By Sondip Bhattacharya
The likes of Mayawati and Ram Vilas Paswan pounce on one of the country’s finest academics and long- standing friend of the Dalits, one who has consistently spoken up for the disempowered, the lower castes and the marginalised. The call for Ashis Nandy’s arrest for atrocities against the Dalits is perhaps a fitting tribute to the confused Indian republic on Republic Day. It shows how pathetic our populist pursuit of politics is, and underlines how we have failed to protect freedom of thought and expression that our Constitution guarantees. Over the years, we have grown used to being attacked for expressing our views. The dominant, empowered lot — like the Hindutva brigade — resort to vandalism, the chosen weapon of the morally weak and ideologically decrepit. From film theatres to art galleries, publications to libraries, every space for public debate is attacked by hooligans just because someone disagrees with an idea, an argument or an image. Very often, these vandals belong to a political party and are protected by the powers- that- be. Thus, simple criminality turns into a complex political game of power that erodes our democratic rights. The disempowered, thankfully, do not resort to vandalism. But they choose powerful weapons nevertheless, weapons they have been given to fight wicked monsters, to protect themselves from evil demons waiting to pounce. The weaker sections, like certain sections of Dalits and STs and OBCs, choose to hit out with laws. Thus the violent suppression of ideas we do not wish to encounter increasingly rules our public space. And it is such a knee- jerk reaction that we don’t even stop to hear or understand what is being aired. It does not matter, as long as there is a big protest, as long as certain political leaders get to flex their muscles, mobilise their supporters, feel energised, and get their 15 seconds of fame.
Against this background, it is unjust that his comment at the 2013 Jaipur Literary Festival stating that “people belonging to OBC, SC and ST communities are the most corrupt” should turn controversial. The reaction of the BSP supremo, Ms. Mayawati, the LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan and politicians from all other political parties is politically understandable. The disproportionate and monumental wealth amassed by them and many others is an open secret. Filing of criminal case and invoking the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act needs to be condemned. The Dalit activists need to understand that Nandy is strongly hitting out at corruption and raising the voice to protect the Dalit from falling a prey to many of their leaders whose mind, heart and lifestyle has totally alienated from their cause.
The statement is neither casteist nor in any way maligns Dalits and OBCs. It is definitely nasty to the few corrupt belonging to these communities. It is true that corrupt people are in all communities. Greed and exploitation knows no caste or religion. The forward castes or classes and more particularly the Brahmins have received a beating from Dalit politicians, thrashing from progressive intellectuals and black branding from social activists for corruption, exploitation and following the philosophy of exclusion. In fact, not a day goes without a stone being hurled at the forward castes despite the fact that a major section of the forwarded castes today practise renunciation from the unjust and unfair practices of the past. It is not just Nandy but many social thinkers have rightly observed that the ‘Brahmanical’ tendencies have gripped the “advantaged forward sections” amongst the OBCs, SCs and STs. The lavish and prodigal lifestyle of persons belonging to these communities who have got hold of executive, administrative and political power would put the erstwhile Brahmins to shame. Usurpation of lands, real estate deals, extortion and demands for kickbacks has led to the emergence of a handful few Dalit lords surrounded by a sea of Dalits living on subsistence. Feudalism in a reformed form and hero-worship of the absolutely undeserving is gaining ground in these backward communities. It is observed that those who have gained power have amassed fortunes through the same methodology as the officials of the much maligned forward classes. Nandy has not said anything wrong or blasphemous. It may not be politically right but definitely not factually erroneous.
Politicians of all shades will stab their communities stealthily and at the same time use the community label as a shield to protect themselves. Hence, any criminal proceeding or even an unpalatable comment on a Dalit politician would be projected as an insult or attack on the community. The few beneficiaries will also use the community tag as a ladder to move up in the executive and political hierarchy. This is natural and unavoidable. To a large extent, this approach is also acceptable. But, what should be castigated are illegality and the failure to espouse the causes and aspirations of the dispossessed with commitment for upliftment of the majority in the community. The landlords and corrupted beneficiaries belonging to the SC/ST community should not be spared.
Just as the Congress party leadership has desecrated Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalit top management has defiled Ambedkar and Jyotiba. No issue on this with the BJP since it is their dharma to decimate these leaders through slow poisoning. The Dalit leadership will trample upon the teachings and principles of their idols but will raise a hue and cry on fleeting aspects such as statutes, paintings and writings. Kamal Hassan’s Vishwaroopam, a thriller film, is under attack from similar leadership holding sway over the Muslim community. It would be wrong to consider this as resurgence of the underprivileged and minorities. This is decadence and attempts to take these segments for a jolly good ride to serve the personal and selfish interests of a few leaders. The community as a whole is destined to lose more freedom and opportunities of social development as long as they remain in the clutches of such self-centred leaders. This small group in the community will reap gains by keeping the community away from the mainstream.
Probably, corruption is a phase of transition in the backward classes and scheduled communities. The opening of access to political, economic and governmental opportunities generates sharp inequity in a community. Initially, the benefits are cornered by a few forward amongst the backward. These beneficiaries emerge as the nouveau riche and in their bid to retain their power resist further redistribution and advancement of others in the community. INAV