Racism in india;living a legacy?

Presently it is tough times down under for the student community especially from those hailing from the sub-continent. Most of us wouldn’t deny it if we recall few instances in some games of cricket which heard some unpleasant comments. Though this example doesn’t generalize the attitude of entire nation as whole but exposes the fact that racism could be embraced in certain parts. It is an expected and obvious reaction from the administration there to deny the allegations and mask them with events of thefts and robbery. While the administration or people in India cry out loud about being victims of racism, may be it is a right time to also introspect to see if racism exists or embraced in india and by its people.

Racism as described in Oxford dictionary is “The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Hence: prejudice and antagonism towards people of other races, esp. those felt to be a threat to one's cultural or racial integrity or economic well-being; the expression of such prejudice in words or actions. Also occas. in extended use, with reference to people of other nationalities.”

So, one could be racist (i) if one thinks they are better than other because of their race or (ii) if one not only thinks the above but goes a step ahead to inflict hatred towards others and treat with disrespect and offend based on race.

This could well earn me few frowns and cusses but I believe India of twentieth and twenty first century, in my view, lives on legacy but not reality in some cases of cultural aspects. Still there are numerous clashes between religious sections. The controversial election speech given by Varun Gandhi is one such example to encourage the factionist groups. It was really shocking and shameful to hear an educated person belonging to this generation commit such a thing. He was heard because he was on micro-phone. I’m sure there are many such people in every street who just dislike the other person because his/her traditions in praying, eating, speaking etc are different to theirs’. Is this not racism existing?

Popular version of racism in India is segregation based on colour. Generally speaking, one goes down the preference list if (s)he happens to be dark skinned in case of matrimonial issues. This may not be because of any personal rivalry towards that person but it is instinctive, may be because of societal awareness or anything else but it exists. If that emerges as one branch of the tree named racism planted in sub-continent, another branch would be segregation based on religion, caste, socio-economic status and even language! Probably thought in one’s mind would be how come this is relevant to racism? My argument would be how different is depriving one of an opportunity just because (s)he belong to or doesn’t belong to, as the case may be, and depriving the opportunity or showing prejudice because one hails from different nationality or race.

Forget about the issues between two nations, how about the divide or categorization of south and north India. If the name calling is in the spirit of fun, it is fine and healthy. Among the friends, if the people hailing from Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu are called Gulti or Thambi respectively, as they are popularly addressed, it is fine if the addressee is comfortable and has no issues. I’m sorry if it looks partial just to mention these two names because I am really unaware of other names for people elsewhere in India, may be because this is what I heard many times and was at receiving end on few occasions. This happens big time in educational institutions, hopefully in the spirit of friendship. It happens in India and it happens among Indian elsewhere. Man who was credited to earn the freedom through a peaceful revolution himself suffered a violent end by none other than a fellow citizen. Why? Every body has their own justification. We push aside that fact, in my view pretty important one, which reflects the tolerance of the society again for which the nation shared a good reputation. But I’d say that may be during the times of Moguls and before but not post-independence. Living on a legacy!

India, yet, hasn’t got an experience dealing with big numbers of foreign nationals who have to work sharing their work space with locals. Reality of such event would really expose the tolerance of people in this modern era and tell if it is racist or not. Why are foreign tourists subjected to exploitation? India is advertised as being rich for its ‘cultural diversity and heritage’, ‘unparalleled traditions’ to attract people all around the world. And when a person is there to explore, they are molested. I’m afraid, this incident would rather realistically reflect as ‘tradition’ to people in victim’s nation. If proper respect is lacking on the part of host, better stop saying guest is equivalent to god. Just sounds Hippocratic!

Probably, reading all this, someone would well argue that I have no right critiquing about a country that I’m no longer presently a part of, do not contribute in making things better or even attempting it. So, here, all I am saying is the strong hold of the country has become a legacy of past but aim is not to criticize. At least there should be realization that something happening else where to Indians has happened and is happening to Indians in India by fellow Indians. Just the way it is happening is different form. I acknowledge the fact that India is a place where religions like Islam was embraced and expanded though predominantly being populated by Hindus. That truly speaks of tolerance. It is a place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment and started a new religion all together which speaks of peace. It has been a platform of many such wonderful events. But those have been too primitive now. It is a time when those principles are not just appreciated but adopted,… adopted, truly in every act of life.