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October 07, 2005
Towards Building a Pan-Indian and Global Coalition for Dalit Emancipation
A 3,000 year old system of caste discrimination is only going to be abolished as we continue to build a pan-Indian coalition of men and women totally committed to Dalit emancipation and the abolishment of caste. We must learn from the abolishment of slavery in the USA and UK and the dismantling of the apartheid system in South Africa. The goal of the Dalit Freedom Network is to see the abolishment of caste in our generation and to build the necessary pan-Indian and global coalition to make this happen. In the achievement of this goal we will draw upon committed people from all sections of society in India and overseas -- caste, creed and nationality is no bar if we want to become part of this emancipation movement.
We are sick of every atrocity against the Dalits and other marginalized groups in India -- be it social, economic, physical and spiritual.
The leadership of this movement will continue to reflect the pan-Indian and global nature of this coalition. We believe that this coming together of all likeminded men and women from all walks of life is crucial at this time. Brahminism, which has divided us in the past, continues to divide us in the present and will like to see us divided in the future. They know that we will never be able to end Dalit discrimination and abolish caste if we are divided.
Already the Dalit Freedom Movement is becoming a grass-roots movement in India and other parts of the world. But a huge amount still needs to be done. We welcome you to the movement. We have been involved in lots of work in India and abroad and the conference in Washington is another small step in a much larger struggle for freedom.
Posted by K Lajja at October 7, 2005 01:25 PM