CASTE DISCRIMINATION

            Caste discrimination is one amongst the most prevailing means of discrimination existent in the society. Initially, we people started settling down from wandering tribes to civilized settlers, the wanted a means of practice to follow, as well as a means to differentiate from each other. This gave rise to various religions, and sub-categories known as caste and creed. Thence, caste wasn't formed as a means for discrimination, but instead to lead a much more organized and civilized life.

            Being part of the effluent class, we often have the notion that there is no caste system being exercised today. This is a complete false notion. The aggression and depth of the same has multiplied to varied levels instead. Its just that we are ignorant of what's happening around the world, and even within the walls we are confined in.

            People often senselessly argue that caste system has been eradicated from our society and to view such practices even today, we would have to travel to far off remote villages where technology hasn't touched. This in fact is the biggest wrong notion. Caste system is not as much prevailing in other societies as it is in urbanized communities where we live in. The question of which caste we belong to is raised from every nook and corner, be it our classroom or office or in common neighborhood. The trend of people belonging to a particular linguistic, caste or cultural background, seated together in a classroom is one of the commonest sights.

            As per Indian constitution, it is illegal to enquire about or say out the caste. Ironically, India is a country that still continues to follow the custom of using the caste title along with our names, as a tagline that says out what caste we belong to. In such a society, however strongly we argue the eradication of caste system, the person belonging to the upper caste still enjoys their superiority with the 'Adiga' or 'Brahmin' or such tags attached to them. Unless and until the upper caste gives away such name tags, they continue to be the upper caste and the rest continues to be the lower caste. Due to the same reason, we also tend to ask a person's second name, while being introduced to them, to get an idea  of the caste they belong to. India is not just a country where we quote tags that speak out our caste, but also a country where tags often denoting the lower caste are also used as words of abuse. The word 'Brahmin' is never an abuse, but those relative to lower castes are often used by people while abusing each other.

            Reservations given in educational field is another strong aspect spoken against caste system. This is a result of the ignorance we blindness we have. As mentioned earlier, being part of the effluent class, who has got the ability in terms of facilities and monetary basis, we have the feeling that reservation need not be given to the deserving lower caste marginalized section of the society. Conditions are not as happening as we see. Caste system was earlier formulated on the basis on the profession followed by a community. This forced the people belonging to a particular caste follow the same caste as that descended from the ancestors or the preceding generation. The  force later began to get stricter where the farmers son, however talented he was in the field of arts had to stick on to his inherited profession rather than his own interests or aptitudes. Reservation was introduced as an attempt to break this system. Even today, in the so-called progressive society, there are places where until the reservation system exists, the farmers son would still have to continue a farmer. It is often critiqued that these reservations strikes off the chances of a 'general' student who has acquired good marks in the same competitive exam. This again is false. Even when we say 20% reservation is offered to OBC students, there exists a wide category within this and isn't as big as the number 20 by itself. The reservation system is also not a blind means for giving chance to students for being born in castes that the government has listed as deserving, but instead it only offers few grants to them acknowledging the backgrounds from which they come from.

            My personal opinion is that there should be justice provided to the marginalized who had been side lined even when India attained independence. A country where no caste is said with pride or curse can be regarded one where caste system has been completely eradicated, and not where people continue with their taglines and fight for it's eradication while having the feeling that they are not getting what another set is getting, forgetting all oppressions and brutalities that were open out in near past.

To end this note, I would say that my article by itself is politically wrong by calling and differentiating people as lower and higher caste in a democratic republic like India, we all are equal, no no one is more equal than another.