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Race against caste - Subverse - Opinion - The Times of India
The coincidental juxtapositioning of the racist attacks on Indian students in Australia, and the riots that flared across north India last month when members of the Dera Sach Khand, a Sikh sect comprised largely of Dalits, went on the rampage following the killing of one of their community leaders in far-off Austria, once again raises the question: Is racism the same as casteism?
Though racism continues to be practised in many parts of the world, after the end of apartheid in South Africa it has no fig leaf of political or social legitimacy. Formations like the British National Party (which has recently, for the first time, won two seats in the European Parliament) have racism as their hidden agenda; they cannot openly espouse it but disguise it under the garb of the need for stricter immigration control, and the imperative to preserve the cultural norms of the majority (white) community. The overtly racist Ku Klux Klan in America operates under the cover of anonymous masks.
As an officially sanctioned doctrine, racism has ceased to exist in the world. That it continues to be practised, in Australia and elsewhere, is deplorable, to say the least. But the forces of liberalism can at least claim a shambolic victory in that they have driven racism underground, made it the criminalised territory of mindless thugs and goons.
While organisations such as Amnesty International have equated casteism (particularly as practised against Dalits) with racism, India's official position is that the two cannot be compared. In support of this stand, policymakers point out that the Indian Constitution specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste.
How valid is this argument? Tragically, not very. To begin with, the constitutionally-guaranteed policy of reservations (which continues in expanded mode till now) is in itself an admission of the need to protect lower castes from upper caste discrimination. Casteism, particularly as practised against Dalits, continues to be one of the ugliest stains on our supposedly secular and democratic social fabric. Dalits are routinely attacked, raped, denied entry into temples, and forced to suffer endless humiliations. That 'token' Dalits be it Jagjivan Ram, or Meira Kumar, or even the feisty Mayawati have earned prominent positions for themselves in our political sphere only makes the plight of the vast majority of this brutally downtrodden community all the more agonising.
In many ways, casteism is far more deeply entrenched than racism. Racism is based on the difference of physical characteristics, such as the colour of one's skin. Such visible differences, however, can be obliterated, or at least mitigated, by economic and other factors. For instance, thanks to Japan's 'economic miracle' which made that country one of the richest in the world, the apartheid regime in South Africa accorded Japanese the status of 'honorary Caucasians' who were not subject to Pretoria's segregatory laws.
There is no difference in skin colour, or in DNA, or in any other physical characteristic, between a Dalit and a Brahmin. Yet the social chasm between the two has remained unbridged for millennia. And will probably remain so in perpetuity, no matter what economic advances Dalits make.
So Indian officialdom is right when it says that racism and casteism can't be equated. They can't. For the simple reason that casteism is far more overtly rampant, more widespread and more accepted (at least in India) and more deeply ingrained in our polity than racism is anywhere in the world.
And there is one particular caste in India which, in some ways, is as equally if not more oppressed than Dalits. It is a caste that is routinely burnt alive, killed in the womb, beaten, sexually violated and often subject to lifelong abuse and deprivation. It is a caste called women.
Also the existence of reservation indicates the presence of the curse.
Fateh,your words are true.....but don't you think educational reservations or quota sd be based on,financial grounds??.....in a modern and secular india......certain things need to change in due course of time.,....otherwise the crorepati sc,obc,and st's are gonna **** all over india,once they pass out as doctors or engineers........in certain govt jobs,even promotion is granted on reservation basis......are all this needed for a growing india??
Now Indians are labeling Lebanese youths in Australia as racists.
Indians in Australia say Lebanese youths behind attacks - Indians Abroad - World - The Times of India
SYDNEY: Indian students on Thursday alleged that Lebanese youths were behind the attacks on them here as they took to streets for the third consecutive night protesting against racial attacks.
The spate of racial attacks against Indians spread to Sydney after members of the community were targeted in Melbourne.
Scores of Indian students on Wednesday night took to the streets of Harris Park in Sydney for third consecutive night to protest racially-motivated attacks against them by Lebanese youths. The protesters alleged that police were ignoring their pleas for protection.
The protests came a day after PM Kevin Rudd warned Indian students against vigilante action to prevent attacks against them. Indian protesters continue to say they were being attacked by Lebanese youths. A man, who took part in the protest, was issued with a court notice for carrying an offensive weapon after being allegedly found with a piece of timber during a police search.
Meanwhile, Parramatta city council held a meeting with police, Indias consul general and members of Sydneys Indian community, with organisers saying students had agreed to stop protest rallies. Earlier on Tuesday, over 70 Indians had gathered at same place after rumours of a man being killed in an attack on an Indian cleaner in Warwick Farm.
I will not be surprised if Indians will start blaming the Chinese also after a few days. I will not be surprised if Indians finally demand the Australian govt to kick out all non-Indian foreign students. Only Indians can say which nation is the next target.
All is well as long as your house is not burning..!!!! Cut the crap buddy..!!!
Now Indians are labeling Lebanese youths in Australia as racists.
Indians in Australia say Lebanese youths behind attacks - Indians Abroad - World - The Times of India
SYDNEY: Indian students on Thursday alleged that Lebanese youths were behind the attacks on them here as they took to streets for the third consecutive night protesting against racial attacks.
The spate of racial attacks against Indians spread to Sydney after members of the community were targeted in Melbourne.
Scores of Indian students on Wednesday night took to the streets of Harris Park in Sydney for third consecutive night to protest racially-motivated attacks against them by Lebanese youths. The protesters alleged that police were ignoring their pleas for protection.
The protests came a day after PM Kevin Rudd warned Indian students against “vigilante action” to prevent attacks against them. Indian protesters continue to say they were being attacked by Lebanese youths. A man, who took part in the protest, was issued with a court notice for carrying an offensive weapon after being allegedly found with a piece of timber during a police search.
Meanwhile, Parramatta city council held a meeting with police, India’s consul general and members of Sydney’s Indian community, with organisers saying students had agreed to stop protest rallies. Earlier on Tuesday, over 70 Indians had gathered at same place after rumours of a man being killed in an attack on an Indian cleaner in Warwick Farm.
I will not be surprised if Indians will start blaming the Chinese also after a few days. I will not be surprised if Indians finally demand the Australian govt to kick out all non-Indian foreign students. Only Indians can say which nation is the next target.
I will not be surprised if Indians will start blaming the Chinese also after a few days. I will not be surprised if Indians finally demand the Australian govt to kick out all non-Indian foreign students. Only Indians can say which nation is the next target.
Here we go again with the fair skin argument, there is already a thread the talks a whole lot of bull crap!!!
Regarding Racism, Racism is a universal treat among human beings, not only in India but every country. And this is one for you Mr. Communist, Even in China if you are not a Hun, then you are treated as inferior. Where a non Hun can become a doctor, but has to work in a factory because he is not a HUN.