Caste adrift

Violence at Pune, Mumbai speaks of distorted political economy, communities failed by political leaderships

Written by Suhas Palshikar | Published: January 4, 2018 12:02 am

pune clashes, maratha dalit clash, dalit protest, mumbai bandh, mahars, bhima koregaon, maharashtra, dalit education, employement in dalits, obc, indian express

Members of the Maratha community stage protest in Pune on Tuesday (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

As tensions simmer in many parts of Maharashtra, allegations and counter allegations continue to be hurled. While the state government is on the back foot, allegations of incitement by sections close to Hindutva organisations are being levelled by Dalit leaders and the Opposition. A narrative pushed by the apologists of Hindutva suggests that Jignesh Mevani be held responsible for the flare-up because of his speech at a rally at Pune on December 31. At the historic Shaniwar Wada, a fort-cum-palace that was the seat of the Peshwas, Mevani made a plea befitting the Ambedkarite legacy, to end the “peshwai” of both caste domination and capitalist domination. The word peshwai, in common understanding, does refer to Brahmin rule but also has a connotation implying oppressive and illegitimate domination.