புதிய தமிழகம் சார்பில் 3 நாள் தேசிய மாநாடு டெல்லியில் நடைபெற்றது. கட்சியின் தலைவர் டாக்டர் கிருஷ்ணசாமி தலைமை தாங்கி னார் . இந்தியாவின் முன்னாள் பிரதமர் திரு வி.பி. சிங் குத்து விளக்கு ஏற்றி மாநாட்டை தொடங்கி வைத் தார் . முன்னாள் மத்திய மந்திரி ஜார்ஜ் பெர்னாண்டஸ் , தாழ்த் தப்பட்டோர் தேசிய ஆணையத் தலைவர் சுராஜ்பான் . எம்.பி.க் டகள் ஜி.வெங்கடசாமி ,ஆர்.எஸ் . கவாய் ராம்தாஸ் அத் வாலே, டாக்டர் ஜெகன்நாத் , டாக்டர் ஜெயக்குமார் எம்.எல்.ஏ. மற்றும் தமிழ் அறிஞர்கள் சர்வதேச பிரதிநிதிகள்’ கலந்து கொண்டனர்

தனியார் துறையிலும் இட ஒதுக் கீடு வழங்க வேண்டும் – வி.பி.சிங்

தலித் மக்கள் பிரச்சனை ஒரு விரிந்த பிரச்சனை அதிகார ஏற்றத் தாழ்வு நிலவுகிறது . சமூக ஏற்ற தாழ்வு , அரசியல் ஏற்ற தாழ்வுக்கு வழி வகுக் கிறது . சிலருக்கு அதிக அதி சிலருக்கு ஒன்று மில்லை . இது ஜனதாயகத் திற்கு எதிரானது . ராஜாவும் கிடையாது . மகாராஜாவும் கிடையாது . எல்லோரும் குடிமக்கள் தான் . சாதி மறுப்பு கலப்பு திருமணம் சாதி என்றால் என்ன ? அது பிறப்பால் வந்தது என்கிறார்கள் . திருமணங்களால் , சாதி நிலை நிறுத் தப்படுகிறது . இது மாற வேண்டுமென்றால் , சாதிமறுப்பு கலப்பு திருமணம் நடக்க வேண்டும்

அரசு தரப்பில் தலித் மக்களுக்கு இட ஒதுக்கீடு 15 சதவீதம் தான் கிடைக்கிறது மக்கள் தொகை கணக்குப்படி 25 சதவீதம் கிடைக்க வேண்டும் 50 வருடங்களாக இட ஒதுக்கீடு கொடுத்து விட்டோம் என்கிறார்கள் உண்மை நிலை அதுவல்ல

அரசு துறையில் மட்டு மல்ல , தனியார் துறையி லும் ஒதுக்கீடு யில்லை கொடுக்கப்பட வேண்டும் . தலித்துகளுக்கு திறமை இல்லை என எவரும் சொல்ல முடியாது . தேவை யென்றால் , வேண்டிய பயிற்சி கொடுக்க அரசு ஏற் பாடு செய்ய வேண்டும் .

மாற்றுத் தேர்தல் முறை

தலித் மக்கள் தலித் பிர திநிதிக்கு வாக்களிக்கும் தொகுதிமுறை கேட்கிறீர் கள் . இதை மற்றவர்கள் , பொது தொகுதிகள் , மற்ற வர்கள் மட்டும் வாக்க ளிக்க என வாதம் செய்துவிடக்கூடாது . ஆகவே தலித் மக்களின் பிரதிநிதித்துவம் கிடைக்க சரியான தீர்வை முன் வையுங்கள் நான் வெளிப்படை மனது டன் விவாதித்து புரிந்து கொள்வேன் . இங்கே . மாநாட்டுத் தலைமை உரையில் டாக்டர் கிருஷ்ணசாமி ஒரு முக்கிய பிரச்சினையை முன் வைத்தார் . 50 சதவீதம் வாக்குகள் கூட பெறாத கட்சிகளும் பிரதிநிதிகளும் இன்றைய தேர்தல் முறையில் வெற்றி பெறுகிறார்கள் எனக் கூறினார்

இது சரியான கருத்து நிலவும் தேர்தல் முறை அனைத்து மக்களின் சரியான பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை கொண்டிருக்கவில்லை ஆகவே மாற்று தேர்தல் முறை வேண்டும் அது என்ன முறை என்பதை இரண்டு நாள் மாநாட்டில் விவாதித்து முன் வைக்க வேண்டும்
இவ்வாறு அவர் பேசினார்

பட்டியலின மக்களுக்கு தனி வாக்குரிமை

தலித் மக்களுக்கென தனித் தொகுதி வேண்டும் . அதில் தலித் மக்கள் மட்டுமே வாக்களிக்கும் முறையை அமல்ப டுத்த வேண்டும் என்ற கோரிக்கை இந்தக் கருத்தரங்கில் முன்னிறுத்தப் படுகிறது . ஆனால் , அந்த முறை சரி யாக இருக்குமா என்று எண்ணிப் பார்க்க வேண்டும் . அப்போது , உயர் சாதியினர் , தங்களுக்கென தனித் தொகுதியும் , தனி வாக்களிப்பு உரி மையும் வேண்டும் என்று எதிர் கோரிக்கை எழுப்புவார்கள் . பொதுத் தொகுதியில் தலித்துகள் வாக்களிக்கக் கூடாது என்று எதிர்ப்பார்கள் . அப்போது தலித் மக்கள் தங்களது முக்கியத்துவத்தை இழக்க வேண்டிய ஆபத்து உருவாகலாம் . நான் சொல்வது உங்களுக்குக் கஷ்டமாக இருக்கலாம் . ஆனால் , எந்த முறை நமக்கு நல்லது என இந்த மாநாட்டில் எல்லோரும் இணைந்து ஆலோசிக்க வேண்டும் என்றார் வி.பி. சிங் .

ராமதாஸ் அதாவலே எம்.பி.

எஸ்.சி , எஸ்.டி மக்களுக்கு தனியார் துறையில் 20 % இட ஒதுக்கீடு அளிக்க வேண் டும் என்றார் . வேலைவாய்ப்பில் மட்டு மன்றி , நிலம் , தண்ணீரிலும் ஒதுக்கீடு வேண் டும் என்று கோரிக்கை வைத்தார் .

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS By Dr.K.Krishnasamy, M.D.,

“SELF DETERMINATION OF SCs/STs FOR DEMOCRACY AT GRASS ROOT LEVEL”

The most respected Hon’ble Mr.V.P.Singhji, the former Prime Minister of India and Chief guest of today’s function, Respected Mr.G.Venkatasamy, M.P. and former Minister, Mr.Ramdass Athawale, M.P., Fighting Panther and my good friend, Mr.Udit Raj, President, Indian Justice Party, Mr.N.Manohar Prasad, Respected delegates from various parts of India and U.S.A., My Colleagues

Puthiya Thamizhagam party cadres and other guests and friends, it is my pleasant duty to deliver the Presidential address on this Seminar entitled ‘SELF-DETERMINATION OF SCs/STs FOR DEMOCRACY AT GRASS ROOT LEVEL’ to-day –

Hon’ble Mr.V.P.SINGH is the towering personality and emancipator of social and political realm of India. Sir, you have helped for the socio-political transformation as against the stagnant pool stringent water.

Respected Mr.G.Venkatasamy, M.P. and former Minister is noted for his valuable contribution to the welfare of SCs/STs of Andhra Pradesh and India.

Our most respected Monk Bhadani Arya Nagarjuna Shurai Sasai is an apt person for today’s deliberations. Monk of Buddhism may present today’s subject with the basic tenets of Buddha (knowledge), Sanga (organization) and Dhamma (Law of piety).

Our friend Mr.Ramdass Athawale is always giving helping hand for our movement since many years.

Mr.Manohar Prasad is our contact person helped for organising this seminar at New Delhi.

Mr.Udit Raj, our good friend and his party Indian Justice party is the co-sponsors of this programme.

We have assembled here to discuss three issues namely

– Separate Electorate for SCs/STs

– Proportional representation

– Reservation in private sector

and any other issues emanating out of the discussions. We are also with open mind for accepting any other alternate to the issues raised by us.

Largest Democracy

India is the largest democracy in the world in terms of Election politics. Indian society lacks democratic principles. Political democracy is only a top dressing. South East Asian socio-political system represents ‘Asian despotism’ in its fundamental character. In the recent years lot of checks and balances were exerted to curb the money and muscle power. Election Commission is very serious on the issues of role of criminals in politics but silent on caste terrorism and constant fear inculcated on the weaker sections of the society. These are making the Election process as a mockery. One example we want to quote the failure of successful conduct of local body election at Papapatti, Keeripatti and Natarmangalam of Usilampatti taluk of Madurai district and Kottakachanenthal in Virudunagar district is the monumental failure of democracy at grass root level in Tamilnadu ruled by successive Dravidian parties. In fact intermediate castes and erstwhile criminal castes dominate the socio-political scenario of Tamilnadu. State Election Commission, political parties of Tamilnadu, Government of Tamilnadu and Central Election Commission and Government of India are the mute spectators. Keeping criminal caste as criminal groups in the election politics is dangerous in all respects.

We like to inform that we are the off-shoots of Dravidian movement of Tamilnadu, but we have practical agenda for accomplishment. Dravidian movement heralded by Periyar Ramasamy on the basic social structure of secular policy of Tamils since 2000 years. Thirukkural written by Thiruvalluvar of A.D.31. His clan is now degraded to a sub-caste of SCs. Dravidian movement since 1920 had its achievement and had its failures also.

Dravidian parties DMK, MDMK and ADMK are the silent spectators of caste atrocities in all parts of Tamilnadu. ‘Two glass system’ in tea stalls of Tamilnadu villages are in 20,000 villages. Our party removed this system in many villages for which we have invested the displeasure of the then ruling DMK Government.

One Mr.Murugasan, Panchayat Leader of Melavalavu of Melur of Madurai district was murdered along with his five friends in day light in the running bus for having elected to a reserved panchayat leadership. We demanded security during local body election and lodged complaint to the State Human Rights Commission, besides appeal to the National Human Rights Commission and the then Home Minister in 1997. Interestingly Mr.Murugasan was a DMK sympathiser. Physical violences were let loose on Dalits. To quote one incident on 15th August 2004 one Mr.Rasu, President of Sotathatti village panchayat near Madurai was beaten with chappal for having hoisted the national flag. Urinating on the face and feeding shits for minor disputes have taken place in Tamilnadu. The temple festival Swarnamurthi Eswarar temple of Kandadevi near Devakottai of Sivagangai district is dominated by local caste of Thugs and Devendrakula Velalars (Dalit sub-caste) are not allowed to participate in the function.

Reservation policy has been floated since 1967 by both DMK and ADMK Governments. It is only 5 – 6 per cent has been filled up as against 19 per cent quota for SCs/STs. We have demanded white paper. The DMK Government presented a white washed paper with a back log vacancies of 4907 posts and 1094 posts for SCs and STs respectively. Nearly 35,000 posts were identified by the High Level Committee appointed by the Government.

Dravidian movement in its earlier dayswas called as the ‘party of Pallas and Paryas‘ i.e., Movement of Devendrakula Vellalars and Adi-Dravidas. In short Dravidian movement was a S.C. movement initially.

Leaders of Dravidian movement making theoretical discourses and passed many Government orders in favour of SCs/STs. Counter Revolutionary forces within the Government in political parties stopped at implementation level.

Unsociable caste groups and erstwhile criminal castes now dominate Dravidian parties. We want to make ‘Periyar Thoughts‘ in other words Phooley-Periyar-Ambedkarism into action programme. On the top of the issues Dalit parties were excluded in the last Parliament election to satisfy few atrocious intermediate castes which are always exploiting Dalits. Also inculcating fear as the key by immediate and intermediate castes who were traditionally supporters of Varnashrama Dharma or Brahminic social order. It is noteworthy that they were not workers but sustain as Thugs and Pindaris. Dravidian movement got stagnated and became counter revolutionary in social issues thought not for other issues.

There is urgent need to make a critical review on the general election process and election for local bodies. It is not out of context that the entire country submits before social (caste) terrorists, religious fundamentalists, criminals and pot-bellied rich including traders and capitalists. The indigenous people (SC / ST / Most backward castes) are the victims for the criminalized socio-political process and democracy itself will be the ultimate victim of Indian despotism.

Though there are very little merits in the Election system of India there are number of demerits, which can be listed as follows.

Demerits of Indian Election System

1. Money power

2. Muscle power

3. Caste domination

4. Caste tyranny

5. Coalition Election politics

6. Political defections

7. Booth capturing

8. Election manifestoes with false promises

9. Preventing SC/ST people from voting

10. Police atrocities

11. Ruling parties manipulations

12. Role of criminals

13. Lack of people’s true representation

14. Accountability of SC/ST representatives

15. Largest democracy lacks accountability for SCs/STs

This august gathering knows these demerits fully well. I like to elaborate few important points.

Caste domination
Caste is the unique feature of India. Casteism is the dominant factor in the social and political life of India. Indian social system lacks the very qualification to be a society. There is no equality and fraternity and liberty in the Hindu society. Numerically large castes dominate the socio- political life and the exception being SC/ST. Even when there is numerical strength of SC/ST they do not dominate other groups.

Hindus believe caste system of hierarchical social order. There is ascending order of reverence and descending order of contempt. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and few servicing castes (MBC) like barbers, washermen and potters are considered to be enemies of Hindus. There were historical evidences that these people were treated unseeables / untouchables in the past barring few exceptions. Hindus treat them more than foreigners. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes were deprived of rights for owning land, properties, education and basic human rights. There is also Hindu theological concepts to degrade them through mythological stories and religious concepts.

In fact, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were the indigenous people. Their lands were alienated and taken away by land gifts to so-called ‘face born’ people. Those who were opposing the religious rules enshrined in the Shastras were denied of land rights. The SCs are the single largest social groups having relatively homogenous social values as compared to any section of the so-called Hindu society.

Caste Tyranny
Hindus treat SC/ST still untouchables in rural areas. Untouchables and Scheduled Tribes form distinct minorities within Hindu social order. Dr.Ambedkar wanted untouchables to be empowered through separate electorate during second round table conference in 1931. “The Depressed classes must be given sufficient political power to influence legislative and executive action for the purpose of securing the welfare … provisions shall be made in the electoral law so as to give them (1) Right to adequate representation in the Legislatures of the country, Provincial and Central (2) Right to elect their own men as their representatives (a) by adult suffrage and (b) by separate electorates for the first ten years and thereafter by joint electorates and reserved seats, it being understood that joint electorates shall not be forced upon the Depressed classes against their will unless such joint electorates are accomplished by adult suffrage …. Just as it is necessary that the depressed classes should have the power to influence governmental action by seats in the Legislature so also it is desirable that the Depressed Classes should have the opportunity to frame the general policy of the Government” (Ambedkar, 1945/1991).

Views of Dr.Ambedkar was opposed by Mahatma Gandhi as the leader of All India National Congress. Mahatma Gandhi felt that separate electorate will create separation among Hindus. Mahatma Gandhi undergone fasting against the communal award made by the, then British Government.

Separate Electorate proposed by Dr.Ambedkar was opposed by Mahatma Gandhi at the cost of his life. After hectic discussion, Poona fact signed by two parties concerned. An agreement was arrived at that first selection of panel of four members further culminated into double member constituencies and reserved constituencies system followed at present. Joint electorate was thrust on the SC/ST population according to the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi who was aware of the danger of Hindu orthodoxy. Mahatma Gandhi’s expectations that Hindu would solve problems of untouchables proved to be a total failure.

This fact was realized after 54 years of declaration of republic and 52 years of first general election that Hindus keep the depressed classes (SC/ST) under their control. SC/ST are away from the political power structure of India. There is large scale anti-Dalit psyche perpetuated in Independent India. Hence the joint electorate for SC/ST population had failed and the vision of Dr.Ambedkar to have separate electorate is meaningful, purposeful and useful for SC/ST population and others in the present context.

Coalition Election politics
The major factor for political turmoil at present is the coalition for election purpose. Parties in coalition during one term are opposing the old partners during the subsequent election. Manipulation of various kinds are adopted in the coalition politics. Political alliance after election for the formation of a stable Government is acceptable in the election process.

Preventing SC/ST population from voting
SC/ST population is socially, economically and geographically marginalized people. Also during election process they are either purchased or prevented from voting. Election system should empower 25 per cent of weaker section by adopting neutral election process.

In case weaker sections are self sustaining in terms of economic position, they are prevented from voting. Typical case is southern Tamilnadu. Out of the earning from skilled labour from Gulf countries and gainful employment in Government sector. SC population try to assert their political rights. This became the irritant factor, which lead to severe conflicts during elections. Polling booths located in the intermediate caste habitation is unapproachable for SC population. Similarly plantation labourers of Tea estates are denied special leave during polling for recent parliament elections.

Lack of people’s true representation
Indian elections are presenting an abnormal picture due to coalition politics in Elections and became a political gambling. There should be normal distribution or equal representation in relation to voting percentage.

Political leaders are jubilant and arrogant in the event of success with skewed performance. They are crying for the need for proportional representation in the event of total defeat with narrow margins. There is need for the Election Commission to go for proportionate representation. This will also eliminate the too many roles played by individual candidates with caste and money power. Proportionate representation will result in polarization based on ideologies among political parties.

Accountability of SC/ST representatives
Elected parliamentarians and legislators from SC/ST sections through joint electorate (Reserved Constituencies) are first and last loyal to the political parties to which they belong. Poor Dalit candidates are depending upon their political parties and funding sources of higher castes. All the political parties are controlled by landed high castes and locally dominant criminal caste groups besides industrial houses. SC/ST representatives cannot raise their voice against atrocities of various kinds.

Spiking out the eyes with sharp cane for a love affair, killing of Dalit pregnant women for land dispute, naked parading a dalit woman for a water dispute, refusal to bury the dead body in the common graveyard, forcing to eat shit and urinating on the face of an SC for minor disputes, non-implementation of reservation policy for Government posts etc., are atrocities not questioned by SC/ST representatives in parliament and legislative assembly. It is not possible since they are at the mercy of Hindu orthodoxy and the respective National parties. Regional parties and Dravidian parties are also manifest domination of intermediate (criminal) castes and counter revolutionary forces in political parties.

Largest democracy lacks accountability for SCs/STs
Great social visionaries like Mahatma Pule, Periyar E.V.Ramasamy, Dr.Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru foreseen the tyranny of Hindu orthodox. They want to empower SC/ST through appropriate measures in the social and political realm. The school of thought lead by Mahatma Gandhi accepted the domination of Hindu orthodoxy but it had recommended for the mercy of Hindus.

The elected members of SCs/STs are mute spectators. They cannot decide their own social, political and cultural aspirations through joint electoral system. In the midst of various means to manipulate democratic election process, separate electorate for SC/ST both for Parliament and State legislatures is the historical need and a must. “… Instead of leaving the untouchables to the mercy of the higher castes, the wiser policy would be to give power to the untouchables themselves who are anxious, not like others to usurp power but only to assert their natural place in society. Admitting the necessity of ‘Self determination’ for untouchables communal representation cannot be withheld for them” (Ambedkar, 1919). This view is justified in a stagnated social condition in India.

To sum up my speech let me present the following:

– India, being the largest democracy has to overcome the inadequacies of election process in India.

– Political parties indulge in money power, muscle power and caste power to win the election.

– Caste atrocities, violation of voting rights (human rights) are to be put down.

– Political leaders of SC/ST communities are marginalized and victimized.

– They are at the mercy of Hindu orthodoxy and upper castes and all concerned are the mute spectators on the social, political, cultural and economic oppressions carried out by Hindus.

– Political empowerment of SC/ST population is not possible in the present joint and territorial electoral system.

– SC/ST people could not elect their own representative through joint electorate as Dr.Ambedkar forecasted in 1931.

– People’s true representation is not possible with territorial constituencies and the present coalition election politics is the negation of democracy.

– We demand (1) SEPARATE ELECTORATE FOR SCs/STs as suggested by Dr.Ambedkar and (2) PROPORTIONATE REPRESENTATION for all political parties with suitable checks and balances. We are ready to accept any alternate proposal in this regard.

– It is worth to demand separate settlement for Dalits at constituency or bunched taluks level for settlement of Dalits as that of American Indian Reservations. These settlements will involve shift of population on either side. All these settlements (few taluks) would be Union territories as that of Karaikal, Yenam, Mahi and Pondicherry with Central Police authorities mainly to overcome the thralldom of Caste Conscious Hindus. Also democratic Election process is possible and feasible.

– Manipulative election politics aiming the vote bank of SCs/STs/poor should be stopped to enable true democracy.

– Erosion of value system, political ideology and lack of confidence on the system of election will be detrimental for democracy and social turmoil is inevitable.

– Election is not only electing the people’s representatives from existing social system but also mending and ending the social evils related to socio-political process.

Thanking all very much for your patient hearing.