Is caste-wise census and reservation the solution to address poverty and deprivation of marginalized sections of society?

Hi,

Caste Based Census :  I sort of agree with Dr. Girsh Nalini. Let us actually see how much of SC/ST, OBC, etc., are there and if their condition has improved after independence. Based on this further action can be taken.

Abolition of Caste System : The only way to abolish this evil system is by vigorously propagating inter-caste & inter-regional marriages. Give massive subsidies and offers to people marrying outside their caste / region. Give “Benefit Values” (BV) to individuals based on something similar to what is given below –

and so on…..

The higher the BV the greater the rewards.  The above is only a basic rudimentary table and better one can be devised.

Based on the BV formulate a reservation system. Formulate a system for reservation in educations, jobs (now we can have limited quota in private institutions too*) and job promotions too. Also, make sure that this is given only for the couple (not their brothers and sisters) and their children and only for one generation. Give massive income tax sops these individuals.  Also ensure that if they divorce within 10 years all the rewards are withdrawn.

In one or two generations (25 to 50 Years) you would have only BV class individuals and not caste based individuals, i.e., you would come across a guy with a “90 BV category” and another with a “50 BV category”. After 2 generations, drop the whole scheme since there would be no caste in India.

Initially there might be a lot of opposition, especially from the older people. But eventually, the materialistically sensible younger generation would see the light in this system and accept it.

But the big question is : will the government have the guts to implement it?

* if this system is implemented, then companies can be roped in (voluntarily and not mandatory) for giving quota for these new BV Class individuals. Of course some tax sop can be provided to these organizations.

i belive that if we want to do really something good for the poor people of our country then reservation system is the best one...............but we should give reservation not on the basis of caste but according to the level of their yearly income..............the people who come below the poverty line they should get that resevation so that they can utilize the facilities because they are needy .............it doeasn't matter whethet they are from genearl or whatever caste ........because people who are from general category they are also suffering and need some help to improve their status ................because the india according to me can growonly when each and every section (caste) of our society improves..........we concern with the development of eac and every person of india and we dont care about these castes because it doesn't go with the development of "My INDIA"...............i thnk in this way it can eliminate poverty from society

Mr. Kris, I am NOT supporting the very basic frail Idea of yours that caste based census and reservation will be the solution to address poverty and deprivation of marginalized section of society.

Yes, off course this not the only solution but there are numerous numbers of factors which we should consider while building the ideal nation. There could not be yes or no answer to this.

But I COMPLETELY DIFFER in the opinion of yours stating that if it census is conducted then it will perpetuate caste-ism and may never liberate India from the clutches of a caste.

I will address your apprehensions one by one.

You said “Caste-wise Census could perpetuate caste-ism and may never liberate India from the clutches of a caste divide and not truly benefit the needy and deserving”

Caste is in the Indian society for thousands years and it is a reality in day to day life of every person. If you visit any of the village few kilometres from the metropolitan city you can see it with naked eyes.

 It will be pretty appropriate to recollect the remarks made by Sir J H Hutton who was the census commissioner during 1931 Census. In Chapter XII, ‘Caste, Tribe and Race’ in the section titled ‘The Return of Caste’ he observed,

“A certain amount of criticism has been directed at the census for taking any note at all of caste. It has been alleged that the mere act of labelling persons as belonging to a caste tends to perpetuate the system. It is, however, difficult to see why the record of a fact that actually exists should lend to stabilise that existence. It is just as easy to argue and with at least as much truth, that it is impossible to get rid of any institution by ignoring its existence like a proverbial ostrich.”

Therefore I think the apprehensions about census that it will "increase casteism" , "legitimise castes", "perpetuate castes" and "create cleavages in society" are baseless as non-collection of caste data in the last 70 years had neither eliminated caste distinctions nor ended caste inequality. (CASTE-BASED enumeration of the population has not been carried out in India since 1931)

In census we are only counting the caste (which is already exists in its evil form) and look at its different interplay within the individuals, community, and regional boundaries.

We collect the specific information about their specific education needs, health needs, their occupation and migration patterns and many more relevant factors which you are concerned about.

In fact if you wanted the more accurate information to develop the policies and programs for health education economic empowerment we must have segregated data. This is most essential because now we believe in top down approach where we consider the local level perspectives their specific needs and their aspirations and devise the policy.

This can be done only we have the data available over the changes which took place in this population and specifically in downtrodden population. This nation building tasks is carried out by the analysis of this data and this analysis then helps in formulating the policy.

Another quotation from our Prime minister of India showed that how caste is reality of modern India. “After 60 years of constitutional legal protection and support...Dalits face a unique discrimination in [Indian society] that is fundamentally different from the problems of minority groups in general. The only parallel to the practice of untouchability was Apartheid in South Africa. Untouchability is not just social discrimination. It is a blot on humanity.” Monmohan Singh, Indian Prime Minister.

to be continue in next post..

Hello Kris, Yes. Caste - Wise census will help the government to find out who is really need the help/assistance. Based on this information they can provide education allowance, employment, housing depending upon the persons requirement. Hope you will agree on this.

K Rajagopalan.

For the uninitiated, it should be yes, because at least it gives the headstart to compete with someone who are way ahead of them in class and econimically. It was the very thought which brought reservation to people from SC/ST and OBCs, and it did make the difference. BUt the problem is that it was initially for 15 years but it did not stop as no govt dared to tinker with it. The SC/ST also took it for granted and never tried to imrpove educationally so that the next generation could be at par with the general class. So it is of no big benefit now. You have to think for alrenative solution. That solution should lay in the very basics due to which the reservation system started- to bring someone to the platform or  on the rails so that they can run. But the motivation is not there to run on its own, it is always wanting a external push, it has not deveoped its internal energy to carry forward. Find ways to get the internal enegy and the engine will start runnig on its own- may not speed like a Rajdhani but at least can run like passenger and then graduate to a mail then superfat then Rajhani- that should be the course of action. But it demands attention and the quetion is who will pay the attention-of course govt cannot do it. SOme agency has to come forward to take this responsibility. Otherwise not much can be achieved  

Kris appreciate your views. If at all only the criteria for assistance (not reservation) should be economic.

Yet above can at best be wishful thinking as we do have a caste based reservation and if any planning has to be done it needs to know number of beneficiaries, you would agree.

Yes there are many ways other than caste wise census.....

We can take their income level to reduce the poverty. Caste has nothing to do with poverty, earlier there were few caste who were below poverty line but today everyone has developed and grown and differentiating  with respect to caste will not be beneficial.

So take their income status and try to remove poverty !!!!