Caste discrimination has racial overtones
2 Apr 2010, 0442 hrs IST,
It is ironical that in 21st century, New Delhi is not ready to concede
that descent-based discrimination is a social curse in India. It is a
signalMujtaba Khan, Director, Jamia Millia Islamia
that no degree of modernisation can change the upper caste mindset and
exclusionary governing culture in the country.
In Durban in 2001, the clamour of several Dalit groups to take up the
issue with the UN in its conference against racism (WCAR) was turned
down for want of empirical evidence to treat caste as a form of
discrimination. Curiously, the so-called Indian delegation of
'courtier' MPs (reportedly all Dalits) also certified the GoI stand
that there was no caste discrimination per seand the government was
sensitive to address Dalit issues through legislative mechanisms and
affirmative action. Nevertheless, the UN appointed a Special
Rapportuer to India to explore the nature and extent of discrimination
in caste hierarchy.
Subsequently, there were extensive research activities and, today, a
plethora of empirical evidence on descent-based discrimination is
available in organisations like the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies
and National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights. What else is left for
policy officials to debate further? How many more generations will it
take to introduce correctives in the tradition of hierarchical
domination?
Those viewing equation of caste with race as a chimera will agree that
they coalesce when it comes to practice, be it exclusion, inequality,
institutionalised prejudices or discrimination. Sixty-five years are
proof that the menace of caste discrimination cannot be fought locally
as it is getting fattened while cannibalising on the very notions and
institutions that were believed would weaken and eliminate it.
Caste discrimination has acquired racial connotations blatantly
violating human rights, therefore, it needs to be addressed. As a
large secular democracy committed to social justice and as a signatory
to a number of UN human rights agreements; it is morally and legally
binding on New Delhi to accept responsibility, at the international
forum, for the continuing discrimination against Dalits and its
failure to dispense them due justice.
(The writer is Director at Dr KR Narayanan Centre for Dalit and
Minorities Studies)
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