CASTEISM BANE OF INDIAN SOCIETY
Not long ago in history, varnasrama dharma and its distorted resultant/ concomitant jaati prada (caste system) were
cherished as the unique heritage of India, which saved, conserved and promoted
the Indian, especially Hindu civilization, for thousands of years. However,
with change of times and socio-economic conditions, and spread of modern economic
modes and democratic ideas, gradually the caste system in India, which had
ossified into an oppressive exclusivist entity, began to be looked as a bane
than a boon, demands for its total abolition began to be made and the ideal of a
casteless society was and still is endorsed by many liberals, progressives,
especially leftists of various sorts. But, post-independence, in the name of eradication
of caste disabilities and inequalities, a distorted system of reservations with
wrongful appeasement of castes/communities and accordance of special favors to
the various castes/communities in the name of their uplift, but mainly to make
them vote-banks for this or that political outfit, has taken roots and now
casteism has again risen its ugly head and almost all sections of the society,
including, to an extent, even the communities theoretically free from caste
system, are plagued with caste/ factional strife. Once upon a time it was usual
for castes and communities to strive for upward social mobility but by the
current reservations system it seems every community/caste at some time or
other is voicing demands for downward gradation – e.g. even relatively better
off and comfortable communities as those of Patels and Kapus, and sometimes
even Brahmin communities in certain regions also, striving to get listed as
backward classes which in effect comes to mean in the strange socio-judicial
system of our country as backward castes. Watching this ugly situation, some times
a feeling comes whether the restoration of caste system in full may be the way
out or may, in a farcical manner, turn out inevitable. Until a conscious and concerted effort is made by the
people of the country, for a process of gradual elimination of this reservation
system, keeping it to an extent only for really economically or physically
challenged persons – and not communities – and palpable successes are achieved
in that course, it seems this country will have no redemption; but if the present
farce continues and intensifies the country is sure to go to the dogs. §§§
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