From: “Surendar Valasai” <valasai@lycos.com>
To: <defjrnl@pathfinder9.com>
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 11:30 PM
Subject: Letter to the Editor

Muslims as “Saviours of Dalits” & Pakistan

The Muslims are considered as “Saviours of Dalits” in sub-continent by most of the educated persons of the so-called “untouchables”. Before the advent of Islam, there was not a single person in whole of the sub-continent to oppose classifying the human beings upon birth. It is a historic fact that Islam’s “human equality” injunction, no doubt, greatly helped these poor souls crack the shackles of inhuman treatment at the hands of so-called Caste Hindus.

This credit goes to the true Muslims who saw the treatment towards the Dalits by Caste Hindus as desecration of human dignity. It was this equal treatment to Dalits by majority of Muslims that upon partition only a small number of Dalits crossed the new borders from Muslim-dominated areas. They felt more safe and secure in a Muslim government instead of a Caste Hindu fiefdom.

I should emphasise that devout Muslims should proudly own this achievement that it were they who brought “human equality” to the sub-continent now called Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. They must keep an eye on the vested interest which seems active to deprive them of this great achievement in the regional history. This achievement should be further consolidated in Pakistan with deeds not words alone.

I also invite the political leadership, Ulema, and all the patriotic people of Pakistan to discourage the elements who are still continuing with Hinduistic caste system and victimising Dalits politically, socially and financially at least in Pakistan.

Surendar Valasai
Scheduled Castes Federation of Pakistan (SCFP)
Valasai Colony, Kaloi
THARPARKAR
0300-9206547