I asked my network of family and friends to share their experiences and thoughts on Untouchability in 2020. I have blogged their responses sand ID so every one is protected:
Received following Comments:
Comment: 1
I personally have no difference between the touchable and untouchable. The prevalence of untouchabIlity all over TN is obvious except on big cities and towns. In villages and suburbans , there is gradual reduction of differentiation. The double glass system and separate burial or burning ghats are also prevalent in small villages. But it is really shameful that after 73 years of Independence, we still keep them away from the main stream. In my house our Dobie, dog carer and cleaner of house and the driver do not enter into our house and their activities are limited upto the entrance door of house. My wife, son and mother in law, brother in law are still following the old standards of separate plates and cups for them. They all respect them for the work done though.
We feed them with food and tea, coffee etc. My family respect them and are kinder than me in treatment. They allow them to play and mingle with their children and our children. Our untouchability is only not allowing them inside the house. I have to respect my family members. So, I do not fight with them. I speak to them with respect and treat as a member of my family which in not liked by family. I believe in the "ondrey kulam , oruvaney devan" philosophy. Even though all politicians say that all human beings are equal, they will not implement it truely. Unless all the so called downtrodden gets educated and more rights conscious, the statusco will continue. But slowly thing are changing and people are getting more knowledge of their rights and the mindset of upper class has to change at the same time. If the ladies of the household are more generous, it may change a bit earlier. I am not a brahmin hater and somehow, I have very very few Brahmin friends who are broad minded ones and liberal all with other castes and moving friendly.
I really I hate all the activities of BJP and Modi. Pl do not get the wrong impression just because I am forwarding the messages I get about Modi.
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Comment -2
About Dalits. They along with Muslims constitute the majority of the Indian polity. Current moves are to disenfranchise initially All outcasts (everybody who’s is not a Brahmin, Kshatriya , Vysia or Sudra. Next step will be to play the shatrya, vysia and sudras against each other and maintain Brahmin supremacy. Ofcourse the servile cops will gun down all dissent and criminalise all opposition by foisting cases that will take years and a fortune to throw out of courts which will be stuffed with loyalists.
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Comment -3
Equality Journey of India.
One of the key strategies of Mahatma Gandhiji to prepare for India’s independence was to integrate all Indians in the subcontinent to have one equal identity. India was then divided by kingdoms, languages, religion, caste etc. The concept of equality and unity was the basis of integration. Removing untouchability and the misused caste system prevalent for centuries was a major hindrance to integration. Unity of all Indians was critical to create a unified force to drive away the British invaders. This was done painstakingly through non violence and India gained freedom to govern in it’s own way.
After Independence, for the first time, all Indians were equal and India was one country in 1947.
The first drive was to create a constitution which ensures the equality of people so that the unity in strength continued forever to maintain a safe and strong future. We embraced democracy as it was ideal to ensure all Indians have equal rights to vote and all voices are heard. India is since then the largest democracy in the world and also has the largest diversity in its population.
While there is partial success in India, there is a need for a lot of changes to move to a true democracy.
People from any background and caste can hope to reach the highest and most powerful positions in India today in both government and private sectors. All Indians still have one vote each which is the greatest power for democracy. Professions are no more based on caste but rooted on capability.
The politicians however had to fight for votes and they smartly decided on wooing the voters based on the age old caste system. Today democracy in India is being managed by the politicians based on the divide and rule policy which the British used to control India. The poorest voter is swayed by caste ideology or cash compensation to ensure the politicians win and gain freedom for 5 years of ruling the masses. The caste system is used as a basis of getting votes and it's quite common to predict elections on the basis of the caste of the region and the caste of the candidate. Dictatorship can be unleashed even in this democracy. The systems are still inadequate to safeguard this.
In some families and business, caste is still being used as a means of stamping people. Jobs in private sectors are based on this mindset too. The HR managers tend to use their personal bias. Salaries are decided based on such criteria.
I dream of an India where caste as a word is removed from the vocabulary of all Indians.
People who are economically low should be boosted with free education and health. Elections should be won by the candidate’s capability. Jobs in government and private sector should be based on meritocracy. Religion should be a private choice and not a public drive. The youth of India which is more than half the population can take this to Democracy Version 2. There is still hope for more positive changes to happen.
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