When the census guys come asking for your caste, just put “Indian”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIqJMuKqid8
P.S. I didn’t know if I should have made this a traditional blog post, or a video post. So after watching, let me know what you think in the poll!
[poll id=”18″]
Writing is better than speaking. Or reading is easier than listening.
Thankfully, I won't be included in the census so I don't have to give this much thought…See, to me, caste is a non-issue and if I had been included in the census, I would have probably answered "I don't know"…
If there are going to have caste-based reservations, then I think it is a good idea for the government to have the correct data…On the other hand, if we want caste be erased from our society, we need to do away with caste-based reservations…
I would love it if you put both. A video is great – but also provide the transcript. Today I couldn't hear what you had to say in this post because I didn't want to disturb my husband who was sleeping and then something came up and then another and finally if it wasn't opened in a tab – I would have missed this post.
Why do I suggest you still add the video, because it is definitely good to see someone say it.
Another problem with only a video is if one wishes to quote a part of your post – one can't.
I completely agree with you on this. My kids had fought with us when they had to write their religion and mother tongue in a school form – they had always been told they were Indian and their mother tongue was English. I think our entire family, made up I am sure of more than one caste (didn't think of checking, but I am sure…) would agree to write 'Indian'. I am going to speak to them and to all my friends about this.
In reply to Indian Homemaker
Thanks for the feedback IHM :) . The next time I post a video, I'll also post the transcript.
In the United States, this questions is responded to much differently:
Census Worker: Where you from?
Respondent: I don't bang, fool.
In Singapore, one has to write one's ethnicity in all official forms even bank forms…The government here maintains a database to ensure a correct balance (whatever that is)…Indians have to write 'Indian' but the thing that the government doesn't understand is that 'Indian' is not an ethnic group…
Good try..Never saw such an initiative in any blog..
I second IHM,try to add transcript..
About census, caste is a reality and easy to to close our eyes and ears to it,than talk and deal with it..
I support such initiative,provided the data is not used for vote-bank politics,but instead is used for providing better schemes and opportunities to deprived people..
No offense meant to anybody, but the majority of those who oppose caste based census seem to be upper caste people,why is it so?
In reply to Nimmy
I haven't asked any lower caste people whether they support this or not, so I don't know if the assumption that lower caste people support it is true.
Also, correlation doesn't equal causation. Meaning that while lower caste people might be poor for historical reasons, do they continue to be poor due to caste? Why not just institute reservations (if you're going to have them in the first place) based on economic status?
Economic status is easily quantified, objective and makes sense. Why even think about caste? With reservation based on economic status, poor people will get helped irrespective of caste and no rich person can abuse the system. So why do we still talk about caste any more?
Bhagwad lower caste people are doubly disadvantaged. Take a look at this video (I found it on Yayawer's blog, here – http://yayaver.blogspot.com/2010/04/disturbing-tr… ). See how deeply ingrained our prejudices are –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_UnVZT0-0k&fe…
In reply to Indian Homemaker
It's quite sad isn't it?
I can sense this discussion turning into a debate on whether or not caste based reservations should exist instead of a discussion of whether or not those who want to rid themselves of caste should just put "Indian" instead.
But I think like this: What is the purpose of reservations? To lift up the disadvantaged. In what way do we want to lift them up? Socially? That can't be achieved by reservations in public offices. Economically? Yes.
Show me a rich lower caste person who isn't able to get what they want. Money talks. Everywhere. So let's face the truth. We want to give those who are inherently disadvantaged economically to become economically prosperous. What better way to achieve this than by targeting those who are economically poor?
In the video I saw, the dalits who are untouchable were poor. So they would automatically come under the ambit of economic reservations. So it serves its purpose no?
The good thing about economic reservations is that a poor person can become rich. There is progress. But a lower caste person will always remain a lower caste person no matter how rich. The only way for "progress" in such a case is if people willingly give up their caste.
I am for writing 'Indian' when they ask for caste Bhagwad. I just felt Nimmy had a point – it does look like those who speak against caste system may be the ones who have nothing to gain from mentioning it on paper. Most of the benefits of caste come from unwritten social customs… :|
Bhagwad, I am still thinking about this issue of caste census. When I declare myself as Indian without giving caste, I am contributing to the miscalculation of data needed for consensus. Declaring yourself as Indian and its count can show government shows the amount of progressive citizens to the government also.
I don't believe caste will diasppaear from the society with the time. Like class, ethinicity, color and religion, humans have natural tendency to form a group. And stereotyping is the simplification people want to understand as they don't to involve in scholaristic debate. We have to reach a state where caste becomes obsolete as your color of the skin in the selection.
Do whatever you want in video blog or writing in words. It depends that you are writing for yourself or readers. All of us prefer visual medium as its easy and more impactful. But words are also necessary to edit in blog post than video. If you are writing for your own sake, then there is no boundary or rule :)
In reply to YAYAVER
It's not really a miscalculation. If you are progressive enough to not give your caste, then it means that the government has no right to know anything more about you. In a way, but just saying "Indian," you giving up the caste that you were born with and taking your life in your hands. By refusing to identify yourself with a group, you magically rid yourself of it!
by resevation lower castes will get opportunities to devolop.they are underdevoloped , pointed that all the commissions appointed by indian govt.all the honourable retired judges should not lie unanimously.furthermore most of them are honest uppercaste people.devoloping the underdevoloped is first step to the devolopment of our beloved country itself.upper castes acquired their all privileges ,education ,job,status,everything by their caste position they enjoyed so far . they used caste deliberately or not for getting all their staus.now this is the turn of lower castes to use their caste for their improvement.at that time upper castes opposing them .this is a normal crime . no one want to throw away their privileges.