http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Reforms_for_down-trodden_launched/rssarticleshow/1994168.cms
Reforms for down-trodden launched Shishir Arya [3 May, 2007 l 0107 hrs ISTlTIMES NEWS NETWORK] NAGPUR: On a day to mark Gautam Buddha's birth anniversary there took place a small attempt to usher another round of social reforms. It was for the lesser privileged among the 'down-trodden'. A new-comer at Panchagaon, a village 25 kilometres away from the city, took a step towards breaking caste barriers among Dalits. Me-ghraj Gaikwad -- who came back to his ancestral village from Gadchiroli three months ago -- invited members of the Chamar (cobbler) community at a function to pay respect to Lord Buddha and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, at his house. Amarsinh Kuhikar did one among them did the rituals. Though it was a small function, with hardly 20-odd persons, it is said to be a precedent in the village. Even as Dalits mark this day for social equality as in this village many lower caste people among these still continue to be pariahs in the social set up. "This was a symbolic expression of the caste division amongst us, we Mahars don't have sole rights, over Babasaheb's legacy. If he preached everyone is equal, so why such an irony on Buddha Jayanti itself," expressed Gaikwad, while talking to TOI. There are only five families of Chamar community in this village while there are 100 households of Mahars. Kuhikar alleged, though it was not overt but he and his fellows received a secondary treatment even today. "Never was anyone got a seat on the dais at a public function, casteism still prevailed and especially after an incident in 1985, none dared to protest." he added. Kuhikar said had tried to organise a Buddha Jayanti function way back in 1985, in association with people from other communities, but this was not liked and riot like situation arose. There could have been trouble if the police had not reached in time. They (Mahars) said, this would create schisms in the community, he added recalling the situation. "It's all nonsense some elements in the society still do not want others progress, so as to maintain a caste hierarchy," interrupted Gaikwad. This is the situation with several other communities, among those designated menial jobs. In the olden days even the wells and embankments in community ponds used to be different among castes. This has all gone now, but the feeling remains which is evident in several occasions and even day to day behaviour at times he alleged. Gaikwad said, "Some of the villagers stopped me to do this, but it did not deter me," he added. His neighbour Chintaman Dudhpoche also appreciated Gaikwad's gesture saying that it would break the age-old stigma. Kuhikar who has retired from the Nagpur university runs a social organisation for children in the schools. Even he followed his ancestral profession for some years after his father passed away when was fourteen years old. While Gaikwad had migrated to Gadchiroli in 1948 to carry on this wood business, and now has come back to his village where he has some ancestral holding.
