Caste Chaos: India in Reverse Gear
Posted : May 6, 2010 at 10:54 am [IST]
In a country where for all the young women, late Kalpana Chawla, Indra Nooyi, and Kiran Shaw Mazumdar are the icons, a Brahmin mother of an educated family kills her employed daughter with pretty bright future as she develops a relation with a young Kayastha boy. Is it not shockingly disgusting?
If the educated parents can’t stand to the wishes of their children, why don’t they stop educating their children or sending them out of the house prison? I know there must be hundreds of such stories of broken hearts of the young men and women that go unreported. And they live a miserable life.
But then why is that happening and are not the politicians responsible for it?
Let us look at the political parties’ outlook towards caste-based census. As reported, PM Manmohan Singh did not agree with the demand of law minister Veerappa Moily for revival of caste-based census that was last done in 1931, under the British.So the ruling party is divided. BJP, the main opposition party is confused and is in fix.
And it is no more the issue of the Yadav triumvirate, who were the most vocal lot earlier. Today, virtually every political party has joined the demand, because its opposition may affect their prospects in election.
Will it not nakedly divisive data collection? What other purpose can it serve but to raise issues of reservations for every caste to make it equitable as they define? Can the country think of becoming a future superpower and be governed on basis of reservation for each caste and community?
As it seems, the politicians learnt it from the British. It will help to perpetuate the Mantra of ‘divide and rule’ that can work for some time. And it is working even today.
Why can’t the young men and women of the country demand a clear view on caste from their leaders and tell them not to interfere in personal life?
I hoped earlier that with universalization of education, the barriers of castes that are historical and man-made be demolished. I was perhaps wrong.
The politicians with their vested interest are trying to emotionally exploit the people of their clans and perpetuate the dynasties of some sorts. They do hardly bother about the development, be it education or health care. The caste is being used as shields in many cases, be it misuse of fund by Mayawati for statues or Karunanidhi protecting Raja as dalit
Why should there be a caste based census, if the purpose is not the perpetuation of reservation that the makers of our great constitution never dreamt? Why didn’t the constituent assembly recommend that? Why did the first Cabinet after Independence which had giants like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, B R Ambedkar and Maulana Azad decided to do away with caste-based census which was seen as divisive?
Strangely, the religious leaders are less vocal on the caste issue. I don’t know if I should take it as good sign. But India doesn’t have significant number of religious leaders of Hindus who can fight against the politicians on this social evil of castes and oppose caste based reservations and the issue of caste based census. Can Ravi Sankar and Ram Dev talk more vocally against the evils of caste system?
Perhaps, I am asking a utopia that will never get materialized?
- Indra
Category: Indian politics, Religious/Social issues |
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