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Here is a story of my Father,who spent almost half of his life fighting against casteism
I am sharing one major story which happened with him & the story which haunted us for many years and now I can say a success story!
(That's my favourite picture with him during convocation)
I am sharing one major story which happened with him & the story which haunted us for many years and now I can say a success story!
(That's my favourite picture with him during convocation)
My Dad after finishing his degree ( http://B.Sc and B.Ed) in late 60s joined as high school master in Itagi and in Ghataprabha ( both in Belagavi district and were near his hometown)
During school trip to western ghats and coastal Karnataka, he was mesmerized by the
During school trip to western ghats and coastal Karnataka, he was mesmerized by the
Beauty of Western Ghats! So he decided to settle in Western Ghats area and started looking for job.
He got to know that Yellapur semi government High school is having vacancy of science master, so he applied for it.
He had one small exam and an interview which he did
He got to know that Yellapur semi government High school is having vacancy of science master, so he applied for it.
He had one small exam and an interview which he did
Really well and got the job!
He joined in October 1979.
He was a very enthusiastic teacher and very kind hearted person.
Those times Yellapur was very poor village, many students were very very poor. So many times he kept many students in his small room for three years
He joined in October 1979.
He was a very enthusiastic teacher and very kind hearted person.
Those times Yellapur was very poor village, many students were very very poor. So many times he kept many students in his small room for three years
Till they complete High school education! (Till today those students remember those things respect him and respect me for the same reason!)
As few years passed he got the promotion of Principal of the high school!
The school was run by the few Brahmin people for the
As few years passed he got the promotion of Principal of the high school!
The school was run by the few Brahmin people for the
People of Yellapur and had no school fees! It was free that time.
As school started receiving donations, sometimes even a blank cheque as the school also starter sanskrit and Urdu medium also. The Brahmin trustees started having the taste of money.
They wanted to take
As school started receiving donations, sometimes even a blank cheque as the school also starter sanskrit and Urdu medium also. The Brahmin trustees started having the taste of money.
They wanted to take
Fees from the students!
My dad as a principal of the high school, he refused the idea and blamed the trustees that many students are very poor (more than 95%!) School authority shouldn't charge fees on the students.
Within two months the school authority snatched his
My dad as a principal of the high school, he refused the idea and blamed the trustees that many students are very poor (more than 95%!) School authority shouldn't charge fees on the students.
Within two months the school authority snatched his
Principal post & my dad was denied of his increment and promotions!
My dad got very angry & decided to go to court. From here on his real struggle started. His Brahmin friend gave support to my father's voice & unfortunately he had the part time job he was removed from school!
My dad got very angry & decided to go to court. From here on his real struggle started. His Brahmin friend gave support to my father's voice & unfortunately he had the part time job he was removed from school!
Thereby literally making him to beg for food. My dad tried to help him and told him to have patience and assured him to fight in the court.
Few days later he died by suicide!
My dad was left alone to fight against the Brahmin trustees of the school.
He used to get harassed
Few days later he died by suicide!
My dad was left alone to fight against the Brahmin trustees of the school.
He used to get harassed
By the trustees all the time!
By asking him his school diaries and records all the time.Sometimes during his class hours!they purposefully used to insult him for not dressing properly(which he wasn't! He used to dress very simple,a pant and shirt! Not even watch or neck chain!)
By asking him his school diaries and records all the time.Sometimes during his class hours!they purposefully used to insult him for not dressing properly(which he wasn't! He used to dress very simple,a pant and shirt! Not even watch or neck chain!)
In trustees meetings they also used to mock him for being bachelor and used to tease him that who would give bride to black skin coloured lower caste Person!
The Brahmin trustees also started spreading many rumours about him.
He used to live in small room with few students
The Brahmin trustees also started spreading many rumours about him.
He used to live in small room with few students
Despite of that they started spreading rumours that he can't marry and he is not man enough and all!
My dad stood against all these harrassments.
He got his retirement in 2003, that too without increment without promotion. He was having ₹6000/- salary that time, that
My dad stood against all these harrassments.
He got his retirement in 2003, that too without increment without promotion. He was having ₹6000/- salary that time, that
Too not regularly!
After his retirement he fought his case by himself.
The judiciary took almost 14 years to complete the case!
Finally in 2017 he won the case and he got all his due amount back!
For this judiciary procedure he had to pay some price for his health.
After his retirement he fought his case by himself.
The judiciary took almost 14 years to complete the case!
Finally in 2017 he won the case and he got all his due amount back!
For this judiciary procedure he had to pay some price for his health.
He started having anxiety ( which still he has!) He was diagnosed to have Hypertension ( he is currently under treatment) and he also had four prostate surgeries and stress!
During this time, he wrote to district commissioner for the allotment of the government High school
During this time, he wrote to district commissioner for the allotment of the government High school
The district commissioner finally gave permission. My dad asked many charitable trusts' help for the furniture and building of school. Many people came forward. Now govt High school is having very minimal fee that's around ₹200/- per year! Which everyone can afford now.
The school where he worked as high school master, is under loss! But rich Brahmins are somehow maintaining the school, to compensate the loss they had to start English medium school!
Govt High school is having really good number of students with really tasty mid day meals
Govt High school is having really good number of students with really tasty mid day meals
And people of Yellapur literally worship my father whenever he starts walking across the street or go any shop.
He also started activism after his retirement for the underprivileged people and for the other people also.
He did hunger strike against the municipality for not
He also started activism after his retirement for the underprivileged people and for the other people also.
He did hunger strike against the municipality for not
Giving salaries to the poor civic body workers including plumbers and cleaners. Which wiped many people's tears.
He fought against the manganese transport through Yellapur.
He finally could make manganese transport only in night time and thereby assuring safety to the people
He fought against the manganese transport through Yellapur.
He finally could make manganese transport only in night time and thereby assuring safety to the people
In daytime!
Many times whenever I am under stress, I remember his struggle life and I call him. He always say Be like Pailwan, face the problems and knock them down. ( ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೆಡ್ಡು ಹೊಡೆದು ಬೀಳಿಸಬೇಕು!)
That's the story of my Dalit father.
He always say
Many times whenever I am under stress, I remember his struggle life and I call him. He always say Be like Pailwan, face the problems and knock them down. ( ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೆಡ್ಡು ಹೊಡೆದು ಬೀಳಿಸಬೇಕು!)
That's the story of my Dalit father.
He always say
" No Dalit should die by suicide, he should fight and he should fight"
Thank you for your kind patience
Jai Bheem
Jai Johar
#TribalLivesMatter #DalitLivesMatter #OBCLivesMatter
Thank you for your kind patience
Jai Bheem
Jai Johar
#TribalLivesMatter #DalitLivesMatter #OBCLivesMatter
Cc: @RantingDosa @unicornwingss @deepsealioness @HansrajMeena @KotwalMeena @PJkanojia @ambedkariteIND @meenakandasamy @YashicaDutt @kanhaiyakumar
@Gaddapa @ayaz9166
@Gaddapa @ayaz9166
