In Chandra Shekhar Aazad, supporters see a new leader to spearhead Dalit movement, fill space left vacant by Mayawati's diminishing popularity

After a long wait, the silence and murmur outside Tihar Central Jail finally broke into a loud cheer as Bihm Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad stepped out of central prison at 9 pm on Thursday. Before boarding the car, which was a part of a large procession of vehicles carrying workers and supporters of the Bhim Army from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Aazad announced loudly, “We abide by the Constitution of India, and we’ll fight till end to ensure that this kaala kanoon of CAA and NRC don’t get implemented. Does Aazad’s popularity, in any anyway, indicate the emergence of new leadership in the Dalit movement — space which has been lying vacant with the diminishing popularity of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati? Hadn’t Mayawati and other Dalit leaders in the mainstream political parties ignored the grievances and problems of Dalits, the need of Aazad as a new leader wouldn’t have arisen.” Jathav, who’s addressed as ‘Guruji’ by Bhim Army workers and followers, added, “At present, a strong Dalit voice is missing in the country that can steer Dalit movement ahead. Aptly summed up Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, general secretary of Anjuman-e-Haideri, a socio-religious body of Shia Muslims, “The large gathering of Bhim Army workers and followers comprising both Hindus and Muslims, the sloganeering in Aazad’s favour and the way he has been received here at Karbala indicate his rising popularity and the need of a young and firebrand Dalit leader.” Only time will tell whether Aazad — as a new Dalit leader — is able to carry forward the objectives of All India Backward And Minority Communities Employees Federation, an organisation founded by Dalit ideologue and Mayawati’s mentor, Kansi Ram, to fight the system of inequality that divides Indian society into castes.