Anniversary of Karamchedu Massacre of former Andhra Pradesh
A forgotten but significant milestone in Dalit discourse of Telugu lands that turned Telugu Dalits away from Left and Communist ideology and ignited birth of Ambedkerite Dalit movement among Telugu Dalits
A forgotten but significant milestone in Dalit discourse of Telugu lands that turned Telugu Dalits away from Left and Communist ideology and ignited birth of Ambedkerite Dalit movement among Telugu Dalits
Despite being a significant 17% of combined population of twin Telugu lands, educated Dalits of Telugu lands remained aloof of Ambedkerite movement for all these decades and were mainly drawn towards leftist ideology, but Karamchedu massacre in 1985 changed all that.
At heart of the whole controversy was a brwal between Telugu Madiga Dalits and economically and politically powerful Kammas of Karamchedu village in former AP over drinking water. Kammas took "revenge" by killing 6 Madiga Dalit men and raping 3 Madiga Dalit women.
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Kammas like Marathas are basically Shudras but extremely Sanskritized, with a high desire for Brahminization.
The case caused national furore in pre internet 1985.Telugu Dalit activists with left were aghast at reluctantance of Upper Caste led left to talk about caste angle.
The case caused national furore in pre internet 1985.Telugu Dalit activists with left were aghast at reluctantance of Upper Caste led left to talk about caste angle.
Noted Telugu Dalit activists Kathi Padma Rao and Bhojja Tarakam formed "Dalit Mahasabha" to fight for justice of Madiga victims and it was due to their activism that Parliament passed SC/ST Prevention of Attrocities Act in 1989, a landmark law that continues to protect SCs & STs.
In Telugu lands, Dalit discourse is often talked in terms of pre & post "Karamchedu" massacre, such is significance of this tragic episode. This was also time, when Kanshi Ram &BSP rose in UP and it was Telugu Dalits (out of all 4 southern states), who were most drawn towards it.
While BSP couldn't become a formidable political force among Telugu Dalits, who remained stuck with two dominant Telugu OBC political and movie formations (Kappu & Kammas), it ignited interest in Ambedkerite movement & Buddhism among Telugu Dalits.
Lastly,
1990s economic reforms made Telugu OBCs even more powerful as largest American NRI ethnic group. Andhra got split, Naxalism & BJP both rose & amidst all these events, Telugu Dalit movement could not unfortunately maintain its steam and slowly relegated to the background.
1990s economic reforms made Telugu OBCs even more powerful as largest American NRI ethnic group. Andhra got split, Naxalism & BJP both rose & amidst all these events, Telugu Dalit movement could not unfortunately maintain its steam and slowly relegated to the background.
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