P.K MAM
A classless and casteless society in India envisions eliminating social hierarchies based on economic class and caste, ensuring equal opportunities and status for all individuals, regardless of background. Caste, deeply ingrained in Indian society, divides people into hierarchical groups with limited mobility, but a casteless society aims to abolish this system, promoting equality and dignity for everyone. Often, there is fervent discourse influencing both political and social circles regarding the concept of classless or casteless society. It is intriguing to ponder why this topic holds such significance in India. Do other nations truly escape the grip of discrimination, leaving us uniquely entrenched in debates over equality? Are our societal structures primarily shaped by genetic predispositions or by the environments that nurture us? This nuanced interplay between nature and nurture forms the crux of our quest for equality. Let us delve into this discourse with an open mind. In 1967-68, during my undergraduate studies, we studied the drama or comedy “Admirable Crichton” by J. M. Barrie in our English subject. Its theme vividly portrayed the transformation of an Aristocratic English family to a state of Nature when shipwrecked on a desert island and their former butler, Crichton, assumes authority. Others willingly become slaves to their former butler. However, upon returning to society, the power dynamics shift once more. It was demonstrated that the dynamics between master and subordinate persist indefinitely. This narrative underscores the challenge of achieving a classless society. Despite shared origins, individuals’ destinies diverge due to societal structures and occupational demands. Merit, hard work, and intelligence should prevail over artificial societal constructs. Consider this scenario, wherein, a Brahmin, traditionally viewed as high caste, has four children. While three excel intellectually, one faces physical deformity since birth, leading to limited opportunities. Like so, life’s journey is multifaceted, encompassing various joys, sorrows, and unexpected turns. Whether it’s overcoming illness, experiencing accidents, or encountering miraculous recoveries, these events shape destinies beyond birth circumstances alone. Conversely, the opposite could also be true. Thus, the law of equality extends beyond birth defects to encompass life’s unpredictable journey, where both adversity and fortune mould individual destinies. Pertinent to note that if the foundation of Dharma relies on blind faith, harmful traditions, selfishness, conservative views, false convictions, and policies without argumentation, then the destruction of society starts quickly. A significant question arises: how will conflicts between lower castes and within lower castes themselves be resolved ? Even within the same social groups, divisions persist; some may possess resourcefulness, intelligence, and a strong work ethic, while others do not. These disparities exist across religions as well, such as between backward Muslims and Pasmanda Muslims. Thus, despite shared backgrounds, inequalities persist, highlighting the need for equitable policies and social reform. Man is intelligent only in one aspect: he attempts to rationalize his follies. Even when he takes someone’s life, he rationalizes his actions! Additionally, are anti-poverty policies not the best antidote to historical wrongs? In our fast-paced technological era, let’s refrain from perpetuating needless divisions within society. Hatred and animosity only serve the interests of a few, leading to societal degradation fuelled by power-intoxication and greed. Instead, let’s strive for a cohesive and fruitful society, requiring collective consciousness and cooperation from every section, including religious bodies. Determined and honest efforts are essential for creating a more equitable future. Caste privilege takes on the shape of a debate on MERIT, which overlooks the point that merit is not a standalone product, instead, it is shaped by the opportunities and advantages that individuals inherit or are denied from previous generations. For example, someone born into a family with access to quality education, healthcare, nutrition, support structures and mentorship is more likely to develop the skills and abilities that are deemed meritorious in society. The world outside campus walls must genuinely eschew social and caste discrimination. Importance must be given to creating a broader societal environment that actively opposes and abstains from discriminatory practices, acknowledging that discrimination is not confined to academic settings but permeates various aspects of life. Although a cast-less society will be ideal to dream of, but the policies of our erstwhile governments since independence hasn’t helped in that directions, the inequalities among various strata of people persisting in the societies can’t be ignored. There is no denying the fact that non-existence of level playing field among the lower strata of societies – be it SC,/ST, OBC etc proves to be the biggest impediment in removing inequalities among the society, thereby waning poverty completely. While as giving reservations was one way of providing a level playing field to downtrodden, thus, enabling them to compete with the privileged class, but the way the reservation policy has been implemented, it stands grossly misused right from ab initio. The fact that benefit of reservation is being availed by 2nd/3rd generations of bureaucrats, high ranking government officials has simply defeated the whole purpose of reservation, let us not forget that even Baba Sahib Ambedkar had advocated for reservation just for a period of 10 years. Meanwhile, PM Modi declared poverty as the biggest Caste, underscoring his administration’s non-discriminatory approach to welfarism. His administration took several notable steps to promote inclusivity and upliftment. One significant accomplishment was the appointment of a woman president of India from a less privileged class. Additionally, the appointment of Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, who comes from the (OBC), as the President of India was another significant milestone in promoting social equality and representation. These actions reflect the government’s efforts to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens. Focusing on practical solutions and emphasizing the importance of collective progress rather than exacerbating tensions between different sections of society is crucial for fostering unity and cooperation. By promoting policies that benefit everyone and encouraging a mindset of mutual support and shared goals, we can work towards building a more cohesive and prosperous society. Conclusion: It’s imperative to strive for a more equitable society by implementing policies that ensure access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for all. Promotion of cultural practices and traditions that celebrate diversity and inclusivity while rejecting caste-based discrimination will also boost more equitable society. Encouraging cultural movements that challenge oppressive social norms and promote equality and justice has to be encouraged. Additionally, considering the transfer of resources from state or community ownership for the common good can contribute to this goal. Above all, it’s essential to focus on boosting morale, fostering hard work, honesty, motivation, and inspiration rather than solely relying on handouts or undeserved benefits in the tech competitive world.
