-by Dr. Rahul Kumar, the Asian Independent. UK.
Rajendra Pal Gautam, ex cabinet Minister, is a well -known name among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He began his life with Samata Sainik Dal which was created by Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He is a staunch Ambedkarite and Buddhist. In Delhi and other parts of India, he organizes several functions, conferences and seminars on Buddhism. He is quite energetic and participates in public demonstrations against atrocities. He took an active part in the liberation of Mahabodhi temple at Bodhgaya. He writes to the Bihar government and urges to hand over Mahabodhi temple to Buddhists. He is a simple, dedicated and honest man. He welcomes everyone who is sincere in the mission of Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar. His mission is to make Prabuddha Bharat.
Rajendra Pal Gautam joins Congress …
After resigning from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Gautam joined Indian National Congress (INC). He is appointed as Chairman of the Scheduled Caste Department. During my conversation with him, I found him spirited, solemn in the welfare of the SCs/STs/ Adivasi/Christians/ Muslims /marginalized/ minorities/ socially and economically backward people. I found him telling people: “if you want to join congress in my team, you have to perform”.
From AICC headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi he raises several issues. Recently he cited data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In his briefing, he said that in BJP ruled states, the atrocities against SCs/STs have increased manifold.
According to data tabled in the Parliament of India while giving answer to a question, the Social Justice Minister, Government of India, informed the Parliament that atrocities against are on the increase. 2021 data is available which is released in 2022. Some states are mentioned here: In Haryana from 2017 /762 to 2021/1628; Rajasthan 4238/7500; Madhya Pradesh 5892/7214; Maharashtra 1669/2327; Uttar Pradesh 11444/13146. According to NCRB, 35% increased atrocities against SCs/STs/ Adivasi. What kind of democracy we are pushed into by the ruling dispensation where SCs have no right to ride horses, SC killed in Rajasthan by upper caste people simply because he was sporting a moustache. The United Christian Forum (UCF) – a civil society organisation focused on Christian issues, based in Delhi – released a stunning statistic: there have been 525 attacks against Christians in India just in the first eight months of 2023.
According to BBC, Ever since Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) swept to power in 2014, India’s 200 million-odd Muslims have had a turbulent journey (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68498675). According to data by NCSK (National Commission for Safai Karamchari), 631 people died cleaning sewers, septic tanks in last 10 years. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/631-people-died-cleaning-sewers-septic-tanks-in-last-10-years-ncsk/article32652733.ece).Caste Violence in BJP ruled states is on the rise. Did our forefathers dream of such India?
In Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, Adivasi was asked to drink urine by upper caste people. The BJP is in power in this state but there is hardly any protection given to poor SCs/STs/ Adivasi in the state. The law-and-order situation has deteriorated in BJP ruled states as stated by Chairman, SC Department, AICC. The attitude of judges against minorities is prejudicial. The dilution SCs/STs Act by BJP is a stumbling block in the path of getting justice from the hands of upper caste judges.
The formation of the Disinvestment Ministry by BJP was a black day in the history of Independence India. By the Ministry several departments were closed or privatized resulting in loss of various job opportunities by SCs/STs. The policy of Reservation is weakened by the BJP. Despite higher education and robust competence & professional skills earned by SCs/STs candidates, are rejected by the upper caste interview board members simply on the excuse that ‘No suitable’ candidate is available. It is observed that this practice is common in BJP ruled states.
Now, a question comes to everyone, which political party can stop heinous crimes against SCs/STs/Adivasi/Muslims/ Christians. The answer is Indian National Congress (INC). Why so because the Congress party believes in the Indian constitution drafted by Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar; because Congress party believes in secularism; because congress party believes in socialism; because Congress party wants peace and love and no polarization on the basis of religion. Dr Ambedkar said: “Without social union, political unity is difficult to be achieved. If achieved, it would be as precarious as a summer sapling, liable to be uprooted by the guts of a hostile wind, with mere political unity, India may be a State”.
Rahul Gandhi is the only leader in India who speaks from the bottom of heart. He feels pain when heinous crimes are committed on SCs/STs/Adivasi. He raises issues of SCs/STS/Adivasi at the national and international level. He is better qualified to understand Indian society and international politics. He is an emotional man who really does constructive things for the poor, needy people.
By appointing Rajendra Pal Gautam, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have proved that a Scheduled Caste person can also occupy a higher post in AICC. From it one can understand that if the constitution and SCs/STs/ Adivasi/Muslims/ Christians are to be protected then we must vote for the congress party. Under Rahul Gandhi captivating leadership guided by Sonia Gandhi, India can restore pride and glory. India will recover respect under Rahul Gandhi which we have lost in 11 years of mis-governance. People of India particularly SCs/STs/Adivasi/Muslims/ Christians will, once again, enjoy civil liberties and fundamental rights which are destroyed by ruling dispensation.
Dr. Rahul Kumar is a PhD in Sociology from Jawahrlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is a commentator on national and international issues. He is a Managing Editor of ‘Bheem Patrika’.
