The word ‘Discrimination’ in itself refers to prejudice and bias. It is unjust and indifferent towards some particular category of people on many grounds like – race, sex, caste or even disability etc. Here today, we are concerned about the discrimination amongst 6various castes. Caste discrimination is not legit. With education and industrialization, the caste system is slowly disappearing but some prominent remnants of it are still out there.
“In modern Indian society, which is gradually becoming homogenous, the traditional barriers of religion, community and caste are slowly dissipating away” – J. Pratibha M. Singh, on Nation-wide implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
WHAT IS CASTE?
The word ‘caste’ has been derived from the Spanish word “Casta” which means “Race of Breed”. Caste is one of the traditional social classes into which people are divided irrespective of their faith.
MEANING OF CASTE DISCRIMINATION
Caste discrimination involves massive violations of civil, political, social and cultural rights. Caste affected communities are denied a life with dignity and equality. Those at the bottom are considered lesser human beings, impure and polluting to upper caste groups.
CONSEQUENCES OF CASTE DISCRIMINATION
· Hinders economic progress
· This leads to the negligence of talents and efficiency
· Encourages moral degeneration
· Acts against the spirit of democracy
· Hinders the National Unity.
On the concerned topic, Karnataka high Court says that there shall be no discrimination between castes by the State Government for setting up financial corporations, as a Constitutional binding.
On July 12, The State Government is questioned by The Karnataka High Court about the logical basis upon which the State is giving priority to certain communities in setting up financial corporations.
The legal validation of such corporations formulated by the State is put into question time and again in the Court, filing an array of PILs (Public Interest Litigation(s)) creating individual castes, communities or religions, the beneficiary.
Chief justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj of the Divisional Bench questioned the reason for such selections in the Caste, basis of such priority, also, if there is any policy available for such selection and so on.
“Why only these castes are chosen? What is the basis of the priority? Why these communities are chosen… Is there any policy for choosing the caste of the community?”
Ashok Haranhalli, a Senior Advocate appeared for Karnataka Maratha development Authority, Karnataka Aryavysya Community Development Corporation, Karnataka Vishwakarma Communities Development Corporation Limited, Karnataka State Christian Development Board, Karnataka Brahmin Development Board, the caste-based financial corporations.
To this, the Karnataka High Court says there shall be no discrimination between castes by the State Government for setting up financial corporations. States are under the purview of Constitutional bounds which cannot be traversed.
Haranhalli prudently replied that the creation of a corporation merely, cannot have a faulty tag and refuted any question of discrimination.
The fact that all the petitions lack the specification, in the arena which is against the public interest, was brought to light.
It was also contended that it depends on the budgetary allocations in each financial year that as to what funds are to be given to which community, Legislature decides these. Any interference with the State Government’s setting up a corporation can bring up interference with the Appropriation Act.
Earlier, The Karnataka High Court had also rebuked the State government to restrict the establishment of financial corporations for weaker sections of only two castes.
A further hearing is scheduled for July 15.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
· Awareness must be raised among the population.
· Policy-makers must work towards equitable distribution.
· Fueling tension by political parties should be banned.
· Education and entitled fundamental rights.
CONCLUSION
Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution of India has a provision that prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
If any person or a community, in general, is discriminated against, it is illegal and it defeats the purpose of the equality clause as a Fundamental Right. Our Nation has unity in diversity, but many a time it appears as if this concept is a mirage. Everything is getting evolved more and more each day then why don’t we widen our thoughts open our minds and find unity in oneness.
One may ignore the mere presence of casteism and untouchability from the position of privilege, but it is right there under our noses. We tend to jump to the topics of reservation whenever anything related to castism comes up, we do not acknowledge that fact that why is it there, what was the need to introduce reservations in the first place. The answer is shockingly simple, to undo centuries of oppression towards the Dalits and Adivasis. We all are equal contributors to the economy.
If all the Dalits and Adivasis stop working even for just 24 hours, the system will crash. So, when the circumstances are symbiotic, why not treat them with proper respect and change our mentality. There is no such thing as caste, it is all in our head it’s an abstract.