All posts by Avani Kulshrestha

Rembering Phulan Devi’s cold blooded murder

August 30, 2024 | By Avani Kulshrestha

After the brutal assassination, Umed Singh commented, “People don’t like it when someone from the lower classes a woman rises up and makes a name for herself.” Her lawyer, Kamini Jaiswal, agreed saying, “This killing comes from caste conflict.”

Edit : Sushma Tomar

Phoolan Devi, born on August 10, 1963 established herself as a feared Indian bandit before stepping into politics and winning a seat in the Parliament. Her story shaped by hardship, revolt, and clout in government, stands out as a gripping tale of standing up to unfairness.

Phoolan Devi came from the Mallaah subcaste and grew up in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. A fight over land left her family worse off, making their life harder. Her parents married her off when she was just eleven, and she became a victim sexual abuse. This incident motivated her to join a gang of bandits. In July 1979, a gang run by Babu Gujjar kidnapped her. She went through repeated attacks until Vikram Mallah, the second-in-charge killed Gujjar and took over. Mallah taught Phoolan how to shoot a rifle, and they grew close. Together, they led their gang to rob villages of higher-caste folks. This earned Phoolan the nickname “Dasyu Sundari” (Beautiful Bandit) and celebrated her as a Robin Hood figure.

Phoolan Devi was later arrested in 1983, when she was accused of carrying out the Behmai massacre, where twenty men were shot dead. This brutal act forced the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to step down.

After evading capture for two years, she surrendered to the authorities in 1983 through a negotiated deal. She then spent eleven years in Gwalior prison as she waited for her trial.

Phoolan Devi was released in 1994 after her charges were set aside; she subsequently became a politician and was elected as a member of parliament for the Samajwadi Party in 1996. She lost her seat in 1998 but got it back the next year. She held this position until she died in 2001. During her time in politics, Phoolan fought for women’s rights and better living conditions for the poor. She wanted to bring hospitals, schools, electricity, and clean water to villages.

However, her criminal charges those linked to the Behmai massacre always hung over her. At first, these charges were put aside, but were brought to the surface by the Kanpur District Court. The Allahabad High Court supported this decision. In 1996, the Supreme Court said denied her request to drop the charges, but she could stay free until her trial.

On July 25, 2001, Phoolan Devi was assassinated by Sher Singh Rana killed Phoolan Devi outside her home in New Delhi. Doctors declared her dead at Lohia Hospital after she took nine bullets. Her assassination forced everyone the world over to acknowledge the casteism and unfairness in Indian society.

hoolan Devi’s story led to the 1994 film Bandit Queen, which she did not support due to the unpreferable representation of her character. Her life has also inspired several biographies and her dictated autobiography was entitled I, Phoolan Devi. There are varying accounts of her life because she told differing versions to suit her changing circumstances.

People around the world remember her as someone who stood up to injustice. Her memory is kept alive due to public retelling of her life stories and through books and movies. Phoolan Devi’s story lives on, showing how people can fight against unfairness and discrimination.

Increasing drop outs in Central educational institutions among Dalits and OBCs

August 30, 2024 | By Avani Kulshrestha

Edit: Nitya Kaimal

Since 2018, Central universities have lost 9,642 students, IITs saw a drop of 3,542 , and IIMs had 442 dropouts. Breaking it down further, central universities lost 4,596 OBC students, 2,424 SC students, and 2,622 ST students.

Financial issues, social bias, and difficult coursework cause many SC, ST, and OBC students to drop out of these reputed institutes. Even after scholarship aid and lower fees, many students from these social groups cannot pay for the ever-increasing living costs of cities. Scholarships and social funds often don’t cover all expenses, forcing students to quit their studies.

Casteism is still common in Indian society and schools. Caste-based abuse and a lack of inclusion make life hard for students from marginalized groups. Incidents of caste-based abuse and a lack of inclusivity create a hostile environment for students from marginalized backgrounds. The tragic cases of Rohith Vemula and Darshan Solanki, both Dalit students who faced severe discrimination leading to their untimely deaths, underscore this harsh reality.

Students from marginalised communities often come from underprivileged backgrounds with limited access to quality primary and secondary education. They also face language barriers and inadequate support systems exacerbate the problem. Some institutes offer extra classes, but these often are not enough to bridge the learning gap. The atmosphere in these schools can feel unwelcoming. Students don’t get the peer support and mentorship they need to stay in school. The government and schools have taken steps to address these issues. The Ministry of Education now offers more scholarships and lower fees. It has also set up committees to handle complaints such as SC/ST student cells equal opportunity cells, and liaison officers. These aim to create a better environment for students from disadvantaged groups.

The high number of SC, ST, and OBC students dropping out of India’s best schools reflects the need for a more inclusive and supportive educational framework. To ensure students from disadvantaged groups can finish school and reach their full potential, we must address financial constraints, combat social discrimination, and provide robust academic support. These deep-rooted issues can only be solved if the government and institutes work together, paving the way for a more equitable educational landscape in India.

(Dalit Times)

Pa. Ranjith

August 30, 2024 | By Avani Kulshrestha

Recently, there has been extensive debate on a call by renowned filmmaker and activist Pa. Ranjith for elected Dalit leaders to step forward and voice their concerns against the injustices facing the community. He made this call during a protest rally demanding justice for the deceased BSP leader K. Armstrong, revealing the plight of Dalits in Tamil Nadu and beyond.

Edit: Nitya Kaimal

On July 5, 2024, some men disguised as food delivery agents brutally murdered Armstrong, the state president of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu and an Ambedkarite leader. Among other things, Armstrong had actively campaigned for education, and had been active in the Ambedkarite Buddhist Movement. The police have hinted that his murder could be a revenge killing related to the elimination of gangster Arcot Suresh in 2023. Nevertheless, his followers believe that there is more to it than that. Consequently, fifteen people have been apprehended so far concerning this case, including M. Anjalai, a former BJP member. She had previously served as BJP’s Mahila Morcha functionary, besides being an associate of the late criminal Arcot V. Suresh. She has been accused of handing over Rs 10 lakh to one of the arrested assailants in the Armstrong murder.

Ranjith, who is known for his films that look at Dalit politics expressed his anger on Dalit representatives’ lack of collective action which should have been aimed at changing their condition. He bashed leaders for their inability to coalesce around a common agenda that can address system failures that impact. Ranjith noted that political party pressures could be responsible for inaction, even though there are reserved seats meant to guarantee representation of Dalits.

Neelam Cultural Centre organised a rally that was attended by several groups, including Dalit organizations and other human rights groups. However, VCK founder Ayya Thol. Thirumavalavan ordered his party members not to participate. This decision has brought up questions regarding why certain priorities exist within political organizations and how far they are willing to safeguard their interests rather than discuss community matters concerning vulnerable individuals.

Ranjith’s speech during the rally was a poignant reminder of the responsibility that Dalit leaders have to their community. This he asked because why such leaders like Mayor of Chennai R. Priya and Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Kayalvizhi Selvaraj had failed to publicly demand justice for Armstrong. He told them to appreciate pioneers such as Babasaheb Ambedkar who through his work has made it possible for them to be in their current positions, and not allow politics to take away their voices.

anjith’s call for action brings out the critical necessity for the political release of Dalit leaders and speaking against injustices, from which the voices of their community can be heard, and its rights protected. More important is K. Armstrong’s murder, which critically underscores the urgency of this demand by serving as a brutal reminder of threats faced by Dalit leaders and activists as well as persisting systemic questions.

Ranjith’s rally underscores the need for a proactive stand by the Dalit leadership towards addressing material inequality and violence experienced by their people. It demands solidarity, bravery and unwavering commitment to justice; it speaks to enduring legacies exemplified by individuals like Ambedkar whose dream for an equal society has fuelled activism in support of Dalits’ human rights today.