Dalit v/s Bahujan and the Need for Multi -Class Unity

 

Dalit v/s Bahujan and the Need for Multi -Class Unity

- S.R. Darapuri, National President, All India Peoples Front

 

For quite some time now, the term "Bahujan" has been used in politics instead of "Dalit." According to the proponents of the Bahujan concept, Bahujan includes Dalits and backward classes. According to Kanshi Ram, it also includes Muslims, and their number constitutes 85%. According to his theory, the Bahujans should unite and seize power from the 15% upper castes. While this formula sounds very good and seems to hold great potential, the question is, what is the formula for uniting the Bahujans? Is it the commonality of being Untouchable and Shudra, or something else? The Untouchables and Shudras are divided into countless castes, and they suffer from varying degrees of caste pride. They are just as afflicted by Brahmanism (superiority complex) as they accuse the upper castes of being. There are many intense internal contradictions within them. The Backward Castes consider themselves superior to the Dalits and behave accordingly. Currently, most atrocities against Dalits are committed not by the upper castes but by the prosperous (kulak) Backward Castes. Most Dalits are labourers, and the economic interests of these newly wealthy castes clash with those of the labourers. This is why these castes perpetrate atrocities against Dalits regarding wages and forced labour. In such a situation, on what basis can unity be established between Dalits and Backward Castes? On one hand, there is social distance, and on the other hand, a conflict of economic interests. Therefore, merely being Dalit and backward, or Untouchable and Shudra, cannot be the basis for unity. Even if some unity is formed based on political self-interest, it cannot be permanent, as has been observed in practice.

Now, if we analyse the class structure of Dalits and Backward Castes, it is found that even within the Dalit community, a class division between the prosperous and the poor has emerged. The distinction between the forward, backward, and extremely backward classes within the Backward Castes is very clear. For some time now, only the affluent sections of the Dalit and Backward classes have benefited from economic development and gained a share in political power. In contrast, most Dalits and Backward Classes remain severely marginalized. This division has given rise to the concept of the "most backward" among Dalits and other backward classes. This also makes it clear that the concept of "Bahujan" (the majority) is merely an abstract idea. Similarly, among Muslims, there is a division between Ashraf, Ajlaf, and Arzal, which is manifesting itself as the Pasmanda (most backward) Muslims  movement.

Now the question arises: what can be the real basis for unity within these groups? The above analysis makes it clear that within Dalits, backward classes, and Muslims, there are two distinct classes – the forward and the backward – whose economic and political interests are different, and there are sharp contradictions and conflicts between them. Until now, the dominant section of these groups has been leading the entire caste/class and community in the name of caste and religion, and it is this section that has reaped all the economic and political benefits of development. This has intensified caste/class divisions and conflicts within these groups. Various political parties have been exploiting this caste/class division, but no party has identified their real issues or done anything for their upliftment.

 Recently, the BJP has united them in the name of Hindutva and garnered their votes. If we look closely, this class is socially, economically, and politically backward. The real upliftment of these classes can only be achieved by addressing the issues related to their backwardness and formulating policies to resolve them. Therefore, their true unity can only be built around these issues, not based on caste and religion. From the perspective of economic and political interests, these groups are natural allies because their problems are similar, and their struggle for liberation is also the same.

Under the umbrella of "Bahujan," the issues and interests of the most backward sections get suppressed. Therefore, to establish strong unity among these extremely backward sections, instead of the artificial concept of Bahujan based on caste/religion, issues related to their social, economic, and political backwardness should be raised. Politics based on caste and religion only strengthens Hindutva. With this objective, the All India People's Front (AIPF) has included the following issues under social justice in its agenda: (1) separating the quota for backward Muslims from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), amending Article 341 to include Dalit Muslims and Christians in the Scheduled Castes, and implementing the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and Ranganath Mishra Committee; (2) providing separate reservation quotas for extremely backward Hindu and Muslim castes from within the 27% OBC quota; (3) restoring the reservation system in promotions as soon as possible; (4) filling vacant government posts under the SC/ST quota through a special campaign; (5) providing reservations to Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and Extremely Backward Classes in the private sector as well; (6) granting tribal status to tribal communities like the Kol community of Uttar Pradesh; (7) strictly implementing the Forest Rights Act and making employment a fundamental right, etc.

 With the aim of giving representation to these sections, the party has reserved 75% of the positions in its constitution for Dalits, Backward Classes, Minorities, and Women. The AIPF is striving to promote issue-based multi-class political unity instead of caste-based Bahujan politics, as Dr. Ambedkar also did by establishing the Republican Party of India (RPI). With this objective, the AIPF is currently running an Employment and Social Rights Campaign which is getting good response.

Dalits V/S Bahujan

 

Dalits V/S Bahujan 

-S.R. Darapuri I.P.S. (Retd) & National Spokesperson, All India Peoples Front 

For quite some time now, the word ' Bahujan ' has been used in politics instead of Dalits. According to the promoters of the Bahujan concept, the Bahujans include Dalits and Backward Classes. According to Kanshi Ram, Muslims are also involved and the number is 85%. According to their theory, the Bahujans should come together and take away power from 15% of the Savaranas (higher castes). However, this formula looks great and has great potential. But what is the basis of  Bahujan unity. Is it the formula of being Untouchable or Dalits and backwards or something else? Untouchables and Shudras are divided into innumerable castes and suffer from different caste pride. They suffer from Brahmanism as much as they emulate their behaviour towards Dalits. They have many sharp contradictions. Backward castes consider themselves  to be higher than Dalits and behave like that. At present, most of the atrocities on Dalits are being committed by backward castes rather than upper castes. Most of the Dalits are labourers and the economic interest of these newly wealthy castes is hitting the labourers. That is why these castes persecute Dalits for wages. In such a situation, on what basis can unity be established among Dalits and backward castes? On the one hand there is a social distance and a conflict of economic interest on the other. So being downtrodden and backward or Untouchable and Shudras cannot be a mere formula of their unity. Even if there is any unity in political selfishness, it cannot be permanent as has been seen in practice.  

Now, if the class analysis of Dalits and backward is done, it is found that even within the Dalits, the affluent and the poorer sections have been created. The difference between the backward classes and the most backward classes within the backwards is very clear. For some time now, the affluent sections of the downtrodden and backward classes have taken advantage of economic growth and gained political power sharing. Contrary to this, the majority of Dalits and backward classes are still very backward. The most downtrodden and the most backward classes are talking about this division. It is also evident from this that the concept of Bahujan is only an aerial concept . Similarly, there is a division of Ashraf, Azlaf and Arjal within Muslims, which is being exposed by Pasmanda Mahaz (Backward Muslim).  

Now the question  arises what can be the real formula of unity within these sections. The above analysis clearly shows that there are two  classes within Dalits, backwards and Muslims who have different economic and political interests and also have sharp contradictions and points of clash. So far, the dominant section of these sections has been leading the entire caste/class and community in the name of caste and religion, and this section has taken up whatever economic and political benefit of development. This has intensified caste/class division and conflict within them. Various political parties have been taking advantage of this caste/class divide, but no party has identified the real issues of these classes nor done anything for the upliftment of them. Recently, the BJP has collected  them in the name of Hindus and got their votes. If we see, this class is socially, economically and politically backward. The real uplift of these classes can only be done by raising issues related to their backwardness and making  policies to resolve them. So, the real unity of these can be created only on these issues and not on caste and religion basis. If viewed in terms of economic and political interests, these classes are natural allies because their problems are the same and the struggle for their liberation is the same. Under the umbrella of the Bahujan, the issues and interests of the most backward section are overshadowed.  

Therefore, in order to establish a strong unity of these most backward sections, issues relating to social, economic and political backwardness should be raised instead of the artificial concept of Bahujan based on caste/denomination. The politics of caste and religion strengthens Hindutva. With this objective,  All India People's Front (AIPF) in its agenda under social justice has included: (1) separation of quota of backward Muslims from OBCs, amendment to Section 341 to include Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Castes. Implementation of the recommendations of Sachar Committee and Ranganath Mishra Committee; (2) Reservation quota for most backward Hindu and Muslim castes out of 27% OBC quota; (3) Restoration of reservation in promotions at the earliest; (iv) Filling up of vacant Government posts of SC/ST quota by lauching special drives; (5) Reservation to Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and Most Backward Classes in the private sector also; (6) Grant of tribal status to tribal castes like Coal of U.P.; (7) Issues relating to strict enforcement of Forest Rights Act and (8) making employment a fundamental right, etc. In addition, stringent action should be taken to prevent communalism and terrorism. There has also been a demand for fast-track courts to hear communal violence cases. In view of giving preference to these sections, the party has reserved 75% posts for Dalits, backward, minorities and women in its constitution. The AIPF is trying to enhance the issue-based politics in place of caste-based politics of the Bahujan, as directed by Dr. Ambedkar.