FFEI

On October 8, 2018, two women Kantabai Ahire and  Sheela Pawar travelled 1200 kilometers from Maharashtra to Rajasthan and blackened the status of Manu that stand in the premises of Rajasthan High Court in Jaipur.

There was a demand from Dalits (ex  untouchables) and anti-caste activists to remove the statue, the symbol of oppression for centuries to majority of Indians. But, it never happened and it still stands there mocking every right thinking person. For doing this act of bravery, a case was booked against them. They are still attending the court on regular basis. They are poor, uneducated, but socially conscious people.

Though it happened in 2018, it came to our notice recently in the wake of protests after George Floyed's death in US. Its s music to every progressive person to hrar this story in the times ehen statues of all regressive people are being pulled down all over the world.

They are daily wage workers and poor. Nobody helped them so far for their bravery. They need money for court expenses and to live a dignified life. Our plan is to help them to start small business to sustain themselves and their families.

So, we are asking help from anyone who thinks that they did a brave act that deserve a helping hand. In these days of self assertion they deserve kudos from everyone. They did what majority among1.3 billion people cannot do.

Pleasr read the story here:
https://m.thewire.in/article/rights/kantabai-ahire-sheela-pawar-manu-statue-blackened-protest/amp?__twitter_impression=true 

We run a 501(c)(3) organization "Friends for Education International" since 2008 helping Dalit children mainly in education. We helped some caste atrocity victims too in the past. This is the first time we are trying to raise funds through gofundme. You can check our work at www.friendsforeducation.org 

Who was Manu?
Manu (real or mythical) is a symbol of shame to all non brahmins. He was notoriously credited to be the author of a Hindu law book "Manusmriti " by which Indian Caste System (also called varna system)  was created centuries ago. According to it humans are created in 4 varnas by the hindu god from his various body parts. Brahmins (priests) from his mouth, kshatriyas (worriers) from his shoulders, vaisyas (murchents) andfrom his theighs and  shudras (servants) from his feet. Brahmins are most privileged humans on earth where as shudras are most dispised. First threeAthree varnas are called dwijas (twice born) and all wealth, education, power is vested with them even today. Latern another varna, avarna (means varna-less) added and they are called untouchables or modern day Dalits. Untouchables
 means people who cannot be seen or touched. They are condemned humans who were not allowed to live in the main village and forced do menial jobs like scavenging, burrying the dead etc.