Caste

The Real India

I was prompted to write this poem after a mass conversion of 10000 Bahujans to Buddhism, led by Dr. Rajratna Ambedkar, the great-grandnephew of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, and organised by Rajendra Pal Gautam, Delhi Cabinet Minister (himself a Buddhist); was targeted by BJP, Congress and casteist media channels as “anti-Hindu” and “spreading hate”. A police complaint…Read more The Real India

Are There No Depths To Which We Can’t Sink?

I heard a shocking piece of news today; a woman had her throat slit in Gadag, Karnataka; just because she converted from Hinduism to Islam. Hence, I decided to write this poem; because, I feel I am responsible in some way – being born in a privileged upper middle class Tamil Brahmin family. Some of…Read more Are There No Depths To Which We Can’t Sink?

Does Independence Day Truly Matter?

The first political poem I’m writing in 1.5 years. The content is not completely original; some of the information comes from two of the greatest books that have changed Indian society in many ways – “Annihilation of Caste” by Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and “Hatred In The Belly” by Ambedkar Age Collective. Here goes the…Read more Does Independence Day Truly Matter?

I am a Tam Brahm

Footnote: This poem can't be called an entirely original work. I owe a lot of the ideas (and certain facts) to the various people in India who have been at the fore of the anti-caste movement - great historical leaders like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Thanthai Periyar; as well as contemporary anti-caste movements - comprising…Read more I am a Tam Brahm

A dream come true

Trigger warning: The below poem contains strong references to politics, religion and caste; and certain sentiments may be hurt. It is not recommended for the faint-hearted, conservative families, and people with right-wing or pro-establishment political leanings. The actual content: To live your life The way you like To speak your mind To not speak at…Read more A dream come true

A short response to Nivedita Menon’s blog on Raya Sarkar’s List

This is my shortest blog post ever. It is also very late. The reason why I am posting it is because my comment on the Kafila blog (of which renown Savarna feminist Professor Nivedita Menon is a member and co-Founder) is waiting for moderation - and I have doubts on whether it will be posted…Read more A short response to Nivedita Menon’s blog on Raya Sarkar’s List

Liberals and the complicity in casteism – Part 2

This is a continuation of my rant about the casual casteism of liberals from Part 1 https://ashwinkumar1989.online/2017/12/12/liberals-and-the-complicity-in-casteism-part-1/ . I am sorry for the long gap in between, but well; I was busy with work - to compensate for the end-of-the-year vacation that I am gonna take. Like I mentioned earlier, I am an ex-liberal. Like most…Read more Liberals and the complicity in casteism – Part 2

Liberals and the complicity in casteism – Part 1

I am from a conservative Tamil Brahmin family, which has always leaned to the right (supporting BJP, RSS etc.). I  am privileged in four ways - gender (male), religion (Hindu), caste (Brahmin) and class (upper middle - class). I have been blind to most of these privileges. Because of the patriarchal structure of my family…Read more Liberals and the complicity in casteism – Part 1