COLLECTIVISM AND MOBOCRACY – HOW THEY RELATE AND ON WHAT THEY DIVERGE

One of the chief hallmarks of a healthy society is the ingredient of collectivism. It is a sense of bonding, a feeling of oneness, a commitment to the common good and indeed is the flow that directs the onward march of human progress. It is necessary to be collectivist, but this should not crush the individualities – this premise lies at the core of the most appropriate (closest to truth) equation between micro-entity and the macro whole.  

Strange is the relationship between the micro and the macro. Macro is made up of many micros. But macro can’t be called just a simple sum of all it’s parts. Macro is not merely the combined impact of all the micros. But often it is sometimes much more, or much less, or simply put something radically different from what it straightforwardly ought to be.

So is the case with the whole gamut of issues related to social good and individual choice, and perhaps it is even more complicated, as this deals with highly unpredictable and the most complicated entities encountered so far – the human beings. 

Society is a collection of individuals or better put the sum aggregate of all people living together. It is a sort of collective agreement. It requires sacrifices to be made, it provides fruits for these sacrifices. This contract is a highly complicated one. While it is necessary that the individual take advantage of this collective canvas for his personal, social, cultural, psychological evolution ;  it also important that this ‘collectivity’ does not make him a slave of a group or groups or groupism. There is a very delicate, and often seemingly ‘indistinct’ dividing line that links the parts to the whole and the parts to each other, and this divide and link of inter relationship, if is not clearly and purely defined, and understood, in society or in the minds of individuals, leads to various social and psychological problems.

Individuals need to gel, where they got to gel. And they need to be distinct, where ever the need be so. The ideas of individualism, collectivism, free choice and adherence to authority or some central tenet, is the most challenging of all the issues that impact mankind in his well being. It’s not that each one has to be at the cost of the other. Free will is the most precious possession of an individual. But this free will finds it’s fullest of force only when a man doesn’t exercise it merely superficially. There has to be a depth. And this depth can’t discount his filial and social responsibility. 

It can be said that a person needs to be a part of the whole. This connotes indivisible collectivism. But at the same time, his individuality must be always retained. He must be socially integrated, yet individually distinct. This sounds more than a paradox, but ideally ought to be the case. If the flow of time and the world is like a mighty river, then it’s rich diversity should be expressed in myriads of ways.  We have had many revolutions in the world, so many wars, so many diverse intellectual theories, all have impacted the world in more than several ways. The efforts to create a better world will never cease.

But certainly, we need more intellectuals, more and more learned people, more and more people who can think and reason by themselves, and their clout should be made to increase. The impact of evil and destruction is always more than that of goodness and construction. Thus we see Gandhi’s Satyagraha look puny before Hitler’s holocaust, in terms of magnamity and impact. Knowledge should never be lost. And it should be applied. Sense of discrimination should be used. 

What is bad is bad at all costs. We have anti-Jewish pogrom of Hitler, Hindu-Muslim slaughter of the Indian subcontinent, apartheid in South Africa, anti-Dalit discrimination in India, and there is a long list. These are clear examples of mobocracy, where man is blinded by group (mass) beliefs. However things got to be seen in their totality. For Eg – No one can justify the mass murders of Muslims in Gujarat immediately after the Godhra incident, but the Hindu-Muslim relationship in India is a product of several other complicated factors, the natural docility of Hinduism and the simultaneous zeal of Islam, is a factor which can’t be discounted. If politicians in India make laws which encourage secularism among Muslims, and take them to education, enlightenment and upliftmment only that would be the right approach.

A mob is a misguided, disorderly, faceless and senseless group that is out to destroy anything and everything. While collectivism is for a mission, for progress, for development, for upliftment. Collectivism is ultimately liberating, it collects people for strength, for power, for magnitude of movement. The anti-corruption movement being led by the Gandhian social crusader is an apt example of collectivism.  Collectivism is unification, mobocracy is division, it brings together people for communal riots, for terrorism, for the ultimate divide. 

Only with a sense of discrimination, with knowledge, with uprightness can mobocracy be defeated and collectivism triumphed.

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MAYA’S JAAL IN UTTAR PRADESH – BSP GOVERNMENT ALL SET TO BE VOTED BACK TO POWER IN THE UPCOMING ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

(A PERSONAL VIEW OF THE WRITER OF THIS WRITE-UP - NISHKARSH PANDEY, WRITTEN ON 2^ND DECEMBER, 2011)

With elections round the corner in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, the big question being raised now is who will rule the state in post-elections 2012. It is highly likely, that Mayawati led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), will come back to power once again, and with a larger majority than the previous elections.

In the last over four years rule of BSP government in Uttar Pradesh, one undisputable achievement of the Mayawati government has been that they have been successful in retaining their core support base – Dalits. From the huge Ambedkar park to the numerous statues of Dalit icons which dot the capital city Lucknow and other important towns of the state, and from the generous welfare schemes that their government have rolled out for the ‘downtrodden’ to the symbolism of the just-established Dalit formidability – all these factors impress, allure and entice her core voters like nothing else. She has created, in the minds of her voters, a sense of immense Dalit activism, a feeling that she has done for them what no one could do in the last 5,000 years of Brahminical civilization, a hardcore Dalit leader has risen to huge heigts of her own accord, and for the first time Brahmins have voted for Dalit suzerainty (Brahmins had voted in large numbers for BSP in 2007 elections) – a complete inversion of the millennia old pyramid of social hierarchy. So her voters treat her as a messiah, a powerful leader – who has given them their due under the sun.

Many may point out at the magnitude of corruption in the BSP government, but to their core voters, it is a blatant ‘upper-caste conspiracy’ to bring down their leader and their newly established socio-political order.  So it is unlikely that their core voters are going to desert them, even partly.

OTHER PARTIES’ POSITIONS – Congress : Saddled  with corruption, SP : Loosing support base, BJP : Lacking wave

Among the various opposition parties, none seems to be in a position to take on the BSP. While Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP), which largely depended on Yadav-Muslim caste combination for it’s rise, is seeing a rapid dent in it’s Muslim votebank, owing largely to poaching by BSP and Congress. So without muslim support, SP can not do much. It faces a serious crisis as with just Yadavs as it’s support base, could mean serious electoral setback and even existential crisis in the not-so-distant future.

Congress, which has been banking on it’s spectacular performance in the state in the Lok Sabha elections 2009, may also suffer a serious setback. The immense corruption charges the central government faces, is not going to go well with it’s voters. Besides, it remains to be seen whether the road shows and night stays at Dalits’ homes, being enthusiastically undertaken by the Gandhi scion, are going to have much impact on the people. A serious leadership deficit at the state level is also a fallacy of the highest order.

BJP stood at an abysmally low level electorally in the last elections, and it is unlikely that it would fall down any further from here. It is likely to marginally improve it’s tally but would be of no match to the mighty BSP. The re-induction of Uma Bharti and her canvassing in the state for BJP, may somewhat improve it’s tally.

BSP’S WINNING CASTE COMBINATION

While 23% dalits would vote for BSP en-bloc, many MBCs (Most Backwards Castes, i.e. OBCs other than Yadavs and Kurmis) are also likely to vote for BSP in tune with ‘the Bahujan Cause’ as they now feel ideologically closer to BSP, and Mayawati has spared no efforts in wooing them.

A big chunk of Muslims too will vote for BSP, as they feel benefited by the state government’s welfare schemes and will prefer BSP to Congress and SP as it can take on the BJP in a better manner.

Upper Castes would be the most divided lot. A good number will vote for Congress. A significant number are likely to vote for BSP (particularly Brahmins from rural areas). Some will vote for BJP.

The proposal to divide Uttar Pradesh into four parts will also advantage the BSP. Though it is yet to be approved by the Parliament and Central government, but Mayawati has clearly shown her commitment to the issue, by getting the bill passed in UP assembly, within 20 minutes, inspite of stiff opposition. The sympathizers and desirers of ‘division’ of the state in different corners are likely to be swayed by this political masterstroke.

If we see across the social faultlines of divided Uttar Pradesh, we find that only Dalits are clear and determined to make their leader win. All others castes are divided, confused and unfocussed. Overall it appears BSP will be an easy winner. While Congress may get upper castes votes but it is unlikely to get many Muslim votes.

It is a predicament which many would deplore (as a highly corrupt and casteist party would win), while others would celebrate (as a party which is not only for Dalits, but for all poors and for development would win again). It is something which only time will finally tell.

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THE RED STAR, THE WHITE STAR AND THE BLUE PLANET

The seemingly contradictory ideologies of Marxism and peaceful development via secular or religious ethics (represented by the likes of Democracy and Gandhism), are the two extreme positions taken up by the divergent groups, who fall into faulted mindsets, for each one of them individually represents the splitting of the rational consciousness. This diversion symbolizes more dichotomy than which is apparent, and is another example of extremes being at loggerheads with each other.

Little must Karl Marx have known that one day his ‘ideology’ would spark ‘bloody’ revolutions across the world. But, in it’s hey days, Marxism was the order of the day of a large section of nations, including the formidable Soviet Union (erstwhile) along with giant China, and other significant countries of Eastern Europe and some other countries, here and there.

Marxism symbolized the ‘labours’ assertion’, it was anti-rich and anti-capitalist and dreamt of a proletariat revolution, which would wipe out the concentration of wealth in a few hands and would equally distribute it among all the people, culminating in the establishment of ‘a classless society’, whose chief hallmark would be, the control of working class over the institutions of society. Marxism predicted a ‘world revolution’ against the capitalists and ‘working class takeover’ of the world as a natural fallout of social evolution. Communism would ultimately destroy the last vestiges of medievalism – superstitions, feudalism, religion, among others. Marxism was essentially anti-religion and largely anti-God, and considered these as ‘the opium of masses’. It shirked the way of peace and slow but steady social evolution, but rather practised and glorified the path of massive social revolution, which included violence and bloodshed, as it was very right to ‘finish off’ the class enemies (the rich) violently.

There is another path – the more conventional one – the path of peaceful social reforms and change, which is represented chiefly by Democracy, but it also contains elements of religious ethics. After all, modern Democracy owes a lot to the Greek and Roman philosophers, who were deeply interested in religious and moral ethics, and their belief systems, can not be, at all divorced from religion.

This path can be said to represent an umbrella of various concepts, thinkings, set ups and ideolologies, which are for peaceful means of social change. This ‘dimension of thinking’ does not aspire for immediate or quick changes. It believes that drastic change may have serious repercussions and disastrous consequences. It feels that slowly but steadily man’s social evolution would graduate the human civilization to higher and higher levels. It is ready for this ‘long wait’.

In reality, both the ‘thinkings’ miss the essential point. We need change which is fast and all-encompassing, but at the same time, which is enduring and stable. We need the determination and commitment of Marxism, along with patience and perseverance of the peace-path movers. It is something like the situation of Indian National Congress, much before the independence. It was divided between the moderates and the extremists. Then Gandhi ji united them and forged a path which combined the best of two, and this method of struggle became a classic example, which the world emulates even today.

Thus there is a need for the combination of best of both. Democracy entails freedom of speech, expression, religion and living, which is a significant point to be adapted by all ‘right-minded’ governments. But at the same time, there should also be utmost care and concern for the common man, the poors, the weaker-sections and the vulnerables. Human civilization is unduly biased in favour of the rich, the powerful and the successful. This is an error of high order, which is so much a part and parcel of our thinkings and set-ups that we take it as a ‘natural way of the world.’

Thus democracy has to shirk it’s relative and often unintended ignorance of the common man. There is need for a true ‘government of the people’, which would deliver the weaker sections more than the rich, as they need that support. However emphasis on the poors does not mean complete exclusion of the rich. It has to be a fine balance. Help each one as much as they need it.

We need an aggressive evolution, which proceeds at a fast pace, and which is tough towards injustice, exploitation, and all forms of excesses, but this process should not make rulers very strong, who in turn become exploiters. Meritocracy is not the ultimate aim. What is needed is every one gets to utilize his or her subjective talent, which leads to maximum welfare.

You take the fearful shine of the red star (Marxism) and you mix it with the soothing ness of the white star (Democracy and the the peaceful methods), then you get what this blue planet (Earth) deserves – freedom with equality, and socialism with prosperity.

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A SOFT INDIA - UNLIMITED TOLERANCE TO PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING IS OUR MAJOR FAILING

India is a truly soft state. From the peoples’ by enlarge tepid response towards monstrous corruption to the soft pedaling on trans-national terrorism, and from the govt’s inaction (inability or unwillingness to act) during events of major communal riots to the general apathy to fight the menace of inflation - Indians exhibit an astounding ability to tolerate anything and everything, which perpetuates systematic inertia, energizes functional lethargy and and re-inforces our national sloth, leading us to a continuum of ‘no-change’ and eternalisation of ‘status-quo’ of pluralistic anarchy, diplomatic spinelessness and a natural tenderness and inability to fight what is wrong, undesired and objectionable.

Tolerance is the hall mark of Indian nationhood. We have immense patience and tolerance. Politicians and bureaucrats may siphon-off ‘lakhs of crores’ of peoples’ money into their pockets but most Indians would still be understanding and conciliatory with this blatant act of ‘nation’s sell out’. Cross-border terrorism is reaching a ‘boiling point’ but the notorious  act of the dreaded terrorist Afzal Guru, who dared to attack the sanctum-sanctorum of the world’s largest democracy – the Indian parliament - remains unpunished as his criminal case hangs in an air of uncertainty owing to the difficult dynamics of electoral arithmetic. 

Immediately after the assaisination of Mrs Indira Gandhi on 31^st October, 1984 the rule of law completely passed into total oblivion as fanatical mobs massacred hundreds of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other cities of northern India. 27 years have elapsed since then but the riot victims never got justice as the case got lost in various legal formalities, political pressures and peoples’ apathy owing largely to communal polarization.

On 6^th December, 1992 as tons of Hindu karsevaks destroyed Babri-mosque, the beleaguered Narasimha Rao government simply waited and watched. They kept on ‘swearing by secularism’ but did nothing to protect the disputed structure, which was a symbolic jolt to Indian secularism. The army was sent only when complete destruction had been carried out, and the karsevak groups had dispersed. Lack of toughness of action emboldened the communalists.  

The Indian mind is ever-satisfied, accepting, believing in status-quo and unconcerned about the issues which matter to the greater world. The gist of a common Indian voter’s (or citizen’s) psyche is simply stated in this age-old saying in the local language (dialect) – “Ke nrip hoee , hume kya haani ?” (Whosoever is (becomes) the king, how does that matter to us?). An average Indian is averse to change, forget revolution. This could be a functional product of Hinduism. Since Hinduism believes in peace, non-violence, order, adherence to authority and dutifulness, so, it can be said that Indians have developed this unusual tolerance, a submission to destiny, a variant of fatalism.

But it is a perverted, misunderstood phenomenon. Patience, tolerance have their utmost importance under the sun, but they can’t be used everywhere and anywhere.”Self-defence is the foremost duty”, wise men have repeatedly said. “Tolerating injustice is in some ways being party to it”, says Mahatma Gandhi.

India needs toughness. India needs a strong leader. Indian needs a stringent system. There is no problem, which does not have a solution. But we need strong action. In India, we didn’t have any revolution against govt’s excesses, except emergency, which itself was a big failure. We need more and more involvement of people, from all walks of life, into the national functioning. We need strong laws against terrorists and communalists, we should have system which discourages identity politics, we should have zero tolerance towards troublemakers.

We need a country which has a strong spine. Democracy should not become an excuse to inefficiency and lethargy, an affirmation to non-agreement, non-action and non-performance. We need a democracy which is not populist but which genuinely helps the people and delivers their interests.

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THE WAY OF THE JAINAS – AND IT’S IMPACT ON THE MODERN WORLD

Among all the ancient religio-spiritual traditions of India, Jainism – or the religion of the jains – can be considered to be highly scientific, rooted in sound philosophy and reason, easy to understand and based on perception and experience. Though followed by a mere about 5 million population today, mostly in India, it has a history that believedly almost co-incides with that of Hinduism, making it one of the oldest organized religions of the world.

Jainism, founded by a chain of 24 tirthankaras (prophets) - which began with Rishabh dev (also known as Adinath) and ends with Vardhmana the Mahavira, who for all practical purposes is considered it’s founder and strengthener - is a religion of non-violence, ascetism and austere simplicity. Jainism is the science of perfecting the soul.

Jainism teaches utmost concern for all other living beings, including plants and animals, and non-violence is the most emphasized principle of the religion. Killing even a tiny insect is a great sin. This shows the reverence of life in all it’s forms and to it’s greatest extent. Although it is non-theistic in the sense that it denies the premise that the universe was created by a divine Deity, but it divinizes the soul (the essence or consciousness of a person) to an extent where it becomes as powerful as GOD (Supreme Being) himself. It is rightly said that ‘Jiva’(Individual unique soul) of Jainism is much more powerful than ‘Parmatma’ (Supreme Cosmic Soul) of Hinduism. 

Soul or ‘Jiva ‘is very essential to Jainsim, and it is believed that this soul has infinite power, bliss, perception and knowledge. But it is weighed down by it’s karma and can not reach the heights it deserves. These karma are in the form of tiny, impure particles, which enter the soul and do not allow it to rise up.  The aim of life is to make the soul get rid of these impurities so that it again goes back to it’s home (the abode of absolute bliss).

These can be done in two steps – first the incoming matter can be stopped by following the three jewels of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct ; and then the already existing matter can be destroyed by following austerities and self mortification.

This is the way shown by the Jinas, or the Super Heroes who have conquered themselves. Thus Jainism gets it’s name from Jina. It can also be called the skill of conquering one’s passions, negativities and desires. It is the art and science of conquering oneself. Jainism is the way by which soul’s entanglement with the matter can be destroyed forever, and hence supreme peace achieved.

Jainism believes in an eternal universe, without a beginning or an end, which is composed of Jiva (Life) and Ajiva (Matter). Both the entities are independent of each other. Soul suffers because it is involved with matter.   

JAINISM’S CONTRIBUTION TO MODERN SOCIETY AND IT’S IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MODERN MAN

Jainism’s implications for the modern man are numerous. The virtues of non-violence and peace are being increasingly accorded as ‘symbols of civility’ and ‘marks of civilization’. It is one of the important aims of even the UNO to promote brotherhood and cordial relations between nations of the world.

Kindness towards animals is gaining acceptability among intellectuals and even the common masses. The whole range of animal activism and prevention of cruelty towards animals organizations, which are coming up across the world are it’s indicators.

Mahatma Gandhi faught for freedom through the potent weapons of truth and non-violence. Non-violence was an idea which he largely borrowed from Mahavira swami. He himself says Jainism made a deep impact in his life. Thus the old virtue of non-violence, which was discovered by the Jains, was repackaged and used by the Mahatma as a potent weapon in the struggle for Indian independence. The idea of Gandhi was later used in other parts of the world for non-violent struggles.

Jainism epitomized non-violence and made it the life force of Indian subcontinent. It institutionalized Ahimsa in the Indian set up and made it the integral part for all times to come. Animal sacrifice was abolished owing to strong resentment from the Jains. Today many Hindus may aver the idea of killing even an insect or cutting down a tree, this is largely a Jain impact.

The Jains and the Buddhists were the first to write down literature. We know more about those times today because of those literary records. It has indeed richened our history. The entire Jain history forms a glorius chapter in the life of Indian civilization. The life and teachings of Lord Mahavira and other Jain prophets have indeed inspired thinkers, intellectuals and men of thoughts and reason. The jain community though small in number but has an influence disproportionate to it’s strength and continues to influence the Indian thought, value system and way of life in various ways.

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SOCIO-CAPITALISM, CASTE DESTRUCTION AND STIFFER NATIONHOOD – THREE PILLS WHICH CAN CURE INDIA

SOCIO-CAPITALISM, CASTE DESTRUCTION AND STIFFER NATIONHOOD – THREE PILLS WHICH CAN CURE INDIA

India is growing - socially, economically and politically. However it has a long way to go before it can become a glaring example for the world or even for some of the developing countries. Here is a look, from a macro level, at what it needs to do -internally and externally  - to clean up it’s act and emerge as strong contendor for the super  power status.

Things which drag down India are - chronic poverty, which manifests itself in massive unemployment, hunger and malnutrition; high levels of corruption at all the institutional levels; divisiveness which usually takes the form of identity politics, mostly in terms of caste and region, but at times of religio-communal nature. And, externally,it’s confused and indecisive approach in countering external threats like terrorism and bullying tactics by it’s giant eastern neighbour.

India needs a far sighted approach to deal with these issues. The first and foremost, it needs a judicious blend of Socialism and Capitalism. We need the development and proliferation of the private sector in some non-priority areas. We need innovation and free growth.

But the prosperity so created should be encashed for public welfare. Government should get more and more money out of surging corporate tax and other direct and indirect tax collexctions. This wealth should be more and more spent on social infrastructure like health and education.

Income and prosperity should not merely percolate down to the lower levels. Rather such a comprehensive arrangement of transformation effected so that the entire national community gets involved, grows and prospers. We need various projects, massive in their size, differing in their nature and type of industry, but linked to each other in a co-ordinated manner, so that they reinforce and strengthen each other leading to a sound, deep and highly stable economic revolution.

But things will become pointless if the hydra headed demon of corruption is allowed to hold sway. We need a very honest man at the top, who selects his efficient and committed team, and they together overhaul the entire functional mechanism of our country. This sounds difficult, but is certainly attainable, if there is a will, and conditions are created in that manner.

Then there is the problem of social inequality as the ugly manifsetation of caste system of yore. Here too we need radical measures. The destruction of caste means destroying it’s inequalities and not necessarily caste itself. But it is clear, once caste inequalities are destroyed, caste will automatically cease to be the pet obsession of Indian masses.

Already we see caste equations changing in various Indian states like UP, Bihar, and others. The legislation of Mandal Commission has indeed empowered the backward castes like never before. However more changes at the grassroot levels need to be enforced. The selection of labours for various development projects like construction of national highways, and the recruitment to mills and factories, at the lower levels, must give preference to dalits, tribals, backward castes, poor among the minorities and upper castes.

Moreover, a massive movement and social crusade against voting for candidates of one’s own castes in the elections, and favouring only one’s own caste members, should be launched. Caste destruction should not merely mean ending inequalities but even purging casteist mentality from the minds of the people.

Finally we need a strong and firm India. In the recent wikileaks expose, it was discovered that US officials were calling India a spineless country, and were denigrating it’s response to terror threats from Pakistan as weak, indecisive and confused. India certainly needs a more pro-active policy towards both it’s western as well as eastern neighbour. India needs to be prepared for even a war with Pakistan and China. It must be well prepared for that, militarily and diplomatically. Fearing is not the right thing. We may be righteous and fair, but if we fear our neighbours of their bullying, we would be reckoned as cowards, which is worse than being an aggressor.

Only an India, which is equal, free, prosperous and fearless can do justice to it’s glorious heritage and it’s vastness, hugeness and greatness.

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CASTE BASED CENSUS – AN AFFIRMATION TO A PROCESS OF RADICAL CHANGE – LET US MAKE CASTE IMPORTANT TO ULTIMATELY OUTSHINE IT

CASTE BASED CENSUS – AN AFFIRMATION TO A PROCESS OF RADICAL CHANGE – LET US MAKE CASTE IMPORTANT TO ULTIMATELY OUTSHINE IT

The institution of caste continues to remain a formidable force in the Indian nation. Right from selection of ‘suitable’ candidates for the elections by political parties to      being the chief criterion for selection of suitable life partners in arranged marriages, caste continues to dominate the mind of rural and urban India, in varying but definitive ways.       

And rightfully so, it has been the basis of social reality in the Indian subcontinent, since thousands of years. And indeed, a stark and cruel reality for millions of ‘commoners’. However, according to several scholars, Caste system, historically, has been a mixed blessing. It has divisively fragmented India, but also effectively sustained it’s vast diversity ; it has ostracized millions into forced ghettos and sub-human living, but at the same time institutionalized division of labour and skills according to heredity and hierarchy, resulting into harmony and order. Caste system has prevented India from disintegrating socially in the events of foreign invasions, but also through it’s ugliest manifestation of untouchability completely destroyed the spirit of egalitarianism.       

Caste system has been a symbol of a well defined and largely inviolable hierarchal social order. We can’t deny this reality. Caste system, in it’s long career, has affected some manifestations. These ugly manifestations clearly are seen in the glaring income inequalities between Forwards Castes on the one side and Backwards Castes, Dalits and tribals, on the other. These manifestations need to be destroyed for the creation of a more egalitarian society.

It is here that we need a complete overhaul. Reservation policy, along with other measures of affirmative action, should be put in their proper perspective. Reservation bar of 50% can be raised, but only if it is genuinely needed. India is a land of unique inequality, it needs special measures to fight this disparity.

Thus this highlights the importance of caste based census. It would give us a much more accurate statistical input about the social and economic status of various castes. And accordingly, a new revised reservation and social justice policy can be effected.

In the last few decades, we have seen the increasing clout of ‘have not castes’. This , per se, is a healthy sign. Caste census will commence a new era, when elimination of social inequalities, will be addressed to, at a war footing. This might lead to a transitory, intermediate stage, where caste would get even more important. But soon this phase will be over, as vertical order gives way to horizontal order.

Thorn has be used to remove other thorns. Similarly caste criterion has to be used to ultimately diminish or even annihilate caste system. If we wish to remove poison from a snake bitten man, we will have to employ harsh methods, there will be pain. “All change is painful”, says Karl Marx. On the same lines, we need to cure society, so there will be some level of unease, disorder, but eventually would lead to equality and order.

The end of social inequality can bring real harmony. And a caste based census is the first concrete step in that direction.

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