The scourge of caste continues to haunt the downtrodden of India wherever they go. No matter where they are, what they study and what they become, the condescending attitude of the so- called upper caste Indians don’t change. In their minds they search and look for the caste behind the success and fail to see the blood, sweat and tears that lead to success of the Dalits, tribals and backward castes. This condescension comes as a result of not seeing the affirmative action as tool to empower people. Rather it is seen as a scheme that has stolen the privilege of the upper castes to study and get into professions they choose. Of course, it is true in most cases that students who graduate from scheduled castes/tribes, and other backward classes did so because of the preferential option for the vulnerable sections. It allows the special emphasis to create a level playing field.
The grouse against the first-generation learners in college or those in top careers is nothing but jealousy and that does not trust in the capabilities of the oppressed to achieve greater heights. The reason it did not happen earlier was because of the socio-environmental disabilities that were created around them. Thanks to the progressive policies of political parties of States like Tamil Nadu that pave way for the most downtrodden to graduate in arts, science and technology. This in turn bails them out of atleast poverty if not caste. Many capable graduates with underprivileged backgrounds make it to study in countries like the United States of America. They may be first- or second-generation learners.
“Caste also needs to be acknowledged in the open and public in India. This goes beyond the affirmation that we get through the Constitution and policies that advocate the eradication of untouchability. A lot remains to be changed in practice.”
Once they land in a university they are often confronted by Indian professors or other seniors who teach or study in these universities. In most cases the Indian teachers who migrated to the US would be from the upper, dominant castes. They were the ones who could afford an education abroad and had the drive to pursue their dreams with by tapping all the known resources. The cultural capital comes in handy when they need to make career choices. Their social and cultural networks connect them with ideas, people and processes that are most essential to reach their desired careers.
On the other hand, someone with very limited resources socially, culturally and economically ends up trying twice as hard to remain in the same place. These concerns are accompanied by many micro aggressions that take place both on and off campus and is not very different from what happens to them back home.
The micro aggressions they faced in the name of caste based on colour, last names, place where they came from, the traditional jobs they did, the clothes they wear, the dialect they speak, the food they eat, the gods they worship and many others continue to follow them wherever they go.
The critical race theory has brought such issues to the forefront in terms of race. The killing George Floyd assertively made the people of the US reconsider the oppression that continues. The cry for protection echoed in the halls of the universities through the Black Lives Matter movement. Standees, posters, murals, and window shades were painted with “black lives matter” and displayed in houses, schools, colleges and public places by progressive individuals and institutions. This open acknowledgement of the fact that discrimination not only exists but is rampant and is targeting a particular group of people is important.
In the same direction caste also needs to be acknowledged in the open and public in India. This goes beyond the affirmation that we get through the Constitution and policies that advocate the eradication of untouchability. A lot remains to be changed in practice. The attitudes and day to day actions of the dominant communities needs to change and hence there is a need to remind people of the daily oppression of caste in as many ways possible. The realization of the fact that it can be manifested both consciously and unconsciously is important. Only by becoming sensitive to the one’s own environment a change can be possible. For that to happen reminders such as black lives matter, dalit lives matter, oppressed lives matter is necessary.