Several dalit organisations from states across India came under the banner of the Dalit Swabhiman Sangharsh rally to formally launch a national level movement. Leaders from left organisations also joined the rally today at New Delhi’s Parliament Street. Prakash Ambedkar, Sitaram Yechury, Jignesh Mevani, Bezwada Wilson were among the prominent speakers at the rally.
Highlights From the Dalit Swabhiman Sangharsh Rally
- Consolidated dalit movement launched at the national level
- Prakash Ambedkar claimed that this is a socio-religious movement
- Left organisations, primarily the CPI and the CPI(M) lend their support
- Resolution to systematically counter caste oppression adopted
- Jignesh Mevani gives out call for a Rail Roko programme on 1 October 2016
“Modi’s Heart is in Manu Smriti and in Reliance”
Kanhaiya Kumar opened his speech at the Dalit Swabhiman Sangharsh Rally with a jibe at PM Narendra Modi. “Modi ji ka mann manuwadi hai, unka Reliance mann hai” (Modi’s heart is in Manu Smriti, his heart is in Reliance). Calling the attendees ‘Ambedkar’s soldiers’, Kanhaiya said the PM’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is fake, and that ‘Ambedkar’s soldiers’ will get rid of the dirt of casteism.
Here’s a 360 degree view of the protest rally at Parliament Street.
“There are Many Other Rohiths Out There”
I’m not here just as Rohith’s mother. I am every Rohith’s mother. There are still many Rohiths out there.Radhika Vemula
Congratulating Left parties for defeating the ABVP in the JNU Students Union election, Radhika Vemula begins her address in Telugu to call on Left progressive and Dalit organisations to unite against casteism.
We have had enough of living under oppression. This country is does not belong to any one caste, religion or community. I want to ask the Prime Minister – if he considers himself an Ambedkarite, why hasn’t Rohith got justice?Radhika Vemula
Radhika Vemula ends her address with “Our vote counts. Please keep that in mind.”
Dalits to Protest RSS’ ‘Shastra Pooja’ in Uttar Pradesh
Jignesh Mevani, who spearheaded the ‘Una Chalo! march on 15 August in Gujarat, calls on Dalits to protest against RSS’ plans to conduct a ‘shastra pooja’ in UP.
“Bhim ke rath ko aage badhane ke liye, humein rail rath ko rokna padega”, says Jignesh Mevani to announce a massive Rail Roko protest on 1 October. He called on protesters to buy tickets en masse and pull the chain to stop the train when on board.
Jignesh Mevani also announced a massive protest rally at Delhi’s Ram Leela Maidan on 27 November.
Sheetal Sathe, Ginni Mahi and Sujat Ambedkar spoke to The Quint’s Abhirup Dam on their expression of protest.