Jayprakash Andolan Aur Dalit Varg

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jayprakash Andolan Aur Dalit Varg" by Premkumar Mani, based on the provided pages:

Title: Jayprakash Andolan Aur Dalit Varg (The Jayprakash Movement and the Dalit Class) Author: Premkumar Mani Publisher: Premkumar Mani

Core Argument:

The central thesis of the book is a strong critique of the Jayprakash Narayan-led movement of the 1970s, asserting that this movement is not a savior but a destroyer for the Dalit community. The author argues that the movement is primarily led by the sons of the wealthy and powerful ("bade baap ke shokh sapooton") and serves the interests of the elite, not the oppressed.

Key Criticisms of the Jayprakash Movement:

• Elite Leadership and Agenda: The movement's leadership is firmly in the hands of the privileged class, and its objectives are aligned with their interests. The movement is seen as a conspiracy by the upper echelons of the exploitative system, who are now joining forces to maintain their dominance.
• Against Dalit Representation: The author contends that the call to dissolve the Legislative Assembly is a ploy by the elite. The current system, however flawed, guarantees a certain percentage of Dalit representation. Dissolving the assembly would lead to President's rule, which is essentially rule by corrupt officers, whose parents could afford bribes, thus benefiting the existing exploiters.
• Hypocrisy Regarding Inflation: The movement is presented as being against inflation, but the author highlights that the leaders were silent when inflation severely affected the Dalits. Their concern only arose when inflation impacted the upper classes, demonstrating a lack of genuine empathy for the Dalit community.
• Ignoring Dalit Struggles: The book poignantly contrasts the response to the Jayprakash movement with the silence and indifference shown to Dalit struggles. When Dalits fought against corruption, hoarding, and injustice, sacrificing lives and enduring imprisonment (citing specific incidents in Bihar), Jayprakash and his followers remained silent and offered no support or even a tear of sympathy.
• False Claims of Anti-Corruption: The author refutes the claim that the movement is against corruption. He argues that advising students to abandon their studies for a year is implicitly encouraging a year of corruption. Similarly, encouraging soldiers to seize control of the government is inviting those who have remained apart from the corrupt system into its fold. The author dismisses the idea that simply dissolving the assembly will eradicate corruption, pointing to the failure of past movements that replaced governments without bringing about systemic change.
• Dangerous "Party-less Democracy": The concept of "party-less democracy" is seen as a direct attack on democracy and a threat to the Dalits' most important right – the right to vote. It's viewed as a tactic by the exploitative class to deceive the masses, similar to how religious leaders in the past used promises of heaven to control people. The author argues that democracy, even in communist nations, involves parties, and this notion is a misleading slogan.
• Historical Parallels and Betrayal: The author draws a parallel between Jayprakash Narayan's past actions of abandoning Dr. Lohia and obstructing the Dalit revolution and his current stance. He also recalls how Dr. Ambedkar faced immense criticism for viewing Gandhi's movement as ineffective and anti-Dalit, a situation the author believes Dalit intellectuals are facing again by opposing the Jayprakash movement.
• Dalit Economic Hardship: The book emphasizes the dire economic conditions of Dalits – hunger, lack of clothing and footwear, no books for education, and no access to medicine. It states that these conditions have not significantly improved in the past 27 years, and the ruling Congress party, despite keeping Dalits as a vote bank, has done little for their upliftment.
• Critique of Communist and Congress Leadership: The author criticizes even the Communist party for its leadership being in the hands of the same exploitative class for centuries, citing the "thesis of heredity." He also notes the disappointment with the first female Prime Minister, who, despite being a symbol of hope for Dalits, was seen as adhering to traditional, casteist views (by touching the feet of Jagadguru Shankaracharya and participating in the centenary celebration of a text that categorizes women and Shudras with animals).

Call to Action for Dalits:

• Awareness and Vigilance: The Dalit Student Union (implied as the author's affiliation) warns the entire Dalit community, especially its intellectuals, to be wary of the Jayprakash movement.
• Focus on Dalit Revolution: The book asserts that Dalits are the enemies of the movements championed by Jayprakash. The Jayprakash movement has derailed the possibility of a Dalit revolution by creating confusion.
• Dual Front Revolution: Dalits must strive for change on both economic and social fronts simultaneously. This includes nationalization of industry and agriculture, intensifying inter-caste marriage movements, eradicating outdated scriptures that promote inequality, and directly confronting individuals who foster discrimination.
• Self-Reliance and Shudrikaran of Power: Dalits must stand on their own feet and build the foundation for their revolution. The author stresses that for the establishment of socialism in India, the "Shudrikaran" (empowerment and upliftment) of power is essential.
• Support for Their Movements: The author encourages everyone to support their movements, viewing it as another step towards social consciousness. They request readers to become patrons and place copies in libraries.

In essence, "Jayprakash Andolan Aur Dalit Varg" is a powerful and critical indictment of a major political movement from the perspective of the Dalit community, arguing that its stated goals masked an agenda that would further marginalize and oppress them. It serves as a call for Dalit self-reliance and a focused struggle for genuine socio-economic transformation.