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Remove untouchability Sir, This has reference to the letter ''A Rich and Ancient Civilisation'' DE dated 19.11.98 by Shri Predhuman K Joseph Dhar. The author of the letter undoubtedly a learned person having more than required knowledge of Indian History has rightly defined the Indian culture and civilisation as product of interplay of different religious ideologies with diverse creed colour and life, style etc.It is also a reality that Indian way of life is traditionally characterised by tolerance and respect of religious faiths other than one's own faith. That was the basic of Incorporation of Article- 15 in the Constitution of India. Mr Dhar will agree with me that the Historical events are continued process of happenings, least concerned to the likings or dislike of any individual, group of persons, class or community taking place in a country with the evolution of society and are always recorded in Chronological order by the historians without any bias. The orders of the Uttar Pradesh Government to some intellectuals to re-write History by deleting the period of glorification of Muslims/Mugals rulers is nothing but a ''political agenda'' and an attempt to subvert the history. Unlike, Britishers the Pathans, Muslims, and Mugals settled in India and adopted Indian culture and therefore cannot be termed as aggressors, like Aryans who also came from across Hindu Kush and settled herein India. One must know that our civilisation is known as 'Ganga-Jamani civilisations'' excepting an event of bad taste of partition which is also a part of History. The role of all religions was positive and that is the reason irrespective of our faith. We visit the ''Tombs' or Zayarets of Peers, Fakir etc. This is our cultural heritage. The role of Hindus/Muslims, Sikh had been appreciable in freedom struggle. Can we forget the role of ''Bahadur Shah Zaffar'' the last Mughal Emperor in the mutiny of 1857 and separate it from the role played by Rani Jansi or Tantya Tope. Can one lost sight the role of Saif-ud-Din Kichloo, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai and others in the freedom movement. Unfortunately, the politicians have been using the religion for their political ends and never made earnest efforts to instill ''National spirit''. Besides religion they have raised regionalism, casteism and what not. The people of India have on their own maintained communal/religious amity ignoring such efforts at all time. It was in this context that Sir, Dr Mohammad Iqbal said ''Kuchh Bat Hai Ke Hasti Mitati Nei Hamari''. What Mr Dhar wanted to prove by referring Vasante Sathe will be well known to him, but he must known that Mr Sathe is also a politician and have his political ambitions. I perfectly agree with Mr Dhar that Indian cultural heritage back to the thousand years and vedas are the basis of our civilisation. He must be aware that there was no distinction between touchables/untouchable at that time. Manu Maharaj who divided the society in four Varnas also pronounced that the Varna of an individual will depend upon his ability and not by class. Some vested interests bestowed it by birth later. This caused the social evil of untouchability which still prevail in the country despite being banned after independence. I will recall Mr Dhar of his own writings ''Recognise Dalit Christians'' wherein he himself stated that Dalit ''untouchable'' Christians suffer the same social, educational and economic disabilities as they were subjected to before adopting Christianity. The foremost task before every Indian is to remove the social evil of untouchability, get the right of equal social status restored and also their economic upliftment. They must thwart all efforts of politicians of all shades including CPI/CPI (M) to use their plight for their political ends, whatsoever these may be. Yours etc... |
