Say No to Caste

The government has ultimately decided to go ahead with including caste in the
current census. Some of the castist parties are still unhappy with the
modalities. But I want to use this platform to launch a protest against
inclusion of caste in the census.

There is no denying that caste is one of the deep, almost defining
realities of the Indian society. I do not believe or hope that caste will
naturally wither away if we simply avoid talking about it, or do not include
it in the census. And I also believe that the issue of caste deserves a much
more nuanced debate, at political and academic levels, to make any headway
in removing this atrocious institution.

But, the political reality is that all mention of caste is with an aim of
perpetuating this horrible social crime. How else can you explain why
caste should be basis of admission in higher education, while millions
of children, naturally mostly from lower castes, do not have access to school
education? The Congress Party has already said they do not want to be on
wrong side of the caste divide this time (unlike 1990 Mandal issue). This
clearly reveals that the eye is on the votes, and everything else is an
excuse.

So, if you believe that caste census is another strategy in the game of
vote-bank politics, and want to see a caste-less India sometime, say NONE
to caste during census. Spread the word.

Let's make a beginning.