With Kamala Harris’ rise because the Democrat contender for the White Home, the oldest and largest democracies of the world are actually participating in discussions of comparable paradigms, with the problems of race and caste. Whereas Indian intellectuals rightly so usually are not solely discussing American politics in regard to the problem of race however they’re additionally asserting Harris’ non-white identification, nonetheless they appear to shrink back from the realities of caste in Indian society and politics. It is because American politics won’t chunk them at dwelling, whereas a caste census is perceived to be an actual menace to the privilege that they get pleasure from of their day-to-day lives.
The Chief of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised a much-needed query as regards to the Union Finances that was introduced by the Authorities, whereby he requested concerning the exclusion of officers hailing from weaker sections of society from the Finances-making course of. Via this, he as soon as once more questioned the Authorities’s dedication to upholding the due illustration of the backward castes. This drew an opposed response from members of the Authorities, with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman even going by way of the histrionics of hiding her face within the Home as Mr. Gandhi raised his query. Senior BJP MP Anurag Thakur, as is the norm amongst members of the BJP, even hurled abuses at Mr. Gandhi, saying that individuals who don’t know their very own castes are preventing for a caste census. The Hon’ble Prime Minister, an individual who by no means fails to flaunt his OBC standing, misplaced no time in sharing Mr. Thakur’s response throughout his social media platforms. In his response, Rahul Gandhi’s true character shines by way of. He is aware of that anybody who has stood up for the rights of the oppressed castes in India has been met with abuses, and mentioned that irrespective of how a lot they abuse him, he’ll be certain that a caste census is held within the nation. This text seeks to reply to the varied considerations that Indian intelligentsia has with Rahul Gandhi’s calls for for a caste census and inclusivity within the governmental processes.
Indian intellectuals imagine {that a} caste census will ‘name out’ each particular person on their caste. In a rustic the place folks search to determine caste as the very first thing earlier than participating throughout cultures, a caste census will confirm that affirmative motion is taken the place wanted, primarily based in chilly exhausting numbers. The caste identification of those that made the Finances could not decide the validity of the Finances itself, however how can a Finances made by an unique group of savarna elites, the truth that Rahul Gandhi was truly making an attempt to determine, ever hope to cater to the aspirations of the disadvantaged and marginalised sections which are stratified alongside caste fault traces? As an example, think about a boardroom filled with privileged males sitting to formulate insurance policies on gender fairness and equality. In an area devoid of girls, these insurance policies, typically grow to be an instance of patriarchal mansplaining. To additional illustrate this concept, contemplate the story of Karna, the son of Kunti born out of wedlock and thus deserted by the Pandavas’ mom at beginning, as illustrated in Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s magnum opus, ‘Rashmirathi’. Come the time for conflict, and Karna finds himself taking to the battlefield for the Kauravas, having been acknowledged and raised to his rightful standing as a king by Duryodhana. The Pandavas’ ministers had been anxious that Arjun, probably the most expert warrior among the many Pandavas, was no match for Karna’s capacity, and subsequently to stop a battle between the 2, Kripacharya requested Karna his caste.
“अर्जुन से यदि लड़ना हो मत गहो सभा में मौन
नाम, धाम कुछ कहो, बताओ? कि तुम जाति हो कौन?”
The questions and doubts had been by no means about Karna’s worthiness or benefit. The query within the Pandavas’ courtroom was certainly one of caste, to the good comfort of the ruling elite. When it’s crucial and handy for them, they’ll ask caste unabashedly like they did within the case of Karna and when it turns into disconcerting and uncomfortable, they’ll frown upon those that elevate such questions from the vantage level of social justice like they’re doing within the case of Rahul Gandhi. Manusmriti and the Structure each focus on caste, however from diametrically reverse viewpoints. Whereas Manusmriti entrenches and perpetuates the oppressive caste system, the Structure does the other of making certain social justice to the victims of the caste system that are apparent. It’s an mental disaster of our time that our intelligentsia has did not recognise the reference body from the place Rahul Gandhi is discussing caste. The query is just not concerning the capacity or benefit of these within the photograph body, however the juxtaposition of a lived actuality vis a vis theoretical data. A mix of each can arguably body higher insurance policies and a caste census could be the very first step on this course of.
The irony in asking an individual talking up for caste liberation for his or her caste identification as a type of validating their arguments is a tragic one. Historical past bears witness to the variety of champions of social justice who’ve shunned their upper-caste origins to battle in opposition to this unfair division of our society. Buddha was born to a royal household. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and plenty of others got here from snug upper-caste origins and gladly renounced their privilege to battle for the higher good. The Constituent Meeting, comprised of individuals from all castes and courses, rallied behind Dr Ambedkar to provide our nation a coherent polity rooted within the values of equality and social justice within the type of the Structure. This logic primarily asks that solely ladies be allowed to talk out for ladies, that solely Dalits can elevate points that have an effect on the Dalit folks, successfully ending solidarity and doubtlessly resulting in the demise of the varied freedom struggles around the globe.
Anybody who has ever raised their voice for liberation of the folks from the caste construction, has been met with brickbats for his or her help. This isn’t new habits. The savarna elite have at all times opposed any champion of caste justice, and their language is only the start. Stalwarts of Indian society like Dr Ambedkar and Periyar had been additionally abused in a similar way. Heroes of the Indian Independence battle like Jyotiba Phule and Ma Savitri Bai had been even met with habits that will shock the senses had been it to transpire in the present day, having to courageous stones and dirt pelted at them by upper-caste folks. Publish-Independence, champions of social justice like Karpoori Thakur, Arjun Singh, Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav too confronted the wrath of the savarna leaders of Indian society, whereas Jagdev Babu was shot useless in broad daylight. Rahul Gandhi in the present day faces not simply the verbal wrath of the members of the BJP, however extreme makes an attempt at limiting the position that the folks of the nation have elected him to play. He faces false investigations, and has even had his Membership of the Lok Sabha revoked. The total extent of the harassment Rahul Gandhi has confronted by the hands of the Enforcement Directorate officers is a matter of public document.
That is simply one other excuse for the savarna controllers of our society to additional delay essential discussions on caste inequality. Seeking to keep away from such discussions won’t lead us anyplace. The actual fact of the matter is that caste consciousness in the present day performs an essential position within the political technique of each single participant in Indian politics. The numbers of the representatives of backward courses are rising with each election, and it wouldn’t be misplaced to say that Mandal politics performed a serious position in safeguarding and aiding this achievement. Nevertheless, one other fact is that we nonetheless haven’t achieved the energy in political illustration for backward courses that displays the true place of the folks. Savarna rule apologists gained’t perceive that by way of Rahul Gandhi’s management and questions, the Congress is standing as much as the BJP’s makes an attempt to reverse the progress made by way of social justice and illustration within the post-Mandal period.
Via their articles, these so-called ‘liberal’ intellectuals contend that Rahul Gandhi’s method of invoking caste was a ‘low-cost rhetorical trick’, whereas ignoring the stark actuality that Rahul Gandhi requested his questions in a Home wherein, along with different components, caste could have performed an essential position within the electoral fortunes of most of the members. In any case, it’s well-known that electoral tickets are distributed by additionally taking caste into consideration. If no one can declare to be ‘above caste’, then why shouldn’t a caste census be carried out to offer our coverage makers with the info required to impact coverage the place it could matter probably the most? A latest article by a member of this intelligentsia acknowledged that ‘typically, contradictions must be sharpened earlier than progress could be made’. And but, regardless of such grand theorisation on contradictions and progress, their ilk are visibly uncomfortable when Rahul sharpens the caste contradiction in society and politics for the eventual decision of this everlasting social battle.
The caste stratification of Indian society is a fact that have to be mentioned, and never shied away from. Our founding fathers, in Article 46 of the Structure, particularly entrusted us, the way forward for this nation with the social instructional and financial upliftment of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward castes. To place this into motion, empirical information concerning the castes of the nation is a step that ought to be welcomed. As a substitute, it’s being rebuffed by a authorities cagey about information, and an intelligentsia extra invested within the American elections.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the writer’s personal.
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