As someone who spent many years of my life in south-indian villages, if I may say so, Professor D.Gupta, has got it right. The main obstacle to SCs and STs in rural areas have been the OBCs. It is a shame that India's chattering classes with their Das Capital "analysis" of Indian history have not understood rural life. In TamilNadu, the ruling DMK and its parent DK, built up a well-connected mythology of anti-brahminism, anti-brahmins, Dravidian "race", anti-Sanskrit and anti-Hindi stance to gain political power for the OBCs and BCs. I do not see all that much gain for the Dalits in this "Dravidian" rule, from 1967 to the present moment. A creamy layer from the SCs and STs is included in the network of corruption [ road contracts, public works contracts, other licences ] and patronage in appointments to government-controlled units. But the rural areas inhabited by Dalits are still pretty much neglected. No schools, no primary medical centres. Oh, you will see a statue of Ambedkar though. Finally, the wealth of some of these OBC families you can judge, if you come to any of the jewellery and silk saree shops in Chennai. The OBC families arrive in brand new "safari" vehicles and can make purchases for up to 5 or 6 lakhs of jewellery at a time. This must be the case in other provinces of India also, I presume. Some of these families are so wealthy, it is said, they have bought properties abroad and may have swiss bank accounts.
RE:RE:Skimming the Creamy Layer
by A. Swaminathan on Apr 14, 2008 04:42 PM Permalink
Though I am from OBC...Truely..I support your Observations and Even now, I am seeing more suppression and Cruelty for Dalits from OBC's in many villages.
There should not be any reservation for rich OBC,who buys Brand New Car and Jewellary at the expense of Poor boy from Brahmin or any other Farward Class.
I have also seen son's and daughters of SC/ST people,who are at the top of Govt Post,enjoying the benefits.
The Creamy layer exclusion should be applied to all Catagory,irrespective of whether OBC/SC/ST.
RE:Skimming the Creamy Layer
by Kris iyer on Apr 15, 2008 09:05 AM Permalink
Dear Swaminathan, Glad that, what you have seen in your experience confirms my observations. There is a lot of good will amongst Indians, to help the down-trodden. But it must be done in a fair manner. Our politicians seem to do it with "election-motives". Yesterday, in a discussion on WIN T.V. one educated, medical doctor, a very articulate lady from OBC was saying, "We should review the RESULTS of our reservation programmes of the last 60 years." But three "fair-skinned men" [ I do not know which caste they were from ] did not accept her proposal, they kept arguing instead that the "creamy layer" should NOT be excluded. The chairperson also seem to agree with them. It is this type of unreasonableness, a hostile unreasonableness that frustrates people of all castes.