Differentiating Between Forward and Backward Castes
Indra R Sharma
"Caste identity breaks the society, Bihari-ism unites." Nitish had
made this statement. Was it a political statement or the real wish of
the Chief Minister? Should I expect ushering in of a bright beginning
of political assistance in reducing the smell of the caste-bias in
every response from the politicians and also sometimes the people of
the region?
From the mails that I receive from the persons of Bihar's origin
living in different states of India and abroad, everyone is concerned
about the developments in Bihar. They celebrate all the good news
coming in media, but get morose with disturbing news too. And in most
cases, the politicians as class are responsible for that.
The overwhelming caste-based approach in everything that happens in
the state is shocking. For example, when the state president of the
party of Chief Minister resigned, he was replaced by a person of the
same caste, presumably to keep the people of the caste in good humour.
And as reported, leaders of the landed upper castes, cutting across
the party lines, met in Patna on Wednesday to discuss the issues
related to Bataidari (Sharecropping) Bill. They decided to organize a
Kisan Mahapanchayat at Gandhi Maidan on May 2. I don't understand if
the bill will not trouble the landowners of other castes who are
pretty big in numbers. So why didn't the organizers call the
representatives of landholders of all castes to participate?
Is it not unfortunate while the country is on fire in most of its
corner, be it Kashmir, Manipur or Chattisgarh, some very senior
cabinet ministers in New Delhi are debating and as I opine wasting
their precious time on the issue of having a census on caste basis or
not?
It is unfortunate but nothing can be done. I know many sections of the
society are still very backward, and the reason for the same is only
the lack of education. The leadership of the region over the last six
decades has failed to understand the importance of education.
Unfortunately, the so-called leaders of schedule castes or so called
other backward class never understood nor attempted to bring about the
revolution through education. Many a times, I and perhaps many hold a
view that these leaders believed in the advantage in keeping the
communities ignorant without education to keep their dominance in
politics.
But my focus here is different. Let me emphasize that there is no
difference between in other backward classes (OBC) and so called
forward classes in the region, if one looks in depth in their quality
of living, affluence level and even culture and values. I firmed up
this view during my last visit to my village, when I happen to move
around doing some research. Around my village that is predominantly of
forward class, there are villages in which some are dominated by the
forward class but in many, the people of other backward classes (OBC)
are dominant. The dominance relates to the land holding of the
village. In each of the village, the major landholding is with the
families of different castes, and not necessarily forward classes. Let
someone take an unbiased study of the living standard and style of the
families. There is hardly much difference between those of the forward
and OBC caste. Rather in many cases, on average OBC families may today
be better off because of the traditional social taboos of restricting
oneself to only the profession of the ancestors.
However, the families with no land holding, irrespective of castes but
particularly dalits and mahadalits, need preferential treatment. Even
the families of OBC and forward castes need government support as the
financial conditions of a large number of them are miserable. With the
abolition of the zamindari back in 1950s and breaking up of joint
families in almost all castes and communities, the land holding on
average is hardly between 2 to 5 acres. It is really difficult to make
good living with that amount of land, particularly where the farming
is totally dependent on the timely rain and monsoon.
Perpetuating the reservation or adding some more may be a political
solution, but certainly not the best solution to bring about equity in
society and improving the relationships between various classes and
categories.
Instead of waiving off the loans, the government must work extensively
on irrigation projects small and big conserving all the water and its
use and for ensured rural electrification for every household who can
afford for improving employability through individual
entrepreneurships.
Every child must be ensured the traditional or job oriented (skill
building) education to have employability.
The overall cost to the nation because of the dismal healthcare
infrastructure is huge. The government and the private sector must
pour huge investment. Many families even today spend everything in its
possession to save life from deceases and remain in perpetual poverty.
But the most important is that all the actions must generate and
improve the fellowship and brotherhood among the all people, and
nothing should be done that is divisive, for example caste census.
Let few regional leaders not make mess of this great nation.
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