Discrimination And Atrocities Against The Marginalised Classes Can Hinder Prospects Of Achieving Viksit Bharat

These divisions not only perpetuated systemic injustices but also weakened the social fabric, making it difficult for communities to come together against common internal and external challenges

Let us admit with all sincerity that achieving the ambitious Viksit Bharat by 2047 is a herculean task and goes beyond merely focusing on the economic empowerment of have-nots.

It also encompasses creating an environment where every citizen experiences an improved quality of life. Towards this, there is a need to first ensure that the fundamental principles like dignity, equality, justice, fraternity, and liberty are upheld and ingrained in our social fabric. A developed India must prioritize inclusive growth, where social, economic, and cultural dimensions work in harmony to build a nation that is not only prosperous but also just and compassionate. It is, therefore, an opportunity for every stakeholder to play a role in building a socio-economic and political order whereby no one feels left uncared and unattended.

None can deny that atrocities and acts of discrimination on the basis of colour, caste, religion, language and region are a global concern. Even in an advanced country like the US, which is also considered to be an ideal example of inclusivity and unity in diversity, acts of brutalities against blacks involving cops are reported. The death of George Floyd, a black man, in 2020 at the hands of four police officers in the state of Minnesota still resonates as a major societal problem in America. It was on May 25, 2020 that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes as Floyd cried out – “I can't breathe” - until he died. Three fellow officers watched and did nothing to intervene. I don’t know if such incidents are reported quite often in the land of Martin Luther King Jr. but I know for sure that blacks in the US have suffered a lot in order to protect and uphold their rights as humans.

We too keep hearing the harrowing incidents of socio-economic brutalities against weaker sections of society at regular intervals even in India. From north to south, east to west, SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities are subject to alleged acts of police brutality, societal discrimination and other forms of harassment and deprivation. Though one cannot vouch for the fact that every such allegation is true, one wonders over the huge quantum of such complaints that keep doing rounds in the corridors of power.

From violating reservation norms in recruitment in the government sector to the not found suitable (NFS) norm, the affected lot claim that they are blatantly being deprived of their due share in national opportunities and facilities, an issue which must not be left unattended any longer.

We need to note that if majority communities are deliberately held back by systemic designs or policies, it raises significant concerns for India’s inclusive growth as a nation. Such actions undermine the principles of equality and fairness enshrined in the Constitution, leading to resentment, social fragmentation, and a potential weakening of national cohesion.

A prosperous and harmonious nation depends on empowering all its communities, especially the majority, to contribute meaningfully to its progress. Any systemic imbalance, whether real or perceived, erodes trust in democratic institutions, polarizes society, and hinders the collective aspiration of building a robust, inclusive, and forward-looking India.

If this issue persists, we must address it urgently through policy revisions, and a recommitment to the values of justice, compassion, and equitable development.

I can see that there is a huge role for the autonomous government organizations such as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), National Commission for Minorities (NCM), National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), and National Commission for Women (NCW) and their state counterparts in protecting the rights and privileges of majority communities as guaranteed by the Constitution.

They can play a critical role not only in addressing historical injustices faced by marginalized groups but also in ensuring that they are not deprived of their share in national opportunities. By upholding constitutional values, they protect them against discrimination or marginalization, thereby fostering an inclusive environment where every citizen, irrespective of their identity, enjoys their rights and participates fully in the nation’s democratic processes.

Every now and then we hear of incidents of SC, ST and OBC students committing suicides in top seats of higher education. No one would like to doubt the integrity of NHRC, NCSC, NCBC, NCM, NCST or NCW but one quite often misses their interventions in such matters in an exemplary manner. The social media landscape is dotted with complaints about the violation of the country’s affirmative policies and gross injustice against the people of weaker sections of society in various parts of the country but the response from the bodies formed to safeguard their interests is either lukewarm or does not generate any hope for the victims. Maybe they do not feel free to act despite being a statutory entity as their key authorities are guided by their political affiliations. It will certainly be unfair to say that they are good for nothing but they must emerge as a beacon of hope for people whom they exist.

I strongly feel that an effort must be made to decode the factors leading to extreme atrocities against our own people on the basis of their caste and religion. We must not forget that deep-rooted social inequalities and divisions based on caste, religion, and ethnicity have historically fragmented our society, creating barriers to unity and collective action. These divisions not only perpetuated systemic injustices but also weakened the social fabric, making it difficult for communities to come together against common internal and external challenges.

The rigid hierarchies of caste fostered discrimination and alienation, while religious and ethnic conflicts sowed discord, often exploited by colonial powers to entrench their control.

This lack of cohesion diluted the collective resistance required to safeguard sovereignty, ultimately enabling the subjugation and exploitation of India by external forces.

(The writer is a senior journalist, author and columnist. The views expressed are strictly his personal)