Latest news with #Bahujans
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Polls via ballot papers will bring BSP's good days back, says Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati on Thursday reiterated her demand for doing away with electronic voting machines (EVMs) and bringing back ballot papers for elections. 'The ballot papers will pave the way for achhe din (good days) for the BSP,' she said at a press conference in Lucknow. The four-time former Uttar Pradesh chief minister alleged EVMs were tampered to prevent the BSP from winning elections. In the present political situation, a decision should be taken to conduct all elections through ballot papers, she said. The majority of the opposition parties are demanding ballot papers, but it's not possible with the present government in power, she said. Asking BSP supporters not to be disheartened, she said they should work to strengthen the party organisation and increase its support base. Mayawati hit out at Azad Samaj Party (ASP) chief Chandrashekhar Azad. She said if he is concerned about the welfare and empowerment of Dalits, he should join the BSP instead of running a separate party. She accused Azad of trying to divide Dalits and weaken the BSP. 'The leaders of casteist parties like the BJP, Congress and the Samajwadi Party are supporting small political outfits to weaken the Bahujan movement. The leaders of the newly floated outfits are selfish. Even if the leaders of these outfits become MPs, MLAs or ministers for their personal gains, it will not bring any real benefit to Dalits and marginalised sections,' she said. Mayawati expressed concern over the lack of equitable participation of Bahujans in the country's GDP growth. She described 'the continuing poverty and unemployment' as a matter of concern. While the BSP is the only party working on the ideals of Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the rival parties are trying to weaken it, she said. The BSP supporters should be alert about the designs of such parties, she said, adding they are using the names of Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram. 'They are also misusing my name for political advantage. They are telling people that they will fulfil the mission of Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram,' she said. On June 1, ASP chief Chandra Shekhar Azad had stated that people had rejected BSP chief national coordinator Akash Anand, who is Mayawati's nephew. 'Due to compulsions, the BSP opened its doors for him even after his expulsion. There is no option for the BSP,' Azad, the Lok Sabha MP from Nagina in west UP, had said at a press conference in Lucknow.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maya slams ASP chief Chandra Shekhar Azad
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati hit back at Azad Samaj Party (ASP) chief Chandra Shekhar Azad stating that leaders of such organisations and parties are like rain frogs, who are weakening unity between the Bahujan and BSP on the directions of and support from parties like the Congress, BJP and SP. Addressing 'Astitva Bachao - Bhaichara Banao' (Save Existence – Build Brotherhood) - Parbudh Jan Sammelan in Lucknow on Sunday, the ASP chief had attacked Akash Anand who has been recently appointed chief national coordinator of the BSP. 'People have rejected Akash Anand but due to compulsions, the BSP opened the door for him after expulsion,' he said. Lashing out at BSP, Chandra Shekhar had said, 'I respect BSP chief Mayawati but now the ASP will fulfill the dreams of Dalit icons Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram. Ambedkar had said that dead people do not run the mission and they do not leave the mission alive. ASP is spreading the message and mission of BSP founder Kanshi Ram'. Mayawati countered the ASP chief's attack on BSP with a series of posts on X on Monday. Without taking his name she said, 'BSP is the only Ambedkarite party in the country working for the benefit of the Bahujans'. Defending her decision to open the door to her nephew, Akash Anand, after expelling and reinstating him on the second top post in the party, the BSP chief said, 'There is a tradition of taking action against people in the interest of the party and taking them back if they repent. In this sequence, the ups and downs of Akash Anand in the party and making him the chief national coordinator has naturally created uneasiness among many people. 'The party hopes that Akash Anand will fulfill the responsibility of taking forward the self-respect of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and Kanshiram. The BSP is realising their dreams with full dedication and heart and soul. The party has absolutely no need for opportunists and selfish people,' she said. Slamming ASP chief Chandra Shekhar Azad, the BSP chief said, the leaders of some organisations and parties who are like rain frogs may become MLAs, MPs and ministers for their personal gain but they are not going to do any good to society. People should be careful, she said.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Caste census will dispel the notion of castelessness
Written by Jadumani Mahanand For more than a hundred years, any discussion on caste has evoked multi-layered debates. But caste continues to shape the foundational base of Hindu society. Each discipline — social sciences, humanities, law, economics, or even biology or environmental sciences — uses its own methodological perspective to unpack its dominance. The popular perception of speaking about caste has mostly been associated with Dalits or Bahujans. When a sufferer/oppressed speaks about caste, it is reduced to identity politics. But when an oppressor speaks about the caste, it is perceived as progressive or casteless. Historically, the 1931 caste census exposed the accumulation of power, resources and prestige, which led to the foundation of social justice measures. Following a similar trajectory, the Mandal Commission recommendations changed the political dynamics of the country. Caste is neither merely a data, nor a value-free category. It is essentially a governing principle. Each aspect of Hindu life is governed by 'the cosmos of caste habitus', whether it is marriage, food, language, name, occupation, power or prestige. Counting Caste is to count the status of caste and its multifaceted nature. For example, how does the practice of caste impact the everyday life of an Indian? Why and how do people practice caste, and what is its significance? These questions are necessary to understand the life and status of the caste in India. The belief that caste no longer exists in Indian urban middle-class life has spread across the upper caste universe in the liberal dominating space of educational institutions. Their castelessness itself is a perpetuation of caste privilege. The caste difference in India is so stark that one section enjoys the privileges of being the residents of South Delhi, while the others are forced to work as manual scavengers. Thus, disgust becomes a natural indignation against Dalits. Similarly, caste also dominates the online dating apps and matrimonial sites. One can further count caste in a gig economy. What does a Dalit or a lower caste body embody in this capitalist modern world? Everywhere — from the judiciary, bureaucracy, parliaments, educational institutions, media, to business — the upper castes control the democratic system by monopolising the instrument of caste. Arguably, the principle of social justice has made Indian democracy meaningful, otherwise, it would have been completely controlled by the upper castes. Despite them constituting a minority proportion of the Indian population, their numbers are numerically high in the major institutions that wield power over the society. Can counting caste counter the dominance of caste? It may be used as a tool in Bihar and UP elections, where critical caste consciousness is prevalent among the lower castes. Many political leaders, including the Prime Minister, have politically benefited from caste assertion. Congress's decision to have a Dalit party president also symbolises that. In Bihar, both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad used caste as a pivot to consolidate their respective voters. When caste can be used for political gains, it should be documented for other purposes — like welfare and reservation — as well. Only a caste census would be able to dispel the notion of castelessness and identify how caste has shaped the political and social features of our country. The writer is assistant professor, political science, O P Jindal University. Views are personal
United News of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Caste-wise census, success of BSP ideology, claims Maha gen-secy
Pune, May 4 (UNI) The decision taken by the central government to conduct a caste-wise census in the country is a victory of the ideology, demand and struggle of the Bahujan Samaj Party, claimed the party's state general secretary and West Maharashtra zone in-charge Dr Hulgesh Chalwadi here on Sunday. He alleged that the Bahujan society is still being exploited, suffered and deprived due to anti-Bahujan policy of the Congress and BJP and claimed that there is a competition between BJP-Congress to take credit for the decision of the caste-wise census. Dr Chalwadi said that it is because of the struggle of BSP, which is based on the ideas of the party's founder Kanshi Ram ji, who first gave the slogan 'The greater the number, the greater the share', that a caste-wise census will be conducted for the first time in the country after independence. Basically, the origin of this demand is of BSP, he claimed and said if the policy of the Congress-BJP and other parties towards Bahujans had been pure, the OBC community would have become a big partner in development of the country, he said. He further said that due to continuous struggle of the great man Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and the BSP, the OBC community has become very aware today. Due to this, these parties, which have set their eyes on the votes of OBCs like Dalits, are pretending to be acting for benefit of Bahujans, he charged. Dr Chalwadi said that interests of Dalits, tribals, OBCs and the entire community are included in the BSP. While taking credit for the Centre's decision to conduct the first caste-based census in the country after 1931 and independence, he alleged that the Congress, which was ousted from power due to the 'black chapter' of depriving crores of Dalit-OBC citizens of their constitutional rights including reservation, had forgotten them. UNI SP SS
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
RJD's Manoj Jha: ‘A reluctant govt's agreement to a caste census is not the destination. It is the start. Oppn is alert, will watch it closely'
THE RJD and social justice parties in the Opposition have claimed that the Narendra Modi government's announcement for a caste census is a vindication of their long-standing demand. The RJD, in particular, has been highlighting Bihar's efforts in sustaining the call for caste enumeration, with the state conducting a caste survey and releasing its findings in October 2023 at a time that the RJD was a part of the state government. RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha talks to The Indian Express about the challenges the survey faced in Bihar, the BJP 's position on the issue over the years, and the road ahead for the Opposition in raising the plank. Excerpts: What are the political implications of the Centre's announcement of caste enumeration in the next Census? Jha: There is a term called 'marriage of contradiction'. This decision (on caste census) is that. The fact of the matter is that this political party (the BJP) was always posturing against the idea of caste-based enumeration. They have used derogatory language for it, including the honourable Prime Minister… They ridiculed Lalu ji (Lalu Prasad), Tejashwi (Yadav) ji, Mulayam Singh ji, Sharad Yadav ji. They said that we will divide the country… The fact of the matter is that you need caste-based scientific data in order to address the anomalies in your development plan… of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas… That favourite slogan of the PM is in fact hollow unless you have the (caste) data. What were the challenges the Bihar government faced in its caste survey? Jha: The honourable PM and his party were not in favour of it (the caste survey in Bihar). They tried all kinds of sabotage techniques to halt it. However, the Bihar government conducted the survey through its own resources. The data that was collected showed the dark reality of millions of lives. On the basis of it, certain programmes were envisaged. However, those programmes could not be realised on the ground because suddenly (Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar turned the other way (left the RJD and joined hands with the BJP). But the quantum of reservation was enhanced. We requested the PM to put that (the implementation of the survey) in Schedule 9 (a Constitutional mandate that makes any law immune to scrutiny by courts). This was not done. Subsequently, we had to move the Supreme Court because the High Court had halted that process of 75% reservation (in the wake of the caste survey). That tells you that this journey had acquired a national stature. Telangana recently did it (a caste survey), which Mr Rahul Gandhi is talking about. So, this collective voice of the subalterns — the Bahujans — was instrumental in making a party agree (to a caste census)… This is a party (the BJP) that has always been opposed to even caste-based reservation, forget enumeration. The demand for a caste census has been one of the central planks of the INDIA bloc since the Lok Sabha elections last year. What is the road ahead for the Opposition on the issue? Jha: Why is the media looking at a reluctant government's agreement to a caste census as the destination? It is the beginning of the journey. We (the Opposition) will be on alert mode. We will see how it is being conducted… We will not allow any kind of mess in the process. Once the data is available, then the real story begins… (which is) looking for greater representation and programmes to minimise income inequality…. Will the caste census announcement have any impact on the forthcoming Bihar polls? Jha: The idea (of a caste census) was of Bahujan politicians like Lalu ji, Mulayam ji, Sharad Yadav ji. Later on, it was taken up by Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav … There is a Bahujan wave in Indian politics. This ownership cannot be robbed by anyone. I hope the government does not have Bihar elections in mind. *At a press conference Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the government should emulate the Telangana caste survey, calling it very 'different' from Bihar's. How do you view his remarks? Jha: I do not agree (with Gandhi). I have seen the Bihar survey results. He (Gandhi) could have (made those comments) because it is his government (in Telangana) and he was instrumental in making it happen. But Tejashwi Yadav personally monitored the survey (in Bihar) and it is as scientific and valuable as what Mr Gandhi thinks the survey in Telangana is… These are just talking points in the media. On the ground, it has no traction. The only thing that will matter on the ground is how the data for the caste survey is collected and how we go from there. How were OBCs enumerated in the Bihar caste survey, since they are categorised differently across states? Jha: There is a general understanding and the base is the Mandal Commission report. When someone refers to a sub-caste, you have to look at it anthropologically as to which caste the sub-caste belongs to. Generally, people refer to their sub-castes but that has to be located among the major castes. This applies to OBCs as well as Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) and also to the Upper Castes. When someone says their caste is Paswan, (for example), then it will be counted in SCs like other sub-castes like Ravidas, Pasi and others. When the Centre collects caste data, should it consolidate or separate the state and central OBC lists? Jha: Ideally, it should be merged. But we must understand that a large majority of the population lives in states. The Centre is an administrative entity, while the habitat entity is states. It has to be a meticulous exercise. In the case of the 2011 Census, they say the data got corrupted… I am saying there should be a greater understanding of anthropological concerns about castes and sub-castes. In the Bihar caste survey, were general category castes considered a singular bloc? Jha: It was done separately. If someone said they were Brahmin, one category was general and another more specific one where the person was specified as Brahmin. The same was done for other categories.
