Academic-political mafias of caste

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Academic-political mafias of caste

Sunday, 12 June 2022 | Ashwani Kumar

Academic-political mafias of caste

Dr Ambedkar wanted his disciples and followers to work for annihilation of caste. But there are ecosystems in some academic institutions where some of the academic bigwigs promote such research which not only encourages divisive agendas but inculcates hatred for other castes

Since time immemorial, man has been raking his brains trying to find the answers to questions pertaining to his existence and his relative identity. In documented evolutionary history also, innumerable thinkers, philosophers, saints, scientists, etc, have pondered over the issue and provided their observations on the subject depending upon their capacity and bent of mind.

From “god’s creation” to “creation of god”, from religion to science, from forms to formlessness, man has left no stone unturned to understand this web of his identity and being. Before, he could settle such deep and dense spiritual questions, more trouble came his way in the form of societal identities. These self-created identities have brought with them all sorts of superiority and inferiority complexes.

Indian history and mythology are nothing if not a grand testimony of co-existence between various castes, belief systems, religions (if Buddhism and Jainism are to be considered separate religions) and cultural groups despite their differences, occasional skirmishes and conflicts.

The amalgamation of post-colonial socio-political developments and modern scientific advances have provided a never before opportunity to both individuals and societies to ponder over issues related to indigenous socio-religious identities in both global and glocal perspectives.

In Indian context, this much-needed exercise is extremely crucial specially in handling sensitive issues like clan, caste and religion, etc.

During the last 75 years or so, Indian society has witnessed tremendous changes in its social structures and social values. Metropolitan cities have become casteless. Some studies have abortively attempted to interpret their data to show that the majority of the poor clusters belong to a particular caste or religion. The reservation, education and ever increasing job opportunities have impacted the interior corners of the country too.

Of course, major social changes sometimes take hundreds of years. One thing is sure that India has definitely taken a giant leap towards castelessness within such a short span of 70 odd years.

The academic and political mafias are the biggest hindrances in finishing the evil of caste. Dr Ambedkar wanted his disciples and followers to work for annihilation of caste. But there are ecosystems in some academic institutions where some of the academic bigwigs promote such research which not only encourages divisive agendas but inculcates hatred for other castes. It requires absolutely no rocket science to understand that there are many caste based political parties and political figures for whom socially divided caste based society is oxygen. And, time and again such policies and programmes have been framed in the past which have played a major role in widening the social divides. In other words, willingly political mafias have made communities stand in front of each other with daggers.

Coming to the post 2014 era where the Government has been trying to do away with caste politics with the motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Viswaas”, the castiest narrative builders have got tremors in their stomach. The underlying message is that India cannot progress if we Indians keep fighting for our communities against each other instead of coming together for each other.

On a deeper psychological level, the efforts of the government towards making India self-reliant can be seen as an inspiration where the government wants to decolonise the young minds as individuals as well as communities.

Of course, we all have every right to agree or disagree with the government’s policies but most importantly, the Narendra Modi Government has shown a way forward towards castelessness where the Government treats one and all as equal citizens, and it is the requisite of “raj dharma” also, as given in the ancient Indian scriptures.

 

(The writer is Research Assistant, Indian Council of Social Science Research, The views expressed are personal)

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