Dalit women leaders show the way
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“You need power to resolve issues….only after being elected does the real struggle start. There is no short cut to power...” – S. Jothimani
One has an M.Phil. thesis to her credit and is an emerging writer. Another was illiterate till a few years back and has survived threats, attempts on her life, caste bias, yet has lived to tell her tale. These women panchayat leaders from across the country are bound by their common inspiring tales of courage, persistence and success. OWSA talks to them about their trials and tribulations, bouquets and brickbats. S. Jothimani Former Panchayat Union Counselor, Gudalure West Panchayat, Tamil Nadu Jothimani served two consecutive terms during 1996-2001 and 2001-2006. She holds an M.Phil degree from Annamalai University, and her thesis was on ‘Women’s Language in Tamil Poetry’.
SJ: I was a student leader in my college life and was and still am very influenced by the Gandhian principle of Gram Swaraj. I used to work in development programmes in remote rural areas. But when I came to my village, which is also very remote, I was shocked to see that there was no drinking water for Dalits. This was not because of any scarcity but because the upper caste community would not let us have any. There was only one water pipe line for 150 Dalit households.
OWSA: What kind of problems did you face in your tenure? SJ: After I was elected I was under the notion that things would become easier for me. But only after I was elected, did the real struggle start. I had to wait for two years just to get water to my people. Bureaucrats and politicians treat you with indifference and keep on delaying the implementation. They think that since you are a woman and also from a backward class, you are weak. Finally I decided to mobilize my community. But I faced pressure from some of my own family members who had vested interests. To add to that the upper castes had banned the Dalits from the agricultural fields. I could not possibly take away their livelihood. OWSA: Then what did you do? SJ: I went to the police station to lodge an FIR but they refused. I went on an indefinite hunger strike and finally the authorities relented. But then I faced the problem of finding someone to take up the contract, as it was for a Dalit area. One of my mentors from my political party came to my rescue but insisted that implementation was to be done by us. All members of our community worked towards laying the pipeline – even school going children. I also made sure that the pipeline was laid separately for the Dalits, as otherwise water would not have reached their settlement, which falls at the end of the village. I was all of 22 years old then and had to face the worst ill-treatment – character assassination. But my resolve got stronger and I did not give up. OWSA: How different has been your second term? SJ: As far as my knowledge and experience goes, I am aware of how things work now, I am also stronger. If today, I face any hassles in my work I mobilize popular support and get my work done. But even after almost ten years in office, red-tapism still makes my work tough. OWSA: What about gender discrimination? SJ: When I first ventured into panchayat I did face problems because of my caste and gender. There was a time when I wasn’t even asked to sit down when I went to meet officials, and a few of us had to have our lunch separately, but today people are kind of used to seeing me there. OWSA: You set up the first Village Knowledge Center (VKC) in your district. What kind of services does it provide? SJ: The VKC was supposed to give information to the farmers about new developments, proper techniques, etc. But as we are yet to have internet connection, the centre is currently being used as a computer education centre for school going children. OWSA: Tell us about your book that is being released on October 2nd. SJ: I have always been interested in writing. I am educated and also come from a known family. In spite of that it was an uphill task to break into a traditional male bastion. It had me thinking how hard it is for other women who may not even be literate. Moreover, no proper training is given to women panchayat members. Therefore, I decided to put down my experiences in a book so that it can at least highlight the problems that I faced and also inspire other women to come forward in this field. But of course, they should be ready to face tremendous impediments. That is the reason my book is called ‘No Short Cut to Leadership’. OWSA: What keeps you going? SJ: My mother has been a source of constant support for me. I was also lucky to get the support of many mainstream leaders who were or still are members of the government. Kenchamma, President of Nereleke Gram Panchayat, Karnataka If talking to Jothimani was like taking a dip in a fountain of energy and enthusiasm, talking with Kenchamma was like being swamped by her passion and zest for life.
OWSA: Being illiterate and also coming from a Dalit community – how was your entry into panchayat politics like? Kenchamma: I was always a very outgoing person and many people knew me. They encouraged me to contest in the panchayat elections. Reservations also helped me. I was the first Dalit woman to contest the elections. OWSA: How was your experience? Kenchamma: In my first term, it was really difficult. I got threats to my life from the upper castes and had to go into hiding. My youngest child was all of one year old at that time. But still I won. In my second term it got worse. My own brother-in-law tried to kill me on the behest of the same people. I luckily survived. I got police protection but still had to go into hiding. I was also an illiterate and was duped time and again by people because of this handicap. I then decided to learn Kannada from my son and currently I am learning the English alphabet and numerals. OWSA: Did you face any gender discrimination? Kenchamma: Not exactly. Since people already knew me, my gender was not an issue but my caste definitely was. OWSA: And it was because of you that all, except one, children in your village go to school. Kenchamma: Yes. I realized the need of education because of my own ordeal. I strongly believe that education is something that people have a right to. So I made sure that every child in my village goes to school. There is one child who has Down’s syndrome and cannot go to a regular school. But I am trying to get him a scholarship. OWSA: What other areas have you worked on? Kenchamma: Health is another issue that has been quite neglected for long, especially that of mothers. I organize health camps, once in two months, for the villagers. I am also a midwife and have been given a medicine kit for emergencies. OWSA: What kind of changes have you felt in you and people’s attitude towards you after coming into the public sphere? Kenchamma: Today I am more aware of things and am stronger and determined. I have also attended a few workshops and I know a lot more than I did before. People also take me seriously and respect me. OWSA: What has kept you going? Kenchamma: My family, especially my husband has always been there for me, all through my hardships. In fact many people have tried to create a rift in my marriage but we have survived all. OWSA: What are your future plans? Kenchamma: I want to contest the elections at the Block and district level and finally for the legislative assembly. |
User comments
"Good Work"Author:
Dimpy Kalita
Time: 03.10.2007 17:55
Comment:
The article about Dalit women leaders is indeed a very inspiring one. It just goes to show that nothing can be an obstacle when you are determined to do something worthwhile. Congtratulations to the author of the piece for such a well researched article. Way to go... |
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