Rahul's Forgotten Promise - "You Will Not Remain a Dalit"

The overnight stay of Rahul Gandhi and then Britain Secretary of State David Miliband at her home had made Shivkumari an overnight star. And soon she was in the limelight and spoke to almost every news organization, local, national and international. Her village became an attraction of sorts in Amethi. She was sure that her destiny and that of her village would change for the better and thought she was no more Shivkumari, the ‘dalit’.

But that hope proved to be a delusion. Two winters passed, and yet Shivkumari continues to live in miserable poverty. Not one of the many sufferings she conveyed to the Congress general secretary has been addressed. She says “Rahul bhaiyya has forgotten me.”

Shivkumari said for weeks after Rahul’s visit the attitude of the villagers, especially the upper castes, had changed towards her. They were very careful in how they addressed her. But that respect turned out to be temporary.

She further added “Soon they realized that it was all sugary talk and I was still the same harijan.” The adoration turned into sarcasm and she says that soon she was told “why have you come to us to get your work done when you have direct access to Rahul ji.”