Townhall Times, New Delhi – The role of Dalit (SC/ST/OBC) leaders in Indian politics has long been a subject of scrutiny. Are they genuine representatives of their community, or mere puppets acting at the behest of their political masters? The question is not one of individual ambition but of an entire community’s continued subjugation. Despite constitutional safeguards and political representation, why do Dalits remain oppressed, and why do their leaders remain silent in the face of injustice?
To understand this phenomenon, one must delve into history.
Ambedkar’s Fight and Gandhi’s Resistance
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, dedicated his life to securing justice for Dalits, who comprise roughly 25% of India’s population. Aware that true empowerment lay in political autonomy, he successfully negotiated a separate electorate for Dalits. However, this victory was short-lived. Mahatma Gandhi, a staunch believer in the caste and varna system, saw the separate electorate as a threat to Hindu unity. He knew that if the caste hierarchy crumbled, the Brahminical order would collapse.
In a controversial and strategic move, Gandhi went on a hunger strike to force Ambedkar into submission. Congress and Brahmin activists carried out life-threatening attacks on Ambedkar’s home. Under immense pressure, Ambedkar was compelled to sign the Poona Pact in 1932. This agreement replaced separate electorates with reserved seats in the legislature—ensuring Dalits remained politically dependent rather than truly autonomous. While it provided reservations, it also allowed upper-caste parties to control Dalit leadership.
Post-Independence Betrayal: Dalits as a Vote Bank
Since 1947, Indian politics has seen numerous shifts, yet the core strategy remains unchanged—keeping Dalits under control while using them as a vote bank. The Congress, and later other parties, ensured Dalits remained politically useful but never truly empowered. Dalit leaders, rather than being independent voices, were integrated into the system as controlled representatives who seldom challenged their upper-caste masters.
Fast forward to 2025, and little has changed. Crimes against Dalits—murders, rapes, and atrocities—continue at an alarming rate. Despite having leaders in parliament, assemblies, and bureaucracies, Dalits remain vulnerable. Why? Because their so-called representatives rarely advocate for them. These leaders, elected from reserved constituencies, disappear post-election, only surfacing when instructed by their party leadership. They do not act as voices of their people but as obedient followers of the Brahminical establishment.
The Buddhist Struggle and Dalit Silence
A glaring example of this betrayal is the ongoing crisis in Bodh Gaya. This ancient Buddhist center, historically significant to Dalits and Ambedkarite Buddhists, remains under Brahminical control. The push to repeal the Bodh Gaya Temple Act—which could strip Buddhists of their limited control over the shrine—has sparked massive protests. The government’s response has been ruthless, with police forcefully evicting protestors.
Despite this, Dalit and Buddhist leaders remain silent. Townhall Times reached out to multiple SC/ST and Buddhist representatives for their stance on the issue, but none responded. Their inaction speaks volumes. Are these leaders truly representatives of the oppressed, or mere clowns playing roles in a script written by their political masters?
The Caste Hierarchy Still Rules
History proves that the Brahminical order has always sought to maintain control over Dalits. In ancient times, Shudras were denied education and basic rights. Today, while the form of oppression has changed, the intent remains the same. The system continues to suppress Dalits through political manipulation, systemic violence, and controlled leadership.
It is time for a serious introspection. Why do Dalit leaders fail to stand for their own people? Why do they remain passive when injustice unfolds before them? The answer is clear—they have been absorbed into the very system that oppresses their community. They are not leaders; they are clowns, performing only when their masters command.
Until Dalit leaders break free from this cycle of subservience and truly fight for their people, the community will continue to suffer. The battle for dignity, equality, and justice is far from over, and as long as these so-called leaders remain silent, the future of Dalit empowerment remains bleak.
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