of the same, are the frequent outburst of atrocities committed against the SC&ST Dalits, particularly the SCs, and also the increasing criminalisation of the attacks against the SCs and those who help them - especially the Christian Missionaries. They are also specifically against the newly Emerging Leaderships of the SCs, and against individual educated conscious intelligent sharp and Capable Dalits. This schism and distortion in the social equations had already taken roots, and if this develops into a big gulf between the clearly identifiable major sections of the society allover the length and breadth of the Country, and if these are the social realities, administrative responses, legal distortions, judicial ambivalence and political somersaults, one has to fear as to what will happen to this Nation. What is in store for the future? Are Baba Saheb's Fears and Warnings, clearly unambiguously and in no uncertain terms expressed in the Constituent Assembly itself, in his last Speech, on the penultimate day coming true? Are the Sociologists in this Country conscious of these Changes? Are our Political Scientists aware of these Developments? Are our Political Parties sensitive to these New Problems? And have our Political Leaders noted these Dangers? What will the Govts do? Will there be just knee jerk reactions only till the events overtake them beyond repair? These questions should worry us. Answers are hard to find, though the task is not easy in the totally confused and messed up present situation. Everyone concerned have to put their heads together, pool their thoughts and evolve a clear picture to honor 1932, and redeem Nation's Pledge, People, Society, and the Country! The hindu society has always been unjust and unfair. But in Free India, the hindu society has to confront Democracy, forces unleashed by the Elections, the social and economic concessions and political compromises to be made at the Hustings, development of Welfare State, Rule of Law, and the Equal Opportunities that have to be provided to every section of the society, enforced by Reservations specifically provided in favor of the SCs&STs, as well as the Backward Classes, as Constitutional Guarantees and Legal Imperatives against discriminations deprivations and injustices. Thus, the contradictions between the Legal and Constitutional Compulsions of the Political Parties and the Government, and the cumulative forces of prejudices of the officials and dominant people in the society! It is a result of these inherent and ongoing contradictions that, we find strains of dictatorship everywhere in the society, in every office and with every official. The same are the reasons for the irresponsible unresponsiveness of the administrative machineries all round limitless corruption and injustices conceived and practiced by the dominant sections of the society. The Contradictions and Distortions in the Society and the Govt are not strange aberrations, but a logical consequence of the unjust society, that is only trying to concentrate power and wealth in few private hands of powerful caste hindus. Hence, the collapse of Law and Order Machineries, failure of the Police and Judiciary to see Reason and Act Rationally. So crumble various Public Service Commissions and other Special Service Commissions, resulting in flagrant nepotism, favoritism, corruption. Hence, there could be no just and fair selections, recruitments, appointments, trainings, postings, work allocations, recognitions, assessments, reports, gradings, promotions and transfers. The Gulf between the Constitutional Dictates and Dominant Social Values are the real reasons for the concealed but continuing virulent attacks against Reservations in general, and the SC&ST and OBC beneficiaries in particular, from outside. And these are the oblique reasons to find some fault with the Constitution. Meanwhile, silent subversion and wrecking of the Reservation Policy goes on from within, to ruin Reservations and make them ineffective. Reservation Policy meant for the Whole Communities, to ensure the best and full Representations of the Community, both in Govts and Services, had been opposed and sabotaged from day one, starting from Gandhi - the Leader of the caste hindus and Congress Party of the days of pre-Independent united India, and now the father of the Nation. Reservations have now been reduced from the original Noble Objectives of achieving Representations of whole Communities, to the lowly levels of being just a channel for getting jobs, or finding opportunities for development, as well as growth of some educated individuals. Such a distortion helps, to divert the goals and defeat the very aims objectives and purposes of Reservations, and destroy the Policies and Principles behind them. Are the caste hindus ignorant, and so stupid? Perhaps yes! As Baba Saheb Ambedkar himself had said, we have to educate the caste hindus! For, they know not the Indian Society, and what all harm they are doing to the Nation, reducing the standards of the society, and blocking the Future of the People. This may be so and really true, as far as the majority of caste hindu common man woman and other people are concerned. They may be stupid, ignorant, superstitious, conservative, and may not know the social realities. But the same cannot be said about all. There are some, who know things very well, but purposely appear to be unaware, or feign ignorance. They are deliberately out to create confusion, want to distort the facts, and desire to divert the attention, so as to dilute all actions, disturb the very System and wreck the results. The net result, during the 50 years after Independence we have had only one VP with the same person again as the only President, no PM, no CJI, only three SC Judges at different points of time, with no one now, only one CJ of the High Court now who has been denied of his elevation to the Supreme Court for the last few years even though a dozen of his juniors have moved up, only one Planning Commission Member, no Service Chief, no Cabinet Secretary, hardly any Secretaries or Ambassadors, and only three out of the 25 Governors for the 32 States and Union Territories, no Chairman or Member of the Railway Board, or even Additional-Member, no GM in any of the Zonal Railways in the Country, no Chief Minister except in the inevitable North-Eastern States, no Police Chiefs, and only a few odd VC’s - that too some being known favour seekers, extensive manipulators and one or two of whom are definite third raters. Still, we call ourselves a Democracy. Still, People accuse the SCs&STs as having been pampered and occupying more then 70 to 80% of posts etc. The maximum providable Reservations for the SCs&STs are 15% and 7.5% now. That is also invariably not provided for in many places, or ever ensured in most of the cases of Recruitments Promotions and Postings. How then can there be 70 to 80% of SC&ST Representations in any Post or Service other than in the category of Sweepers, as some of the caste hindus allege? How can this be possible anywhere? We have to ask these questions for them to answer. I am sure they are not speaking the truth and are telling lies, deliberately and wantonly, or are distorting facts. If they are telling the truth - some truth, that is only half-truth. The 70 to 80% SC&ST Representation in some posts, are only the results of stagnation of the SCs&STs suffering without god-fathers and anyone to help them to get further promotion to higher ranks, to which their general community colleagues have been promoted long long ago, leaving them to stagnate. They have been stopped by the invisible but ever present “filter” of cast prejudices and biases against them. The filter, if it is choked with tea leaves, that doesn’t mean either the whole tea in the cup or in the kettle is full of only tea leaves, and hence is not consumable as a drink or beverage. The truth is that, a reasonable amount of tea leaves dropped in the kettle have been stopped by the filter, while pouring out the tea into the cup, to ensure that there is no troublesome or uncomfortable tea leaves in the cup while consuming the tea. Exactly alike, the SC&ST Dalits who come into service invariably late and at the last, are filtered out without any further promotions at certain levels. It also means, in the alternate that, the SC&ST Dalits had been denied appointments for long, and that it had taken one or two decades for them to get their jobs, and so they are still young and are in service, while all those who had blocked their entry into service, monopolized the jobs and enjoyed their offices, including the SC&ST Jobs Share and Opportunities, have now retired. Thus, what they are highlighting and blowing out, out of proportion, is a transient stage in an ever changing dynamic recruitment promotion transfer and retirement scenario in the services that, we see at times a slightly more representation of SCs&STs in certain offices at certain times. This position will change, as the SCs&STs retire, and new people are recruited and promoted or transferred to these offices. Or, it may be simply that the unwanted SC&ST Dalits are clubbed together and posted on Jobs unwanted by most of the Employees. Yes, the whole World knows that Reservations are not required for unwanted jobs, but become essential and are required as they are absolutely necessary, whenever and wherever there is competition and good things in life open up. Take the typical case of Sweepers. Since the job is difficulty, and with today's technology equipments and aides is repulsive, generally others don't come. So, there was no need for Reservations here in this sector. But look at good well-paying Public Sectors, with rare privileges and good perks like Air India. Genuine Sweepers don't get job there. Others grab these jobs also there, and don't work. The same thing is now beginning to happen in Rlys also. In organized Sectors, where pay is good and jobs are scarce, benami or contract systems have come in, in this sphere also. Therefore, Reservations are absolutely essential, not so much as to provide representations to SC&ST Dalits, but to keep the prowling caste hindus under check and at a safe distance from what is others dues. Everyone knows these facts, but deliberate efforts are being made to create a fear psychosis amongst others, and develop hatred against SC&ST Dalits and the Reservations meant for them. WHAT THEN ARE THE REALITY AND TRUTH? The true picture is not very far to see. Just look at the Banks. There is no Chairman, CMD or MD in any of the Banks hailing from SC&ST Dalit Communities. Look at the PSUs, both in the profit making and those incurring losses. So far, none had a Chairman, CMD or MD. Look at the Board of Directors. Hardly is there any SC/ST Dalit. Look at the Secretaries to the Govt of India in various Ministries and Departments. It is reported that there are only two Secretaries - one SC, and one ST at present. Look below, even at the level of Joint Secretaries. The position is no better. Well, that is the True Picture of the SC&ST Dalits, as the Nation is emerging into the New Millennium. Deers don't matter in the Forests. Who reigns are the Lions or the Tigers. Clerks Peons and Sweepers are of no consequence. What relevant are the Representation and Presence of SC&ST Dalits at the level of Chairmen, CMDs, MDs and Secretaries - or at least at the level of Joint Secretaries to the Govt of India in the Ministries and various Departments. ***************************************************************************************************************************