This will be a great threat for development of India and the unity of Hindus, which is already divided into so many castes, and will finally increase the reservation quota based on these reports, which will greatly compromise meritocracy, which is still suffering alot, this will make the situation worse. Why the Modi Govt, which was a ray of hope for Hindu unity, took such a decision and what can be its possible repercussions on our Country. Please throw some light on it.
My own feeling is that it is a strategic move. Caste census would automatically mean that the factor of nationality is brought into the open. It is like doing an NRC without calling it so. Secondly, if they don’t restrict it to the Hindus and include Moslems and Christians, it will expose several fault lines and justify the Waqf bill as well. Thirdly, it will give an opportunity to redefine minorities, perhaps identify the creamy layers and hence revise the policies. My gut feeling is that it is these factors that are behind the census, apart from giving extra brownie points to the government.
As to division, Hindus have always been a divided house and get easily swayed by personal benefits. They can only unite if a strong wave of idealism takes hold of us. Nationalism is supposed to do that. Caste will drop off automatically as we advance economically and through modern education. As far as the government goes, after the census, it should take off the creamy layer and bring in the economically weaker. I suppose the census will automatically include the economic state as well, which can be used for this purpose. Time will show the intentions, but my feeling is that its immediate purpose is to indirectly screen out the Indian citizens from illegal immigrants.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
(Follow-up Question:)
How will the caste census help in screening out illegal migrants from genuine Indian Citizens which a general census can’t do? Kindly explain.
Yes, a general census is enough for that. But remember how much ruckus was created during the NRC? Caste census is one thing none will oppose. Secondly, caste has been used for political mileage since Independence. It must be abolished as it is no longer a tool for creating social order but a tool for division and inequality in the name of equality. But I don’t think that any government can do it in one go without losing the next elections. Hence, as a first step, one must first get the correct data or at least data favourable for the government of the day. Otherwise, the status quo will continue for want of any new data.
Yes, caste must go, but for that India has to first switch to the Presidential form of government, eliminate the creamy layers, improve the economic condition of the depressed classes and finally, through a universal education. It cannot be abolished by playing the ostrich and census only means we want to first see it for what it is.
There could be other reasons too, such as deploying it to divert general attention while serious war preparation is going on. Whatever it be, right now, for us as citizens of India, we should not get involved into all these side issues and stand solidly with the government in this hour of crisis.
These are my thoughts on this. I do not know if the government has this in mind or something else. But I trust that for all its flaws, – and who doesn’t have them, this government has the overall good of India in its heart. The rest will be seen later. Let us stay focused on this serious war front right now.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
