THE FIRST DALIT GIRL STUDENT/Writer on Caste and Religion-
Mukta Salve, grand daughter of Lahuji Salve, a fourteen-year 'Matanga'
(untouchable) girl studying for three years and studying in third standard
in school of Mahatma and Sawitrbai Phule, was honored for the best essay in
school by Major Candy. In reply she said in English, "Sir, give us Library
and no Prizes."
Her essay on "Dharma" (Religion) was read in a gathering of about 3000
people in presence of Major Candy. Some thoughts in her essay are worth
remembering even now, after a century and half, as she raised the question
capable of shattering whole of Brahminism. If we are not authorized to read
the scriptures created by Brahmins, she asked, how do we belong
to this religion?
She said:
"The Brahmins say that, the Vedas are their own property. Only we should
see them. This makes it clear that we do not have a book of religion. If
the Vedas are for Brahmins, it is the duty of Brahmins to behave according
to the Vedas. If we have no right to see the book of religion, we are
people devoid of religion. It is very clear. Is it not? So Oh God, inform
us what is the religion coming from you. So that we all would get the
experience accordingly."
"They had continued the practice of feeding us oil and vermilion and
burring us in the foundations of the buildings and forts and cause our
genocide. Those days, if a Mahar or a Mang walks past their door, they
would play the game of ball in the 'Gultekadi' - PUNE, making his head the ball and sword would be the bat. Such was the ban on walking past the gates of king
practicing untouchability. How was it possible to get permission to learn?
If somebody learned to read, and if Bajirao (Peshava) comes to know it, he
would say. 'These Mahar Mangs are reading, though untouchables. What should
the Brahmins do, give them the Office work and take the barber's bag and
look for the job of tonsuring the widows, for themselves?' So saying he
used to punish them."
"If I narrate these atrocities in detail, I feel like crying. Therefore,
the God has been kind to us that he sent the kind English Government to
rule over us, and thereby we were relieved of these tyrannical cruelties."
Further she wrote:
"The practice of burying us in foundations of building and forts was
stopped. Our population also increasing. If a Mahar or Mang used a decent
cloth, they used to say this man has stolen it. Such cloths are to be used
by Brahmins only. If Mahars Mangs use it they would be corrupting the
religion; so saying they used to tie us and beat us. But now under the
English rule, anybody can earn and can purchase clothes of liking. They
used to behead the Mang or Mahar, if he committed a crime. That practice
also is stopped. The cruel system of free forced unpaid labour is also
stopped. In some places, practice of 'touch me not' ism is also stopped.
Now we are free to walk in the markets of 'Gultekadi'- Pune."
[Dhanjay Keer: Mahatma Jotirao Phule, 47/48]
{Dr. K. Jamanadas}
https://www.mail-archive.com/zestcaste@yahoogroups.com/msg04569.html
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