Human rights movement is unstoppable. Movements of oppressed and women cannot be suppressed. Democracy cannot function without human rights movement. Human rights is aspiration of marginalized and vulnerable groups. Thus, there will be movement for human rights in future India.
What message do you have for our readers?
Restoring and respecting five values- federalism, diversity, pluralism, human dignity and inclusiveness- are vital for peaceful society. And human rights and rule of law are essential instrument to realize all these values giving win win situation to all.
Feb 4, New Delhi: Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, is an Indian Dalit rights activist fighting against Caste discrimination and police torture. His organization, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) works to protect human rights of lower caste and minorities in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Dr Lenin’s organisation has so far helped 4000 domestic violence victims, rescued around 5300 of people from torture, provided 50000 children quality education and freed around 3500 bonded labourers. Raghuvanshi has called for the establishment of a neo-Dalit movement to eliminate the caste system and overthrow feudalism, thereby establishing a society based on equal dignity for all humankind. For his human rights advocacy, Lenin was beaten and attacked; now he lives under constant threat, by the feudal and fascistic forces in Indian society.
Lenin was organizing forces behind the formation of People’s SARRC in Kathmandu in 2005. It was an effort to build human rights mechanism in SARRC countries where the discourse of human rights is still in its nascent stage.
Dr. Lenin has been awarded, with M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award 2016, along with ACHA Star Peace Award from Association for Communal Harmony in Asia USA 2007 and Gwangju Human Rights Award from Foundation of South Korea and International Human Rights Prize of the city of Weimar.
By: Amit Singh / Source: The Oslo Times / The Dawn News / February 4, 2017
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and Amit Singh. Photo credit: The Oslo Times
Dr. Lenin Raghuvansi in an exclusive interview with The Oslo Times’s human rights columnist, Amit Singh spoke about his experience fighting against Caste discrimination, police torture, domestic violence against women, freedom of expression and religious extremism in India.
Excerpts:
What inspired you to work against caste discrimination and bondage labor? I was influenced by the ideals of my grandfather who was a freedom fighter and Gandhian. Initially I started to work on environmental rights and sanitation awareness. In 1992, I came into contact with Kailash Satyarti (Nobel Laureate) through Swami Agnivesh. I worked with him on issues of Child labor and bondage labor. I realized, most of bonded labor hails from lower caste; and it was primarily lower caste children who were the victims of bondage labor. Thus, in order to redress the problem of bonded labor and Caste discrimination, I have established People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) in 1996.
Tell us more about your Org.? PVCHR is membership based organization. It has 62000 members. PVCHR follow rights based approach to all social problems. We work for thepeaceful society based on justice, fraternity, and liberty. We provide testimonial therapy to police torture victims, seek justice for marginalized groups and do human rights advocacy.
Tell us about domestic violence against women in India. What are the causes? Indian traditional family values are based on inequality where male member call the shots. Family is centred on patriarchy and hegemonic masculinity is employed to subjugate women. Women are dominated through physical, sexual and psychological violence affecting not only current generation, but also future generation. In order to stop domestic violence against women mind set of the people based on hegemonic masculinity, must change. Without changing hegemonic masculinity, it is impossible to bring sustainable peace at family, society and globe.
Dr. Lenin Raghuvansi. Photo credit: The Oslo Times
What is the situation of human rights defenders particularly tribal activist under the Modi’s government? Situation of human rights defenders is going from bad to worse. The rise of corporate fascism has played a key role in this situation. Big corporate needs natural resources and minerals. Thus, in the collaboration with the government, they are snatching land from tribals and indigenous groups. Those who are protesting against big corporates are being framed in false cases, and attacked. Activists working for the rights of the tribal’s in Baster district in Chattisgarh, are a such examples. Human rights defenders working for the protection of tribal women and marginalized groups are under attack. Activist working on issues of government transparency using right to information act to extract information, lives under constant threat by the government and non state actors.
Why are Caste-based discrimination and violence still prevalent in India?
India is still a semi feudal society where everything is determined by the Caste system. Caste biases have been percolated from the social to governmental and political structure. Thus, Caste system has become the focal point and violence is ingrained in this system. Through discrimination and violence system is maintained. Hegemonic masculinity also plays a role to subjugating lower caste. Hegemonic masculinity involves patriarchy and elements of caste domination. We can see hegemonic masculinity is widely prevalent in South Asian region where Caste related atrocities and violence against women is common.
What is your opinion on human rights violations in Kashmir? Police and military are involved in human rights violations in Kashmir. They represent mainland India and suppress voices of local Kashmiri people. There is a conflict between two identities and two nationalities in Kashmir. Also, communal conflict and intense nationalism lies at the origin of the violations in Kashmir.
What is your view on religious extremism in South Asia? In the psych of the South Asians religious intolerance is deeply rooted. It can be seen in Islamic fascism in Pakistan and Bangladesh and in Hindu fascism in India such as Vishva Hindu Parishad (V.H.P) and Rastriya Swam Sweak Sangh (R.S.S). Such elements are cause of religious extremism in this regions and are threat to peace and harmony in the concerned society.
In addition, painful memories of Indo-Pak separation still lingers and dictate relations between the two nations. There is a need for conflict resolutions to redress grievances of injured parties from both sides so that religious extremist cannot egg on people on this volatile issue. There is a need to protect existing tradition of religious pluralism and diversity from religious extremism. Religious extremism can be challenged by the religious pluralism.
Photo credit: The Oslo Times
What do you think on the situation of freedom of expression in India? Freedom of expression is being curtailed, more than ever. Space for dissent is narrowing. In earlier times, it was caste driven system which control freedom of expression. Now in the times of neo-liberal policies it is big corporate who control the media and runs the show. They decided news content in main stream media and this deeply affects media freedom. In addition, writers and journalist with independent thinking are attacked by the religious extremist and government agents. Journalists working to protect human rights of marginalized groups are facing threat from government agents and their voices being silenced by charging them in false case such as Bela Bhatia in Baster district of Chattishgarh state. Some journalists have been harassed and some are killed.
What is future of human rights movement in India? Human rights movement is unstoppable. Movements of oppressed and women cannot be suppressed. Democracy cannot function without human rights movement. Human rights is aspiration of marginalized and vulnerable groups. Thus, there will be movement for human rights in future India.
What message do you have for our readers? Restoring and respecting five values- federalism, diversity, pluralism, human dignity and inclusiveness- are vital for peaceful society. And human rights and rule of law are essential instrument to realize all these values giving win win situation to all.
मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ता पुलिस की इस कार्यवाही से बिल्कुल भी सहमत नहीं हैं। पीपुल्स वीजिलेंस कमिशन ऑफ ह्यूमन राइट्स (#पीवीसीएचआर) के लेनिन रघुवंशी कहते हैं कि ऐसे मुठभेड़ कानून के शासन को नुकसान पहुंचाते हैं और आपराधिक न्याय प्रणाली को विकृत करते हैं। उन्होंने कहा, ‘इससे अपराधियों का राजनीतिकरण भी होता है, क्योंकि पुलिस कार्रवाई के डर से वे अक्सर सत्ताधारी दल में शामिल हो जाते हैं। फिर वे स्थानीय नेताओं के संरक्षण में अपनी आपराधिक गतिविधियों को जारी रखते हैं। https://www.navjivanindia.com/india/yogi-raj-in-up-are-these-encounters-or-murders-in-cold-blood
Lenin Raghuvanshi is among one of the 11
human rights activist whose life mission is to provide others with a dignified
life. These are the people who have impacted a positive change in the world
through their relentless efforts
Citation as follows: Raghuvanshi a Dalit rights activist who has
dedicated his life toward elevating the lives of people from the marginalised
sections of the society. He is one of the founding members of People's
Vigilance Committee on Human Rights. He also tirelessly worked towards ending
bonded labour and revolutionising children education by promoting girl
education, introducing non-traditional teachings and overhauling the
educational institutions.
सराय अरे सबका सराय था मुसहरो को छोड़कर पहचान, नागरिकता के प्रमाण से दूर इंसानियत पर हसते महावीर का टोला कब बनेगा इन्सान की अस्मिता ? इसी जिद्दोजहद में एक दिन पंहुचा मै गरमी के दिनों में 2001 के उनको सुनना, महसूस करना मुझे भी बना रहा था रघुवंशी से इंसान मेरे जीवन की शुरुआत मेरे पुनर्जन्म की स्वकथा व्यथा बन्धुआ मजदूर से मुक्त इंसान पुलिस की यातना का विरोध स्कूलों से लेकर अस्पताल तक पहुच ये कहानी सबको बताती है इंन्सान, आशा, अस्मिता, इज्जत की शुरुआत लिखी जा रही है इंसान की सच्ची कहानिया उनकी स्वकथा व्यथा संघर्षो की दासता से मुक्ति की इंसान के पुनर्जन्म की औराव, सकरा, अनेई, बरहीकला सहित सैकड़ो गाँवों के दक्खिन टोलो में जून २०१५,लेनिन रघुवंशी
Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi, a Social Activist and founder of People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights says, “#Lynching is not based on facts; it is a matter of subjectivity. It is happening not only in India but everywhere in the world. But it is not justified at all. Wherever such extreme steps have been taken, even by the law in rape cases, there has been no reform.”
Talking about the reason, he says, “The main reason behind such practice is the lack of education. If education will be provided, people’s mindset will change; logic will prevail. People should be taught about religions – all religions. Besides, the knowledge of constitution should also be given. Any individual’s root lies in his #education. Apart from that, there should be strict law in place.”
Talking about the possible solution he says, “There should be a fair trial, speedy actions, and proper rule of law in place, along with a strong judicial system, fair investigative process and stress on the education system. Only then we can expect a change in next 10 to 15 years.”
He also said that lynching is happening because of collective mindsets of a similar kind of people. They (the mob) don’t want to give criminal the chance to be tried. “It is, however, not a new practice, and it is done against women since years, take the example of witch practice,” he adds.
Ram Nath Kovind is backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Meira Kumar has the support of 16 opposition parties led by Congress. The two veteran politicians are in their seventies. For Lenin Raghuvanshi, the choice of Dalit candidates “does not change the evils of the caste system”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has divided the opposition.
For Raghuvanshi, to improve the conditions of discriminated Dalit, it would be better to "promote a movement of reconciliation between different castes and religious communities starting in civil society, and create bonds between those who have suffered from communal marginalisation and Brahamanism. Outreach and meetings are the best way to fight dangerous prejudices that lead to hatred among communities." For this reason, the activist proposes the creation of a "new Dalit social movement to coordinate protest over common problems.”
"All those struggling for human rights will be welcome, including those who want to reverse state privatisation, natural resource abuse, societal cleavages and hatreds fuelled by sectarianism, feudalism and the patriarchal system, encouraged by the caste system of Brahmanism and the ideology of Hindutva."
Although government and opposition pick Dalit candidate for the presidency, castes remain
Ram Nath Kovind is backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Meira Kumar has the support of 16 opposition parties led by Congress. The two veteran politicians are in their seventies. For Lenin Raghuvanshi, the choice of Dalit candidates “does not change the evils of the caste system”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has divided the opposition.
New Delhi (AsiaNews) – A Dalit will be the next president of India. This is a certainty after Meira Kumar, former speaker of the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and a veteran member of Sonia Gandhi’s Congress Party, agreed to run against Ram Nath Kovind, former governor of Bihar and a three-time member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) for Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The election is set for 17 July and the result will be announced on the 20th.
The pictures of the two Dalit politicians have filled TV screens for days now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement caught the opposition by surprise and divided. The 71-year-old Kovind is well respected for his integrity and impartiality. And many analysts agree that Modi’s pick is meant to gain support among the most disadvantaged classes.
“It was a move of Dalit-Brahamanism social engineering that does not change the evils of the caste system," said Lenin Raghuvanshi, a Dalit activist and executive director of the Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) who spoke to AsiaNews.
This week comes in the wake Modi's recent electoral victories in five state elections. On Tuesday, he announced Kovind’s candidacy and accompanied him this morning to fill out his official papers.
His decision to pick the son of a poor Dalit farmer in Uttar Pradesh has had an immediate impact. The 16 opposition parties led by Congress met yesterday and picked Meira Kumar, 72, the daughter of a former Deputy Prime Minister, Jagjivan Ram. All experts agree that the opposition was caught off guard and unprepared, and will likely pay a political price.
First of all, Modi’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) found a candidate like Kovind, a politician well respected and of high moral standing. Secondly, the prime minister’s pick brought him the support of some of his rivals, including Bihar’s current Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a fierce opponent of BJP Hindu nationalists.
Some members of the opposition have admitted that they were caught unawares, and had to scramble to find someone who could stand against such a credible opponent. Surveys already suggest that Kovind has a 62 per cent lead in the electoral college.
According to Raghuvanshi, the reason for nationalists backing Kovind "stems from the desire to buttress their power based on male chauvinism." This explains why "many Dalit have joined the BJP in recent years", a counterintuitive behaviour since the BJP accepts the caste system (chapter three on integral humanism) as something that “exists in society”.
Although Kovind said today that if he is elected, he "would be above partisanship", many doubts it will be possible.
For Raghuvanshi, to improve the conditions of discriminated Dalit, it would be better to "promote a movement of reconciliation between different castes and religious communities starting in civil society, and create bonds between those who have suffered from communal marginalisation and Brahamanism. Outreach and meetings are the best way to fight dangerous prejudices that lead to hatred among communities." For this reason, the activist proposes the creation of a "new Dalit social movement to coordinate protest over common problems.”
"All those struggling for human rights will be welcome, including those who want to reverse state privatisation, natural resource abuse, societal cleavages and hatreds fuelled by sectarianism, feudalism and the patriarchal system, encouraged by the caste system of Brahmanism and the ideology of Hindutva."
“Il s’agit d’une nouvelle forme de terrorisme”, a commenté Lenin Raghuvanshi, un activiste des droits humains très connu en Inde, à propos de la nouvelle législation.
Cité par l’agence d’information catholique Asia News, Lenin Raghuvanshi assure que le but du gouvernement est d’imposer à tous les Indiens le régime traditionnel végétarien hindouiste.
"All my brothers and sisters were named
after prominent Marxist leaders by my father. Though he was a leftist, he was
deeply religious. Meanwhile, my grandfather, a Gandhian, was an atheist. An
egalitarian, he had a good grasp of grassroots politics. I grew up with my
grandparents in Bombay. Our home felt the turbulence of ideologies. These
shaped me. Other influences on me were the ideologies of Gautam #Buddha, #Kabir,
Dr BR #Ambedkar,
Mahatma #Gandhi
and Swami #Agnivesh.
Though a left-liberal ideologist, engaged with the politics of the marginal
(Dalits and minorities), I am a firm believer in non-violence." says Lenin Raghuvanshi
An eminent human rights activist Lenin Raghuvanshi says, “Without elimination of locust effect of fear and phobia and culture of silence, it is imposable to fulfil the realisation of a sustainable goal at grass roots level.”
We are a couple for fighting against unjust caste and patriarchal system.We are living with our friendly contradiction. Now, we are partner in personal and community life, but we are two different identities in human rights struggle.
