"Nineteen percent of households belong to a scheduled caste, 8 percent belong to a scheduled tribe, and 40 percent belong to other backward classes (OBC). Only one-third of India’s households do not belong to the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, or other backward classes."
How many of these one-third are well-off? And how many of them get the kind of privileges that I get? Bull-shitting around with all the money of the world and weaving frivolous stories around pointless crap!
For two weeks now, I am studying literature on the current state of dalits in India. Living in this country can be such a bloody exasperating experience that I am in a state of disbelief right now. A small example - many dalits convert to Christianity to get rid of the caste that makes their lives miserable. But if they are living in rural areas, it does not make a difference at all. They are still considered to be the scum of the society and are treated the same way. The government denies them of whatever little privileges and benefits that dalits are otherwise eligible for, and does not register any violence against them under the sole Act (Prevention of Atrocities Act) that is made for them. The society does not accept them as Christians, and the government does not accept them as dalits. Running from pillar to post - not to get a bill cleared, but for their identities and an opportunity for a decent living. I mean, even wikipedia has the term 'upper caste Christians' on it! We're quite a unique nation. And these things are so deeply set in our minds that I really wonder if we will EVER be able to get rid of these issues. Suddenly clean drinking water seems like a much more achievable goal.
How many of these one-third are well-off? And how many of them get the kind of privileges that I get? Bull-shitting around with all the money of the world and weaving frivolous stories around pointless crap!
For two weeks now, I am studying literature on the current state of dalits in India. Living in this country can be such a bloody exasperating experience that I am in a state of disbelief right now. A small example - many dalits convert to Christianity to get rid of the caste that makes their lives miserable. But if they are living in rural areas, it does not make a difference at all. They are still considered to be the scum of the society and are treated the same way. The government denies them of whatever little privileges and benefits that dalits are otherwise eligible for, and does not register any violence against them under the sole Act (Prevention of Atrocities Act) that is made for them. The society does not accept them as Christians, and the government does not accept them as dalits. Running from pillar to post - not to get a bill cleared, but for their identities and an opportunity for a decent living. I mean, even wikipedia has the term 'upper caste Christians' on it! We're quite a unique nation. And these things are so deeply set in our minds that I really wonder if we will EVER be able to get rid of these issues. Suddenly clean drinking water seems like a much more achievable goal.
No comments:
Post a Comment