Dr.Khatu Mal Jeewan, the most celeberated Dalit Leader of Pakistan.1996 Speech @ Mithi, Tharparkar

Dr.Khatumal Jeewan (Khatu) is the most celebrated Dalit leader of Pakistan. He has been senator, four times MNA and two times MPA on party ticket of Pakistan People’s Party, between 1985 and 2013. The speech below was delivered in times when Meghwar community had organized itself around the leadership of Dr.Khatumal Jeewan. These were the times when Sodha Thakur, the traditional upper caste Hindu heads of Thar region of Sindh had just stopped taunting and denigrating Meghwar and Bheel, and had started to reckon their vote bank. Although Dr.Khatu Mal Jeewan and Eng. Giyanchand were elected on party tickets of the feudal-capitalist and casteist party (PPP), it was nevertheless the beginning of Dalit political assertion at micro political level, and provided reasons for experiences of self-esteem, in the successive democratic governments that ensued after the end of Martial regime of General Ziaul-Hag in late 1980s. The speech was delivered in 1995-96 (the exact date is unconfirmed). Dr Khatumal Jeewan delivered that speech to Meghwar community in a private wedding of the son of Arjan Das Meghwar at village Jhapyo, Mithi, Tharparkar Sindh. Dr. Khatumal Jeewan was then MNA (1993-96), and Eng. Giyanchand Meghwar MPA (1993-96). In this short speech, he reflects on the oppressed past, existing challenges to Dalit communities, about his own trust in Eng. Giyanchand ( both Meghwar) about his commitment to community and the need for trans-local Scheduled castes or Dalit alliance. This speech gives forth the background to latter Dalit politics in Pakistan up till now in 2017. This speech gives the feel of deep seated suppressed desire to achieve self-respect and dignity in society which is still wanting, and Dalits continue to be discriminated and humiliated in various coarse and subtle ways.