I, an Indian

I am R.Raju, a Vadakalai Iyengar Brahmin hailing from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, believe I am quite different from the Thenkalai Iyengar Brahmins, who kneel only once, while offering prayers to the celestial Gods. On the other hand I habitually prostrate four times, while paying obeisance to Lord Vishnu or to his consort Goddess Lakshmi, as do all my other family members. How can the divine Gods be pleased by just one prostration, I often wonder……but who am I to object. They don’t ring the temple bell, their widows don’t have to shave, they wont even pray to Goddess Lakshmi, but only to Lord Vishnu, but then….…..who am I to object ? I respect the fact that our castes are so much different, even though we both are Brahmins. However I feel that this mutual respect is largely missing nowadays.

Indian society is multi-lingual and multi-hued and comprised of many regions, religions, languages, castes cultures and castes. The dialect, culture and nuances of each region or caste varies within the same religion also. Even in today’s modern and progressive age, undercurrents of caste still flow vigorously in the ocean of Indian society. What is wrong here is certainly not the caste-division, but the ‘superiority or inferiority’ perception, and alienation based on such sub divisions, which is undesirable and divisive. The impact of caste on society is severe, since it affects the society as a whole, right from the individual to the whole nation.

India is a country with huge diversity - 4 major races, 6 major religions, 122 major languages and 1599 other languages, 3000 castes and 25000 sub-castes. Instead of thinking India like a country, India should be considered a continent like Europe or Africa packed into a small geographical area. However all that said and done we are one country, one nation, one ethos and on top of that a federal secular socialist democratic republic! We also happen to be surrounded by countries that are far from docile and friendly. Quite a tall order, that!

Given such a huge spectrum of diversity, some differences are bound to occur. I have a Sikh friend from Delhi, who told me, to my surprise, that even Sikhs are similarly caste-divided. I used to admire their egalitarian tenets which preach Equality for all, One-ness of the Almighty (“Ek-Onkar)" and  “Main nahin Changa, Manda Na Koi” ( I don’t consider myself to be good, nor is anyone else bad). But they are also bifurcated into Akalis and Nirankaris, with further sects of Jatts, Khatris, Aroras (“Bhappey”), Ramgarhiyas, Kambojs, Ramdasiyas, Mazhabis, Bhattis, Sainis with categories of Multanis, Jhangis, Peshawaris, Sargodhias among others.

Surprisingly, even today, Ramghariyas and Sainis marry only in their own castes, and Jatt-sikhs dont like Khatris entering their homes. Jat Sikhs and Ravidasias still continue to look down upon the Mazhabis. People of many other castes don’t even mingle with one another, and harbour weird ideas of their own superiority.

Taking the example of another state, Rajsthan, there exist many different castes and communities having diversified traditions such as Rajputs, Jats, Ahirs, Gurjars, Bhils, Kalvis, Baniyas, Meena, and Garasias. There is absolutely nothing wrong in having several caste and creed distinctions, what is wrong, is the horrendous and cruel caste-based conflict and mindless crimes in the name of caste and religion. There have been numerous conflicts and differences in Rajasthan also, as in many other states. What is this, are we living in a sane society?

The moot point here is that when we are so divided among ourselves, where is there scope for national pride and patriotism? Can I call myself just an Indian? The Indian-ness which we should wear proudly on our sleeves, and which should come literally ripping out of our shirts, is clearly missing and somewhat relegated to the background. 

When each individual identifies himself with his caste, region and religion first, it will only be a de-unifying factor. This is clearly detrimental for the country’s unity. Even today, caste based  discrimination exists in many of our states like Uttar Pradesh, M.P., Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra to name a few. There have been atrocities and crimes based on caste differentiation, and thousands have suffered or died on this account. Many sad and shameful stories exist to substantiate this.

Mouse-click now, to a scenario of a foreign land, where an Indian happens to recognize a fellow Indian, and smiles at him, saying Namastey Bhai. That’s it! Nothing more is required, he may be a Jatt sikh and the other a Tamilian. Or for that matter they may be a Oriya and a Maharashtrian…...... Both will meet, mingle, mix, fraternize and share bonhomie just as Pure Indians. Just the Indian-ness bonds them. They become friends, one close strong bound unit, in a foreign land, sharing a unique relationship, just by being Indian. That should be the spirit. Our Indian-ness, one-ness, bonhomie and camaraderie should always be evident to one and all. 

Why do we forget our different castes in a foreign land, and start remembering them again as soon as we land back in India. Isn’t that worth a thought……..Or alternatively, can I just drop my caste and change my name to Raju BHARATI, will that help?

Devjit Singh