Paul Divakar, founder of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) speaks to Teesta Setalvad. Co-editor, Communalism Combat, in this interview that is a joint production of Communalism Combat and Newsclick
“We are at the Crossroads, 2016 has been a Historic Movement for the Dalit Struggle”: Paul Divakar
“Indian Politics of the Liberals and Left Needs to Examine where and How it Ignored the De-humanising aspects of Caste when it comes to Labour Relations”: Paul Divakar
“The struggle for the Rights and Dignity of Dalits is a Struggle for the Humanising of All of Society”: Paul Divakar
“The language of caste abuse for Dalits involved in demeaning occupations is not simply demeaning but it is abuse at the very worst levels”: Paul Divakar
“All Indians must realise that Dalits are forced into menial occupations, scavenging & skinning of animals, there coercion by caste, it is not occupations by choice: Paul Divakar
“The hardest of Agricultural Labour, Grave digging, Manual Scavenging, Cleaning of Sewers, are all Demeaning Occupations that are Forced onto Dalits”: Paul Divakar
“So, on the one hand, Dalits are forced into occupations that are demeaning, then you say they are unclean”: Paul Divakar
“All Indians must understand that this is free labour and but for the functions that Dalits are condemned to undertake, Society would be infested with Plagues all over the country”: Paul Divakar
“Instead of honouring the work that Dalits perform, dignifying the Work, you abuse them and beat them like was done in Una”: Paul Divakar
Judge Ramkrishna, a Dalit Judge suspended and persecuted by a High Court Judge”: Paul Divakar
“A Campaign of Members of Parliament is on in Judge Rama Krishna’s support”: Paul Divakar
“Then, when you have a Judge, like Judge Rama Krishna, or a Research Scholar like Rohith Vemula, who defy the indignities heaped by Caste, and rise in professional occupations –the backlash is vicious and these attacks are meant to destroy any notion of humanity”: Paul Divakar