No One Wants To End Casteism In India
Prof N.K. Singh
Former Chairman International Airports Authority of India
The framers of Constitution envisaged a temporary reprieve to suppressed sections of the society with the hope that they will be in equal footing with others in Hindu society in India. They visualised a period of five years for fulfilling this objective as no one could voice the suppression of merit to fulfill this objective. The end of caste politics will spell equality for all and rule of merit to prevail in selection and appointments to the government jobs. No country can grow without giving full encouragement to the talent and competence to man various positions. Consider a pilot or doctor selected on concessional basis to fill the quota allotted to each cost. Don’t we need to give preferential treatment to promote genius and inventors? What will be the future of growth of space technology or science if ISRO is run by people who are selected on the basis of concessional quota? Fortunately, the situation is still not so bad as Supreme Court put a cap of 50% and many of those who are availing this quota are brilliant that could compete with others.
* But all said and done, caste will remain consideration as revealed in the choice of nomination for President of India. The choice was kept secret and different parties were approached who had no clue. Choice of a Dalit is suddenly announced while it is claimed that the basis is not only the caste but his experience and education also. All opposition parties were in disarray and they scrambled together ultimately to fall in the trap laid by the BJP and choosing a dalit to match their dalit.
Unfortunately, the five year period for reservation has been extended indefinitely and expanded to cover large number of castes. In doing so, all political parties are united as India has suffered all along in vote bank politics in caste as well communal matters. We cannot imagine any party voting for merit and giving equal opportunity to all which was spirit of the Republic. Even Modi also fell in the same vote bank drain which has soiled the Indian political system. There does not seem to be an end in sight when all Indians are equal before different selection boards.
In Uttar Pradesh election, the caste was in full abundance right from the allocation of tickets to campaigning. Yadvas had Mulayam family, dalits had Mayawati and both of them sought Muslim votes that were not expected to go to Modi. Still Modi won almost two third seats and brought Yogi Adityanath as Chief Minister who was not in any enumerated castes but a Rajput. His unique selling point was that he was a Yogi who could represent all castes of Hindus. As soon as he took over, he made some Hindu noises to address to his constituency large enough to have all Hindus including dalits. So cow became the focus. No doubt, this astute strategy united all castes on Hindusim and they are maintaining this unique strategy. This vision of Modi is bound to make all caste based politics redundant before Pan Hinduism but with a difference that all will be treated equally. This is Modism not Hindu Rashtra or RSS proponents agenda but Hindu dominated India with justice to diverse communities.
But all said and done, caste will remain consideration as revealed in the choice of nomination for President of India. The choice was kept secret and different parties were approached who had no clue. Choice of a Dalit is suddenly announced while it is claimed that the basis is not only the caste but his experience and education also. All opposition parties were in disarray and they scrambled together ultimately to fall in the trap laid by BJP and choosing a dalit to match their dalit. So now it is opposition that has made it a caste battle. The Congress should have chosen an eminent Muslim or Tribal face to represent their own concern and hit Modi but they are short of original ideas that Modi has in plenty. Now opposition looks a copy cat with sullen face and Nitish, instead of feeling embarrassed, has exposed opposition by commenting that they are putting up a Bihar ki Beti for being defeated. To top it already there is twitter grapevine on Meira Kumar occupying illegally two bungalows not paying rent that could hurt the nominee. Whether allegations are true or not what matters is interpretation given to Ram Nath Kovind nomination that it is a caste based card. It was more than that since he had other experience and competence to claim as candidate of a party that he served. It is still hoped that caste will not be in the forefront but eligibility of the nominees to deserve the post will ultimately matter. That apart the combination of supporting parties has given a clear lead to Modi led coalition.
Bus Stand
First Passenger: If an MLA inaugurates a school and next day a minister too does the same, what is the race for cutting ribbons
Second Passenger: Even CM may like to inaugurate the same later. Himachal has a tradition of inaugurating the same project a number of times as politicians like funfair.
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