When I was in Ghana, Africa, I was faced with the question of whether there were dalits (untouchables) in India. I said what I know that is that Gandhiji abolished untouchability way back and it is illegal to treat any one like a dalit. Technically dalits do not exist in India any more since independence.
But the reality is all Indians know what dalit means. To make repairs to the dalit community for being treated badly forever, the Indian government follows reservation policies which make room for dalits for jobs without the expected levels of merit required for those jobs. Thus, Indians understand what dalits are. I am ashamed to know about this shameful concept but cannot ignore the fact that I know it. Reservations has helped change fate of the dalits to some extend but Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian constitution did not require reservation to become who he was. A lot of dalits have changed their fates by migrating etc etc.
Gandhiji was a noble soul. When he got treated as a second class citizen by the British, he decided to make sure dalits were treated better. This is not necessarily the reaction for all. Most people when they get treated badly treat their subordinates even worse. But dalits got their freedom without fully fighting for it. The dalits never got a chance to demand equality. On the other hand civil rights movements in America and South Africa reflects clearly without a doubt the common man's desire to be treated equally and with dignity. Hence these are better evolved societies.
No comments:
Post a Comment