Atrocities on backward classes

 

 

Some people fear that if gram sabhas are given power then atrocities on backward classes will increase. 

 

 

To find the answers we went to localities where many people from backward classes lived. We explained to them our concept of self governance and asked them this direct question "Will atrocities on your class increase if gram sabhas are made more powerful?” The backward classes believed that under such system they will have a greater power to fight. When atrocities are committed on backwards in the village, they have nowhere to go in the present system. No one is with them. 

 

 

On the other hand, current establishment and the system are with the perpetrators, responsible for exploitation. The police are with the exploiters, the collector of the district, BDO and tehsildar work as agents of the exploiters. 

 

 

The backward have no where go? Even if all the backwards get together, then they have no option other than to demonstrate in front of the collector's office but if gram sabhas are given the power then the united backwards can raise their voice in front of panchayat. There are always sympathizers in the high caste who want to support the backwards when they see atrocities are being committed. In the present system they do not have a voice and they have no role to play. But if gram sabha is an empowered body then these people will raise their voice and be counted. This was the reaction of backward classes to our question. Besides this in self governance a new chapter will begin in struggle for the rights of the backward. 

 

 

In new dispensation a lokpal will be installed. If in some village backwards are denied the right to attend the gram Sabha, then in that case they can make a complaint to lokpal. He is duty bound to convene a gram sabha under his supervision and make sure that gram sabha is conducted in fair manner where presence of the backward class is registered, too. 

 

 

It is not that the condition of backward classes will immediately improve, but in today’s system when the entire power is concentrated under the government establishment then there are more chances of misuse of political power. However, when this power is distributed to the people of the gram sabha then the misuse of power will diminish considerably. Our belief is that exploitation in the gram sabha would be much less. It is only when the power is concentrated in the hands of few, then this power is misused. 

 

 

It would be erroneous to say that atrocities on some backward classes will increase if power is given to gram sabhas. Their condition may improve or not but one thing is certain that atrocities will not increase at least. The options which are available in the current system will still remain available but new avenues will increase.