CASTE CENSUS
- THROUGH A MICROSCOPE-
I wrote this to register my comments in response to Dr. Vaidik article published under the heading “Meri Jati Hai, Sirf Hindustani” on the issue of Caste Based Census on 11.5.2010 in Dainik Bhaskar, New Delhi.
On 26th January, 1950, India adopted a new Constitution. This new Constitution was a unique in a way that for the 1st time in the history of Indian Civilization, a Utopia was created. Along with this utopia, praxis was also laid down to achieve the idealism. Let’s see what was that idealism created while adopting this new Constitution. The Preamble of the Constitution reads as;
“Preamble
We the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCARTIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizen
JUSTICE, social, economic and political
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
Equality of status and opportunity and to promote among them all.
Fraternity assuring the dignity of individual and the unity and integrity of the nation
IN OUR CONSTITUTENT ASSEMBLY the twenty-six day of November, 1949, do,
HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION”
HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION”
Prior to the date ibid, this country was neither a nation nor a republic nor a fraternity nor a secular society nor an independent country nor having a government of its own. It was a bunch of people settled on a geographical territory, divided on the lines of Varna and in thousands of Castes who were prohibited to inter mix amongst each other and ruled by alien power which were neither interested in their welfare nor development. A number of pollutions and purifications were attached with different group of people. So strict were the punishments for the ‘Untouchables’ that they have to lose their lives if they dare to violate the system of Caste or say anything against it. In such circumstances who would dare to lose his life?
To pave a way to fabricate a liberal, independent, equal and fraternal society through a republican form of government, this new Constitution was adopted with fervor and seriousness. Democracy was accepted as form of Government in a Quasi-federal structure. But the bigots, feudalists and corrupts have played their role in spoiling the broth during last 60 odd years of independence. They have misused Democracy and treated the hapless people as vote banks for creating the rule of miniscule minority and rob the majority (BAHUJANS) from the basic amenities required to live a dignified life.
What is a democracy? If I have to respond to this question, I would take the following simile to define it - Democracy is neither a political, nor economic nor social concern taken separately. Nor it is just taken all together. It is a moral ideal, a statement of relation which shall prevail amongst the human beings. It is a hypothesis, if not a firm belief, that if man creates proper institutions and then his better possibilities would actualize themselves. It is a faith in man’s possibilities. Democracy as a methodology is based on the pious principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Democracy thrives in democratic society and democratic distribution and utilization of resources for development of human being who resolves to adopt democracy as way of life.
Most revered Baba Sahib Ambedkar waged a fierce war whole his life to eliminate social inequalities in this society and sphere headed the movement of introduction of democratic methodology in political, economic and social system as moral ideals in the society and culture of this country. He succeeded in embedding the founding pillars on which the edifice of social, economic and political, democratic life was to be erected and sustained in times to come. Democratic goals cannot be separated from Democratic methods. The goal is in the method and end is in the means. This is generally the democratic belief. The hypothesis of Democracy appears to be falling apart in this country as the methodology adopted to build moral ideals is not yielding desired results for building democratic life in this country. The country is fast moving towards absolutism of one class of people irrespective whoever rules. The struggle waged by our forefathers in building a society based on democratic ideals and democratic life needs to be strengthened.
After around sixty years of independence, the ideals of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Justice and democratic life for disadvantaged sections of society have remained distant dreams and utopians ideals. Democracy is antithesis of feudalism and fragmentation of society on the basis of Caste. Why blame British for divide and Rule? What did the native do for thousands of years with their own people? If you ask me, they made them ‘Sudras’ and ‘Untouchables’, shame on them and shame on their allegation blaming ‘Britishers’ for divide and rule. It was the upper castes of Indian society who is responsible for making this nation to lose its independence to foreign invaders for thousands of years as the society of this land was divided on the basis of Caste. Except ‘untouchables’ none other performed their duty with any sense of responsibility. Brahmin failed to educate others, Kashtriyas castes failed to train and build strong army and Vaishas ran after their own profits, exploited others and kept the trade and business to themselves.
We remained much worse than slaves even after birth of great saints like Guru Ravi Dass and Saint Kabir who were born on this land around 633 years back. It was only in 1848 Mahatama Jyoti Rao Phule set up a chain of schools and made his wife Mata Savitri Bhai Phule as first Headmistress of that school and accepted Sudras and Untouchables children as pupil in the said school. Such a society would have remained slave to hundreds of years more, had foreign invaders in form of Britishers would not have come. While saying this, in no way I am praising the foreign rule.
Let me point out for the information of all readers that none of the social reforms even those concerning their own family were brought by the upper castes of Indian society. Be it the inhuman and merciless practice of Sati, Widow re-marriage, child marriage etc. When the Christian clergies witnessed ghastly acts of Sati in this land, their horror knew no bound and they put immense pressure on Lord William Bentinck to put an end to this inhuman practice of female burning to an end. Then came the legislation stopping the practice of Sati. No upper caste Hindu reformer made any serious and sincere efforts to put an end to Sati and so many other social evils with which the Indian society was confronted. Now a days, a new kind of social evils are erupting which may have been practiced before feudal ears of 15th and 16th century in the Europe. When I say so, I am referring to Khap Panchayats, honor killings, female infanticide etc. Shame on all those who support these things in an era of liberalism and human rights. In such a scenario, it is correct to say that universal human “Rights” are perhaps myth created by the Materialistic- Capitalist system which gives a solace to the poor, downtrodden and have nots a false belief of having Rights. In real sense they do not have any right and they may not have resources to get those Rights executed in a civil society in case of infringements by others.
Caste is not a racial differentiation between people but a much subtle, deeper and strong segregation which goes on for thousands of years from generation to generation. In racialism, the human beings are discriminated on the basis of race and color. But in the case of Caste, discrimination has been amongst humans of same race, having same color, physique and faith, eating similar food, following same Gods and Goddesses. It is much more difficult to fight caste as divine origination has been attached to it by the clergy class in Hinduism. It is much difficult to fight a practice or custom when a group of powerful, rich and land owning class believes that a system was given by the GOD. Unless this myth is broken, the caste would continue to play its destructive role of dividing the people. This myth could only be broken if the BAHUJANS who have suffered heavily under the said system, denounce the socio-religious-cultural system with which caste is attached.
In the eyes of GOD all are equal and treating everyone as equal in walks of life are two different principles. All GODMEN say that all are equal in the eyes of GOD, but the men created by GOD and the followers of those GODMEN everyday perpetuate atrocities on the fellow being that are also created by the God. In seems that in Hindu mythology and spiritual system, the GOD is perhaps the imagination or creation of the upper castes.
Perhaps subservient to their cause or perhaps an entity who is more loyal to the class who has created it;
· I have seen the GOD siding with those who have burnt alive the men, women and children of hapless downtrodden.
· I have seen the GOD who has tacitly supported the rape of daughters and women of downtrodden folks.
· I have seen the GOD seeing from a corner the scene of burning and arson of huts and houses of downtrodden
· I have seen the GOD always siding with the rich, mighty and powerful in this land.
Why the helpless GOD is mute spectator to such atrocities? Why the all powerful and merciful GOD is unable to burn those perpetrators of atrocities by HIS curse? Why the compassionate GOD is mute spectator to such ghastly acts of his own creations? Why all pervasive GOD hesitate to make this land a better place to live? Selfish people have even divided the pious name of GOD. Out of 12,000 villages in Punjab, 10,000 have separate prayer places which are created on the basis of caste. Even the cremation grounds used to cremate the dead human beings are made on the basis of Caste. The immense sacrifices made by the great saints and gurus have been rendered futile and hegemony of a specific group is created who perpetuate atrocities on the downtrodden.
Reservation is not a dole but a representation and such arrangements exists world over in various societies. The Indian society is ailing from social, physical and mental untouchability. In such a society the concept of merit can never prevail. Therefore, the concept of merit and reservation are mutually exclusive. As a Nazi will not do justice to a Jew and vice-versa, a Protestant will not do justice to the Catholic living in Ireland and vice versa, a Christian will not do justice to a Muslim and vice versa. Similarly, a caste Hindu will not do justice to an untouchable in Hindu society. Therefore, talking merit as criterion is futile and senseless thinking leading us nowhere. It must be made clear here that if complete reservation as provided under scheduled caste quota, only 5 out of 100 people of the said castes would be benefitted. What would happen to remaining 95? Therefore, the other sectors including the business sector of the economy is to be explored for creating more developmental opportunity for BAHUJANS. It has been done in the democracies in the world. USA is the foremost example of that. Why do not we take a cue from it and implement this. The Bahujans of this society would be as indebted to those in India who take this yeoman step as the racially discriminated black people were to President Johnson who paved way for black power through his declaration in 1968. We know the reservation as a system has its limitations, but till a good, equality based, accountable, non-discriminatory system is put into place by the people in power, the existing system of reservation cannot be allowed to be dismantled. The reservation in legislative bodies has met with little success. The prophesy of Venerable Baba sahib Ambedkar has proven true. This system has produced ineffective representatives who are unable to defend the rights of their own people. A time period of 78 years (from Poona Pact) are a large time to test a hypothesis and if that has not been prove helpful, efforts should be wages to change the same with a more purposeful representation system. But no serious efforts appear to be afoot in this direction. The more hindrance would be felt in this direction as the existing system is suitable and is subservient to the classes who are in power. It is a food for thought for the BAHUJANS of this land.
Prof. Dicey had epitomized the principle of RULE OF LAW as a foundation on which the functioning of democratic system is to be built. The implementer and upholder of Law have to be always sensitive if a society based on democratic life. Sadly, there are not many efforts towards accomplishment of said position. The writs of law do not run large almost on 35 to 40% territory of this land seriously undermining the democracy and democratic functioning. Caste has paramount position driving each decision in the nation’s life and activities. The upholders of law are aligned to the caste forces in power. The petty crimes go unsolved and allowing criminals to spread the malice of honor killing. The incidents of extra-judicial authorities taking law into their own hand are increasing. How a man’s with almost no resources and who is struggling with making both ends meet would attain his rights? A serious challenge of creating equilibrium in all walks of society is a grave challenge. Former President of India Dr. K.R. Narayanan once said that it is not the Constitution which has failed us, but it is we who have failed the Constitution. The miniscule of ruling castes in this country has to come out of the mindset of Casteism.
As the Census would involve into head count of Backwards in this country, which would determine their rights and entitlements in various spheres in the society, it is important to complete this exercise without any delay. This might pave way and put pressure on the ruling castes for creation of earthly levels of strong institutional mechanism and start an era of stopping discrimination in all spheres of life. This requires a forceful policy mechanism and implementation and monitoring of policies at various levels in the affairs of administration. The BAHUJANS have to remain more vigilant and active in ensuring purposeful disbursal and attainment of their rights through an egalitarian system in education, health, food security, land reform, employment building, labour and government service sectors. Threatened by the outcome of Caste based census and its effect in the long run in the socio, economic, political and cultural affairs of the nation, the ruling castes in India are opposing this exercise and hell bent upon keeping BAHUJANS in dark and in dispossessed status.
Note:-
As stated above, this piece was written by me in the year 2010 and was also sent to Dr. Vaidik, who wrote a series of articles in Hindi Daily Newspaper “Dainik Bhaskar” against the Caste based census.
Rajinder Kashyap,
New Delhi
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