Caste Census and Bharatiya Value System
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-Dr Ayush
But, suppression of humanity in the interest of caste is evil. Indeed, a diverse country must make appropriate arrangements to fulfil all necessities and to provide for protecting the interests of all cross sections of the society. Government policies provide for all necessities and protect all interests. Therefore, statistical data of such target groups become a vitally important factor to chalk out policies while keeping diversity in mind.
In several states of Bharat, casteism and caste discrimination has reached its peak. Consider this, if an influential person belonging to X caste murders a member of Y caste, people belonging to the X caste, who have not been witnesses to the incident, do attach sympathies and extend their support to the killer without having complete knowledge of the facts of the case. Under such circumstances, their rational thinking fails to enable them to take a stand in favor of a fair and unbiased investigation and ostracise the killer who has maligned their entire caste. Indeed, castes would have proved to be positive social institutions had such rationality prevailed. Every organization, be it formal or informal, which takes the toll of reasonability is a threat to a progressive society.
While discussing the caste census, technical issues that have been listed earlier in this article must also be discussed. The main reason why the statistics of the caste census conducted in the year 2011 have not been made public is because it revealed a larger number of castes than the number of classified castes (No clear basis has been provided for that classification too). Besides, there are other reasons for not publishing the census data. These reasons include misunderstanding of the majority of the people belonging to the target group that their caste is linked to their occupation, the basis for determining the caste of women married to a person of other castes, confusion as to in which category the newly emerging castes should be included and the existence of several castes which do not have even 100 members.
This clearly shows that caste census is not adequately effective for protecting the interests of the target groups. Besides addressing these technical issues, making an attempt to find answers to a few social issues too is important. The most important social issue relating to the caste census is what would be the effect of caste census on the society in general. We have already mentioned the issues of suppression of human values and loss of reasonability due to the caste systems.
If caste discrimination finds its way into the implementation of development schemes, the needy target groups would suffer. Immediate attempts for abolition of such strongly divisive and negative factors are essential in the present era, when concept like Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam are focal points of cultural discussions. As already stated in this article, diversity need not be negative. However, if the diversity is harmful to unity, integrity and dedication to the nation, if it is adversely affecting the bond of integrity, attempts to bring an end to such diversity must be made. Progress in the 21st Century cannot be harmful to rationality.
If castes are capable of being predominant over humanity and deviating us from human values, we must strive to uphold its positive aspect and battle out the negative factors. Statistics of caste census (larger number of castes than expected categories) are slated to widen the gaps. Besides, if the target groups comprise of even 50-60 castes with less than 100 members, would it be advisable to activate the schemes for such communities differently? Chalking out the policies in such a manner would be like drafting a different policy for every individual. The State must focus itself on issues such as uplifting the physically challenged, empowerment of women, national security, curbing bribery, policy for transgender, laws to curb corruption.
Deviating from these issues and parroting demand for caste census appears to be proving a better option for some. The aim of development for all human beings is far more comprehensive and real. Focussing on development for castes results in concentrating on political gains instead of achieving comprehensive progress, this has been happening for the last several years. Therefore, an all-out attempt to end the discrimination and tread on the path of development and progress using the philosophy of Integral Humanism propagated by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya as a guiding light is essential for us.
The author is Assistant Professor in Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University located in Bhagalpur, Bihar)
Bharat is a diverse country. It is a nation adorned by diverse religions, cultures, faiths, opinions and sects. Therefore, she is often referred to as ‘The Land of Diversity’. The Sanskrit phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. “The Entire World Is One Family” aptly summarises the essence of Bharatiya culture. Conversion of the Varna system into Caste system and the continuous increase in the number of castes due to hybrid marriages may be seen as a positive sign for Bharatiya diversity.
However, it is also plagued with several negative aspects such as the castes getting prominence over humanity and suppression of human values on the basis of castes. Bharat has witnessed several incidents highlighting the negative aspect of her diversity wherein support was extended to criminals on the basis of caste or benefits were given to people on the basis of caste while ignoring the criteria of merit. Formation of communities on the basis of caste is not necessarily evil.
But, suppression of humanity in the interest of caste is evil. Indeed, a diverse country must make appropriate arrangements to fulfil all necessities and to provide for protecting the interests of all cross sections of the society. Government policies provide for all necessities and protect all interests. Therefore, statistical data of such target groups become a vitally important factor to chalk out policies while keeping diversity in mind.
If this rationale is applied, caste census proves to be a necessity in view of the caste diversity. However, consideration of various other factors too is important. These factors include what are the technical preparations needed for the caste census; whether the term ‘caste’ has been defined officially; is any model for classification of castes available; whether the procedure of preparing for conducting the census provides adequate time to impart training to the census officers; whether the target group is informed about the basis of castes; what will be the impact of a caste census on the society in general and what would be its effect on the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam that is the essence of Bharatiya culture, humanity, national integrity and Bharatiya value system.
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In several states of Bharat, casteism and caste discrimination has reached its peak. Consider this, if an influential person belonging to X caste murders a member of Y caste, people belonging to the X caste, who have not been witnesses to the incident, do attach sympathies and extend their support to the killer without having complete knowledge of the facts of the case. Under such circumstances, their rational thinking fails to enable them to take a stand in favor of a fair and unbiased investigation and ostracise the killer who has maligned their entire caste. Indeed, castes would have proved to be positive social institutions had such rationality prevailed. Every organization, be it formal or informal, which takes the toll of reasonability is a threat to a progressive society.
While discussing the caste census, technical issues that have been listed earlier in this article must also be discussed. The main reason why the statistics of the caste census conducted in the year 2011 have not been made public is because it revealed a larger number of castes than the number of classified castes (No clear basis has been provided for that classification too). Besides, there are other reasons for not publishing the census data. These reasons include misunderstanding of the majority of the people belonging to the target group that their caste is linked to their occupation, the basis for determining the caste of women married to a person of other castes, confusion as to in which category the newly emerging castes should be included and the existence of several castes which do not have even 100 members.
This clearly shows that caste census is not adequately effective for protecting the interests of the target groups. Besides addressing these technical issues, making an attempt to find answers to a few social issues too is important. The most important social issue relating to the caste census is what would be the effect of caste census on the society in general. We have already mentioned the issues of suppression of human values and loss of reasonability due to the caste systems.
If caste discrimination finds its way into the implementation of development schemes, the needy target groups would suffer. Immediate attempts for abolition of such strongly divisive and negative factors are essential in the present era, when concept like Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam are focal points of cultural discussions. As already stated in this article, diversity need not be negative. However, if the diversity is harmful to unity, integrity and dedication to the nation, if it is adversely affecting the bond of integrity, attempts to bring an end to such diversity must be made. Progress in the 21st Century cannot be harmful to rationality.
If castes are capable of being predominant over humanity and deviating us from human values, we must strive to uphold its positive aspect and battle out the negative factors. Statistics of caste census (larger number of castes than expected categories) are slated to widen the gaps. Besides, if the target groups comprise of even 50-60 castes with less than 100 members, would it be advisable to activate the schemes for such communities differently? Chalking out the policies in such a manner would be like drafting a different policy for every individual. The State must focus itself on issues such as uplifting the physically challenged, empowerment of women, national security, curbing bribery, policy for transgender, laws to curb corruption.
Deviating from these issues and parroting demand for caste census appears to be proving a better option for some. The aim of development for all human beings is far more comprehensive and real. Focussing on development for castes results in concentrating on political gains instead of achieving comprehensive progress, this has been happening for the last several years. Therefore, an all-out attempt to end the discrimination and tread on the path of development and progress using the philosophy of Integral Humanism propagated by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya as a guiding light is essential for us.
The author is Assistant Professor in Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University located in Bhagalpur, Bihar)