Dalit movement to emerge from Dark Web?
Security agencies witness rise in number of websites promoting the cause, warn of an uprising ahead of 2019 elections
misused for anti-national activities. “Without a complaint, we can’t act against digital activism. It is considered illegal only if it is used to create enmity between two groups or communities or for terrorism,” said Rajput.
With the growing influence of the web, security agencies fear the revival of organisations such as the Dalit Panthers, which was formed in Mumbai in 1972, and the backdoor entry of the Communist A conference, Elgar Parishad was held at Bhima-koregaon on December 31, 2017.
A day later, a large number of Dalits gathered to commemorate the 200th anniversary of a battle they won while fighting alongside the British against the Peshwas (upper caste rulers). Violence erupted between the two groups leading to the death of a 28-year-old man. On Wednesday, five alleged Maoist sympathisers were arrested for inciting people during the Parishad.
Party of India (Maoists) into the movement.
The recent arrests of Maoist sympathisers in connection with the Bhima-koregaon violence are an indication of their link to the Dalit movement, claim experts.
“There are groups that have called for much larger protests before the 2019 elections. This can be a cause for concern,” said a senior IPS officer, requesting anonymity.
“The Dalit Panthers was the only organisation responsible for violence in Maharashtra in 1974. Their revival, coupled with mobilisation of CPI (Maoists), could create a significant law and order problem,” said a senior IPS officer, who has been tracking the CPI (Maoists) closely.
Bapusaheb Bhosle, chairman of the Dalit Panthers of India and whose father co-founded the organisation, said his organisation was at the core of Dalit movements across the globe. “There are several Dalit organisations in the United States of America and across the world. They follow Buddhism, or agree with Ambedkar’s ideology. They communicate with us using the Internet. Advocates, doctors, engineers and others use this platform to spread their ideas,” said Bhosle.
Bhosle, however, has a word of caution. “Everybody has a right to social equality. Facing constant injustice, Dalits are even ready to die. If caste cruelty and the politics of pleasing the upper caste does not stop, there will be an uprising soon.”