Why the legacy of the Phules still scares the powerful

Watch: Why the legacy of the Phules still scares the powerful?
In this exclusive interview, renowned political theorist and Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah breaks down the real history of the Phules, their fearless fight for equality, and the uncomfortable truths the system still struggles to accept.
From caste struggles and social reform to the modern politics of memory — this conversation uncovers why the Phules' story remains one of India's most revolutionary and suppressed histories.
Watch the full interview to understand why their message matters now more than ever.

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Business Standard

an hour ago

• Business Standard

Nitish is tired; retired, corrupt officers running Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav

Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav came down heavily on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while reiterating his charge that the CM remains "tired" and the "retired, corrupt officials" were running the government in the state. Yadav's response came after he was asked about his "mentally unfit or unhealthy" remarks against Nitish Kumar. "Have you noticed that Nitish Kumar doesn't say anything to the media? When there are government officials or the Deputy Chief Minister on stage, why do they hold his hand? When the national anthem is playing, he talks with the officials. What does it tell you? When respect was being paid to Mahatma Gandhi, he was busy applauding, and everyone was telling him to put down his hands," Yadav said in an exclusive interview with ANI. Recalling various incidents where the officials had to give directions to Nitish Kumar in public, the RJD leader said that Kumar only goes out to public events for a photoshoot when the Opposition comments on his "tiredness", but remains within a few kilometres' radius of his official residence. "This is a stage in life, and I don't like to comment on it. However, he is tired. When we say this, he goes for a photoshoot but stays within a 2-3 kilometre radius of his residence in Patna. Why doesn't he go and meet the rape victim? Why does he not visit the incident sites? Why doesn't he hold press conferences?" Yadav asked. When asked who is running the government if the CM is "tired", Yadav said that it was the retired and corrupt officials who were running the Bihar government. "Retired, corrupt officials. Those who are corrupt officials. The Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) Superintendent had retired, but he was given an extension after my government fell. The Chief Engineer, who was caught with crores of rupees, was retired only," he added. Moreover, Yadav claimed that if the law and order situation in Bihar is compared to the one under the previous RJD-led Mahagathbandhan government based on crime data, it would reveal that criminal activities are "out of control "under the Nitish Kumar government. "Our term in Bihar is often labelled as 'Maha jungle raj'. Compare it with the data whether the law and order situation was good during our term or is good this term. If you go through the data, it is clear that the crime is out of control under Nitish Kumar (government)," the RJD leader said. Yadav questioned the silence of the media over the actions of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha during his visit to the rape victim's family in Muzzafarpur, where he asked them to swear to prove whether they were speaking the truth that they had to wait to avail treatment for the minor Dalit girl at PMCH. "The rape case that happened, the Deputy Chief Minister asked the family members (of the victim) to swear on their mother and sister that treatment was refused at PMCH. The family had alleged that they were kept outside (waiting) for nearly four to five hours, which was the truth; that's why you removed the Deputy Superintendent. Are you visiting there to give sympathy or ask them to swear on their mother that they are speaking the truth? This is not a matter of debate in the news," he added.

The Hindu

2 hours ago

• The Hindu

SC internal reservation survey gets extension till June 30

Amid demand by some Dalit factions not to extend the survey of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), the commission headed by retired judge H.N. Nagamohan Das, which has been tasked to recommend internal reservation for the SCs, has announced another extension. The deadline to end the survey, which was Sunday (June 22), is now June 30. The survey of 101 Scheduled Castes in the State commenced on May 5 since the commission has been asked by the State government to suggest slicing up the 17% reservation for the SCs among the Dalit 'right' and Dalit 'left', and other castes. The survey to gather empirical data has received multiple extensions already, and has had 91% of the households across Karnataka covered. However, the survey has covered just about 50% of the households in Bengaluru. This is likely to be the final deadline, commission sources said. The commission has said that those who have not yet participated in the survey can do so at KarnatakaOne, BengaluruOne and GramaOne centres, Bapuji Kendras, 198 ward offices in the BBMP limits, and also online. Former Minister H. Anjaneya was among many individuals and organisations who had suggested to the commission that the deadline not be extended.

The Hindu

3 hours ago

• The Hindu

Dalits have been truly empowered under NDA rule, says BJP

The BJP on Sunday asserted that Dalits were truly empowered under the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and accused the Congress party of using the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar only for political gains, while ignoring his vision and disrespecting his ideals. Addressing the media after the State Executive meeting of the BJP SC Morcha at the party office here, MP and SC Morcha national general secretary Bhola Singh said its activists across the country had been actively taking the NDA Government's welfare initiatives to the grassroots. Despite chanting 'Garibi Hatao', the Congress party failed to eradicate poverty, or uplift the poor, Mr. Singh alleged. 'From Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, no Congress leader truly worked for the poor,' he said. Lauding Mr. Modi's leadership for launching numerous welfare schemes and significantly expanding healthcare infrastructure, he said, 'In the last 11 years, the number of medical colleges has grown substantially, benefitting the underprivileged.' The 'AmritKaal' that Mr. Modi had ushered in saw women empowerment and SC representation in governance, he claimed. 'It is under Mr. Modi's rule that Dalits have been given power. They have been made Governors, Deputy Chief Ministers, and Union Cabinet Ministers,' Mr. Singh said. He also recalled Mr. Modi's tribute to Dr. Ambedkar through development of the 'Panch Teerth' — the five sites marking the birth, education, and contributions of the late leader. Referring to Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Singh said the State was benefitting from the 'double-engine sarkar'. Dalit Sammelans State BJP president and Rajamahendravaram MP D. Purandeswari said the party planned to organise 'Dalit Sammelans' across Dalit colonies to create awareness about the party's welfare initiatives and counter misinformation. 'The BJP is the only party that has truly honored Dr. Ambedkar,' she said, recalling Mr. Modi's visit to Dr. Ambedkar's London residence and the government's development of Panch Teerth. Condemning the Congress party for using Dr. Ambedkar's name for political gains, she questioned, 'Can the Congress explain what it has truly done for Ambedkar?' 'Malicious propaganda' Mr. Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 envisaged inclusive development, benefiting farmers, women, and youth, she said. Rejecting the claims of opposition parties that the BJP was anti-Dalit, she pointed to the expansion of welfare programmes, representation in top offices, and SC-focused policies. 'Despite malicious propaganda, people trust Mr. Modi's leadership,' she asserted. Defending the government's constitutional amendments as pro-people, she denounced the Congress for historically disrespecting Dr. Ambedkar and his ideals. 'Only the BJP has respected and implemented Dr. Ambedkar's vision,' she claimed. Earlier, the executive meeting decided to pay tributes to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on June 23 (observed by the party as Balidan Diwas) and undertake a special plantation drive to mark the imposition of Emergency, encouraging citizens to plant a sapling in their mother's name. Ms. Purandeswari also expressed delight that Andhra Pradesh secured two Guinness records on International Day of Yoga, and described it as a proud moment for the State. The meeting was chaired by SC Morcha State president Gudise Devanand. Ms. Purandeswari, SC Morcha national secretaries S. Kumar and P.S. Ashok, BJP State general secretaries B. Sivannarayana and P. Nagabhushanam, and former MLA D. Sambayya were among others who participated.