Correcting years of injustice through equality
Image courtesy Scroll.in
In recent years, Operation Mooknayak has opened dialogues across the United States about the harsh realities faced by this marginalized community. Despite the support we’ve garnered, a persistent myth remains: that the reservation or quota system in India treats Dalits like “royalty” and gives them undue advantage. But this perception is far from the truth.
Being in the United States talking to people who are not as familiar with the caste system is daunting and challenging at times. Many times, people have preconceived notions about the caste system, especially that the reservation system works against upper-caste Indians and aims to put Dalits above upper-caste Indians. But caste equality means equality, not one group above the other.
To understand the necessity of the reservation system, it is absolutely essential to understand the harsh realities of Dalit life. Despite these legal protections and reservation systems, the hardships that they have gone through for centuries are miserable.
According to figures presented at the International Dalit Conference in Vancouver, Canada, nearly 90 percent of all the poor Indians and 95 percent of all the illiterate Indians are Dalits. In 2020, more than 50,000 crimes and atrocities were committed against the Dalit population. And thousands of these crimes go unreported, due to intimidation by the police of India and government and village councils that support the caste system.
A 2021 report from the Indian government’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reveals that over 30% of Dalits live below the poverty line compared to about 20% of the general population. This economic disparity underscores the ongoing need for support through reservations.
The Role of the Reservation System:
The reservation system is necessary to correct the centuries of historical injustice that Dalits and other backwards classes have faced throughout India’s history. It also allows for adequate representation of Dalits and other backwards classes in India’s government and employment sectors, making sure that a group that constitutes up to 25% of the population is represented.
Many of those from upper castes disregard the fact that there are schemes that are set in place to also assist impoverished people who are not Dalit or backwards caste as well. The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Quota is a 10% quota for those who meet a certain weak economic criteria, and are not a scheduled caste or tribe.
According to The Hindu, In 1992, and even now, there is a stark absence of Dalits in the newsrooms of India's media organizations. As a result, the experiences of approximately 25 percent of India's population (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) remain largely unreported and overlooked.
In political, media, and social spheres, Dalit Voices can be largely underrepresented. The reservation system has been working to combat this injustice and making sure that caste-based equality, rather than discrimination, is achieved.
My work with Operation Mooknayak aims to shed light on these realities and challenge misconceptions. By raising awareness and providing support, we can contribute to a more equitable society where every individual, regardless of caste, has the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you,
Krishiv Shah -- on behalf of Operation Mooknayak and the constant fight for ending caste-based discrimination.
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