RSS' new theory: Dalits created by foreign invaders

The Sangh Parivar is now getting its act together to crusade for Dalit dignity. After breaching into Mayawati's vote bank in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and the RSS are now engaged in the task of preventing Dalits from breaking away from the mainstream Hindu society.

The importance of reaching out to the Dalit community in the Parivar's eyes is underlined in the fact that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is launching BJP leader Bijay Sonkar Shastri's three books on scheduled castes — Hindu Valmiki Jaati, Hindu Khateek Jaati and Hindu Charmakaar Jaati.

The preface of all the three books are written by senior RSS leaders — Suresh Soni, Krishna Gopal and Suresh Joshi.

In his book on the chamaar community, Shastri has argued that the Dalits originally belonged to the upper castes — Brahmins and Kshatriyas — and even royal families and said he was trying to rewrite history to restore their dignity.

"In the medieval period the oppression of foreign invaders forced people from royal, pious and self-respecting groups to perform unclean and shameful acts. When the British came they called these people Dalits, tried to win their sympathy and divide Hindu society," he writes.

Shastri's effort is aimed at countering the Christian proselytisation. "Nearly 99% chamaars in UP were being targeted by Christians.... Around 80% of girls marrying Muslims are Dalits," he said talking to dna two days before his book is to be launched.

A spokesperson in BJP chief Amit Shah's new team, he wants the party to ensure that his books reach the Dalits to wean them away from Mayawati. "Dalits in politics are like lions in a circus. They are not fed enough but given enough food to be kept alive," he says.

According to him, the party's strategy for the community should be aimed at removing the "Dalit" tag. Though the immediate test for the BJP was the 11 assembly and one Lok Sabha by-polls in UP on September 13, Shastri says his campaign had a long-term objective.

"In a society where there is self-respect it is long lasting and idealistic. No external force can dare to eye such a society," he writes in the book on Valmiki caste.

The BJP had got on board two crucial Dalit leaders — Ram Vilas Paswan and Udit Raj ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. While Paswan is food and consumer affairs minister, Udit Raj is a Delhi MP.

Seen as the Brahmin party, the BJP had lost Dalit support after the Ramjanmabhoomi movement. But, in the last Lok Sabha election, the Narendra Modi factor helped the party in surpassing caste equations, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP won all 17 of the state's constituencies reserved for SCs.

Orignally published on September 6, 2014