Why Dalits have slammed Mayawati’s Sarvjan Formula?

S.R.Darapuri

Kanshi Ram and Mayawati started their politics with “Tilak, Traju aur Talwar- inko
maro jute char” (beat the Brahmins, Banias and Thakurs with shoes) and “Vote
hamara raj tumhara nahin chalega” (we won’t allow you to rule us with our vote).
Besides this, in order to attract Dalits (Scheduled Castes.) they gave the slogans
like “Baba tera mission adhura, Kanshi Ram karenge pura” (Kanshi Ram will fulfill
the mission left incomplete by Dr. Ambedkar) and “Political power is the key to
the entire problem.” Through these slogans they aimed at attracting and agitating
the dalits against the ‘Savarans’( higher castes) and they succeeded also to a
good extent. This polarization of dalits was further facilitated by the political
vacuum created by the division and downfall of Republican Party of India which was
established by Dr. Ambedkar himself in 1956.

Since 1995 Mayawati made various experiments to broaden the base of her Bahujan
Samaj Party (BSP). In the beginning it was known as the party of the dalits only.
Later on Muslims and Other Backward Castes were also co-opted. It fought the 1993
Assembly election jointly with Samajwadi Party (S.P.), a party of Other Backward
Classes and made good gains. It resulted in the formation of first coalition
government of BSP and SP in Uttar Pradesh state of India. This coalition of
natural allies became a subject of discussion all over India but soon a clash of
personal ambitions resulted in its fall in June, 1995. Kanshi Ram and Mayawati
grabbed the post of Chief Minister by making an unethical and opportunist alliance
with Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP.), a party of orthodox Hindus and the bitterest
enemy of dalits. This put the dalit movement and dalit politics on the path of
opportunism bereft of principles. It not only confused the direction of dalit
politics but also fogged the difference between friends and foes of dalits. This
alliance not only gave a lease of life to the dying BJP but also broke the natural
alliance of dalits and Backward Castes for ever. This unprincipled and
opportunistic alliance was justified as being essential for getting into power and
party workers were mislead by this briefing.
This alliance with BJP not only confused the dalits but Muslims also moved away
from BSP as they consider BJP as their bitterest enemy. During the first tenure of
BSP rule in 1995 some land was distributed to empower the dalits because till then
the party workers had some presssure on the party leadership. But later on in
order to please the Upperr Caste people dalit interests were given a go bye and
getting power became the sole motive of the party leadership. After first tenure
of Chief Ministership of Mayawati, this process became faster and BSP raced
towards ‘Sarvjan’ throwing aside the Bahujan. In every election moneyed, musclemen
and mafias were given preference being winning candidates and dalits were
restricted to reserved seats only. Party mission was overtaken by money power and
muscle power. Old missionary party workers and those who were close to Kanshi Ram
were made to exit the party unceremoniously. As such dalits were put on the margin
in the party but they continued to be with the party with the hope that one day
they may also get some benefit of government but their hopes were belied.
From 1995 to 2003 Mayawati thrice became the Chief Minster of Uttar Pardesh (U.P)
but she always took the help of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). During this period
neither any dalit agenda was chalked out nor any effort was made in that
direction. During 1993 this author during many discussions with Kanshi Ram
suggested chalking out a dalit agenda but my suggestions were ignored. I think it
was done purposely because declaration of an agenda brings upon a duty to
implement it and if failed it brings upon the responsibility and accountability
for the failure. It is a matter of regret and sorrow that a party seeking
political power in the name of dalits has not framed any agenda till to date as a
result of which the dalits have been deprived of any gain coming from a government
being run in their name. The result is that the dalits of U.P. are the most
backward dalits in whole of India barring those of Bihar and Orissa. During this
period moneyed and musclemen of Upper Castes have been managing to get Assembly
and Parliament tickets and getting elected they been enjoying the fruits of power
whereas dalits with a meager representation have been deprived of all such
benefits.
BSP, which is doing politics in the name of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, in its effort to
secure power has totally ignored his warning in which he had said that “dalits
have two enemies. One is Brahmanism and the other is Capitalism and dalits should
never compromise with them.” But Mayawati has compromised with both by co-opting
Brahmans and Corporate sector. At present dalit politics has become a tool for
power grabbing. It reached its height when before 2007 Assembly elections Mayawati
formed Dalit Brahman Bhaichara Committees (Dalit Brahmans Brotherhood Committees)
headed by a Brahman president and a dalit as secretary.
The election success of BSP during 2007 was mainly attributed to the important
role played by Brahmans and they got a lion’s share in power which was much
disproportionate to their population. Dalits were reduced to the level of second
class players in the Party and in minister ship. This methodology of co-opting
Upper Caste people was publicized as new “Social Engineering” and BSP was
transformed from the Party of dalits to a Party of Sarvjan (all inclusive).
During this period slogans such as “Haathi nahin Ganesh hai, Brahma, Vishnu,
Mahesh hai” (it is not an elephant but a trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh- all
Hindu gods) and “Brahman shankh bajaiga, Haathi dilli jaiga”( Brahman will blow
the conch and elephant will march towards Delhi) were coined to placate the Upper
caste persons much to the chagrin of dalits. Elephant symbolizes the symbol of
BSP. The Varna system of graded inequality became fully operative in the Party and
dalits were further pushed to the margin.
Even now during the present régime of Mayawati, dalits have been totally ignored
and Sarvjan have occupied the front seats. All important ministerial posts have
been given to Upper caste people. Mayawati’s personal corruption has percolated to
all the branches of administration and U.P. has been assessed to be “ an
alarmingly corrupt state”. The various welfare schemes aiming at empowering dalits
and other weaker sections of society have fallen a prey to all pervading
corruption thereby depriving the intended beneficiaries of their benefits.Balatant
corruption came to light during recruitment to the posts of Safai Karamcharies
(Sweepers). Similar complaints surfaced during other recruitments also. It is said
that there might be only a few lucky persons who escaped payment of high price for
government jobs. The funds intended for development works were spent on
installation of statues including her own and creating royal memorials and parks.
Since 1990 UP has been deprived of any development and creation of employment
opportunities. This lack of development has adversely affected the dalits as a
result of which they have become the most backward dalits in whole of India. As
per 2001 senses their sex ratio, literacy rates and works participation rate are
much lower than their counter-parts in other states. A fall of 13% dalits from the
category of cultivators to the category of landless labourers during the last
decade (1991-2001) indicates their disempowerment.
If judged from the angle of protection against atrocities on dalits, there has
been no decrease during Mayawati’s rule. On the contrary as a result of written
and oral orders of Mayawati the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention
of Atrocities) Act-1989 has become inoperative. This act was intended to prevent
atrocities and award stringent punishment to the perpetrators of atrocities on
Dalits. The atrocity cases against dalits are taking place as before but they are
not being registered by police. As a result of non-registration of cases the
dalits are condemned to suffer atrocities and deprivation from monitory
compensation. The intention behind not allowing the registration of cases is to
keep the crime figures low thereby projecting a crimeless state. In spite of all
this burking of crime, UP stands first in whole of India in terms of crime against
dalits. As such Mayawati has totally failed to give even legal protection to
dalits.
The action of Mayawati of ignoring the dalits and giving preference to Upper
Castes has resulted in disillusionment and anguish amongst dalits. This has been
displayed by them during the recent 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Most of the
criminals, moneyed men and muscle men fielded by Mayawati have been defeated as
the dalits did not vote for them. Mayawati now and earlier also gave tickets to
the persons whom she had herself accused of threat and assault during the Guest
House case of 2nd June, 1995. But dalits refused to oblige her and almost all have
been defeated.
Mayawati as before had confined the dalits to 17 reserved seats only out of whom
only 2 have been elected. If we look at the allotment of tickets during this
election it is found that Brahmins being 7.5% of total population of the state
were given 20 tickets i.e. 25% of total seats whereas the dalits with 21%
population were given 17 reserved seats only. Out of the total 20 seats won by
BSP, 5 are Brahmins and only 2 are dalits. On account of this hold of Brahmins in
the party, the people have started calling BSP as a Brahmins Samaj Party. From the
angle of representation dalits are marginalized in the party. This has been one of
the major grievances of dalits against Mayawati.
With a view to attract Most Backward Classes, Mayawati sent a recommendation to
the Central Government for inclusion of 16 castes in the list of Schedule Castes.
Earlier Mulayam Singh had also made a similar attempt which was opposed by dalits
as it would have harmed their reservation quota. It was challenged in the court
and had to be dropped. This action of Mayawati irritated the dalits. Whereas
Mayawati strongly recommended the case for 10% reservation for the poor among the
Upper Castes, she did not show a similar interest in respect of dalits. Her
declaration of granting 10% reservation to dalits in private sector has remained
on paper only.
Mayawati’s way of ignoring dalits and treating them as a bonded vote bank has
irritated a large section of awakened and oppressed section of dalits and has
instilled in them a feeling of alienation. But as before Mayawati tried to befool
them by projecting a possibility of her becoming the Prime Minister of India. But
most of Dalits refused to be taken in. A big chunk of Chamar and Jatav votes,
which is the core vote bank of Mayawati, moved away from her to Congress fold. The
other Dalits sub-castes like Pasi, Dhobi, Khatik and Balmiki had earlier moved
towards SP and BJP. Most Backward Classes also deserted Mayawati. Afraid of
Mayawati’s love for BJP Muslims also walked away from BSP. This resulted in a
limited success on 20 seats only as against a projected tally of 50-60 seats
whereby she could stake her claim for the Prime Ministership.
The disheartening defeat of BSP during this election has clearly shown that vote
base of BSP has shrunk. Not only Muslims and Most Backward Classes have deserted
BSP but a big chunk of dalits have also moved away from it to Congress. Dalit
society has been badly divided on sub-caste lines. Dalit movements and dalit
politics have fallen a pray to opportunism, corruption and immorality. Today it is
standing at cross roads. It is not only a danger signal for Mayawati but for whole
of dalit society. Will Mayawati and Dalit intellectuals think over it with their
cool mind? If it is not done immediately it may again result in betrayal of dalit
interests. There is a fear of dalits again becoming political slaves of Congress.
It should be a matter of grave concern and serious introspection by all
Ambedkarites.
Going by present signs Mayawati has refused to learn any lesson from her debacle.
As rightly pointed out by B.G. Verghese in ‘Deccan Herald’ dated 2009 “the lesson
Mayawati requires to learn is that she has been cut to size not on account of
conspiracies against Dalit-ki-beti (daughter of a dalit) but because of her own
greed, corruption and authoritarianism that is fast blunting her original appeal
as a Dalit leader intent on forging a wider social alliance. People do not want
innumerable self-aggrandizing statues and mausoleums at the cost of good
governance and welfare. She perhaps still has time to learn and mend her ways.”
The recent election results show that dalits have rejected Mayawati’s much
trumpeted up “Sarvjan Formula” and she needs to do a serious introspection and
learn from her mistakes otherwise it will prove to be a missed opportunity.