Caste away

Since we all like talking about being deep in shit, let’s take a look at the issue from arse-upwards. Let us look at it from the end point.
When our beloved government came to power along with their Communist comrades, there was a talk about introducing reservations in the private sector! How brilliant is that!
Like most of the problems dogging us, the reservation issue too is a result of someone else’s petty politics. Arjun Singh, VP Singh one and the same thing. I was skimming through another incredibly boring edition of The Week magazine and I found a useful bit of news. Apparently, the last caste based census was conducted in 1931. Since us Indians have demonstrated that it is possible to multiply like the rabbits and beat the rabbits at their own game, the data from the 1931 census is as useful as the dinosaur census.
Today, who are these backward castes? How do you identify them? The present time is handing out jobs for all regardless of social classifications. The system today is arguably quite impartial. When was the last time you had to name your caste on the CV?
There is an urgent need for the policy makers to forge their balls in steel and re-define and restate that instead of backward castes, we are better off with a Backward class reservation. Many families from the upper castes live in abject poverty. Conversely, numerous families from the lower castes have done well economically.

This is an excerpt from the Indian Constitution:

Legal identification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Selection criteria for scheduled castes
1. Cannot be served by clean Brahmans
2. Cannot be served by the barbers, water-carriers, tailors, etc. who serve the caste Hindus
3. Pollutes a high-caste Hindu by contact or by proximity
4. Is one from whose hands a caste Hindu cannot take water
5. Is debarred from using public amenities such as roads, ferries, wells, or schools
6. Will not be treated as an equal by high-caste men of the same educational qualification in ordinary social intercourse
7. Is depressed on account of the occupation followed and, but for that, occupation would be subject to no social disability
Selection criteria for scheduled tribes
1. Tribal origin
2. Primitive ways of life and habitation in remote and less accessible areas
3. General backwardness in all respects
Source: Constitution of India


Now that you have read the above, the whole issue of SC/ST OBC reservations looks like fresh horse manure. We have not changed our definitions with changing times and rocketing economy. Lets have a small section of our resources reserved for people who are lagging behind. But NOT without changing the criteria for the eligibility.

Alright alright, I’m talking through my bum. If we had a temper for change even Mandal would not have happened.

Since the last few generations, we highly privileged upper caste back benchers, have quietly accepted reservation policies and vote bank politics. By now most of us have realized that in this country where votes are catalyzed with arrack sachets, it is unfair to expect political leaders to stand up for us. Weeks have passed and no leader has spoken yet. Surprisingly, the supposed couch potato generation has found its guts. For me it was simply unbelievable to see our friends unite in different parts of the nation, making silent protests. The very manner in which the protests were done makes me proud to say that I belong to this generation. Gandhi is passé.
I cannot really speculate about the outcome of this mass movement. Maybe we will be victorious and can force a fair policy. Maybe we will all be brushed aside in the interest of national disintegration. Whatever it is, surely we must not stop now. I am not expecting a miracle to happen. Some where in the corner of my mind, I realize that a real solution to this problem can be arrived at only if the real OBC voice their opinion through real people (not some farce political party or leader). I am sure that most OBC today, are tired of being insulted with free quotas. Of course, everyone’s conscience knows that real equality is when you are neither privileged nor deprived. An OBC doesn’t really want his intelligence and ego hurt by being labelled the caste which needs a push to clear exams, get through professional courses AND a push to get a job.
This mass movement should have been by OBC and not the so called upper caste. It is the OBC who should have protested the perpetual insult programme. They should come forward and ask their guardian angels like Arjun Singh to piss off. It is only they who can put an end to this.

My two cents.....