Namdev Dhasal joins RSS programme

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Springing a surprise, reputed Marathi writer and leading Dalit rights activist Namdev Dhasal chaired a programme of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) here this evening, saying he did not consider the Sangh an ''outcaste'' in his struggle to banish caste from Indian society.

''I am not a member of the RSS, but if after all these years, the Sangh wants to work on this social platform, then I don't consider the Sangh an outcaste,'' he said at the programme where RSS chief K S Sudarshan released a book titled 'Samrasta Ke Sootra' (The Basis of Harmony) edited by Panchjanya editor Tarun Vijay and Sangh ideologue Ramesh Patenge.

''Samrasta'' (Harmony) is also the theme of the birth centenary celebrations of the second RSS chief Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar this year.

In an hour-long speech, Mr Dhasal detailed the injustices he suffered as a child because of being born in the low caste and his long struggle, both politically as well as with words, to fight the unjust social system.

''If even after nearly 60 years we continue to live with 800 castes and 5000 sub-castes, then what kind of nation are we building, We have to work to break these walls of distrust,'' he said while appealing to the RSS to channelise its energies towards fighting the caste system.

''I will be criticised by my friends from the Left parties when they see my picture in newspapers tomorrow, but I am a practical person. I would not be threatened,'' he said while adding that the Left parties had ''never'' addressed the caste problem seriously.

Citing the example of the NDA coalition which had withered with dalit allies such as the Lok Janashakti of Ram Vilas Paswan joining the new ruling coalition, Mr Dhasal said he had lost faith in the commitment and ability of governments to achieve Dr Ambedkar's dream of a casteless society. ''This has to be done through a social reform movement''.

MORE UNI VN PK VV2148