I disagree

Within 24 hours I have disagreed with at least 3 people online, nothing new, I usually withdraw from such scenarios, but this is  important to me. So, why do I not buy the well argued posts in support of Mayavati’s actions by Kuffir, RW and Prabin, not because I don’t value, the in the face attitude and literally in their lives -life size statues reminding the upper castes that times are a changing, no not at all, I love it. I just happen to want more, much much more from her. 

Consider the bahujans as an ecosystem. All links within this system are important. We are feeding both from our weakest life stories and from our strongest, as a leverage to break free from the ecological niches that were not our natural choices as free humans. How do the actions of the strongest influence the rest? Undoubtedly, Mayavati is the most powerful factor -the energy source for the ecosystem. The energy has to sustain a large family over a long period, it has to be utilized effectively and creatively. If certain activities seem to use up energy that should and could be better utilized then that has to be considered. Even the minutest amount in the fragile system could mean a possible strengthening of weak links. Arguments of, it is comparatively little energy  as against energy spent for similar activities by forces outside of this ecosystem are null. They can afford it, we cannot. This is the only source we have. Agreed, she has earned her place to decide how she will dispense her resources. But can I not worry about it? Surely I don’t have to justify against what I essentially see as better spent elsewhere even to enforce symbolism?

I have a long wish list for her. But for starters, a Mayavati’ TV channel would be nice – an employment generating resource, symbolic to boot, can be used for elections, for development projects, will have the reach to touch every dalit in the country, get the bahujan the media slice that we need so bad. This may be more energy requiring but this is useful yet symbolic model that has the potential for reproduction, by not so strong energy providers along the system, another minister might aspire for a radio station, another for a newspaper to give voice to the silenced. Sure, this will not have the irritation value for the upper caste that a statue has, but they are outside this ecosystem. One needs to strengthen the links within the system, our energies should be directed towards this, and not be allowed to dissipate trying to weaken the links of the external factors. This is the need of the hour. When all the internal links are strengthened sufficiently the synergy of the ecosystem will force the external links to regroup in different, more acceptable forms without us expending much energy on that. IMHO

PS: I am totally grateful that a large number of artisans have benefitted from Mayavati’s statue building exercise, but I want to dream about their children as TV executives, media people, journalists and other professionals and NOT as artisans building endless stone and plaster dalit iconic structures.