The Dalit movement today has diversified and assumed a political character. The proof of this lies in the emergence of an RPI, a DMK or a BSP.
BSP has defended the inclusion of Brahmins in keeping with its larger vision of Sarva Samaj
MUMBAI: The Dalit movement today has diversified and assumed a political character. The proof of this lies in the emergence of an RPI, a DMK or a BSP. It is in this context that Mayawati has emerged as the new Dalit political icon.
There are two factors which catapulted Mayawati to an iconic status. First, she doesn’t subscribe to the average Hindu woman’s appearance. Maya, unlike her counterparts — a Sushma Swaraj or a Brinda Karat — is never seen in a sari or with a bindi. She sports short-hair, an image that Dalit women have come to love and admire. In short, she has come to symbolise the modern Ambedkarite woman.
Second, in a country where Dalits are not allowed to sit on chairs, Mayawati rules like a queen with Brahmins sitting by her feet every time she addresses a rally. In this sense, Mayawati has emerged the leader of Dalits and also of upper-castes to some extent. Though BSP members have defended the inclusion of Brahmins in keeping with their larger ideology of Sarva Samaj, the BSP-Bahujan coalition has been forged for vote-bank politics. Maya is vulnerable at this point as power does corrupt and that is why it is necessary for the media and her critics to watch her steps. A lot depends on her performance in the next five years and if the Brahmins want to be a part of this, there are certain issues that need to be addressed.
At one point, when Brahmins ruled this country as CMs and PMs, the Dalits were mere voters. Today, when there is the rise of the Dalit power in politics Brahmins want a share in it. If this is the case, an arrangement needs to be arrived at. Are Brahmins ready to give up their religious control, will Dalits be allowed to officiate in temples, will they share the Hindu gods with Dalit-Bahujans and are they ready to share the wealth generated from various temples (towards which Dalits also contribute) among the weaker sections?
Once these issues are addressed, Hinduism transforms from a spiritual fascism to a spiritual democratic religion. Brahmins will then earn the right to share the political platform.
As told to Lakshmy Ramanathan. Dr Kancha Ilaiah is the author of Why I am not a Hindu and the founder of the first Dalitbahujan journal, Nalupu. He teaches at the Osmania University, Hyderabad.
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