Casteism, Communalism, regionalism, Detrimental to India’s Development

With a population of 125 billion, India has 125 billion opportunities in the future. Along with this its diversity in terms of traditions, culture, religion, language & geographical spread, all can act as levers of growth if channelized properly. However on one hand  if they are levers of growth, on the other hand they can act as bane also.

Our prime ministers vision of New India Via Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwaas, Sabka Vikaas is suffering from CCR Element i.e. Casteism, Communalism & Regionalism.

Casteism: Indian society is divided into hierarchy of castes. These caster are assigned to an Individual an birth & it nearly determines his/her future. What would he do, whom would he marry, where will he stay etc thus restricting agency.

Communalism, It an Ideology where in people belonging to same religion think their secular Interest is also same. It has three stages.

Regionalism, Its an ideology which binds together people belonging to same nation sometimes at the cost of national Interest. It leads to demands of specialism, secessionism or at least autonomy.

Extreme versions of these three elements are detrimental to India’s development our focus should be to change them to:-  C (Casteism to collectivity), C (Communalism to commonality), R (Regionalism to reintegration)

CASTEISM – BOON OF INDIAN SOICETY

Caste system gets its legitimacy from ancient scripture Vedas which divides the society into is vernas which in turn was divided into numerous castes which is detrimental to India’s development.

Socially its a dehumanising practice which discriminates between individuals. People belonging to lower caste are not allowed to marry, dine, Interact with higher caste in many places. They are given separate well or even worst use drain water for their needs. This leads to poor health conditions & productivity.

In many areas people from lower caste still practice open defecation& become victim of diseases like Malaria & Diarrohea. This also leads to spread of Disease in the society.

Education in the society is also stratified. Many villages in places like Rajasthan and MP have separate schools for lower caster. This leads to poor quality of education defeating the goat of SDG-Y to provide qualitative education & learning opportunities.

Even if educated they are not employed in productive jobs. Traditionally they are employed in menial jobs like manual scavenging where over 80% manual scavenges are from lower caste. Even if they try to change their status the society stops them.

Case study Ghazipur in Up, manual scavengers who had left their the work had to come back to manual scavenging because of the social boycott.

This leads to underutilization of manpower which is detrimental for India’s Interest. Even It goes against Kantian Ethics which calls upon people to treat others as end in Itself rather than means to an end.

COMMUNALISM – DESTROYING HARMONY

The seeds of communalism in India was soured by Britishers to promote divides & rule post 1897 first war of Independence.

Communalism mainly is seen during elections to polarise the society an religious lines. EX Kandhamal riots in odisha, muzzafarpur riots in U.P. Babrimasjid demolition in U.P. It leads to “Democracy Diminishing” trend in the country which is harmful far future development.

Further, Socially communalism leads to division in the society. It leads to people taking law into their hands. For Instance moral policing in U.P. by Romeo squads was religiously motivated. It leads to curtailing of liberty & without liberty no nation can develop.

Social tension leads to Security issues. Minority specially have apprehensions about the majority intentions. Acts like mob lynching, low vigilantism have spread an environment of fear in the society. This has exacerbated due to primarily involvement of two main religion.

If security is an issue, then Economy will suffer. Communalism leads to drying up of investments poor law & order is regularly cited by newspapers as one of the  reason for low investment in India (29.5%). Economic survey 2019 puts revival of Investment as a major challenge & target for the future. path of 15 trillion Economy.

At the same time all this leads to growing of terrorism. Alienated people join organisations like IS IS, Alqaeda & Plot assassinations & destruction detrimental for the country’s growth.

REGIONALISM – TURNING BOON TO BANE

India due to its vast geographical extent & complex topography is divided into many regions which have their own culture & demands.

Starting with polity Regionalism leads to demand from various regions for separate state on language development, region criteria. This leads to chain effect & 1. disturbs law & order, 2. leads to duplication of effort,  3.  wastage of resources 4. polarisation of society. All these lead to stalling of India’s development.

At times polity also leads to arresting migration which is the backbone for any economy for instance Shivsena & MNC outburst against Karnataka Migrants, Assam bodoland against bihari laborurers , Bangaluru issue of North eastern safety.

Extreme form of regionalism also lead to interstate dispute either on. A. (territory lines- Belgaum Dispute between Karnataka & Maharashtra) B. (Water-Cauvery, Narmada, Mahanadi) C. (Dam-kerela & Karnataka etc. This in long run is detrimental for any country.

Polity issues have a bearing on economy. Regionalism promotes “Sons of soil” strategy. It leads to reservation far local inhabitants. Ex Andhra Pradesh 75% reservation for locals. It leads to problems like skilling cost for companies, shortage of labour & ultimately drying up of Investment.

Finally, Regionalism also leads to sour international relations. India Bangladesh have not been able to make progress on River teesta due to opposition of west Bengal Former P.M. was not allowed to visit srilanka due  to then Tamil nadu chief minister opposition.

POSITIVES OF CCR

The milder version of these three elements promotes social cohesion locally, binds the communities, helps in raising their voice nationally (Ex: concern of south Indian state in terms of conditions of finance commission) & make people aware about their rights.

ELIMINATING DAMAGING PART

Casteism: Government show follow Nobel laureate ‘Amartya Sen’: Capability approach wherein focus should be on improving the capability of every individual via Quality Education, vocational training & Industrial Revaluation, 4.0 centric skills.

Also in addition to Niti (arrangement view of Justice, focus should be on  Nyaya i.e. realisation view of Justice via strict enforcement of laws – (Article 17)

Communalism “Sachar Committee” had called for reservation of Muslims which the 103rd constitution assembly fulfills. Case study Malaysia comes out with community centric indices to track their progress Also 24 × 7 Grievance redressal mechanism is provided which can be replicated in India too.

It also requires Elections to be free & fair & for that standing committee or communal issues should be set up in future.

Regionalism wherever possible government should provide regional autonomy (Gorkhaland) Also Balanced & Inclusive development via utilising inter state council (A-263) & Infrastructure development to attract Investment should be done. Competitive federalism via Indices of economy growth can be operationalized.

Citizen centric development will ensure Communalism, Regionalism & Casteism turning into commonality, Reintegration, collectivity. This will Ensure Inclusive & sustainable development in the spirit of ‘Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas’.