Dalits and International Conventions:

A perspective on “Internationalization of Dalit issues”

Dr. Dominic D
Email: davidappa@hotmail.com

“Recognition of extraordinary lengths to which one must go to challenge a given

structure of intelligibility, to intervene in resident meanings by bringing what is silent and
un-glimpsed into focus, is an essential step towards, opening up possibilities for politics
and ethics of discourse”
- Michael J.Shapio

Before getting into the theoretical underpinnings of the topic, “Dalits and International
Conventions: A perspective on “Internationalization of Dalit issues” let us try to have
a glimpse at the following reality bites. They capture the mood of this paper and clarify
the positions on the issue. Further they also throw light on the generalised stereotypes
that are used to identify the dalits.

The first reality bite is an incident that took place last year when the Karnataka State’s SC
Commission development Board sponsored a research work on documenting the multi
facets of 50 years experiences of dalits in Karnataka. According to the plan, I had to
interview the former dalit MLA Mr. K. H. Ranganath.1 During the interview I asked him
to narrate his experience of untouchability. He took no time to rebuke me by saying, “go
and ask those who inflicted the wound”. This precisely the issue – when we say a person
untouchable, what do we mean? Do we mean that this person is born as an untouchable?
Or is it an attribute of the upper caste person who dumps it on the dalit in order to get him
subjugated to perpetuate his privileges? The latter seems to be the crux. Thus, the stereo-
type ‘untouchable/untouchability’ had to be used not to describe the dalit persons.

The second episode pertains to a report published in Varthabharti on 31st August.

According to the report of C S Madaiah Committee, that monitors the implementation of
the reservation in the colleges that come under the purview of Bangalore University,
found out that in 50 high tech colleges of Bangalore have failed to implement the
reservation policy in education, particularly St. Joseph’s college, Mount Carmel College,
Bishop Cotton Ladies College and others have completely failed. The committee says
that these colleges will be fined with Rs.1lakh to fifty thousand. My point here is that
these high tech colleges who depend upon the state for their resources have violated the
constitutional mandate. Even if we take Christ College, I am, sure that it also will come
under scrutiny. If we go into their assumptions, it is the concept of quality education that
ultimately denies admission to the students of dalit community. In other words merit
seems to be the accepted criteria where dalit students are not meritorious. The excuses
that are cited are that dalit students don’t come. For me it ultimately a casteist nuance that
1
K H Ranganath is known for his integrity and for implementing the land reforms Act in Karnataka His
whole interview has been given in K. Ramaiah Ed., Talaparike, S.C. Development board, Bangalore 2006,
p. 356
thrives in the name of quality and standard education. Further analysis will give us that
standardization in any field means elimination of the dalits, adiwasis, women and
children from acquiring their rights. Therefore, the sociological term ‘hierarchy’ was an
attribute to understand the caste reality in India, had to give way to the concept of
‘standardization’ to understand the caste practice in reality.

The third reality bite pertains to the context of Bangalore Slums. The editor of Slum
report found out that most of the slum women who render domestic services hail from
OBC and Dalit backgrounds. Among them many of them are also cook in the houses of
their domestic service. But, none of the women belonging to Dalit community cook in
those house! This again highlights the urban reality of caste practices.

The fourth reality bite directly places us in the domain of international politics and
particularly UN. In 1992 the UN declared the year of Columbus – the five hundred years
of the discovery of America. As UN declared the year, all over the world there were
protests against this. For, Columbus symbolized the villain no.1 for the homicide of 500
million Blacks for the civilization of America. To respond to the protests of the people all
over the world against the declaration 1992 as the Columbus Year, the UN on the
following 1993 declared as the year of Indigenous People. Thus, the resistance and the
struggle of the communities against all forms of discrimination, exploitation and
Xenophobia attained Human rights for their dignity and opportunity.

It in these contexts that we come to the discussion of “Dalits and human rights: a
perspective on internationalizing the dalit issues”. As we seen in the above reality bites
any category and definition is not innocent or neutral. Only when we understand the
politics of these categories and definitions we are able to do justice to them. Thus, they
could help in making and unmaking the political possibilities for different communities
and particularly the dalits. Let’s therefore try to unravel the various dimensions of the
terms like dalits, human rights, etc.

The much used term ‘dalit’ cannot really represent the aspirations of the communities
that suffer from the caste practices in India. Moreover the recent struggles of the madiga
community across the country has opened the debate that we cannot simply put the term
dalit to understand the various communities like Madiga, Arundathiar etc. Further, it may
be incorrect, strictly speaking, to talk of dalit, if by that term we simply mean the binary2
of the modern, development, science and reason. It requires one to interrogate the two
artifacts political modernity in India – secularism and the nation. The notion of secular
politics gave way to the rightist politics in 80’s onwards. In this period and more
significantly in the 90's new trends and theoretical developments in Social Sciences
acquired respectability and popularity in the academia. Following Ambedkar’s theoretical
positions as well as the subaltern perspectives, the neglected or the marginalised
communities that were codified in social anthopological texts were made available in the
2
The term binary always places the burden of change on the exploited lot. Further it does not recognize the
agency of the person who always resists any kind of domination. Further we just say that the dalit is the
opposite of Brahmin, the Brahmin is absolved of his responsibility of injustice perpetuated through his/her
adherence to caste system. For details see, Dominic & Robert, Binary opposition in our thinking: an
analysis, Vichara Sahitya, Sahitya Academy, Bangalore, 1999, p. 6.
market for public consumption. (For instance, in kannada literature under the patron of
Culture Department more than 28 texts on different dalit comunities were published in
90's and also Ambedkar writings were translated to Kannada audience. Similarly in other
languages too these could be seen). In Western discourses on modernity and post-
modernity added to the above debates on culture and communities. More importantly
scientism, rationalism, progress, objectivity, liberalism.. etc came under severe attack.
This shift was conceptualised as post-modernism. According to this discourse there was
no possibility of an absolute grand theory that could capture the reality bites. Questions
that were considered marginal or insignificant began to be taken seriously. The problems
of the 'emotional universe' demanded new interpretations and representations. These led
to the current debates on the politics of culture and identity.

Another significant factor that came to the forefront in India was the change in the
political milieu. The rise of new social movements like the Narmada Bachao Andolan,
the chipko movement, the fish workers struggles, the farmers movements, the dalit
movements that were pluri in nature, the Adivasi movements, the women's movement,
rights of the sexual minorities, and also the right wing politics threw up issues that could
not be easily dealt with through the conventional 'economy-centred' developmental
theories. These social movements are under-girded by and foster a philosophical body of
literature that takes up questions about the nature, origin and futures of the identities
being defended. Identity politics as a mode of organizing is intimately connected to the
idea that some social groups are oppressed; that is, that one's identity as a woman or as a
Dalit, for example, makes one peculiarly vulnerable to cultural imperialism (including
stereotyping, erasure, or appropriation of one's group identity as discussed above),
violence, exploitation, marginalization, and powerlessness. Identity politics starts from
analyses of oppression to recommend, variously, the reclaiming, re-description, or
transformation of previously stigmatized accounts of group membership. Rather than
accepting the negative scripts offered by a dominant Sanskrit tradition about one's own
inferiority, one transforms one's own sense of self and community, often through
consciousness-raising.

Thus, Dalit politics embodies ‘difference’ that has been created by modernity. However,
this difference was appropriated and hegemonised by the Sanskrit tradition as Colonial
modernity made an entry in India. The tragedy was that Sanskrit Tradition was taken to
be the foundation for modern cultural India. It was in this context that Ambedkar
conceptualises modern India by bringing in the Buddhist tradition to the forefront. Thus,
his efforts forecasted a different frame to both individual and the community to visualise
their future course of action by utilising the available opportunity in liberal parliamentary
system.

According to Kancha Ilaiah, “The Gandhian harijanisation process was also carried out
through the state apparatus. The Nehruvian state did this through the process of
brahminisation of the state structures which ensured that the so-called secular state
became the private property of the Brahminical Castes. The recruitment boards,
educational centres, judicial structures, the military and police agencies were consciously
handed over to the brahminical forces. To appear to be secular, some marginalized
institutions were allowed to be headed by the Muslim elite, but they were coerced into
accepting Brahmin hegemony.” To continue with Ilaiah’s critique, he goes on to argue
that the “Nehruvian state was not a secular agency because in its everyday practices in
the offices, Brahmanism alone was constructed as meritorious and it alone was shown to
be India’s salvation” (Ilaiah, 1998:275). His critique then makes the most amaging move
of distinguishing between two different modernities in India: The Hindu Nationalist or
what we may understand as official – modernity and the indigenous modernity of the
proto-scientific practices of the dalitbahujans and women, always ever innovating in the
course of their productive work (Ilaiah, 1998:275).

In the above analytical frame work, it was long due that the dalit issue entered the
international scenario. Though certainly during colonial times missionaries did their
might to highlight the issue, but it was under the religious frame that was represented and
not in terms of rights. Therefore, it is only in the 70’s that journals like Dalith Voice
under the leadership of V.T.Rajashekar and Dalit movements in the country took up the
campaign for the rights of the Dalits. Later, by the time of Durban conference in 2002
NGO’s joined in massively to internationalise the dalit issue.3 In 2001 there came a net
work Called National Campaign for Dalith human rights. Similarly Indian Social Institute
of Delhi and Bangalore to did its might in politicizing dalit issues.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is a body of

independent experts responsible for monitoring states’ compliance with the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), ratified
by India in 1968. It guarantees rights of non-discrimination on the basis of “race, colour,
descent, or national or ethnic origin.” In 1996 CERD concluded that the plight of Dalits
falls squarely under the prohibition of descent-based discrimination. As a state party to
ICERD, India is obligated to submit periodic reports detailing its implementation of
rights guaranteed under the convention. During the review session CERD examines these
reports and engages in constructive dialogue with the state party, addressing its concerns
and offering recommendations. CERD uses supplementary information contained in non-
3
For insance, The NCDHR Delegation consists of five persons, N. Paul Divakar, National
Convener, and other member bodies - Ms. Ruth Manorama, Convener of the National Federation
of Dalit Women, Mr. P.L. Mimroth convener of the Centre for the Dalit Human Rights,
Rajasthan, Ms. S. Hajamma an activist among Devadasi women and working with the AP Jogini
Vyvastha Vythireka Sanghatan and Dr. Sirivella Prasad, Director of Sakshi, Dalit Human Rights
Watch, Hyderabad. These NGOs exposed the current and changing patters of the discrimination
based on caste system in the country and condemned this in-human practice of Caste system,
which affected millions around the world. The many constitutional provisions and laws that have
been promulgated but are still large areas unimplemented and yet to be enforced. They
recommended that the CERD name Caste-based discrimination as the primary form of descent-
form discrimination and should effectively bring the Dalits under the purview of the committee.
There were statements from Joint Statement from of 26 NGOs (International Dalit Solidarity
Network), National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, India, National Federation of Dalit
Women, Sakshi-Dalit Human Rights Watch - Andhra Pradesh, Centre for Dalit Human Rights,
Rajasthan, AP Jogini Vyvastha Vyathireka Porata Sanghatan, Lutheran World Federation-
Geneva, International Movement Against discrimination and Racism - Japan, Buraku Liberation
League, Nepalese Dalit NGO Federation, Human Development Organisation - Sri Lanka,
National Dalit Commission (Nepal), RADDHO (Senegal ), SAFRAD- Somali Association,
Timidria - Niger, Centre Minority Rights Development (Kenya)
governmental organization “shadow reports” to evaluate states’ reports. India’s report to
CERD, eight years overdue, covers compliance with the convention from 1996 to 2006
yet does not contain a single mention of abuses against Dalits – abuses that India’s own
governmental agencies have documented and verified.

Commission on Human Rights, on three categories of human rights violations:

1. Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law (also known as the
laws of war) in the context of the armed conflict.
2. Violations of democratic rights, such as the rights to freedom of expression, freedom
of association and freedom of peaceful assembly; and
3. Long-standing human rights concerns in Nepal, such as caste- and ethnicity-based
discrimination and gender-based discrimination.

The protection and promotion of human rights of members of Dalit communities and
members of indigenous nationalities falls within each of these categories.

Moreover, today Dalith women’s voice too has come to the forefront to claim its distict
position in human rights frame. The Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in
1995 saw for the first time international recognition given to the discrimination faced by
Dalit women. Dalit women also played a crucial role in the World Conference Against
Racism in South Africa in 2001, where Dalit issues were brought to the fore of the
international attention. Following the National Conference on Violence against Dalit
Women in Delhi on 7 and 8 March 2006, Justitia et Pax Netherlands, Cordaid, and CMC
as members of the Dalit Network Netherlands (DNN), in collaboration with the National
Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) and other Dalit and Dalit Women's
organisations, responded to the request of Dalit women and organised the International
Conference on the Human Rights of Dalit Women on 20 and 21 November 2006 in The
Hague, The Netherlands.

Dalit women today are not simply passive victims; the current mood is not one of mere
acceptance, but one of determination to ‘transform their pain into power'. In fact, they
have been active throughout history, though often this has not been recognised and
recorded. They have been actively involved in the anti-caste and anti-untouchability
movements. Today they are the strongholds of the Dalit movements in thousands of
South Asian villages, and are often at the forefront of struggles for basic human rights.
They continue to play a critical role in the movements for land and livelihood rights and
against untouchability, pointing to the potential for their self-emancipation, given
adequate support. They are making their mark as independent thinkers and writers in the
literary world by critiquing dominant caste ideologies. They participate today as
visionary leaders in the local governance institution by asserting their rights. While they
continue to struggle against structural discrimination and exclusion, violence and
impunity are systematically unleashed by dominant castes to keep them in their place.

But Human rights frame too has its limitations. First and foremost to claim the rights the
individual has to be educated and conscious that there is an international bidy
called UN that guarantees his/her rights. But this does not address the
 community rights. The withdrawal of the welfare state, in as much as it is a
withdrawal, from development responsibility with regard to the rich, neo-rich
and dominant caste forces. A greater and more responsible provision of equal
opportunities to the Dalits must accompany such a withdrawal. In the
mechanism of governance as well as in State institutions like education, health,
communication, technology, markets. In this context that Human Rights
organisations all over the world have till now focused on violations by the State
and its institutions as human rights violations. That all other forms of atrocities
have been relegated to the realm of civil strife by these bodies. Such a position is
untenable. In India the state and civil society are hand in glove in the denial of
rights to the Dalits and other indigenous people of the country. While state abets
violations by the civil society it is forced to take sides with the dominant caste
society in its favour.

Moreover, the middle class hegemony of the representation of human rights has to stop.
Let the elites take the responsibility for the violation of dignity of the dalits in
India.

Therefore, in conclusion I would say that Human rights are only a means rather than an
end in the journey communities’ liberation and in their demand for social
justice. All the same we are aware that the any social group cannot be pigeon
holed into a category of collectivity. If it happens, then a process of
essentialising and patenting acts as monopoly over the future possibilities.

Peace is inextricably linked to hunger and untouchability. Their existence means the
absence of human rights. If these are not addressed the struggle becomes inevitable.

Peace should be understood in a human way in a broad social, political and economic
way. Peace is threatened by unjust economic, social and political order, absence
of democracy, environmental degradation and absence of human rights.

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