PATNA: The logic is simple. They have not been born to ask for Minimum wages, or social security. Nor to vote. How can HariJans stand in the same queue with high caste people to exercise their “right” to vote?
As for all other laws made for their benefit, who cares for adult sufferage as enshrined in the Constitution. Whether they belong to the Chief Minister, Mr Satyendra Narain Sinha’s village Powain in Aurangabad to Nagma Nonhi in Jehanabad, to Baikatpur in the Barh constituency or have been living on the street in Maharjaganj for three generations the Harijans are just unfit to vote.
This was very much reflected in the recent Lok Sabha election almost everywhere except where the Left parties particularly the Indian People’s Front had set up its candidates or in the reserved constituencies. The disability was more pronounced in the rural areas where the landed class holds complete sway over the lives of the Harijans.
At places where the Harijans tried to vote there was violent and stiff opposition from all involved.
The upper castes or even landed among the backward castes may not accept food in Harijans houses. but they do not mind impersonating Harijans to cast their votes in favor of a high caste candidate or ‘One belonging to dominant castes. Satyendrawad
The poster at the Chief Minister’s village said, “Jantantra ko janta tak pahuchane ke liye Congress (I) ko vote dein”. Ironically the Harijans of the village have neyer been inside a polling booth. “It is Satyendrawad here, a cousin of the Chief Minister said and an old Harijan Padam Ravidas who could have voted in all the elections held so far said in a matter of fact tone. “Babu log vote dete hain” (big people cast our vote).
In Nagma Nonhi scene of the harijan massacre last year, the Harijans were not confident if they would be able to vote this time even though there were two police camps. The votes of the Harijan in the village all through have been decided by the Bhumihars. All the votes were polled en bloc for one party after a group decision in which the Harijans had no say.
Though a young B.Sc student, Shammi Sharma was hopeful that this time because of the police camps the Harijans and others could exercise their right to vote. Devdhari Paswan said they had not seen a ballot paper at all and would not be allowed to vote again as the booth was captured by the zamindars.
While the polling was on a booth specially meant for the Harijans in Baikatpur had no Harijan voters. They had been cooly asked to leave the place. Their votes were cast by a group of a dozen people. The Harijans were mere onlookers to the operation. Similar was the scene in Kabra in the Muzaffarpur constituency. It was different in Arrah booth in Bikramganj where the IPF workers saw to it that the Harijans lined up much before the scheduled time and voted. that toq before the landlords came on the scene. In fact it was the queue of Harijansin Danwar Bihta in Arrah constituency which led to violence. How could Harijans vote ‘was the reasoning.
At Maharajganj, none of the parties bothered to approach the Harijans to vote in the elections. Their votes were cast by others,
After the elections the IPF which had vigorously campaigned against booth capturing, said: “Our biggest achievement in this election has been the fact that in certain areas the Dalits and the opposed have succeeded in exercising their vote for the first time. “It describes it as a big stranglehold.”
Article extracted from this publication >> December 22, 1989
