Bahujans and Others

Bahujans and Others

As a dalit from Tamil Nadu I am sorry to see that Aditya Nigam (‘Secularism, Modernity, Nation: Epistemology of the Dalit Critique’, EPW, November 25, 2000) has not bothered to consult dalit writers and intellectuals from Tamil Nadu to get a clearer picture. His references are to writers all of whom belong to either upper or powerful middle castes. Their crocodile tears about dalits have no meaning because they are using dalits for their personal and caste agendas. What EVR says about brahmins applies equally to nadars, thevars, vanniars, naickers, gounders (all belong to OBC category). When they want our political support, they will talk of equality and social justice, but treat us like dung when they wield power in the villages. They may join us in processions, but remain what they are – oppressors of dalits. What is this ‘dalitbahujan’ category? If by bahujan is meant OBCs, we have no desire to have any association with them.