Kerala Assembly Elections: Dalits yet to unite in poll politics

KOZHIKODE: Dalits, excluding Christians, and tribals constitute 12 percent of Kerala population (roughly 35 lakh). Half of them have voting rights, yet they do not form a vote bank to bargain with political parties. “We cannot say there is no electoral unity among Dalits. The candidature of Kerala Pulaya Mahasabha (KPMS) leaders, Baiju Kalashala in Mavelikkara and A. Saneesh Kumar in Vaikom (both Congress) are a testimony to this,” notes Sunny M. Kapikad, Dalit thinker.

He blames the political parties for the non-development of Dalit vote bank.
“Political parties have their own ‘Dalit wing’ like Dalit League and Dalit Morcha. The power aspiring Dalit men fell into this trap and had to be satisfied with their posts,” he said. Mr Kapikad wanted to disperse off these Dalit wings to make way for Dalits to gain bargaining power.

Documentary director Ajith Kumar A.S feels that Dalits are yet to unite in electoral politics. “Dalits’ prime areas of concern are associated with land, prevention of atrocities, etc. They, irrespective of umpteen organisations will stand united in the case of Jisha or Chengara struggle. But they are a scattered lot in the area of electoral politics,” he says.

Social activist Dr Mohanan Pulikodan points to the change in Dalit mindset now, “KPMS had earned a college in Thiruvananthapuram from the state government. That bargaining power is slowly taking place.” He notes that Dalits are historically scattered people having a past of slaves. Those who contest reserved seats are mere party men and had to surrender their Dalit identity," Mr Pulikkodan says.

Says Dalit documentary Director Rupesh Kumar, “Dalit empowerment is taking place in a great manner but the general public and media are reluctant to accept it”. “Forming a vote bank alone would not suffice. Breaking the caste system is paramount,” he affirms.