India should end socio-economic disparities discrimination before becoming an advanced nation

The whole of France was outraged when Nahel Merzouk, the teenager from a Paris suburb, was fatally shot by a police officer when he was fleeing from a traffic stop recently. The 17-year-old Merzouk was a French citizen of Algerian and Moroccan descent and was being raised by his mother in Nanterre, a working-class suburb.

French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders showed sympathy for the bereaved family but critics accused them of not displaying intent to examine whether the problems that led to the incident ran deeper than a single officer’s actions. Crystal Fleming, a sociology professor at Stony Brook University, noted in an interview that Macron called the shooting inexplicable.

“The reality is that it’s not inexplicable. It’s not rocket science. It is racism,” said Fleming, the author of Resurrecting Slavery: Racial Legacies and White Supremacy in France.

Officially, the race does not exist in France.

The whole of the United States of America was aghast over the brutal killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The action of police officer Derek Chauvin triggered massive protests across the globe, some of which turned violent, and forced a global condemnation of police brutality and racism.

There is no denying the fact that when someone commits a crime, he or she must be held accountable. However, the law permits police officers to only use reasonable force before making an arrest.

Chauvin was charged with crossing that line when he used unreasonable force on Floyd. It was widely felt that racial discrimination was at the core of his action.

Discrimination in any form is not only a violation of human rights but also perpetuates inequality, hinders social progress, and undermines the principles of fairness and justice. It has significant negative impacts on individuals who are subject to discrimination, leading to psychological distress, limited opportunities for personal and professional growth and reduced access to resources and services.

Globally, efforts to combat racial discrimination have multiplied through legal frameworks, advocacy, education, and social movements.

Many countries have laws in place to prohibit racial discrimination and promote equality such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States or the Equality Act 2010 in the United Kingdom. International conventions and treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights also condemn racial discrimination and affirm the right to equality for all individuals. However, despite progress across fronts, racial discrimination continues to be a bane in various forms and contexts. It is an ongoing challenge that requires continuous efforts to raise awareness, foster inclusive attitudes, promote diversity and equality and address the underlying systemic issues that perpetuate discrimination. India, the world’s 5th largest economy, is leaving nothing unturned to realize the goal of last mile inclusive development. However, it is often jolted by some heinous acts against members of weaker sections. With the advent, penetration and expansion of social media, every now and then there are viral videos, pointing to the horrendous acts of violence in one part of the country or other.

A majority of the victims are from socially, educationally and economically deprived sections of society, who have been categorized as OBCs, SCs and STs. They have not only suffered the scourge of untouchability but they are also considered as lower castes, though the Constitution does not recognize the concept of upper-lower caste classification in any respect. The haves among them, though in a miniscule percentage, are certainly better placed and to an extent are also insulated against acts of discrimination but the larger picture calls for an all-inclusive approach to expedite their all-round empowerment and make India a developed nation by 2047.

Around 1,89,945 cases of crimes against Dalit community were registered in the last four years according to a National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra informed the Parliament on March 21. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member Girish Chandra sought to know if there was any mechanism to monitor such incidents and prevent them from happening.

Given the fact that caste system in India is a complex social structure that categorizes people into different hierarchical groups based on their birth, occupation, and social status and has deep historical roots and has been a significant part of society for centuries, out-of-the-box initiatives would be required to end caste-based discrimination, once and for all.

Affirmative interventions, also known as affirmative action or positive discrimination, have not yet reached their saturation points, leaving behind a huge hiatus between opportunities and the target social groups comprising disadvantaged or marginalized communities. Seventy-five years of Independence have seen such initiatives being implemented to address age-old multifaceted inequalities, promote diversity, and ensure fair representation in various sectors like education, employment, and public services but the end result has been far below the expectations. By actively considering factors such as caste, gender, ethnicity, or disability in decision-making processes, affirmative actions have the potential to create a more inclusive and equitable society. While opinions on these measures may vary, one needs to accept the fact that they are necessary to redress past injustices and create a level playing field for underrepresented groups, fostering a more just and inclusive society for all.

If one looks at the magnitude of the challenge having arisen out of hundreds of years of exclusion and discrimination, legal measures and efforts to address them need to be taken to their logical conclusion in a time bound manner. None can deny the fact that the caste system has resulted in massive marginalization and oppression of certain groups, particularly those considered lower in the hierarchy. They have faced social, economic, and educational discrimination as well as exploitation. Caste atrocities take place in various forms, including physical violence, sexual assault, social boycott, denial of basic rights and opportunities and excommunication. These acts are often perpetrated by individuals or groups, who wield power and influence within society. The victims of such atrocities often face significant social stigma, making it difficult for them to seek justice and escape their circumstances.

Let Amrit Kaal be the period of total inclusion and empowerment of those who have been left behind, which will guarantee a peaceful, sustainable co-existence and prosperity for all!

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