The National Dalit Movement for Justice ( NMDJ) has come with out with its charter of demands , a wish list to political parties fighting the ensuing assembly elections in five states. It has submitted the document to DMK and its electoral allies, but its reasoning for not submitting to AIADMK and its allies is not convincing. Their demand did not stop with highlighting the issues faced by Dalits and Adivasis, but includes the demand for repealing the constitutionally, democratically and legally enacted laws CAA, NEP, Farm Bills and the proposed amendments to EIA.
If one browses NMDJ’s web page it claims to be a democratic , secular, nonpolitical movement of Dalits, survivors, defenders , academic organization headed by Dalits. It spells out its objectives:
- To ensure effective implementation of existing policies and legislations for the promotion of rights of Dalits and Adivasis against discrimination and violence.
- To build campaign and advocacy for strengthening legal framework and policy reforms for protection of rights of Dalits and Adivasis
- To promote and strengthen the agencies of the communities led organisations , defenders , activists etc to increase assertiveness for claiming justice.
NMDJ conveniently turned a blind eye to the recent incidents where in the DMK has denied/illtreated the rights of elected Village Panchayat Dalit woman Head. Its President Stalin ill treated a sitting MP of the party in a public meeting and its legal wing head, R.S.Bharathi, faces court cases under SC/ST atrocities act.
Unfortunately not only NMDJ , but all other NGOs/Parties / outfits fight for downtrodden rights never acknowledge/ highlight people who successfully overcome all the hurdles and occupy prominent positions in every walk of life. Such acts of inclusiveness will be a catalyst for Dalits and Adivasis. The “Pudiya Tamizhagam” ( New Tamil Land ) lead by Dr.Krishnasami and few other parties/groups were demanding the bunching seven subsects of SC, in TN, as one and be named as “ Devendrakula Vellalar” and taken out of “ Scheduled” list. They are confident of empowering themselves without caste based reservation/ concessions. The state and union govt have agreed to group them as one and name it as “ Devendrakula Vellaalar”. A bill to this effect is placed before the Parliament , and will be passed in the present budget session. The NMDJ has never acknowledged this leave alone welcoming it as empowerment of SC/ST.
