Adieu ‘Dalit Voice’ VT Rajshekar

Vontibettu Thimmappa Rajshekar Shetty; 1932 – 20 November 2024

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A resolute Ambedkarvadi, a tireless anti-caste warrior, a legendary writer and journalist who wrote his mind, he fought for the voiceless and the marginalised. That was VT Rajashekhar, the founder of the iconic journal ‘Dalit Voice’, who passed away on 20 November 2024.

The void will not be filled, for sure, as the personality of VTR, as he was referred to by thousands of his followers and admirers, was not only multifaceted but every one of these facets was marked by intense commitment to social justice and relentless struggles championing the causes of the marginalised. Indeed, there may be people who have excelled in one area or the other of social action, but VTR’s overall contribution in multiple realms and individual charisma that he radiated naturally cannot be matched. The pioneering role that he played in social justice struggles as well as the new thought processes he brought in terms of approach to these struggles right from the period of the Indian independence movement cannot be replicated.

Indeed it was a life of never ending struggles. Consider this. Creating and establishing a space, a voice, a stern leadership in the pre digital era must have been a daunting task in terms of communication. That was an era where literacy was limited and slavery was still prevalent. It was also an era where people did not take mentally and easily to liberal thinking, caste discrimination was still rampant with untouchability and denial of access to education and even freedom of movement a norm, one accepted by large sections of society. It was in such an era that VTR emerged as a champion of the marginalised and carved a space for thousands of oppressed people. And through that he carved a name for himself too.

And journalism was one of the realms in which he charted new paths. VTR began his career in journalism in 1959 at the renowned Bangalore based daily Deccan Herald. He later moved on to the Indian Express, where he had a long career, which lasted nearly 25 years. In all probability it was this stint that shaped his future vision and led to the setting up of the ‘Dalit Voice’ in 1981.

The powerful presentations in the ‘Dalit Voice’ for the rights of Dalits captured the attention of the world right from the journal’s early years. The ‘Dalit Voice’ really shook the norm and set a momentum, and continued doing it for decades. Such was the impact of the periodical that Human Rights Watch described it as “India’s most widely circulated Dalit journal”.

VTR was also a prolific writer authoring more than 100 books and monographs on topics such as caste, history, politics, and religion. Some of his books include “Caste-A Nation within the Nation”, “Dalit: The Black Untouchables of India”, and “Brahminism: Weapons To Fight Counter Revolution” to name a few. Naturally, he also faced many challenges for his outspoken views from different sections of the forces of discrimination. They were primarily opposed to his views promoting egalitarianism and pluralism in societies and cultures of India.

At very many junctures in his life Governments and the Establishment joined the forces of discrimination and moved against VTR. He was arrested and jailed multiple times for his writings and activities.

In 1986, his passport was confiscated and he was arrested at Bengaluru under the Terrorist and Anti-Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act. He was also charged under the Sedition Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code.

But accolades also came his way from time to time. In 2005 he received the London Institute of South Asia (LISA) Book of the Year Award. Later, in 2018 VTR received the Mukundan C Menon Award instituted by the National Confederation of Human Rights Organization’s (NCHRO).

He is survived by his Son Salil Shetty who was with Amnesty International. A clear chip of the elder block. Salil Shetty is an internationally renowned expert on human rights and poverty, He joined Amnesty International as the organisation’s eighth Secretary General in July 2010. He leads the movement’s worldwide work to end abuses of human rights. He is the organisation’s chief political adviser, strategist. Indeed, Salil’s work too will constantly remind the world about the fearless work and the indomitable fighting spirit for human rights of the legendary VTR.