India might have found Chief Minister Mayawatis currency note garland unwearable,but for her party and supporters this is just another way of being different and asserting the partys identity. This is a tradition from the time of Kanshiram. While others accept flowers,shawls,gold and silver crowns or get themselves weighed in gold,we take cash directly from our party workers and supporters so that it can be utilised for peoples welfare. We did in front of cameras,what other parties do away from them. Why isnt anyone talking about all that instead of trying to defame us? Other parties pay voters,while we collect money from them, said BSP Rajya Sabha MP Ambeth Rajan,an associate of Kanshiram and Mayawati. Party veterans remember how Kanshiram first asked workers to give him money,as he said flower garlands were a waste of money. In 1986,he collected coins of his weight,Rs 12,000,soon he also gave the slogan of one note,one vote. Symbolism has always been an important part of Dalit politics. B R Ambedkar stayed clear of the Gandhian dress code,but still chose to stick to the western style suit,which also found favour with Kanshiram. Similarly,Mayawati is rarely seen in a saree,the traditional dress of women in UP. These symbols are very important psychological boosters for the community. When Ambedkar wore a tie and coat,when his community could not even afford a langoti,and carried a pen in the coat,it was a symbol of education,self-respect and an example of how to present oneself, said Dalit artist Savi Savarkar. Institute of Dalit Studies director Surinder S Jodhka said : The grammar of Dalit politics can be tricky sometimes and not easy to understand. She is doing what all politicians do. She is bringing her people together,creating a sense of excitement and making a point that she is a Daulat ki beti. Also,there is no bribe involved here,it is open and not hidden. She has used Kanshiram tools earlier,when she used to celebrate her birthday in a lavish way to make the same point. While most BSP leaders refused to come on the record,a former party leader had a cynical view: The message that at least she,symbolically,has riches,has been made so many times. Making it now,at a time when she wants votes of others too,may be overdoing it. Also,as she is the CM. People will ask what she has actually done for the community. It wont work this time. It may help her hold her basic votes. Why overlook donations to temples? The BSP state unit chief,Swami Prasad Maurya,said row over the currency garland is a needless controversy aimed at deflecting attention from BSPs achievements. Why shout now? Are they jealous that a Dalit ki beti is wearing the crown? What about the massive money donated to Hindu temples? What is the accountability of this money and the donors. Why does the IT department overlook such donations? he countered. Indira Gandhi was weighed with gold coins,Chowdhry Charan Singh was weighed with Rs 75 lakh in 1978. Congress leaders have often been weighed with gold,mace and swords, he said. The BSP doesnt have a culture of corporate funding like the Congress and the BJP. We raise funds from masses,not from Bofors. This is hard-earned money of the common man, said BSP general secretary Dr Suresh Mane.
