Of Cast(e) Offs and Hand-me-downs

This is a really difficult piece to write, partly because I still haven't entirely figured out my own thoughts on the subject and partly because at many levels I stubbornly refuse to mutely accept the forced chains of tradition with regard to lineage and rights.

In an earlier post I wrote about the need to include one's caste in the ongoing census in India. To me, it was simple: if you want to integrate marginalized and excluded communities (solely as defined by our unique caste system) into "mainstream" economic channels and social activities, how will you identify who they are? How will you ensure that the real deserving and needy get access to special economic schemes and opportunities targeted at them? And so I saw a self-reported caste count as a step toward better ‘identification’ of these oppressed groups. But this issue on caste in the census has unfolded like a can of worms and its likely going to derail the development process with its endless debates and disruptions. Whether or not we should promote inclusive long-term and sustainable development on the basis of caste, creed, gender or religion is another matter (for the record, its one that I do not agree with - I only support a society built on the strength of its human resource with investments in their future and creation of opportunities for all, irrespective of the origins of its people). The fact however is, in our country, we hail reservations (affirmative action), the women's reservation bill, creations of new and further sub-divisions of existing religious groups and other such exercises undertaken periodically. We also routinely discriminate on the basis of one's geographical origin (“she's from there”, eyes rolled), skin colour (I get aggravated by the numerous skin lightening products in the market, more so when promoted by supposedly leading figures from the entertainment world – get real, people!) as if those parameters in themselves should demarcate any person from the rest of us. And could women in India please put an end to believing that white = good marriage proposal/ good job/good life? Seriously. That would give these overnight wonder white products a run for their money.

So what is caste? Is it merely a statement of the occupational and hierarchical heritage handed down to us by our ancestors? Is it a reflection of our DNA? Both? Neither? Why can’t caste be replaced with economic parameters? Are the recent violent khap panchayat diktats handed out on any scientific understanding of the situation or are they (yet another) form of bullying by mostly male members of two consenting adults who choose to live together and/or marry? When we automatically spew out our caste (known to us only anecdotally any way), do we care to understand if it is relevant in our lives? I’m interested in knowing more about the origins of this system and its intended functions, limitations. What upsets me is if somebody says that a warrior’s son can only be a warrior and cannot convert. I cannot change unless I marry somebody from a different caste and then have to ‘automatically’ assume his caste (or everybody around me assumes it on my behalf!). This is so outdated what with many married women (including myself) not taking their husbands names and families becoming more and more nuclear, a little less focused on what was and a little more focused what we will be.

A few words on religion (this, by the way, is intrinsically linked to caste in our great nation). I’ll stick to Hinduism, that’s what I was initiated into from childhood. Why don’t some of our temple authorities allow certain sections of our society to enter their premises? Faith is faith – is it any different when coming from a dark-skinned individual or a ‘supposedly’ low caste child or women in general? (I say supposedly because I will not adhere to this pre-determined grading system). Temple donations are not indicative of one’s belief; in fact, there are hundreds who give simply in the spirit of giving out of the glare of media. I always thought that temple priests were the epitome of cleanliness and wisdom, symbolizing the word “sacred”. So what/who allows them to show up at work unkempt, filthy-mouthed, blatantly abusing the power vested in them? Who allows them to push around devotees because they can’t be bothered to put in overtime on a busy day? What prevents more women from taking this up as a profession? The deep-rooted exclusion which is ever-present, yet, which we pretend doesn’t exist. Too much needs to change, and quickly.

I’ll sign off with the hope that during the next census round, I’ll be interviewed by a lady who has broken all stereotypes: she’s dark-skinned and overcome obstacles both financially and socially, she’s educated and gone ahead and she’s cast off any doubts that one might have about her aptitude or knowledge. She drinks water from a glass that I would use. I hope that irrespective of my response to her question of caste; she allows herself to consider me as an equal, an Indian.