Bahujan Lives Matter (2024)

05/09/2023

On Sep 2, Swati started Ask Me Anything on Instagram to engage with her followers. Someone asked her, "When will you come to do a show at IIT Delhi? If you come, please reserve one seat for me." She replied, "Quotawali aadatein nahi gayi tumhari," mocking reservation and people who benefit from it.

Swati made fun of IIT Delhi, a place where a Dalit student had recently committed su***de. This incident highlighted a broader issue in the stand-up comedy scene in India where comedians often make jokes about political leaders from marginalized communities, reservations, and quotas, leading to accusations of casteism, sexism, misogyny, and other forms of discrimination.

Swati's path to fame diverged when she openly declared her bisexuality during one of her shows, garnering significant attention and support from her audience. Her journey also reflects the influence of caste, class, and capital in the entertainment industry. Swati's background undoubtedly played a role in her wider recognition and audience reach. Progressive stand-up comedians often overlook the structural issues perpetuated by their peers and fail to acknowledge their complicity in promoting misogyny, casteism, and phobia.

Stand-up Comedian Manjeet Sarkar, hailing from the Dalit community, sheds light on the disparities in the comedy scene. While Black comedians in other countries draw from their lived experiences for satirical content, Dalit comedians face hurdles in securing shows, corporate gigs, or private performances, with upper-caste comedians often reaping financial rewards while Dalit comedians struggle for visibility.

Ankur Tangade, Dalit q***r stand-up comedian, shares her experience of navigating the comedy world as a q***r and Dalit individual. Initially, she used her platform to address q***r issues but later embraced her Dalit identity. She highlights how people tend to overlook lived experiences in favor of surface-level progressive labels.

Being a stand-up comic is challenging, but for Dalit comedians, it adds layers of complexity. They utilize humor as a powerful tool to challenge stereotypes and societal norms.

One of the key strategies employed by Dalit stand-up comedians is "punching up." Through their comedy, they confront power structures, expose elite hypocrisy, and question dominant caste narratives. Their experiences of discrimination and oppression are cleverly transformed into thought-provoking punchlines.

Their mission goes beyond eliciting laughter; it's about driving social change. Dalit stand-up comics fearlessly tackle uncomfortable truths, using their platform to raise awareness about caste-based discrimination and the struggles faced by Dalit communities.

"Punching up" also entails reclaiming their identity and dismantling stereotypes associated with being Dalit. With humor as their ally, Dalit comedians demonstrate that they are not just victims but individuals with dreams, aspirations, and a unique perspective on life. Their comedy breaks down barriers and initiates conversations that are often swept under the rug.

Writer - Bhagyashree Boywad

28/06/2023

Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan, the chief of the Bhim Army, was shot at in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur today, police said.
Two bullets were fired at Mr Azad's car. The first bullet entered the seat of the vehicle, grazing his waist as it passed through the door. The second bullet hit the back door, narrowly missing him.

"The convoy of Chandra Shekhar Aazad was fired at by a few car-borne armed men. A bullet brushed past him. He is alright and has been taken to CHC for medical treatment. Police is investigating the matter," senior police officer Vipin Tada said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

The Bhim Army chief was travelling in a Toyota Fortuner when he was attacked. Photos of an injured Mr Azad and his damaged vehicle were shared by the Bhim Army on social media.
"The deadly attack on Bhim Army Chief and National President Bhai Chandrasekhar Azad in Deoband of Saharanpur is a cowardly act of stopping the Bahujan Mission Movement! Demands quick arrest of accused, strict action and security of National President Bhai Chandrasekhar Azad ji!" the Bhim Army said in a statement.

11/06/2023

S Jaishankar sadly eating breakfast at the residence of a Dalit booth president in Varanasi raises important questions about the true intentions behind such inter-dining events. While inter-dining has been historically used as a tool for caste politics, it is crucial to examine whether these gestures address the pressing concerns of the Dalit community or if they merely serve as empty tokenism.

The act of politicians dining in Dalit households, like the recent incident in Varanasi, can be seen as an attempt to demean and condescend to the Dalit community. By publicizing their presence in Dalit bastis, politicians inadvertently reinforce the deeply ingrained caste system and perpetuate the notion that Dalits are untouchable and inferior. This approach does little to challenge the core issues faced by Dalits and merely serves to boost the image of politicians.

While inter-dining events may create an illusion of solidarity and inclusivity, they often fail to address the critical concerns faced by the Dalit community. Social exclusion remains a significant challenge for Dalits, who continue to experience discrimination and marginalization in various aspects of their lives. Genuine efforts to dismantle the oppressive caste system must go beyond symbolic gestures and address the root causes of social exclusion.

Dalits face significant hurdles in accessing quality education and employment opportunities due to discrimination and systemic barriers. Despite the rhetoric of political parties, the actual efforts to bridge the educational and employment gaps faced by Dalits are often insufficient. Merely sharing a meal with Dalits cannot erase the deep-rooted disparities that persist in these areas.

Politicians' utilization of as props to boost their image is a disheartening reality. These orchestrated events often lead to Dalit individuals being used as mouthpieces, forced to deliver gratitude speeches for the politicians' hollow gestures. This kind of tokenism only perpetuates the cycle of marginalization and reinforces the power dynamics within the

05/06/2023

To pursue studies abroad, 30 students obtained a scholarship worth Rs 10 crore by submitting fake caste certificates claiming to belong to OBC, SC, and ST categories. The examination of these students' caste certificates revealed this fraudulent activity. In certain cases, cancellation of the caste certificates and recovery orders have been issued; however, no action has been taken against those responsible. Consequently, the accused individuals continue to study abroad with the fraudulently obtained scholarships. Most of these students are from Indore, while some are from Haryana and Bihar. The involvement of Sajo Consultancy in this forgery is suspicious.

The state government has implemented the Foreign Study Scholarship Scheme for OBC, SC, and ST students. In the applications received in 2022 for this scheme, three applicants named Ayushi Sharma, Shishir Sharma, and Nayan Sharma were reported to the senior officials of the department. Upon verifying their caste certificates with the local administration in Indore, it was discovered that all three students actually belong to the general category.

The OBC Mahasabha, Adivasi Seva Sangh, and other organizations have taken this matter seriously. They have conducted document verification for students who received scholarships between 2019 and 2022. During this process, doubts were raised about the caste status of a total of 30 students. Consequently, the organizations not only examined the documents of these applicants but also visited their places of residence. The investigation confirmed that these students indeed belong to the general category.

Despite the complaint, authorities showed leniency:

1. Nayan Sharma's fake caste certificate complaint was lodged on January 1, 2022. However, a sum of 19 lakhs was disbursed to him in April 2022. Nayan went to Australia in 2022. The fake caste certificate was discovered, and a notice was issued to recover the 19 lakhs, but no recovery action has been taken.

2. Shishir Sharma obtained a scholarship of Rs 35 lakhs in 2020. He submitted an affidavit at the SDM office, claiming to have studied at Shastri Kala School on Kanadia Road, Indore. However, the investigation did not find any evidence of such a school's existence. The District Education Officer (DEO) confirmed this.

3. Avneesh Tanwar was granted a scholarship of Rs 20 lakhs in 2022. However, his caste certificate was canceled the same year. Despite this, no recovery notice has been issued. The address mentioned in Tanwar's certificate, made in Indore, was a rented house, and the Panipat address provided in the income tax return and passport also turned out to be fake.

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In January 1929, Jadunath Sinha, accused Dr. Radhakrishnan of extensive plagiarism in his thesis, 'Indian Psychology of Perception.' These accusations sent shockwaves through the academic world. Jadunath Sinha was no ordinary scholar. He had an impeccable academic record, earning honors and prizes from Calcutta University. He was not just a student; he was a future academic luminary. Dr. Radhakrishnan's response to these allegations was far from satisfactory. He not only failed to acknowledge the plagiarism but also attempted to tarnish Jadunath Sinha's reputation. The battle didn't stay confined to academia. In August 1929, Jadunath Sinha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Radhakrishnan, seeking ₹20,000 in damages. In retaliation, Radhakrishnan filed a libel suit demanding ₹1,00,000. Dr. Radhakrishnan had influential connections and managed to garner support from prominent figures, including Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, the son of Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, who was instrumental in bringing Radhakrishnan to Calcutta University. Ultimately, Prof. Jadunath Sinha succumbed to the overwhelming pressures, and the two suits were settled outside the court in May 1933. The terms of this settlement remain shrouded in mystery. So, on this Teachers' Day, as we celebrate the contributions of educators, let's also reflect on this hidden controversy surrounding the man whose birthday we commemorate. Perhaps, it's a reminder that even our most revered figures may have untold stories and complexities. Should we rethink how we celebrate Teachers' Day? It's a question worth pondering.

Mangal Pandey or Matadin Bhangi: The 1857 War of Independence, often claimed to have been started by Mangal Pandey, was actually inspired by Matadin Bhangi. Their story is narrated as follows: In Barrackpore, there was a factory where cartridges were manufactured. Many workers in this factory belonged to the untouchable communities. One day, a thirsty worker approached a soldier named Mangal Pandey, who was a Brahmin. Mangal Pandey refused the worker water due to his untouchable status, which was a deeply humiliating experience for the worker. In response, the worker confronted Mangal Pandey with the following words: "बारा आवा है ब्राह्मण का बेटा। जिन करतुसों का तुम उपाय करत हो, उन पर गाए या सुअर की चारबी लगावल जात है, जिन्हे तुम अपन दातुन से तोरकर बंदूक में भारत हो। हे समय तोम्हार जाति और धर्म कहाँ जावत। धिक्कार तुम्हारे ब्राह्मणत्व का है।" Translation: "You claim to be a highly respectable Brahmin, but the cartridges which you bite with your teeth and insert in your guns, are all rubbed with the fat of cows and pigs. What happens to your caste and religion then? Curse on your Brahminism." These powerful words from the worker, who was none other than Matadin Bhangi, stunned Mangal Pandey and awakened the Indian soldier's consciousness. This event marked the ignition of the initial spark of India's struggle for Independence. Matadin Bhangi's message rapidly spread throughout the Cantonment, igniting the flame of Independence. On the morning of March 1, 1857, Mangal Pandey disrupted the parade and began firing indiscriminately at the British, accusing them of insulting his religious sentiments. This pivotal mom

Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan, the chief of the Bhim Army, was shot at in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur today, police said. Two bullets were fired at Mr Azad's car. The first bullet entered the seat of the vehicle, grazing his waist as it passed through the door. The second bullet hit the back door, narrowly missing him. "The convoy of Chandra Shekhar Aazad was fired at by a few car-borne armed men. A bullet brushed past him. He is alright and has been taken to CHC for medical treatment. Police is investigating the matter," senior police officer Vipin Tada said, as quoted by news agency ANI. The Bhim Army chief was travelling in a Toyota Fortuner when he was attacked. Photos of an injured Mr Azad and his damaged vehicle were shared by the Bhim Army on social media. "The deadly attack on Bhim Army Chief and National President Bhai Chandrasekhar Azad in Deoband of Saharanpur is a cowardly act of stopping the Bahujan Mission Movement! Demands quick arrest of accused, strict action and security of National President Bhai Chandrasekhar Azad ji!" the Bhim Army said in a statement.

Indra Meghwal, a student of the Saraswati Vidhya Mandir in Surana village, was beaten up for drinking water from a pot, on July 20 and died due to his injuries at a hospital in Ahmedabad on August 13.� SHO Dhruv Prasad SHO knowing that the victim student is a Dalit, did not file a report and got the family of the student under pressure and settled. Teacher Chail Singh, under section 302 of the IPC and the SC/ST Act has been arrested, when the boy died. "The pictures of the lathi charge on the Jalore victim's family by the Rajasthan government are enough to show the dictatorship. 5-6 people of the family have been injured." tweeted Noratram Loroli A family member of boy can be seen in video saying that they have been beaten by police too. The internet has also been suspended in the area to prevent the situation from escalating.

Bahujan Lives Matter