Scholar exhorts dalits to distance from hinduism.

Scholar exhorts dalits to distance from hinduism.

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi:   At the workshop organised on awareness for Dalits to commemorate the 77th birthday celebrations of Dalit leader Prof B Krishnappa,  Dalit movement scholar Prof Rachappa H observed that the Dalits should come under single tag of Buddhism to empower themselves against suppression.  The scholar alleged that the high castes dictate the life of Dalit people, atrocities and suppression  continue even today.

Lamenting that the world is fast moving towards progress ignoring all evil practices, the scholar said India is still in the sway of practicing age-old customs and traditions.  In India humans are massacring their counterparts. There is no end to violence committed in the nation which preached peace and non-violence to the world.

Right to freedom of speech and expression is forcibly curbed by recent BJP led central government, Rachappa said freedom of speech and expression for Dalits is at peril. Referring to recent ban imposed on Ambedkar Periyar Study Centre, Chennai by Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani.

The extreme decision taken following the remarks by students of the study centre against Modi government, for its failure to fulfill the assurances it made during the poll campaign. He said democratic values in the country are losing its relevance under Modi government.

Suppression being prime target against Dalits, the scholar said so called ’Manu’ followers decide how the  Dalit has to conduct his life.   Atrocities are committed by Hindus against Hindus (Dalits) and not by Muslims and Christians.  In this backdrop, every Dalit needs to  self-introspect  for associating himself with Hinduism.

There are nearly 26-28 crore Dalits in India. Atrocities against these people are routine affair.  He said Dalits should be applauded for enduring violence. He said if Dalits continue to live under the wrap of Hinduism, upliftment of community would only be a dream. He urged them to come out and associate themselves with Buddhism, the dogma, wherein Bhagvan Buddha treated every individual as the being.

Pointing out at sudden collapse of Dalit movements in the aftermath of 1994, Rachappa said Dalit movements are instrumental for less crime taking place against Dalit communities in Maharashtra and Karnataka. He said Dalit movement in Karnataka has lost its vigour. He said the Dalit movements should bounce back tagging themselves with Buddhist principles, adopted by Ambedkar. The Dalit can also take over the political scenario in the country if they come together shedding their internal differences.