by Chandrabhan Prasad It was the morning of January 30, 2000, and the place was Rashtrapati Bhawan. We, a group of Dalit writers and a host of non-Dalit intellectuals, along with the editor of The Pioneer, were walking out of Rashtrapati Bhawan after having presented the first copy of the Dalit Millennium, a 12-page supplement …
Woman power in Dalit movements
Chandra Bhan Prasad (First published in The Pioneer in October 2001) I do not wish to refer to Ms Mayawati, the pride of the Dalit movement today, who has single-handedly redefined the grammar of cowbelt politics. Yes, Kanshi Ram did “introduce” her but don’t male politicians require mentors, too? I am talking about other …
A safe distance from peace activism
by Chandrabhan Prasad Late in the evening of September 1, the Kingsmead stadium at Durban witnessed a keen contest of ideas and agendas. That evening, the World NGO Forum finalised the Declaration, which was to be submitted to Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Journalistic ethics at Durban
by Chandrabhan Prasad A t the Durban conference, I was greatly perturbed by the intellectual taste of the Indian media and the excessive dependence on secondary sources for news.Not one of them seemed to have confirmed with the WCAR Secretariat facts relating to Para-73, before pronouncing judgments on the “exclusion” of “Work & Descent” in …
North Beach turns into ideas
by Chandrabhan Prasad The decision was deliberate. I wore a starched kurta churidar pajama because it had given me a distinct identity. Plus, with the “end caste” discrimination badge in place at the second button, anxious mediapersons could easily approach me to learn about India’s caste system. The party had just begun.
When the world danced to Suresh Lele
by Chandrabhan Prasad No, I would not like to describe how Heather M. Acs looked. The New York born girl has just crossed her teens. She is a White American, usually accompanied by her friend Mama S. Diouf, a Black girl of about the same age and appeal. Then there is the tall Brazilian girl …
They ‘the people’, we ‘the untouchables’
by Chandrabhan Prasad It can happen only in India. In the US or South Africa, it will be beyond anybody’s imagination to indulge in any race-related discourse without involving Blacks. Last Sunday, Star News organised a debate on caste in We The People, hosted by Barkha Dutt, otherwise a fairly “secular” person by persuasion …
Secularists’ new trip to Dalit platform?
by Chandrabhan Prasad India is passing through a crucial phase of its history. So is the Dalit movement. In the age of globalisation, the new Dalit has come to realise that world pressure can be applied to compel ruling Varnas to make him an equal partner.
The Durban dip can cleanse a billion sins
by Chandrabhan Prasad The Ganges is a monumental aqua-guard which has been cleansing Varna souls ever since the advent of their civilisation. A few Varna apologists describe the senseless Ganga dip as an act of “self-criticism”, where devotees officially confirm they have committed a sin.