More than 75 Years Post-Independence: Unveiling the Shadows of Injustice in India

 Lenin Raghuvanshi Explores the Struggles of Dalits and the Call for a Neo-Dalit Movement

In the aftermath of 75 years of India's independence, the world's largest democracy grapples with a disconcerting reality – justice remains an elusive concept. The deep-rooted caste system continues to exert its influence over the political, social, and economic destinies of over a billion citizens.

The nexus of wealth, political maneuvering, and coercive tactics frequently obstructs justice for the disenfranchised, particularly the Dalits. These marginalized communities bear the dual burdens of poverty and illiteracy. Atrocities and extortion against the Dalits, sham encounters, reluctance to register complaints against the privileged, arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions, and custodial deaths have sadly become commonplace.

The absence of a robust modern social audit system often empowers law enforcement to impose a 'police raj,' particularly in rural India. The compromised efficacy of the National Human Rights Commission and its state counterparts, limited by recommendatory authority, alongside a dysfunctional Legal Aid System, paints a bleak picture of the state of justice in the nation.

Lenin Raghuvanshi, a seasoned Dalit rights activist, offers a distinctive perspective. Drawing extensively from case studies, primarily sourced from Uttar Pradesh – a region marked by the highest incidence of crimes against Dalits – he chronicles the torture and humiliation faced by Dalits at the hands of higher castes, often with tacit support from the administration. Shockingly, numerous instances of violence, fatalities, or custodial abuses against marginalized and deprived castes go undocumented.

In a comprehensive analysis, the author posits a critical question: Can the Neo-Dalit movement serve as a bulwark against the burgeoning tide of fascism in India?

Lenin Raghuvanshi, a distinguished Ayurvedic physician and Dalit rights activist, has dedicated his professional life to advocating for the rights of bonded and child laborers, as well as other marginalized individuals in Varanasi and the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. In 1996, alongside his wife Shruti, he established the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), a community-based organization.

Acknowledged with the Gwangju Human Rights Award in 2007 and the International Human Rights Award by the City Council of Weimar in Germany in 2010, Lenin Raghuvanshi's commitment to human rights is further underscored by accolades such as the Special Mentions Prize of Human Rights from the French Republic (2018), the Public Peace Prize (2018), and the Karmaveer Maharatna Award (2019).

In his upcoming second edition, Lenin Raghuvanshi continues to shed light on the struggles of Dalits in independent India, with a dedicated chapter on the 'Neo Dalit' movement. The book is set to be published by Frontpage Publications Limited, an independent publishing house based in London, pioneering critical debates in history, politics, human rights, media, and women's issues.

As we embark on this new chapter, we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the invaluable contributions of various individuals and institutions who have played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of this significant endeavor. With heartfelt gratitude, we acknowledge their efforts in advancing the cause of justice, liberty, and equality in Indian society.

The forthcoming second edition, dedicated to the legacy of Dr. B R Ambedkar, is anticipated to serve as a powerful testament to the ongoing struggle for these fundamental principles. Scheduled for release in March 2024, this edition builds upon the foundation laid by the first edition, which was originally published in 2012.

For those interested in exploring the initial release, the first edition is already available. You can access it through the following link: Justice, Liberty, Equality: Dalits in Independent India - First Edition.

Additionally, a Hindi edition of the first edition is also accessible. You can find it via the following link: न्याय, स्वतंत्रता, समता: आज़ाद भारत में दलित.

We eagerly anticipate the impact of the second edition and invite you to delve into the insightful journey initiated by the first edition.

More than 75 Years Post-Independence: Unveiling the Shadows of Injustice in India by pvchr.india9214 on Scribd