Ashis Nandy
In India there are always more news related to remarks against any caste or religion. Politicians, bureaucrats or citizens spend more time in discussing or practicing partial practices pertaining to religion or caste than anything conclusive. Many political parties of India are formed with roots of separatism within the country. To the world a united face of India is shown, but from inside it is divided in religion, caste, region and language. On the other side, India is a liberal country; therefore, nothing is imposed on its citizens and people of country are open for any kind of cultural change.
The Right to Freedom of speech is one of the major pillars of liberty granted to any country's citizens. The constitution of India provides the Right to Freedom of expression in Article 19, which also shows that there is nothing to hide. But most of the time Freedom of Expression is misused by those politicians or leaders of a particular community, who want to play their cards by practicing hate politics. Every now and then we can hear some kind of hate speech coming out from various corners of country. Recent hate speech of Akbaruddin Owaisi, a MLA of regional political party in Andhra Pradesh state of India, made much highlights in Indian media. Interestingly, he is backed by huge supporters, who stormed within premises of court when he was booked for his speech. This may not be a very serious issue because every leader whether good or bad has his set of followers who are ready to take on anything for their leader. But, the other side of the story carries more serious concerns. Because of these unwanted socio-leaders, every word or line said against anything is taken as hate speech.
Every one demands a healthy debate on various issues which are rotting out Indian society. A society is made up of people from different cultural or religious backgrounds. And if that society belongs to India, not only there will be people from different set of cultures, they will be from various types of casts. Therefore, any debate has to cover them all, and esp. if a debate is going on corruption.
In a literature festival in Jaipur, Rajasthan, an international tourist avenue, Ashis Nandy, a sociologist, political critic and author, sparked a row over his statements made in a debate session. He said, "It is a fact that most of the corrupt come from OBCs and Scheduled Castes and now increasingly the Scheduled Tribes". He further added, that he can site an example of a state with the least amount of corruption, which is state of West Bengal where CPI(M) was there, and in the last 100 years, nobody from OBC, SC and ST has come anywhere near to power. It is an absolutely clean state.
The statements spilled the beans to the much starved Indian media, who got instantly energized. As soon as the news reached to the doors of mouth-active politicians they became active and condemned the statements. Two regional party leaders BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) chief Mayawati and LJP leader Ramvilas demanded registration of case under SC/ST Act against Nandy. They also wanted Nandy to be jailed immediately, while other national party leaders condemned the statement made by Nandy.
Ashis Nandy made those statements in a debate at Jaipur Literature Festival. In any debate, there are people who speak for the topic, and there people too, who speak against the topic. A healthy debate contains wide varieties of views from different aspects. Views may be harsh or soft, but you have to hear them and counter or challenge them with your views. A TV journalist and panelist of the debate did the same. He said, "This is the most bizarre statement I have heard. The Brahmins and the upper caste can do away with all the corruption but when a low caste person emulates the same thing it becomes so wrong. Such a statement is not right."
An Indian politician never comes out in a public debate with intellectuals. They will only speak on TV channels during a scam and beat around the bush with their illogical statements within their premises. Leaders like Mayawati of BSP had never been cited in any such debate in the public.
Facing strong remarks from political class and various groups of India, Ashis Nandy is forced to draw an apology and flip-flopping his statement. He said his statement was misunderstood.
Corruption has become a major problem in India. Every citizen is suffering from corruption. Recently movements against corruption have created awareness among the citizens to fight against the corruption, but an unresponsive political class has made every effort in vain. India's current international rank in global corruption index has jumped to 95. This ever increasing trend doesn’t look to end. Interestingly, every government policy regarding public service entitles SC, OBS and ST extra privilege in admission, selection and promotions. There is reservation for them in every government sector. Right from the time constitution of India is framed; the same policy is dominating till now. And the ever increasing corruption index reflects something harsh behind the curtains.
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