Author – Pardeep Attri

‘Sangharsh’ is a documentary made by Nicolas Jaoul, a French anthropologist, who provides a grassroots glimpse into Dalit politics in Uttar Pradesh.

Shot in the late 1990s just after the BSP lost political power and the BJP took over, Sangharsh takes us deep into the lifeworld of Dalit Panther activists in Uttar Pradesh. By following three Dalit Panthers activists, the documentary shows Dalit assertion at the ground level. The documentary takes viewers on a rough trip in the slums and villages of the Kanpur region, where these characters are determined to continue spreading the revolutionary messages of Ambedkar, comes what may and in a creative way. It is an emotional journey into the urge to struggle in order to assert one’s humanity when humiliation, exploitation and violence remain always around the corner.

“I hope the film will inspire you for the decisive struggles that await us after the lockdown, for a more equal and happy world, free of all forms of state violence, exploitations, injustices and humiliations,” says Nicolas Jaoul, director of ‘Sangharsh. Times of Strife’.

The documentary shows the struggle of Dalits as so-called upper castes harass them on a day to day basis. It also shows the struggle of Dalits in UP to install Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statues and protests around those when statues are broken by so-called upper castes. It gets quite emotional sometimes, at least I got emotional while watching it.

Watch Trailer 

To watch the full documentary go to this link.

The password is Babasahab129

We talked to Nicolas Jaoul about the documentary and his experiences while researching in India.

Unforgettable scenes from the documentary film 

When poor people are struggling Brahmins have filled their potbellies with money, ignoring humanity. They give us leftover food, stale food, for our work and if we will not fight now, nothing will change. If we cut our fingers and Brahmin cuts his finger, blood is the same then what is the basis of untouchability? Babasaheb gave equal right to everyone, for women as well, no matter women are Dalit or Brahmin. “Dalit Musalman karo Vichar, Kab tak sahoge atyachar? (Dalits, Muslims, think a little! For how long will you suffer injustice?).

The documentary is unforgettable with such talks from common Dalits but there are certain scenes which would definitely stick to you. Here are a few, showing the Dalit assertion – Dalits’ struggle for equality.

Dalit Panther activist Dhaniram Panther while addressing a gathering says, “We won’t tolerate this oppression anymore. There will be no more raping of our mothers and sisters. Our dignity won’t be defiled anymore; our homes won’t be set on fire. And no one will be burnt alive, caste humiliation will stop. The statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar will not be desecrated anymore; we will be ready to fight back. We don’t give a damn for the so-called governments…we have seen all kinds of governments whether high or low. We were born into adversity, so we’re not afraid of being killed…we aren’t people who break statues. Statues bring us together and we follow the Indian constitution that was written by Babasaheb Ambedkar.”

Dev Kumar Asur, coming from Valmiki community, another Dalit Panther activist whom the documentary follows is famous for his songs. Describing the caste discrimination faced by Dalits from carrying pot around their necks to collect spit to broom under their armpits, Dev Kumar Asur sings powerful words, challenging Brahminical Gods,

“This is how they treated us. Yet, we continue to praise God. If I am denied access to wells, why should I continue to praise God? The well remains forbidden for me, what does God do? Nothing! I do not have any land, while Thakurs and Brahmins have plenty of lands, what is God doing? Why does he discriminate?”

Third Dalit Panther activist, Aakash Singh Badal, whom the documentary follows says,

“Babasaheb said that before the proclamation of democracy, the rulers used to come out of the queen’s wombs. But ever since democracy gave equal rights to all, they do not come out of the queen’s womb anymore, but from the ballot box. Give birth to your rulers. Babasaheb used to say that temples are empty whereas parliament contains everything. Capture the temple of power for your emancipation. Hey, my people, capture the temple of power for your liberation! In the very end, Babasaheb said, May I ask you one last thing? People replied: Babasaheb you did so much for us. In the constitution, you gave us the six fundamental rights. The right to read and write and everything else. Therefore, we will surely agree to all your demands. We are even ready to lay down our lives. He replied: No! I will ask you just one thing. The people asked: What do you want? He replied: for your own sake, unite! At this point, my only request is that you become one. Be yourselves! Choose your own path. And give birth to a social, political, economic, religious and cultural revolution. Stop imitating others. This way, your situation will improve and you will develop yourselves. Babasaheb used to say that the day of the election is our greatest festival; we must celebrate it with great pomp because the vote result can uplift you, but it can also make you fall…!”

Lastly, a scene that stuck to me the most. A teenager living in slums talks about how Brahmins and Thakurs have looted Dalits for centuries. His words are worth more than any so-called upper caste would ever be able to understand about Dalit-Bahujans. The teenager describes his version of communal riots happening in the background,

“They even demolished the temples. The police, or maybe the Brahmins themselves. Just to frame the Muslims. So that the fight between Hindus and Muslims starts again. See our neighbours, they are also Muslims. But see how much we care for each other. We eat at their place and they also come to eat at ours. There is no such hate between us. People say things like do not accept food from the Bhangis. But we do not follow this casteism. Because we are Buddhists. The food which is offered with love can not be refused.

All those big people: doctors, engineers…they are all either Brahmins or Brahminical mindset. The Thakurs…all Brahminical. They take out their godly antenna, sit in temples and utter some mantras. Money starts showering, praise God! The country is burning, praise God! Society’s burning, praise God! And it goes on and on…

They have totally ripped us off in the name of God. They have made fools out of us. If they (Brahmins) start saying that a goat ought to be called a dog. If a Brahmin says that a goat is a dog, we’ll be forced to say dogs are goats [his infectious laugh here]. Or there will be atrocities against us, they will beat us. That’s how it happened in the old days.

Then he sings,

Our day has come,
Thanks to the brave men’s quest,
To leave Hindu religion,
Is like opening a new well.
Our day has come…”

If Dalit politics and awareness among Dalits have reached the level it is today, it is because of people like those covered in the documentary. Their fight for justice, despite millions of challenges, is commendable and should be recognized. Overall, it is an amazing documentary, go watch it till it is available to watch for free!

To watch the full documentary go to this link.

The password is Babasahab129

About Director – Nicolas Jaoul is a french anthropologist based at CNRS/EHESS (Paris), who has specialized on the anti-caste movement in India. He was trained in the documentary film school of Jean Rouch. Sangharsh, his first long feature movie, was shot during his PhD fieldwork in Kanpur in the late 1990s and edited in 2017.