Readers, do you agree with me that "caste" in India, is losing its social and economic basis but is gaining "political strength"? With increasing urbanisation and the spread of education through ALL castes, the social and economic basis of caste has weakened considerably, even if it has not disappeared completely.
Now, the next step in my reasoning. Who has given "caste" its "political strength"? It is not you and me. It is the political parties, individual politicians like V.P. Singh and Arjun Singh. It is parties like the Congress that continually posture for "social justice" but are actually ensuring that the caste factor will be part of India for ever and ever.
Tell me honestly, in most situations, do any of us worry about the caste of the persons we meet at school, college, cricket club, chat-masala place, net cafe, kabadi match, birth-day parties, picnics? We do not care what caste they are. Vast majority of Hindus do not care what religion they are either. Only at the time of marriage, we worry that our sister or brother should get a good match from a good family. At that time we think we know, people of our caste better. I personally support the Gujjars in their demands. They are playing by the rules made by our politicians on reservation and how it has been applied. Col. Bainsla is right to ask for a review. Our politicians play with fire, thinking that they personally would only benefit but the harm may be several Gujjars dead in police firing.
