Modern Telangana - Dalit Movement

Modern Telangana: Dalit Movement (తెలంగాణలో దళిత ఉద్యమం)

Source: T-SAT Lecture
Presenter: Bhooshan Govindula
Topic: Dalit Movement in Telangana

Introduction & Context

• The Dalit movement in Telangana addressed the specific problems faced by Dalits within the Hyderabad State.
• It was part of broader national Dalit movements aimed at upliftment (ఉద్ధరణ) and fighting exploitation (దోపిడి) and discrimination (వివక్షత).
• National figures influencing Dalit consciousness included Sahu Maharaj, B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jyotirao Phule, Narayana Guru, and Ayyankali.
• In Telangana, the movement aimed to eradicate exploitation and discrimination against Dalits.

Understanding the term "Dalit" (దళిత్)

• The term "Dalit" is originally a Marathi word meaning "separated" or "broken" (విడివడిన).
• It signifies those who were ostracized (వెలివేయబడిన), exploited (దోపిడికి గురికాబడిన), and pushed aside (నెట్టివేయబడిన) by society.
• Historically referred to by various terms:
  • Antarani (అంటరాని - Untouchables)
  • Asprushyulu (అస్పృశ్యులు - Untouchables)
  • Panchamulu (పంచములు - The fifth varna, outside the main four)
  • Chandalulu (చండాలులు)
• Reformers like Bhagya Reddy Varma promoted alternative identities like Adi Hindu (ఆది హిందువులు) or Adi Andhra (ఆది ఆంధ్రులు), emphasizing they were the original inhabitants.
• The 1935 Government of India Act officially used the term Scheduled Castes (SC), based partly on the Simon Commission report.
• The term Harijan (హరిజన) was popularized by Mahatma Gandhi, but figures like Peesari Veeranna opposed it.

Key Leaders and Organizations in Telangana

1. Bhagya Reddy Varma (భాగ్యరెడ్డి వర్మ)

• Considered the Father of the Dalit Movement in Telangana/Hyderabad (తెలంగాణ దళిత ఉద్యమ పితామహుడు).
• Original Name: Madari Bhagaiah (మాదిరి భాగయ్య).
• Born: May 22, 1888 in Hyderabad, into a Mala family.
• Early life: Worked as a servant for a Catholic family in Goa, where he received education and social awareness.
• Belief: Dalits are the original inhabitants/inheritors (మూల వారసులు) of India.
• Name Change:
  • Adopted "Reddy" from "రేడు" (ruler/leader - పాలకుడు).
  • Given the title "Varma" by the Arya Samaj in 1913 for his services.
• Organizations Founded:
  • Jagan Mitra Mandali (జగన్ మిత్రమండలి) - 1906.
  • Adi Hindu Karyakarla Dalam (ఆది హిందూ కార్యకర్తల దళం) - 1906.
  • Vaidika Dharma Pracharini Sabha (వైదిక ధర్మ ప్రచారిణీ సభ) - 1910.
  • Manya Sangham (మన్య సంఘం) - 1911 (Developed from Jagan Mitra Mandali).
  • Swastik Volunteer Sangham (స్వస్తిక్ వాలంటీర్ల సంఘం) - 1912.
  • Vishwagruha Paricharaka Sammelanam (విశ్వగృహ పరిచారక సమ్మేళనం) - 1916 (Focused on problems of domestic workers).
  • Adi Hindu Social Service League - Formed by 1924 (Evolved from Manya Sangham in 1922).
• Key Activities:
  • Fought against child marriage (బాల్యవివాహాలు), alcoholism (మత్తుపానీయాలు), Devadasi system, and Jogini system.
  • Organized the First All India Adi Hindu Social Conference in Hyderabad (Residency Bazar) in March 1922. (Presided by M.L. Audiah).
  • Attended the 1917 First Adi Andhra Conference in Vijayawada and presided over it.
  • Attended the 1930 All India Adi Hindu Conference in Lucknow.
  • Established a parallel judicial system (సమాంతర న్యాయ వ్యవస్థ) (Nyaya Panchayats) between 1920-1930 to resolve Dalit issues.
  • Spread Buddhism in Hyderabad.
  • Celebrated Buddha Jayanti (బుద్ధ జయంతి) annually on Vaishakha Pournami from 1913 to 1938.
  • Started the "Bhagyanagar Patrika" in 1931, which became "Adi Hindu Patrika" in 1937.
• Death: February 1939.

2. Arige Ramaswamy (అరిగె రామస్వామి)

• Born: 1875 in Ramannakola, Rangareddy district.
• Active in Dalit movements from 1885 to 1973.
• Worked alongside Bhagya Reddy Varma.
• Organizations Founded:
  • Sunita Bala Samajam (సునీత బాల సమాజం) - 1912 in Khammamguda, Secunderabad. Focused on Dalit education.
  • Adi Hindu Jatiyonnati Sabha (ఆది హిందూ జాతీయోన్నతి సభ) - 1924.
  • Adi Hindu Mahasabha - 1927.
• Key Activities:
  • Worked for Dalit education and eradication of social evils like the Devadasi system and alcoholism.
  • Opposed child marriage and animal sacrifice (జంతువధ).
  • Established libraries and temples for Dalits in Ghasmandi, Secunderabad through the Adi Hindu Mahasabha.

3. B.S. Venkatrao (బి.ఎస్. వెంకట్రావు)

• Original Name: Bathula/Bhatula Ashayya (బాతుల ఆశయ్య).
• Known as "Hyderabad Ambedkar".
• Title: "Rao Saheb".
• Spread Ambedkar's ideology in Hyderabad.
• Organizations Founded/Associated:
  • Adi Dravida Sangham (ఆది ద్రావిడ సంఘం) - 1922.
  • Anagarintharagathula Sangham (అణగారిన తరగతుల సంఘం) - Led this organization.
  • Scheduled Castes Federation (Associated with Subbayya's leadership).
• Key Activities & Recognition:
  • Worked against Devadasi and Jogini systems, collaborating with M. Govindarajulu and Venkataswamy.
  • Established hostels/residences for Dalits in Ghasmandi, Secunderabad (known as Audiah Nagar).
  • Attended the Bombay State Mahasabha in 1936 upon Ambedkar's invitation.
  • Nominated to Hyderabad Municipal Corporation by the Nizam.
  • Nominated to Nizam's Defence Council (నిజాం రక్షణ మండలి) in 1943.
  • Elected unopposed to Nizam State Council in 1946.
  • Served as Education Minister (విద్యాశాఖ మంత్రి) in 1947 under Mir Laiq Ali's leadership.
  • Elected to Rajya Sabha in 1952 through Hyderabad Legislative Assembly.

4. Other Key Figures & Contributions

• M.L. Audiah (ఎం.ఎల్.ఆదయ్య): Known as "Dalitha Bhishmudu" (దళిత భీష్ముడు). Established a primary school in Secunderabad in 1906 with the help of Sir William Barton. Presided over the 1922 All India Adi Hindu Social Conference.
• Peesari Veeranna (పీసరి వీరన్న): Opposed the term "Harijan" coined by Gandhi, advocating for "Adi Hindu" instead.
• B. Shyamsundar (బి. శ్యాంసుందర్): Wrote the book "De Berne" (దే బర్న్) describing the plight of Dalits in Hyderabad.
• Later Leaders (Continuing Legacy): N.B. Gautam (son of Bhagya Reddy Varma), Manda Krishna Madiga (MRPS), Prabhakar Madiga, Krupakar Madiga, Visharadan (Dalita Shakti Program).

Government Actions & Terminology

• Madras Government G.O. (March 25, 1922): Following efforts by leaders like Bhagya Reddy Varma, the Madras Presidency ordered that "Panchamas" should be referred to as "Adi Andhrulu".
• This reflected the movement's effort to reclaim identity and reject derogatory terms.