Dr Lenin and Weavers of Banaras

Dr Lenin and Weavers of Banaras



Troubled Galaxy Destroyed Dreams: Chapter 36

Palash Biswas

I love most the ancient Indian City on the bank of the great Ganges.

You know, it happens to be Banaras.

Freedom fighter Basanta Kumar Bannerjee, the brother of martyr Manaindra Bannerjee was very affectionate to me. While I passed my High school Exams from Zila Parishad Higher Secondary School Dineshpur in Nainital, Basanta Babu, the most respected family friend in Terai insisted that I must study in BHU. He suggested that I should have got lodging in his Banaras Home.

But I opted for Nainital. I had decided to have my higher studies in Nainital while I was reading in class two. I visited Nainital when he was being tried in Nanital court in a case lodged by the State for his leadership in Dhimri Block Peasants` Uprising in 1958. My father and his comrades lost the case and were sentenced. But they were released immediately on bail. My father showed me the campus of DSB College and I was in love instantly and declared that I would complete my higher studies only from there.

Basant Babu was the man who helped me to know the real story of India`s Freedom Struggle and the war, launched by Azad Hind Fauj. I knew the details of World War first and second thanks to Mr Bannerjee and his library in Khanpur number One about three KM away from my Village Basantipur..

I was the first student in five long years who got first class in Dineshpur. My father was very keen to adjust me in the Bannerjee family in Banaras, but I was quite reluctant.

But I always felt very strong for Banaras all the time. Indian History has its continuity in Banars and it is quite fascinating.

In Kolkata, I have been working with Dr Mandhata Singh and Arvind chaturved since 1991. Both belonged to BHU.Chaturved left Kolkata some time back. But Dr Mandhata Singh is there to represent Banaras for me.

Eminent Hindi writer kashi Nath Singh have been a hero for us while we were the undergradute students in DSB college. We included his novel APNA MORCHA in our study circle during Emergency. Later, we became friends despite my differences with the renowned elder brother Dr Namwar Singh. Kashinath Singh and my dear most poet Gyanendra Pati supported me all the way in my experiments in interactive novel writing America Se Savdhan. It is true almost all the poets supported me. But only Kashinath jee have been the prominent prose writer who supported me. Only very late, I enjoy the support of Mahashweta Di!

I remember, my friend since Dhanbad days , well known Novelist Sanjeev visited me in Sodepur and suggested me to be concise with some accurate form. I could not oblige. Even while I returned from New Delhi, where I could not meet Sanjeev or Rajendra Yadav as they were out of station, after a few days I called Sanjeev on phone as I missed him very much. We shared our concerns with the intimacy the old friends might do. Then, Sanjeev asked about the Novel. I told him that I have thrown the manuscript in dustbin as no body did remember it any longer. He suggested once again if I could revise the Novel. I just answered that I have given up so called creative writings as I am now basically committed to defend my Indigenous communities which are being annihilated. I have no money to sustain. All avenues of income have been closed. I have no space as I could not manage a home in almost three decades. I am getting older and I have no spare time. I wrote the Novel and adopted the interactive format just to try to mobilise an anti imperialist movement in India on creative front as the political parties have been never interested to take any anti Imperialist initiative. I was a damned Fool! I was younger to afford to be overambitious. Now I have no ambition.

I am fortunate that I got so much support from Banars which I never got from my Nainital or Uttarakhandi team all these years. When we shot the feature film VASEEYAT, directed by Rajiv Kumar, as a script writer I was one of the Unit. I spent the most pleasant time in Banars in Winter,2000. Kala- Kammune was a team always cooperative. I was in live contact with my Banrasi friends.

Even before I could leave for New Delhi to participate the NAFRE organised discourse, Vachaspati Sharma from BHU invited me to visit Banaras!

Dr Lenin Raghuvashi who is fighting for the untouchable Weavers of Banaras and has been victimised by the State for his `dis adventure’, has been in my contact list and we enjoyed some correspondence time to time. He is a doctor of Medicine and is destined to be a Social Engineer.

Two of my most eminent friends AK Roy of Jharkhand movement fame from Dhanbad and Shankar Guha Niogi of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who was assassinated, have been engineers. I knew another Doctor of medicine, a cancer specialist who used to be involved in Mass Mobilisation in eighties and now has made enough money out of marketing Network. He has given up his ideology as well as commitments! Dr Arvind and Sanjeev are known as scientists and are engaged in creative literature. We know another Doctor of medicine, Dr Binayak Sen!

I met physically the person I liked most in the entire environment of mass movement and it happened to be Lenin. He is short as my father had been. But my father had dark complexion. My mother had been fair. So I am not that dark as my father have been. I saw the glimpse of my late father who could fight the world or would ally with anything or encounter the topmost personalities to defend his community, the refugees and the peasants.

I was very pleased to see Lenin convene the Open Forum on 25th July.

I was also impressed by two young ladies, Lakkhi Das from Jamshedpur and Nasreen, from UP. Lakkhi and Nasreen lead the National executive Council. Lakkhi, I came to know later is the convener of the NEC at present. I had a soft corner for the young lady as she belongs to Jharkhand. We worked with another girl from Ranchi, Vaasavi. She is indisposed now. I was informed thus. But Lakkhi`s face was reminiscent of the lost face of the past. She is so young that I could not detect her leadership qualities which she expressed in the discourse. Nasreen seemed somewht mature. She belongs to Lucknow. I had family relations with Razia Zaidi Family in Bijnore. Razia and Nigar, two of the family have settled in Lucknow. Thus, we discussed Lucknow in personal encounter. She also performed very well to represent the Mass Movement sector. Then, suddenly I invented the lady is well engaged with Poetry and she recites very well. She uses poetry to make a point.

Faisal Anurag told us that Lakkhi Das, the SC girl from Jharkhand would lead the Nation someday. I would be the happiest man if this happens.

Lenin spoke on the problems of Mass Movement in remote areas in India. He spoke for the Weavers and Mushhars, the untouchables of Banaras. He shared every detail of the resistance ongoing. Then he convened the discussion very well. He spoke on Black brotherhood, alternative media, parralel media, FDI, social network and untouchability.

I was very good experience to share experiences with the people like Lenin, Jaidep Hardikar, Abhishake Shirivastv and the Gen Next as they speak with great accuracy, objectivity and graphic details with enough interactive imput. I hope for the better. They seem to be engaged to make strategies of realliances in the best interest of the persecuted indigenous communities worldwide. They have a Vision and understanding of social realism. Even the youngest of the lot Lakkhi seemed to be very accurate even in accountancy. Well armed is Gen Next despite the ongoing Blue Revolution! Subversion Environment is overlapped by intense commitment without quoting any damned Ideology!




India: Threats against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and members of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of death threats made via mobile phone against human rights defender Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and members of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) between 25 April 2008 and 18 May 2008, calling for them to cease their human rights work, in particular their work with the Dalit communities in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. Dr Raghuvanshi is the convener of the PVCHR and also a member of the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded Labour in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi's human rights work focuses on hunger and death due to starvation.

Further Information
Posted 21/05/2008 Since 25 April 2008, Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi has been receiving threatening calls to his mobile phone in which he has been verbally abused and warned that he will be killed if he continues with the work of the PVCHR with the Dalit communities in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

The threatening calls were made from the following numbers: +919415158550, +919794207227, +919454592038, +919792166784, +919792317547, +919453982577, +919956198171, +919838709973, +919889028806, +919792625583, +919795067828, +919838709937, +919792308119, +919793181915 and +919335985425, +919956816351 and +919919784317, all of which are registered in India.

Front Line wrote to you on 25 January 2008 regarding the harassment of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and members of the PVCHR. On 23 January 2008, Dr Raghuvanshi appeared before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court 1 to present his application for bail, which was accepted as the Court ruled that there was no reason for him to be detained.

Furthermore, the Magistrate ruled that the complaint that had been filed against Dr Raghuvanshi on 9 December 2007 by the village head of Belwa in the Badagaon administrative district, Rajendar Thripathi, for “anti-state activities” could not be registered due to insufficient evidence. Dr Raghuvanshi, along with Ms Anupam Nagavanshi and Ms Shruti Nagavanshi, also staff members of the PVCHR, has been charged with “statements conducing to public mischief”, under Section 505 (b) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. However, the Court reportedly ordered that they are not to be arrested in relation to these charges until further notice. Due to questions regarding the procedure that was followed in this case, the Magistrate has ordered the Phulpur police to produce all documents relevant to this case before 29 January 2008.

Front Line has previously expressed its concern regarding threats against Dr Raghuvanshi and the staff of the PVCHR, received between 4 and 6 December 2007, as well as the complaint filed against him by Rajendar Thripathi, on 9 December 2007. Dr Raghuvanshi was the subject of intimidation by Rajendar Thripathi, and in 2002, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Rajendar Thripathi by Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi in his capacity as member of the Committee on Bonded Labour. A warrant was consequently issued for Rajendar Thripathi's arrest, which is still pending. It is not known why Rajendar Thripathi was not arrested when he presented himself at the police station to file the FIR against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi; however it could be seen to indicate a degree of collusion between the police and the local authorities.

Furthermore, in August 2005, Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi received death threats from a friend of Rajendar Thripathi, Rmasray Singh, while Rajendar Thripathi was contesting the Panchayath election. Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi reported these threats to the authorities on 6 August 2005 and a FIR was issued. This case is also pending despite expressions of concern from three United Nations Special Rapporteurs to the central government.

Front Line believes that these threats against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and members of the PVCHR are directly related to work that the PVCHR does in the defence of human rights, in particular its work to assist those facing discrimination and death by starvation due to their caste in Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and the PVCHR have recently drawn attention to incidences of babies and young children dying from starvation in the state, which have engendered widespread media attention and criticism of the state government's failure to acknowledge and tackle the problem, which is closely linked to the issue of caste discrimination. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and all members of the PVCHR.

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1446



India:Harassment of human rights defender Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and colleagues


Front Line expresses concern regarding the charges that have been filed against human rights defender Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and other staff members of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). Dr Raghuvanshi is the Convener of the PVCHR and also a member of the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded Labour in the State of Uttar Pradesh, in northern India. In his work in the defence of human rights, Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi has focused on the protection of the right to food and on victims of death due to starvation.

Further Information
Posted 25/01/2007 On 23 January 2008, Dr Raghuvanshi appeared before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court 1 to present his application for bail, which was accepted as the Court ruled that there was no reason for him to be detained. Furthermore, the Magistrate ruled that the complaint that had been filed against Dr Raghuvanshi on 9 December 2007 by the village head of Belwa in the Badagaon administrative district, Rajendar Thripathi, for “anti-state activities” could not be registered due to insufficient evidence.

Dr Raghuvanshi, along with Ms Anupam Nagavanshi and Ms Shruti Nagavanshi, also staff members of the PVCHR, has been charged with “statements conducing to public mischief”, under Section 505 (b) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. However, the Court reportedly ordered that they are not to be arrested in relation to these charges until further notice. Due to questions regarding the procedure that was followed in this case, the Magistrate has ordered the Phulpur police to produce all documents relevant to this case before 29 January 2008.

Front Line has previously expressed its concern regarding threats against Dr Raghuvanshi and the staff of the PVCHR, received between 4 and 6 December 2007, as well as the complaint filed against him by Rajendar Thripathi, on 9 December 2007. Dr Raghuvanshi was the subject of intimidation by Rajendar Thripathi, and in 2002, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Rajendar Thripathi by Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi in his capacity as member of the Committee on Bonded Labour. A warrant was consequently issued for Rajendar Thripathi's arrest, which is still pending. It is not known why Rajendar Thripathi was not arrested when he presented himself at the police station to file the FIR against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi; however it could be seen to indicate a degree of collusion between the police and the local authorities.

In August 2005, Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi received death threats from a friend of Rajendar Thripathi, Rmasray Singh, while Rajendar Thripathi was contesting the Panchayath election. Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi reported these threats to the authorities on 6 August 2005 and a FIR was issued. This case is also pending despite expressions of concern from three United Nations Special Rapporteurs to the central government.

Front Line believes Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and the staff of the PVCHR have been targeted as a result of their legitimate human rights work, in particular, their work to protect victims of starvation in Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and the PVCHR have recently drawn attention to three incidences of babies and young children dying from starvation in the State, which have engendered widespread media attention and public criticism of the State government's failure to acknowledge and tackle the problem. This poverty and starvation are closely linked to the issue of caste discrimination. Concern is expressed for the security and physical and psychological integrity of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and all staff members of the PVCHR.

Take Action
Please to take action to end the harassment of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and the staff of the People's Vigilance Committee on on Human Rights who are being harassed.

Copy the enclosed letter and send it to the address provided.

Thank you for taking action on behalf of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and his colleagues.

Target adresses:
President Pratibha Patil
Office of the President
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi 110 004
India

Letter:
Your Excellency

I wish to express my concern regarding the charges that have been filed against human rights defender Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and other staff members of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). Dr Raghuvanshi is the Convener of the PVCHR and also a member of the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded Labour in the State of Uttar Pradesh, in northern India. In his work in the defence of human rights, Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi has focused on the protection of the right to food and on victims of death due to starvation.

On 23 January 2008, Dr Raghuvanshi appeared before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court 1 to present his application for bail, which was accepted as the Court ruled that there was no reason for him to be detained. Furthermore, the Magistrate ruled that the complaint that had been filed against Dr Raghuvanshi on 9 December 2007 by the village head of Belwa in the Badagaon administrative district, Rajendar Thripathi, for “anti-state activities” could not be registered due to insufficient evidence.

Dr Raghuvanshi, along with Ms Anupam Nagavanshi and Ms Shruti Nagavanshi, also staff members of the PVCHR, has been charged with “statements conducing to public mischief”, under Section 505 (b) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. However, the Court reportedly ordered that they are not to be arrested in relation to these charges until further notice. Due to questions regarding the procedure that was followed in this case, the Magistrate has ordered the Phulpur police to produce all documents relevant to this case before 29 January 2008.

I am aware of previous reports regarding threats against Dr Raghuvanshi and the staff of the PVCHR, received between 4 and 6 December 2007, as well as the complaint filed against him by Rajendar Thripathi, on 9 December 2007. Dr Raghuvanshi was the subject of intimidation by Rajendar Thripathi, and in 2002, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Rajendar Thripathi by Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi in his capacity as member of the Committee on Bonded Labour. A warrant was consequently issued for Rajendar Thripathi's arrest, which is still pending. It is not known why Rajendar Thripathi was not arrested when he presented himself at the police station to file the FIR against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi; however it could be seen to indicate a degree of collusion between the police and the local authorities.

In August 2005, Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi received death threats from a friend of Rajendar Thripathi, Rmasray Singh, while Rajendar Thripathi was contesting the Panchayath election. Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi reported these threats to the authorities on 6 August 2005 and a FIR was issued. This case is also pending despite expressions of concern from three United Nations Special Rapporteurs to the central government.

I believe that Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and the staff of the PVCHR have been targeted as a result of their legitimate human rights work, in particular, their work to protect victims of starvation in Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and the PVCHR have recently drawn attention to three incidences of babies and young children dying from starvation in the State, which have engendered widespread media attention and public criticism of the State government's failure to acknowledge and tackle the problem. This poverty and starvation are closely linked to the issue of caste discrimination. Concern is expressed for the security and physical and psychological integrity of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and all staff members of the PVCHR.

I urge the Indian authorities to:

1.Take urgent and effective measures to ensure the security and physical and psychological integrity of Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and all members of the PVCHR.

2.Initiate an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the threats and allegations made against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and staff members of the PVCHR, and take appropriate action against any corrupt officials or the village head in the case that the allegations made against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi are found to be ungrounded.

3.Ensure that all human rights defenders in India are free to carry out their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights, without fear of intimidation or reprisal.

Yours sincerely,

Action Finished:


This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.

Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1332



Threat to Life of Advocate for Dalit Rights
Dr. Lenin Rahguvanshi, a human rights activist working for the Dalits and the backward class in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India has been receiving death threats from local political figures from the upper caste communities, asking him to stop his work with dalits or he and his family would be murdered.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to highlight the situation faced by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, who has also been an Ashoka Fellowship Awardee for 2001, internationally recognized for his work on human rights. Dr Lenin and his colleagues have been subjected to death threats from the upper castes to stop working for the dalit and backward classes.

Dr Lenin has been working in Belwa village, largely to provide education to children from the dalit and backward class who have been denied this right by the upper castes. The state government has not provided schooling for this community despite their long-standing demand.

The backward classes and the dalits have also been denied the right to vote. Belwa village and its surrounding areas are known for booth capturing and election related fraud. During the February 2002 election, people from these communities were brutally assaulted when they went to vote. Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr Giri, Dr Lenin's associate has filed his nomination and is expected to be a strong contender due to his popularity amongst the backward community.

On August 5, Mr.Rama Sharay Singh called Dr Lenin on his mobile phone (No: 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Around the same time, Mr.Giri also received death threats in the village where he was working. Once again, on August 7, Mr Singh called up Dr. Lenin and said that if the nomination was not withdrawn, Mr Giri and his family would be shot dead.

Dr. Lenin recorded the conversation, made copies of it and is now meeting the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Brij Bushan and the District Magistrate, Mr. Gokaran to lodge his complaint. Dr. Lenin has also faxed a complaint to the Chief Minister of the state regarding the incident.

In this context, the AHRC requests you to intervene and call upon the Government of India and the State Administration of Uttar Pradesh in particular, to provide full protection to Dr. Lenin, Mr. S. N. Giri and their families. An impartial inquiry into the incident must also be conducted immediately. Please also urge the State Human Rights Commission to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident and make public its report and findings. The district administration should immediately consider the long pending request of the Dalit and backward community of Belwa to open a public school for the children. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Backward Community should also look into the incident, conduct an inquiry into the situation of Dalits and backward community in Uttar Pradesh and recommend effective measures to the State as well as the Central Government in order to put an end to the existing caste based oppression and discrimination. And finally, the State as well as National Election Commission should inquire into the incident and take appropriate action against those who are threatening Mr. S. N. Giri to withdraw his candidature.

Case Details:

Since 2000, Dr. Lenin has been working with the dalits and the backward community in Belwa village, under the jurisdiction of the Phoolpur police station in Varanasi . One of the issues Dr. Lenin focuses on is education for children from the Dalit and backward community and the right to self determination for these community members. Dr. Lenin’s colleague, Mr. S. N. Giri is also involved in this work. Mr. Giri is an accepted person among the Dalits and the backward community in the village.

To provide education to the children from these communities, Dr. Lenin with the help of the benefactor families and with financial assistance from CRY, an international organisation, has started a local school where approximately 200 children receive primary education. It is alleged that the local village head Mr. Ranjedra Thiwari, who has held this position for the last 27 years, is opposed to the presence of this school. Since the post of the village head has been reserved for a woman, Mr. Thiwari’s wife is holding the post. It is also alleged that Mr. Thiwari in the past has publicly declared that the children from the Dalit and backward community do not have a right to education and that no one from this community has the right to cast their vote in any election. Mr. Thiwari comes from the upper Brahmin caste.

It is alleged that owing allegiance to the pressure from the upper caste community, the state government has not provided any school for the lower caste and backward community in this village despite their long pending demand. These children are also not permitted to attend other schools. On 26 August 2003, Dr. Lenin and his colleagues, together with the support from the local lower caste and backward community, organised a protest before the Sub Divisional Magistrate in Varanasi . Dr. Lenin was immediately arrested and detained by the authorities. The Sub Divisional Magistrate also comes from the same caste as Mr. Thiwari. Dr. Lenin was released after four hours of detention following a huge outcry from individuals and groups within the national and international community.

This village and its surrounding places are known for booth capturing and election fraud. In 2001, a people’s tribunal headed by Mr. Justice Sukumaran concluded after a public hearing that there is a clear denial of the right to vote for Dalits and the backward community. The tribunal in its report categorically stated that the police, administration and even the judiciary is biased against the Dalits and the backward community. Belwa was also in the news when there was rampant booth capturing during the 21 February 2002 election in which Mr. Ajay Rai was declared elected to the state legislative assembly. During this election, many people from the Dalit and backward community were brutally assaulted when they came to cast their vote. It is alleged that Mr. Rai is known for his involvement in numerous criminal activities.

Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr. Giri, Dr. Lenin’s associate has filed a nomination from Belwa and it is expected that he will be a strong contender in the election owing to his popularity amongst the poor, Dalits and the backward community. On August 5 at about 8 am, a Mr. Rama Sharay Singh called Dr. Lenin on his mobile phone (number 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Dr. Lenin responded that to file the nomination and to stand for election is Mr. Giri’s right and that no one can object to that. Around the same time, Mr. Giri also received threats in the village where he was working and therefore immediately went to Dr. Lenin’s office in Varanasi . At about 8.35 p.m. on August 7, Mr. Singh again called Dr. Lenin on the same number and threatened that if Mr. Giri did not withdraw his nomination, Dr. Lenin and his family and Mr. Giri will be shot dead.

This is not the first time that Dr. Lenin and his colleagues have come under the line of fire of the upper castes. On 13 November 2001, Mrs. Durga, an activist associated with Dr. Lenin’s organisation and her husband Mr. Adya Prasad were attacked by Mr. Thiwari and his armed men. A month ago, on October 23, Dr. Lenin and his wife Mrs. Shruti were attacked by Mr. Thiwari’s men for organising an educational campaign. Immediately after the incident, Mr. Thiwari called Dr. Lenin and informed him that he would be murdered along with his family if he continued his work. Mr. Thiwari has also threatened that he would kill Ms. Asha Devi, a teacher in the local school for educating Dalit children.

This incident is yet another glaring example of how the upper caste dominates the lower caste and the backward community in India and exposes the poor defence that the Government of India continues to use when challenged on caste issues.<

Background Information

Varanasi and the surrounding region was, in the past, known for Lord Buddha’s work and his early activities. However, this region is now known for hardcore and often fanatic upper caste Hindu religious activities and propaganda. The region is infamous for upper caste atrocities against the lower and backward castes such as bonded labour, systematic oppression, feudal systems of punishment where the entire village is punished in the most inhuman way for alleged acts of disrespect by the members of lower caste and also for destruction of statues of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, in Dalit and backward class villages.

For centuries, education has been denied to the children from the Dalit and the backward community. Even political leaders who have been elected in this region have publicly stated that the children from these communities must not be provided education and members from this community should not be allowed to participate in elections. It is within this environment that Dr. Lenin and his colleagues are working for the Dalits and the backward class.

Suggested Action

Please send a letter to the following people urging them to immediately order an impartial investigation into this incident. Alternatively, you could call the district administration or Judicial Administration and demand action.

Sample letter:

Dear ___________,

Re: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with the Dalits and backward community

I am deeply concerned with the situation faced by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, a human rights activist working for the Dalits and the backward class in Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh , India . Dr Lenin and his colleagues have been subjected to death threats from the upper castes to stop working for the Dalit and backward classes.

Dr Lenin has been working in Belwa village, largely to provide education to children from the Dalit and backward class who have been denied this right by the upper castes. The state government has not provided schooling for this community despite their long-standing demand.

The Dalits and backward classes have also been denied the right to vote. Belwa village and its surrounding areas are known for booth capturing and election related fraud. During the February 2002 election, people from these communities were brutally assaulted when they went to vote. Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr Giri, Dr Lenin's associate has filed his nomination and is expected to be a strong contender due to his popularity amongst the backward community.

On August 5, Mr. Rama Sharay Singh called Dr Lenin on his mobile phone (No: 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Around the same time, Mr.Giri also received death threats in the village where he was working. Once again, on August 7, Mr Singh called up Dr. Lenin and said that if the nomination was not withdrawn, Mr Giri and his family would be shot dead.

Dr. Lenin recorded the conversation, made copies of it and is now meeting the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Brij Bushan and the District Magistrate, Mr. Gokaran to lodge his complaint. Dr. Lenin has also faxed a complaint to the Chief Minister of the state regarding the incident.

I thereby call for your urgent intervention. Please provide full protection to Dr. Lenin, Mr. S. N. Giri and their families and immediately conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident. The State Human Rights Commission should also conduct an independent inquiry into the incident and make public its report and findings. The district administration should immediately consider the long pending request of the Dalit and backward community of Belwa to open a public school for the children. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and backward community should also look into the incident, conduct an inquiry into the situation of Dalits and backward community in Uttar Pradesh and recommend effective measures to the State as well as the Central Government in order to put an end to the existing caste based oppression and discrimination. And finally, the State as well as National Election Commission should inquire into the incident and take appropriate action against those who are threatening Mr. S. N. Giri to withdraw his candidature.

Yours sincerely,
--------------

SEND A LETTER TO:

1. Senior Superintendent of Police
Mr. Brij Bushan
S.S.P Varanasi
INDIA
Tel: + 91 542 2500441/ + 91 542 2501450



2. Mr. Gokaran
District Magistrate
Varanasi
INDIA
Tel: + 91 542 2508585



3. Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister's Secretariat
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 52 2223 0002 / 2223 9234



4. Justice A.P. Mishra
Chairperson
Uttar Pradesh Human Rights Commission
6-A Kalidass Marg
Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Tel: + 91 52 2272 6742
Fax: + 91 52 2272 6743



5. Shri Justice A. S. Anand
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of India
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi-110001
INDIA
Tel: + 91 11 23074448
E-mail: mailto:chairnhrc@nic.in



6. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Government of India
5th Floor, Loknayak Bhawan
Khan Market
New Delhi 110003
INDIA

Tel: + 91-11 2462 0435
Fax: + 91-11 2462 5378




Posted by collective at February 25, 2007 02:46 PM

Comments
Dear
Re: Human rights activist facing death threats for working with the Dalits and backward community
I am deeply concerned with the situation faced by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, a human rights activist working for the Dalits and the backward class in Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh , India . Dr Lenin and his colleagues have been subjected to death threats from the upper castes to stop working for the Dalit and backward classes.
Dr Lenin has been working in Belwa village, largely to provide education to children from the Dalit and backward class who have been denied this right by the upper castes. The state government has not provided schooling for this community despite their long-standing demand.
The Dalits and backward classes have also been denied the right to vote. Belwa village and its surrounding areas are known for booth capturing and election related fraud. During the February 2002 election, people from these communities were brutally assaulted when they went to vote. Belwa will hold another election on 17 August 2005. Mr Giri, Dr Lenin's associate has filed his nomination and is expected to be a strong contender due to his popularity amongst the backward community.
On August 5, Mr. Rama Sharay Singh called Dr Lenin on his mobile phone (No: 9415810955) and demanded that Mr. Giri withdraw his nomination. Around the same time, Mr.Giri also received death threats in the village where he was working. Once again, on August 7, Mr Singh called up Dr. Lenin and said that if the nomination was not withdrawn, Mr Giri and his family would be shot dead.
Dr. Lenin recorded the conversation, made copies of it and is now meeting the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Brij Bushan and the District Magistrate, Mr. Gokaran to lodge his complaint. Dr. Lenin has also faxed a complaint to the Chief Minister of the state regarding the incident.
I thereby call for your urgent intervention. Please provide full protection to Dr. Lenin, Mr. S. N. Giri and their families and immediately conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident. The State Human Rights Commission should also conduct an independent inquiry into the incident and make public its report and findings. The district administration should immediately consider the long pending request of the Dalit and backward community of Belwa to open a public school for the children. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and backward community should also look into the incident, conduct an inquiry into the situation of Dalits and backward community in Uttar Pradesh and recommend effective measures to the State as well as the Central Government in order to put an end to the existing caste based oppression and discrimination. And finally, the State as well as National Election Commission should inquire into the incident and take appropriate action against those who are threatening Mr. S. N. Giri to withdraw his candidature.
With Best Regards

Yours sincerely,

Tanveer Kazi

National Secretary

National Campaign on Dalit Human Right


Posted by: Tanveer Kazi on March 7, 2007 03:51 AM
I support this struggle for Dalit rights, and for the right to education, and against the murderous intimidation of activists and political candidates who speak up for the oppressed.
Caste discrimination is against the Constitution of India, and runs counter to all that Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar have stood for. But fierce competition for land, resources, and opportunities has led to caste being internalised, rationalised, and justified in outrageous ways, totally in contravention of human rights, and the law of the land. Political parties and religious organisations which do not speak up against it and protect genuine activists for Dalit empowerment should come under the scanner of the law, without delay.
Vasantha Surya

Posted by: Vasantha Surya on March 11, 2007 10:17 PM
i am sudhir maske. the student of bacholar of social work. form tata institute of social sciences. school of rural development tuljapur. i saw your website , and really i was very happy . your work for dalits right is very essestaional in present sitution. because the todays situtaion is very diffrent form past. now the goverment policy has change , like liberlisation, globalisaqtion ,privtazation this policy is totally against for dalits people. no security of welfare and development of the peoples basically weaker section of the socity. so there is need of activism ; campagions awareness.for protect of dalits rights. and your doing this work. i am very very happy i also very commeted for this work so i want to link with your network.
yours sathi
mr maske sudhir
MOb:o9923789819
(TISS, SRD TULJAPUR ,MAHARASHTRA ,INDIA.)
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/threat_to_life_of_advocate_for_1.html



The May 18 Memorial Foundation





Download our brochure here: http://twurl.nl/3ms7y6

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Dr. Lenin congratulates Muneer A Malik of Pakistan



Dr. Lenin Convener of Peoples Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and winner of Gwangju Prize for Human Rights express his kind views to the winner of 2008, Advocate Munir Malik of Pakistan. Dr. Lenin said Ad. Malik deserves advocate of Pakistan who is struggling for the restoration of Judiciary in Pakistan.

Lenin''s Words for Muneer:

My heartily congratulation to advocate, Mr. Muneer A Malik for being awarded by 2008 Gwangju prize for Human Rights. Mr. Munir is an eminent lawyer who gave his valuable contributions being as a President of the Supreme Court Bar Association i.e. constitutional liberalism, human rights and rule of law, fundamental of democracy. I bestow my best wishes to Mr. Munir as he intended to use the prize money to "Save the Constitution and promote Democracy". I am very much agreed with his statement about the condition of Human Rights in Asia, the situation is Asia is far from desirable. We see an increasing tendency towards authoritarian rule, abuse of human rights, lack of access to justice, increasing poverty and inequality. These are issues that we need to mobilize public opinion and mass action. After watching the entire struggle of Mr. Munir and other eight lawyers I greet for their valuable contribution for restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

I appeal to him that he will concentrate on grass root restoration of democracy in Pakistan i.e. elimination of caste based patriarchal feudal society and establishment of rule of law and participatory democracy in sustainable way.

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi is the symbol of resistance to millions of Dalits fighting for dignity in India. Lenin is credited with changing the discourse on Dalit Politics in India and bringing into focus an innovative "people centric" approach to reclaim "human dignity" in a caste ridden Indian society. The gamut of Lenin's activities reflects his personal and ideological span and provides credibility and a sense of completeness to the work he does. His care for details, meticulous planning, diligent patience, and sincere advocacy of the issue of the marginalized, has made millions of his supporters optimistic about a dignified future.

Lenin's views on caste, conflict and social change took shape while he worked with bonded laborers. He was born into a high caste Hindu family which he describes as "feudal." He noticed that not a single child bonded in the sari or carpet industries came from an upper caste, even though some high-caste families were often just as poor as the lower castes. He realized that caste, not class, was at work. By the end of 1996, Lenin was championing the rights of lower-caste people. Early experiences taught him that confrontation was dangerous and not the most effective method. Increasingly, Lenin recognized caste in all kinds of social conflict and envisioned a movement that could break the closed, feudal hierarchies of conservative slums and villages by building up local institutions and supporting them with a high profile and active human rights network.

Mr. Muneer A. Malik was the former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association who has played an enormous role in the struggle of the lawyers, judges and the rest of the citizens of Pakistan for the independence of the judiciary. Under his leadership he was able to mobilize lawyers and the people to fight the repression imposed by President Musharraf when he declared an emergency and ousted several chief justices and judges. In the 1980's Mr. Malik had been in the forefront of the struggle against the military rule of then President Zia Ul Haq. Mr. Malik was recipient of the 2006 Dorab Patel Award given by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established to celebrate the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising by recognizing individuals, groups and institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The prize is awarded by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude to those who have helped them in their struggle for democratization and their search for truth. It is hoped that through this award, the spirit and message of May 18 will be immortalized

http://518.org



http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
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www.lenin-shruti.blogspot.com
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=51624734


PUCL Bulletin, June 2002

Attack on Human Rights Defenders in Varanasi, UP


- By Dr. Lenin, Co-ordinator, People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)

We draw your immediate and prompt attention to the following two incidents in the village of Belwa and Indrawar in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The incident at the Village Belwa took place at 6 A.M. on 13th November 2001. One of PVCHR's Women activist and also the Coordinator of a Women's Forum "Savitri Ba Phule", Durga and her husband Adya Prasad, were attacked violently by armed men of Rajendra Tiwari, the husband of the current Belwa village Pradhan. Consequently both sustained serious injuries on the head and lost a lot of blood.

They were both taken to Phulpur Thana of Varanasi (UP). From there, on the advice of the Station in charge, Durga was taken for medical check up. In the meantime, on receiving this information the Women's Helpline was informed on their phone and also a telegram was sent to the SSP around 11 A.M. Later I sent him a written petition also by speed post. By evening three members of the gang who attacked were arrested and sent to jail. However the police under pressure from political patrons of R. Tiwari had held Adya in the Police Station for more than 24 hours. On the 14th of November 2001, I informed NHRC by Mobile and later had a telephonic talk with the SSP. Later our legal Advisor, Tanveer Ahmad Siddiqui, applied for Bail under IPC 323 and 506 in the court of the 4th ACJM, Varanasi (UP) and he was released. However the police had wrongfully named three of PVCHR activist in the FIR.

The police officers complained of political pressure backing Tiwari who is the ex-Pradhan of Belwa village and has been the Pradhan for more than 20 years. During this period he had not done anything for the development of the village. After the introduction of Women's Reservation he had placed his wife as the Pradhan. But this is only in name. Since her accepting this post she has never held any meeting of the village nor does she ever come out of her house During his tenure Tiwari prevented more than 3000 people from voting and even stopped some people from getting their Photo Identity Cards being made. He has the backing of such political groups as Ajay Rai, MLA and Baba Singh, elected head of the Block, etc. This is a violation of Supreme Court Judgement in criminal appeal No:218 of 1966 which directed that the investigation task of Police should be placed beyond any kind of intervention by the executive or non-executive (Report of NIRC 1995-96,Pg.No:97). The law enforcement agencies should be directed to do their job without fear. On the 12th of November 2001, the community had organized a street play in which apart from education, the issue of the Pradhan 's husband Rajendra Tiwari's misdeeds had also been highlighted.

This we believe had provoked him. Earlier on the 23rd of March 2001 and 5th September 2001 we had organized rallies and demonstration on these issues. The other incident had happened at the village Indrawar whose Pradhan, Hari Shankar Vishwakarma had been accused by the villagers of taking bribes amounting to Rs.500 to Rs.1500 in land allotment. This matter had been brought to the notice of the authorities vide rallies and petitions. On the23rd of October 2001, PVCHR had orgainsed a meeting of the Villagers regarding Education Campaign. During the meeting the Pradhan's henchmen Kalu and Sanju, had abused my wife, Shruti, and me and later even kicked her and threatened to kill both of us.

Later the Pradhan rang me on the phone and threatened not only to kill me but also register false cases against me. I immediately informed the concerned station in charge and later also petitioned him. At around 19.50 I had sent a telegram to the SSP. On the 24th October 2001, I had complained to S.S.P. of Varanasi vide Registered Post. However, till now no action has been taken. Now our activist Ram Prasad has been threatened. The Pradhan has said he is getting a licensed gun and would kill Ram Prasad and later me. They also threatened the teacher of our Primary School, Asha Devi. We bring to your immediate notice fresh threats to PVCHR activist, not only against their works but also their lives.

In the village of Belwa under Phulpur Thana of Varanasi (UP), the husband of the village Pradhan, Rajendra Tiwari, warned PVCHR activist, i.e., Satyanarayan Giri, Sanjay Singh, and me (Dr. Lenin) not to use the streets of Belwa Village. These streets were laid due to PVCHR intervention and campaign. He also threatened to burn the Huts of those villagers who would attend NAFRE's rally at New Delhi scheduled for the28th of November 2001, for positive changes in the 93rd Amendment related to Fundamental Rights of Children's Education.


Demands


1. Immediate revoking of the cases against our activists

2. Initiate enquiries against Tiwari and his misdeeds. Not only is he running his own private school in the Government Health Centre in the Village but is preventing the establishment of any Government School in the Village. As a result the children had to go to another school 1km away. This is a gross violation of the Supreme Court Judgement in the case of Unnikrishnan Vs AP (1993-ISC645)

3. Enquiry into the bribe related activities of the Pradhan of Village Indrawar, Hari Shankar Vishwakarma, in land allotment.

4. FIR against Harishankar Vishwakarma for threatening to kill me (Dr. Lenin), Ram Prasad, Field Activist, and Asha Devi, Teacher of school run by PVCHR.

5. Tiwari 's wife is current Pradhan only in name. She never holds any meeting nor does she come out of her house except to meet the District Magistrate and other programme officials.

6. The U.P. Government should secure the safety of Human Rights Defenders in Uttar Pradesh.
http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Human-rights/2002/hr-defenders.htm








International human rights award recognizes Dalit struggle for dignity

The 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights has been jointly awarded to two Indians - the first time that Indians have received the prestigious Korean prize which recognises outstanding effort in promoting human rights, democracy and peace.

Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), in Varanasi, receives this year's award for his spirited resistance against the caste system to secure dignity for thousands of Dalits.

The award - which carries prize money of US$ 50,000, a gold medal and a certificate - is shared by Irom Sharmila of Manipur state who has fought against the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act for six years.

The ceremony in Gwangju City, Korea marks the 27th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju uprising in 1980. Over 200 people were massacred when people in Gwagju, the South Korean city rose up against military rule and demanded democracy. Past recipients include Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar and Xanana Gusmao, President of East Timor.

Dignity for Dalits

Thirty seven year old Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi who has a bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda, modern medicine and surgery has struggled for much of his lifetime to bring the problems of marginalized communities in India to national and international attention. He draws inspiration from his grandfather who was a freedom fighter in India’s struggle for independence from British rule.

“My grandfather used to say: If you want to eliminate the root cause of disease, you would have to empower people. Medicine alone is not enough,” says Dr Lenin.

With the support of ActionAid and others he has fought hard against the practice of untouchability, child labour and dehumanizing work such as manual scavenging.

"Over the years, I have been very involved in and worried about the situation of marginalized children. In 1996 I founded PVCHR to reeducate children who were forced to work," says Dr Raghuvanshi.

Fighting hunger

The fight to end hunger among disadvantaged groups including Muslim weavers in Varanasi and Dalits groups - Musahars, Nut, Khanjar, Ghasia, Kol, Kharwar, and Chamar - in Eastern Uttar Pradesh has been a major focus of ActionAid's partnership with PVCHR.

"We have managed to put hunger on the agenda of government and make it a priority," says Dr Raghuvanshi.

Thanks to PVCHR, pro-poor programmes of the government - anganawadis that provide nutritious mix to children under six, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act that promises villagers 100 days of work, midday meals for children in government schools and the public distribution system - have been under constant scrutiny. This has helped to ensure that the benefits reach India's poorest.

Education for all

In 2004, Lenin founded a community-based organisation Jan Mitra Nyas or 'people-friendly association'. This ActionAid-backed initiative adopted three villages and an urban slum.

Their ambitious agenda includes reopening an elementary school, abolishing bonded labour, encouraging education for girls and spreading non-traditional education.

In other rural areas with no elementary education PVCHR has opened education centres for children in 45 villages.

By Dalits for Dalits

In the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, ActionAid and partners are working with Dalits to fight caste-based discrimination and atrocities. Dalit Samakhya, a people’s collective backed by ActionAid is going from strength to strength and now covers 347 villages and has equal number of men and women members.

http://www.actionaidindia.org/Dalit_struggle_for_dignity.htm


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No Title Author Date
1 Taking journalism to the grassroots Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 7/30/2008 7:33:42 PM

2 Uttar Pradesh: Story of three girls Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 6/20/2008 8:56:02 AM

3 Dalit Modern Karan: Somaru Mushar Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 6/5/2008 7:18:52 PM

4 Private is political: A testimony model for torture survivors Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 5/28/2008 3:49:42 PM

5 Police reforms: Immediate need in Uttar Pradesh of India Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 5/2/2008 7:22:00 PM

6 India: No pilitical will to eradicate torture Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/23/2008 9:08:34 AM

7 India: Long March for Justice for the STF Victims Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/20/2008 3:26:00 PM

8 The Musahar community of North India: Bonded to caste slavery Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/16/2008 12:30:09 AM

9 Uttar Pradesh: A campaign against torture Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/10/2008 9:11:19 AM

10 Uttar Pradesh: Earthy results of pollution Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/9/2008 10:14:42 AM

11 Chhattisgarh: A state of terror Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/5/2008 11:24:51 AM

12 Uttar Pradesh: Human Rights defender Brij Lal is facing death threat Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/3/2008 11:52:11 AM

13 Uttar Pradesh: Cry of slum in Varanasi Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 4/1/2008 4:42:26 PM

14 Five commitments of PM to Varanasi and her weavers Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 3/16/2008 3:45:26 AM

15 Uttar Pradesh: Why it's like that? Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 3/12/2008 9:59:27 PM

16 The Human Rights Council must keep Louise Arbour’s legacy alive Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 3/12/2008 6:39:49 PM

17 Healthcare crisis among UP weavers intensifying Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi 1/13/2008 4:20:18 PM


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In the nineteenth century, many Weavers in Banaras became Deobandi. .... Like Scheduled (ex-'Untouchable' ) castes in general, they show only weak ...
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Muslims, Dalits, and the fabrications of history - Google Books Result
by Shail Mayaram, M. S. S. Pandian, Ajay Skaria - 2005 - India - 322 pages
... marginalized groups such as Untouchables, who describe themselves today as ... describes himself as an Untouchable or Dalit weaver of Banaras — since ...
books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8178241153...

Culture and Power in Banaras "d0e7125"
The independence enjoyed by the Muslim weavers of Banaras has fostered a very ...... an untouchable—without the necessity of a priest or other intermediary. ...
content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft6p3007sk&chunk.id=d0e7125&doc.view=print - 241k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Tehelka - The People's Paper
11 Feb 2006 ... while their literature was made untouchable for the ruling elite, ... Jhini Jhini Bini Chunariya, writes about the weavers of Benaras, ...
www.tehelka.com/story_main16.asp?filename=In021106Little_Magazines_46.asp - 33k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Friends, brothers, and informants: fieldwork memoirs of Banaras
And there is a world that belongs to the weavers of Banaras. ...... in form like a langur monkey Harijan a name used for some untouchable castes hīrā ...
www.escholarship.org/editions/view?docId=ft6x0nb4g3&brand=ucpress - 455k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

JSTOR: The Culture of Banaras
Culture and Power in Banaras: Community Performance and Environment, ... king becomes an untouchable (Harishchandra) and child becomes a preacher to adults ...
links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0970-0293(199103%2F04)19%3A3%2F4%3C96%3ATCOB%3E2.0.CO%3B2-2 - Similar pages - Note this

HIMAL SOUTHASIAN | May - June 2006
A Benaras weaver works his loom .... the idea of releasing this acreage to people still considered ‘untouchable’ is so distasteful to the zamindar clans ...
www.himalmag.com/2006/may/cover_story_1.html - 80k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Welcome to Uttar Pradesh ::::: Uttar Pradesh Tourism
Besides traders, crafts people also settled in Banaras. Today the city is renowned for its silk weavers, who prepare the finest types of woven silk fabrics. ...
www.up-tourism.com/destination/varanasi/intro.htm - 41k -

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No Job Name
owing their economic independence to their employment as weavers in Banaras. Manuela Ciotti. 906. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (N.S.) 12, ...
www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-9655.2006.00369.x -

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[PDF]
ODERN HATE
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
weavers in Banaras, gem cutters in Jaipur, poor cultiva-. tors and unskilled laborers, ... untouchables (those at the bottom of the caste system) ...
www.columbia.edu/.../readings%20weeks%206-7/Modern%20Hate%20by%20Suzanne%20Rudolph.pdf -

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Your Guide to India - Varanasi Banaras
Varanasi, or Banaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities .... its Untouchable guardians, busy and pre-occupied with facilitating final ...
www.yourguidetoindia.com/content/view/57/49/ - 51k -

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Swaraj in Education
The chief source of the Banaras School of Law, one of the five .... a night school for adults of the poor ‘untouchables’ — the Muchi, Hadi and Bauri castes. ...
ignca.nic.in/cd_06007.htm - 54k -

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Islam, The Coming Of Islam To South Asia
Indians who converted to Islam, untouchables and low-caste Hindus, .... weavers in Banaras, one of the most sacred Hindu cities, Kabir played down the ...
history-world.org/islam6.htm - 47k -

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Culture and Power in Banaras
Four— Protection and Identity: Banaras's Bir Babas as Neighborhood .... Hindus who were alarmed at the conversion of lowcaste and untouchable groups. ...
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Hindu Nationalism and the Language of Politics in Late Colonial ...
reactions to 1931 riot in Banaras 109. press 61. support for Hind Rakshak Dal 190. untouchable politics 222. volunteer movements 195. youth movements 148 ...
www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521830614&ss=ind - 83k -

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Dignity of The Human Person in Sikhism
Bhagat Kabir was a weaver and Bhagat Ravidas a shoemaker from Banaras, Bhagat Trilochan a Vaish, Bhagat Namdev an untouchable of Maharashtra, Bhagat Dhanna ...
www.punjabilok.com/faith/sikh/dignity_the_human_person_in_sikhism.htm - 33k -

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Recollections in Educational Administration
Most children up to class V come from illiterate and poor households, chiefly of ‘untouchables’ (tanners) and weavers. Such a household is enclosed with a ...
www.ignca.gov.in/cd_06009.htm - 43k -

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