‘Young Dalits are more pragmatic’

Milind Kamble is a 37-year-old fighting for the economic empowerment of Dalits in Maharashtra. A civil engineer, he runs a construction company and is involved with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), which strives to uplift Dalits through self-employment. Excerpts of an interview with Shubhangi Khapre:

Do you support the idea of reservations in the private sector?
I believe reservations are an outdated concept. Earlier, the public sector was the biggest source of job opportunities for Dalits, but this is a sector that is shrinking. However, the answer to the jobs shortfall cannot be reservations in the private sector. We at DICCI want Dalits to turn to trade and industry; entrepreneurship should be the new mantra.

Do you perceive any significant shift in the attitudes of young Dalits?
Definitely. The younger generation is more pragmatic and focused. They tend to judge for themselves before committing to any particular organisation and, for them, political barriers no longer exist. These people will support the Congress, the BJP, the Shiv Sena or the NCP, if it suits them.


Is that a comment on the failure of Dalit organisations such as the Republican Party of India?
It is unfortunate but Dalit leaders have failed to live up to people’s expectations. Today Dalits agitate for the beautification of Chaitya Bhoomi [the place at Dadar in Mumbai where BR Ambedkar was cremated]; earlier Dalits spent 15 years fighting for the renaming of Marathwada University [after Ambedkar]. How did these movements help uplift Dailts?

Do you think the new generation of Dalits will move away from the Ambedkar legacy?

Whatever happens, Dr Ambedkar will remain the most revered leader among Dalits. I am not dismissing the sacrifice of our leaders, but Dalits in the 18-24 age group will align with political parties and leaders who best understand and address their concerns.

Who is a better bet, Mayawati or Raj Thackeray?
Some may get attracted towards Raj, but Mayawati has won national acceptance among Dalits and she has proved herself.