By Martin Macwan* The problem of land ownership, as it is being framed after the self-immolation of Bhanubhai Vankar in February, covers less than even the tip of the iceberg. For the Gujarat government, it is politically convenient to describe this incident, and many others, of violence against Dalits as an “atrocity” rather than to … Continue reading As state remains indifferent, social tension around Dalit landownership is snowballing in Gujarat
Category: Spotlight
By Martin Macwan* The father of the boy who was assaulted by sharp razor on October 3 by two assailants riding a motorcycle without number plate and covered faces sports the biggest and twisted moustache I witnessed in village Limbodra of Mansa taluka. His moustache is not new or recent, as I saw his past … Continue reading Sporting a moustache: To Dalit women its a symbol of humiliation, subjugation and exploitation
By Martin Macwan* As I was driving down the road from village Baspa (about 15 km from Sami) to Radhanpur, my mind traced the memories of 2001 earthquake of Gujarat. I could see that once again the human disaster was greater than the natural, in the wake of floods. Banas waters had washed away one … Continue reading In Banaskantha, caste distinctions and prejudices have refused to be washed away with flood waters
By Martin Macwan* The year 2016 brought new perpetrators for Dalits—the cow vigilantes. Absence of preventive measures to curb such violence by the state has been the gauge of its complicity. Unfortunately, such violence in the silent presence of the law and order machinery has not yet been the subject of suo motu judicial purview. … Continue reading Cow vigilantes, a political tool to silent democratic dissent: Have we entered a lawless state?
By Martin Macwan* The year was 1976 and the month was May. I had appeared for matriculation exam, 11th standard, the last year of the old SSC before the State of Gujarat switched to a new system, 10 + 2, from St. Mary’s High School, Nadiad. I was then not aware of the complexities of … Continue reading If objective is annihilation of caste, why segregation of employees on the basis of one’s ‘caste’?
By Martin Macwan Praveen Rashtrapal is no more. A short political career of his life as a member of both the upper and lower house of the Parliament was remarkable. The media has not taken much notice of him on the occasion of his demise. Every person in public life has some controversy and Praveenbhai … Continue reading Praveen Rashtrapal was different, he always stood for the rights of the marginalized
...to celebrate seven decades of national independence and 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, who laid foundation for caste-based reservation for SC/ST/OBC and for women in political sphere... By Martin Macwan* The Patidars, popularly known as ‘Patels’, are far from ignorant to know that to acquire other backward class (OBC) status for securing reservation … Continue reading Convene special session of Parliament and all state assemblies to prepare white paper on status of caste today in India…
