By Jan Khaskheli, "Dalits — the oppressed minority" - The International News - Karachi, Pakistan
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Santosh Kumar, a teenager working in a private office is optimistic about his future and says, “Working dedicatedly is the only way to keep the job secure.”
We get up early in the morning. Mother cooks and feed us and then we leave for work. Since my joining six months ago, I have never been marked absent in my office, I am loyal at work, because my grandfather once advised me to “be honest and work honestly.”
About his family and relatives he says that they do not know the politics nor do they believe in agitation, protests and strikes. They call these agitators “big people entertaining themselves.”
The Dalits recognise themselves as Harijan divided in Gujrati, Kuchhi, Marwari and Sindhi speaking families, scattered in the old city areas. Many of them have been traditionally affiliated with municipal institutions. But a large number of illiterate teenagers work in private offices to earn little and help their poor families. However, in some areas the aware parents enroll their children—boys and girls—in neighbouring public and private schools. A small number of the youth have acquired education to get private jobs on merit, according to their education and skill basis.
Oppressed due to certain reasons, the people belonging to sweeper families are seen visiting shrines for solace and comfort. Many of them are followers of different Muslim shrines of Sindh and frequently visit there to get blessings. While others can be seen visiting shrines situated in different parts of the city, especially in suburban parts and stay over there for some time, distribute sweets and come back.
When talking to them one can see their humanitarian approach because they are believers of Sufi spiritual leaders. They recite the poetry of Sufi poets of the sub-continent at their worshipping places frequently and call it the religious songs. These families, including Marwari, Gujrati and Kachhi originally belong to Gujrat, India but having lived with the local communities for quite a long time they have adopted Sindhi language and communicate fluently with their neighbours in the same.
Babu Lal, who recites ‘Bhajan’ (religious song) at homes and temples, says after returning home from workplace he tends to visit worshipping area inside the home. He lights oil lamp and after completing religious formalities he proceeds to perform bhajan almost daily at residences of different faithfuls in the neighbourhood.
The believers take bhajan as a good omen which may bring blessing for their families.
Rising economical pressure, price hike and lack of access to regular jobs has affected the sweepers’ community living in Karachi. They are demoralised and frightened within their localities and workplaces because of discrimination. This undesirable attitude has stopped them from sending their children to school.
It seems they are born to sweep filthy streets and offices. But, Sham Lal, a former councilor, representing minority communities, says now the situation is changing gradually. They have learned different skills and are joining factories and other companies.
As far as their wedding celebrations are concerned they still celebrate them with traditional eagerness. But the difference between the past and present they say is that earlier they use to assemble at nights for 15 to 20 days to have fun and enjoy the happy occasion. But now they hardly perform wedding songs for three nights.
Fareed Awan, leader of Municipal Workers Union says these people may not be educated but they are aware of their rights. And they are not docile persons. They have launched major protests, staying away from their work leaving the city streets filthy. The authorities of the civic bodies should have learnt from their protests and realised the role of these people who keep the city neat and clean.
Reports gathered by The News from different areas reveal that despite their association with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Dalits still live in isolation. They are being deprived of basic facilities in their neighborhoods. However, the activists and councilors are reluctant to raise fingers towards the political parties.
“Now we vote to the party not to individuals (candidates). That is the reason we always ask local leadership to convey our grievances to the party high command. But it seems nobody is sincere to our community,” said the former councilor of Keamari Town administration.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Born to Sweep
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Santosh Kumar, a teenager working in a private office is optimistic about his future and says, “Working dedicatedly is the only way to keep the job secure.”
We get up early in the morning. Mother cooks and feed us and then we leave for work. Since my joining six months ago, I have never been marked absent in my office, I am loyal at work, because my grandfather once advised me to “be honest and work honestly.”
About his family and relatives he says that they do not know the politics nor do they believe in agitation, protests and strikes. They call these agitators “big people entertaining themselves.”
The Dalits recognise themselves as Harijan divided in Gujrati, Kuchhi, Marwari and Sindhi speaking families, scattered in the old city areas. Many of them have been traditionally affiliated with municipal institutions. But a large number of illiterate teenagers work in private offices to earn little and help their poor families. However, in some areas the aware parents enroll their children—boys and girls—in neighbouring public and private schools. A small number of the youth have acquired education to get private jobs on merit, according to their education and skill basis.
Oppressed due to certain reasons, the people belonging to sweeper families are seen visiting shrines for solace and comfort. Many of them are followers of different Muslim shrines of Sindh and frequently visit there to get blessings. While others can be seen visiting shrines situated in different parts of the city, especially in suburban parts and stay over there for some time, distribute sweets and come back.
When talking to them one can see their humanitarian approach because they are believers of Sufi spiritual leaders. They recite the poetry of Sufi poets of the sub-continent at their worshipping places frequently and call it the religious songs. These families, including Marwari, Gujrati and Kachhi originally belong to Gujrat, India but having lived with the local communities for quite a long time they have adopted Sindhi language and communicate fluently with their neighbours in the same.
Babu Lal, who recites ‘Bhajan’ (religious song) at homes and temples, says after returning home from workplace he tends to visit worshipping area inside the home. He lights oil lamp and after completing religious formalities he proceeds to perform bhajan almost daily at residences of different faithfuls in the neighbourhood.
The believers take bhajan as a good omen which may bring blessing for their families.
Rising economical pressure, price hike and lack of access to regular jobs has affected the sweepers’ community living in Karachi. They are demoralised and frightened within their localities and workplaces because of discrimination. This undesirable attitude has stopped them from sending their children to school.
It seems they are born to sweep filthy streets and offices. But, Sham Lal, a former councilor, representing minority communities, says now the situation is changing gradually. They have learned different skills and are joining factories and other companies.
As far as their wedding celebrations are concerned they still celebrate them with traditional eagerness. But the difference between the past and present they say is that earlier they use to assemble at nights for 15 to 20 days to have fun and enjoy the happy occasion. But now they hardly perform wedding songs for three nights.
Fareed Awan, leader of Municipal Workers Union says these people may not be educated but they are aware of their rights. And they are not docile persons. They have launched major protests, staying away from their work leaving the city streets filthy. The authorities of the civic bodies should have learnt from their protests and realised the role of these people who keep the city neat and clean.
Reports gathered by The News from different areas reveal that despite their association with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Dalits still live in isolation. They are being deprived of basic facilities in their neighborhoods. However, the activists and councilors are reluctant to raise fingers towards the political parties.
“Now we vote to the party not to individuals (candidates). That is the reason we always ask local leadership to convey our grievances to the party high command. But it seems nobody is sincere to our community,” said the former councilor of Keamari Town administration.
Labels:
society
By Jan Khaskheli, "Dalits — the oppressed minority" - The International News - Karachi, PakistanSaturday, November 8, 2008
Santosh Kumar, a teenager working in a private office is optimistic about his future and says, “Working dedicatedly is the only way to keep the job secure.”
We get up early in the morning. Mother cooks and feed us and then we leave for work. Since my joining six months ago, I have never been marked absent in my office, I am loyal at work, because my grandfather once advised me to “be honest and work honestly.”
About his family and relatives he says that they do not know the politics nor do they believe in agitation, protests and strikes. They call these agitators “big people entertaining themselves.”
The Dalits recognise themselves as Harijan divided in Gujrati, Kuchhi, Marwari and Sindhi speaking families, scattered in the old city areas. Many of them have been traditionally affiliated with municipal institutions. But a large number of illiterate teenagers work in private offices to earn little and help their poor families. However, in some areas the aware parents enroll their children—boys and girls—in neighbouring public and private schools. A small number of the youth have acquired education to get private jobs on merit, according to their education and skill basis.
Oppressed due to certain reasons, the people belonging to sweeper families are seen visiting shrines for solace and comfort. Many of them are followers of different Muslim shrines of Sindh and frequently visit there to get blessings. While others can be seen visiting shrines situated in different parts of the city, especially in suburban parts and stay over there for some time, distribute sweets and come back.
When talking to them one can see their humanitarian approach because they are believers of Sufi spiritual leaders. They recite the poetry of Sufi poets of the sub-continent at their worshipping places frequently and call it the religious songs. These families, including Marwari, Gujrati and Kachhi originally belong to Gujrat, India but having lived with the local communities for quite a long time they have adopted Sindhi language and communicate fluently with their neighbours in the same.
Babu Lal, who recites ‘Bhajan’ (religious song) at homes and temples, says after returning home from workplace he tends to visit worshipping area inside the home. He lights oil lamp and after completing religious formalities he proceeds to perform bhajan almost daily at residences of different faithfuls in the neighbourhood.
The believers take bhajan as a good omen which may bring blessing for their families.
Rising economical pressure, price hike and lack of access to regular jobs has affected the sweepers’ community living in Karachi. They are demoralised and frightened within their localities and workplaces because of discrimination. This undesirable attitude has stopped them from sending their children to school.
It seems they are born to sweep filthy streets and offices. But, Sham Lal, a former councilor, representing minority communities, says now the situation is changing gradually. They have learned different skills and are joining factories and other companies.
As far as their wedding celebrations are concerned they still celebrate them with traditional eagerness. But the difference between the past and present they say is that earlier they use to assemble at nights for 15 to 20 days to have fun and enjoy the happy occasion. But now they hardly perform wedding songs for three nights.
Fareed Awan, leader of Municipal Workers Union says these people may not be educated but they are aware of their rights. And they are not docile persons. They have launched major protests, staying away from their work leaving the city streets filthy. The authorities of the civic bodies should have learnt from their protests and realised the role of these people who keep the city neat and clean.
Reports gathered by The News from different areas reveal that despite their association with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Dalits still live in isolation. They are being deprived of basic facilities in their neighborhoods. However, the activists and councilors are reluctant to raise fingers towards the political parties.
“Now we vote to the party not to individuals (candidates). That is the reason we always ask local leadership to convey our grievances to the party high command. But it seems nobody is sincere to our community,” said the former councilor of Keamari Town administration.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment