Callings from the Gangetic Plains…

How far has Capitalism diluted caste instincts in India? Or the issue of Caste- the genius of social administration in Gandhi’s words, a matter of generating concern for both fear and freedom? Or are the chest thumbing secularists and die-hard fans of equality betraying a skewed and confused attitude towards the pertinent question on caste? Arundhati Roys’ exemplary introduction of Annihilation of Caste brings forth some underlying fine issues, which by and large, escape through the daily chanting and dilly- dallying of nationalism and national idols.

The general elections 2014 brought down single handedly all the noise and zest of caste politics in India, but that does not mean Indians in general have grown matured in their caste sensibilities. Hitherto, caste clouts have worked in tandem to assure political and economic bargaining in India. The gruesome gang rape and the open hanging of two dalit girls in Uttar Pradesh have given a good vent to fuel the issue like the forgotten but erstwhile important and decisive Muzzafarnagar riots. The Gangetic Plains is a well known fertile ground not only for grains but also for political gain cropping. Like a Product Life Cycle, every political idea too has its own shelf life. Is caste politics on the ebb of fading or is it forcibly made to fade? Hence, if successful in its efforts, the Government at the centre would shower some bliss and peace in the caste torn horror pradesh! Politics of caste annihilated. Annihilation of Caste means peace (says Ms. Roy).  But from where it is annihilated is an important question to answer.

Once upon a time, in a far away land, religion was seen as an opium and it was forcefully annihilated from the political background to smoothen and speed up decision making, bring about development and unveil the might of a Super Power. Alas! What was thought to be forcefully annihilated had found a hiding place well in advance- in the minds of the people. And the opium worked well there. It worked so well such that the annihilator became the annihilated like the way a predator becomes the prey in the same loop. Lesson- political and economic reforms need to be preceded and not succeeded by social reforms.

 Well, what has that to do with our economic development and vision for the future? Less government and more governance, but let’s not forget Ambedkar (not for his caste politics), who vehemently voiced for a social reform before starting the engines of political and economic reforms. We have experimented with several permutations and combinations, ab ki baar social reforms se  kyu na shuru kare?