Thursday’s violent agitation across Maharashtra over desecration of a BR Ambedkar statue has sent shivers down the spine of the established Dalit political leaders.
The violence on the streets is a result of old discontent boiling over
The militant streak in the Dalit movement is not a new phenomenon. But the Thursday’s violent agitation across Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra over desecration of a BR Ambedkar statue in Kanpur has sent shivers down the spine of the established Dalit political leaders and mainstream political parties — the Congress, the NCP, the BJP and the Sena. The political transformation will also herald new leadership within the Dalit organisations.
Bharip Bahujansamaj Party (BBS) president Prakash Ambedkar said, “Today’s incidents clearly establish that second-rank Dalits have taken over the leadership thus shaking the old guard. The spontaneity in which a large section has taken to the streets displays renewed aggression to fight the political establishment. None of the known Dalit leader or political party was in the forefront.”
The simmering discontent within the “aam aadmi” (common man) had built up following several instances across the state and outside over communal divide over reservation in education and private jobs. The gruesome killings of Dalits in Khairlange (Bandara district) stirred their emotions, they say.
The desecration of statue gave them the much-needed platform to fight. According to Arun Kamble of Mumbai University, “It is dangerous when Dalits resort to violence. Ambedkar waged a bigger battle in his time through democratic and peaceful agitations. If Dalits are talking a different path, then it is comment on the establishment. It also proves that they have lost faith and patience in administration.”
Republic Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athavale made an emotional appeal to Dalits to refrain from violence, but cautioned the ruling parties against taking them for granted: “It is a great shame that the state turns a blind eye to the killing of Dalit women and allows the conspirators go unpunished.”
The development does not augur well for the ruling Congress which enjoys the political clout under the leadership of R S Gawai and Jogendra Kawade.
Chairman of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DICCI) Milind Kamble said society is still unwilling to accept the economic empowerment of the Dalits.
Kamble said, “People below poverty line (BPL) have declined from 40 per cent to 25 per cent. Dalits always constitute majority population reeling under BPL.”
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