Caste Discrimination In India.

The reports of several suicides of many "lower caste" students opened a debate on the entrenched problem of caste discrimination, harassment and resentment over reservations of seats in educational institutions and jobs for people from marginalised groups. Why marginalised suffer? The only fact that lies here is, they belong to a caste which is not elite or sophisticated community and belonged to some tribal or a lower community which is socially not that elite and has a separate reservation in field of education or job commonly called a "Quota".

Where is the origin of such a brutal practice of caste discrimination? The use of caste system lies back during the origin of civilisation. But this system of classification of people was made rigid during the Later Vedic Period. The then Kings and priests ("Brahmanas") belonged to an elite class known as upper caste. Upper middle caste included the warriors and commander in chief of wars ("Kshatriyas"). Lower middle caste included farmers , merchants ("Vaishyas") and lower caste included slaves and attendants ("Shudras"). A child of a shudra was then destined to serve like a slave. This practice was restricted to a particular Kingdom or village. But the British institutionalized caste system on a much larger, national level. Caste Discrimination was also carried out racially by the British. Indians were treated like lower caste people and we're denied of every right. The term "untouchable" was rewarded to Indians.Even today, after several years of Independence, we couldn't get rid of such colonial thoughts which harm the humanity. Reports of students being bullied for getting a chance into a college/school by a reserved class. They are forced to suicide for not belonging to an elite class. After all these incidents I would love to raise a question... After all this, is there any use of being independent? Do we have any difference between the treacherous British and our thoughts today standing in 21st century?

In early 2010, Balmukund Bharti, a Dalit MMBS student at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was found hanging in his room. While the AIIMS administration blamed depression for Bharti’s suicide, he had reportedly been abused and harassed by his professors, beaten up by his seniors under the guise of ragging and generally alienated from campus life because he was Dalit. So basically it was his fault of being a child of dalit parents! These incidents are showing our true colours, your true"brotherhood" spirit!

Another thing which I've also seen or rather faced even in my college is "caste-shaming". Government has passed a bill where it was mentioned that apart from the general quota, seats shall be reserved for scheduled caste(SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and other backward classes(OBC). Few people who qualified college entrances,belonging to a general quota tend to underestimate a person from a different caste/tribe assuming that they received an admission just because "seats were reserved for them". This is so much unjustified. Truly speaking, every student has a right to enter into any college. And all reservation quotas are not liable because Entrance Examinations are for all. Not only general quota but also other reserved classes apply and appear with their merit, which is irrespective of caste, creed colour or sex.

We are living in a society irrespective of castes. Even they are human beings. Even they deserve to he treated in a honourable manner. Many people from backward classes have come forward facing all the challenges and stood out in front of the whole world. People need to realise, understand and believe the fact. We are humans. We all are same. Everyone deserves a life full of respect. Even if she's an attendant or a Chief Executive Officer. The only fact that bring us together is We are an Indian and we should be proud of whatever we are. Stop caste discrimination and focus on what, as a person we can do to prevent this in a the levels of our society.