Neo-dalit campaign: From Kudi village of Varanasi

The PVCHR field staff and the community leaders of Kudi Musahar hamlet decided after comprehensive discussion to observe neo – dalit campaign on October 22, 2014 in their hamlet. The partaker gave positive response and said they will collect funds. They said this effort will require support of more people.

On October 20, 2014 the team visited the house of Kallar Musahar and Pradhan Chandu Giri who remain on the front. When the representatives reached the house of Pradhan and told him about the programme the Pradhan responded that the event should kept held at some other place and not in Musahar hamlet as people from other community do not go to this hamlet else the event can be conducted near his house. Only then he will support us.

They spoke to the Pradhan about Neo Dalit Movement and told him that you have been elected Pradhan by one and all and votes came from people of all communities and not just one. Hence you should also respond in the same manner and participate in the programmes of all the communities on the basis of humanity and without any biasness. There has not be no consideration of caste, creed or religion in such events and acceptance. After much debate and persuasion the Pradhan ji became ready to participate in this event and also said what even food items such as oil, vegetables and other ingredients are required will be provided by him for the event and will personally be there for the event.

Then they met the village’s public distribution system (PDS) shop owner Milku Mishra who already supported this neo – dalit movement had been in actively participating in many programs. He assured that he will provide 30 kilogram of wheat and he even called up Sharda Rai the ANM of Kundi and talked to her about the event. She was impressed with the proposed event because she used to visit this hamlet for vaccination of children and also for making people aware about hygiene and sanitation. She felt that such an event will strengthen the earlier messages also. She committed that she will personally provide the coloured paper and other such items for decoration and also ensures bleaching powder is sprinkled before the event takes place.

Then the meeting was held with Ashok Yadav the principal of the primary school where children of the Musahar community read. Yadav visits Musahar colony twice a month and makes people aware about education and makes effort to connect people with education and specially the kids there. His view towards the most suppressed community people is positive. He said that his house was in Jaunpur and on the day of the event he wont be there as the school will remain closed but he assured he will also contribute to the programme and provide us sweets for the event. He purchased two kilogram of sweet for the community people.

After this a meeting was held with Sunil Mishra the husband of Anganwadi worker and he was also briefed about the event. He readily accepted the invitation and also said he will contribute some vegetable. He said he will provide 15 kilogram of potato. Another meeting was held with Guddu another fair price shop owner and was invited for the event. He accepted the invite and said he will provide oil to take out puri from 30 kilogram of flour. Another reputed person of the village Pappu Gupta was also invited for the event and he said he will provide 5 kilogram of lime to decorate the venue and will also come for the event.

To make the event culturally rich and eventful they met Patiraj Harjan who runs the band party and he agreed to come with his band and perform without any charge. Invitation was given to all people in the dalit, Brahmin, Muslim, Yadav and Rajbhar colonies also. Many other reputed people of the village came forward on their own to participate and contribute for the event. Among them were Dinesh Giri said to contribute two-kilogram onion, and 250-gram garlic for the event.

Another person Vijay Prajapati said he will provide tent and utensils to be used for the event and bear the expense on his own. Anganwadi worker committed one-kilogram sweets and participation in the event. Abdul Samad of Kudi muslim colony said that such an event was being seen by him for the first time and he said that he will bring 25 packets of candles.

On one side people were preparing for the event and on the other hand people started cleaning the area. Manoj Srivastava the secretary of Kundi village was also present who committed food items and participation in the event. But when contacted over the telephone for his contribution he never picked up phone as a result of which he could not be contacted and neither his contribution came. All in the colony criticized him for this kind of behaviour and then decided to increase their own contribution so that programme goes on smooth. They said the event will not be spoiled for fake promise of the secretary and no item should fall short for the event.

Another renowned person of the village Surendra said that he will provide one kilogram of tomato and 100 glasses and will come to the event too. By October 21, 2014 those who had promised to contribute items and food items started delivering their committed things and watching this Urmila of Musahar hamlet said she will get 10 kilogram of wood for cooking and 50 paper plates for people to eat. Watching her doing so Kallar Musahar also brought 20 kilogram of wood and Banarsi Musahar also brought 5 kilogram wood and Pakauri Musahar also thought of giving 100 paper plates.

On October 22, 2014 people started reaching the venue since morning only and those who had promised to deliver food and other items turned up with the same and remained there as participant too. Kallhar Musahar and Khanjati Musahar made the temporary cooking stove and the women folk prepared the dough from the flour and also the other ingredients. Dalit women made puri along with rajbhar colony women and Kohar colony women. People from all communities came together to cut vegetables. The work of cooking vegetables was taken up by Shakuntala, Shanti Musahar and Urmila Musahar.

On the one side works was in progress to cook food and on the other side people from different communities were talking with each other it look like river without any prejudice to caste and community.

After this there was dance and music show. Patiraj Harijan played several tunes on which women, children and men danced and the entire village celebrated musical treat. A candle march was also taken out which was participated by women and men from all communities. All children woman and men walked with candles in hand to protest against police torture and organized violence. Again at some distance people started dancing and passer-by felt as if it was a marriage procession. Participants were not able to control their happiness as for the first time all were celebrating together. All had forgotten caste but remembered only humanity. All then returned back.

People again came united and prepared for the meals. Boys placed mats for seating and also paper plates and plates made of leaves and men and women served to each other.

The good thing was that first children were served then the women and then men. The entire programme of meal went peacefully. All of them were so happy that they hugged each other and made a sort of commitment that such an event be held annually and give each other an opportunity to come close and call others too.

With a promise to make such event regular all went home.