Inequality and Discrimination in India

Inequality and Discrimination in India

An Article By Riya Singh, My Lovely Daughter….

When we talk about India, we say that it is an independent nation but what if I say that India is still under limitations? You’ll be asking me that who is putting those limits on us. My answer would be “It is us who are limiting India’s complete freedom” HOW? We have put limits to its freedom through discrimination. The unjust treatment to a person on the basis of caste, profession, age, gender etc. is known as DISCRIMINATION. We often call some people as ‘low-castes’. Why? Every one of us living with it, not trying to overcome.

• Let’s take an example:

You are going back home in metro train or public bus after a long day’s hard work. An old man comes who unfortunately looks very poor, dirty or whom you may identify as low-caste or discarded from the society, and he stands beside you. He is a local grocer and has to stand the whole day under the heat of sun. On the other hand, you sit in a room under an air conditioner. Will you give him your seat? No, because you think you are superior to him so, you should have the seat.

• Now, let’s do some changes in the above paragraph:

You are going back home in a public bus after a long day’s hard work. An old man who looks like he belongs to ‘your community or religion’ comes or someone looking neat, clean and professional or a beautiful girl or a lady comes and stands beside you. Now, will you offer your seat to him? More likely Yes, because that old man belongs to your community.

In the first example you are practicing discrimination. You think that it is your right to have a seat in a public bus. You also think that it is the right of the old man of ‘your community’ as a senior citizen to have a seat in a public bus. But what about that old, poor grocer which you might have considered as ‘low-caste’? He also has a right to have a seat in a public bus; after all he is also a citizen of Independent India just like you.

We say there is equality in India as per the Constitution. Is that really true in our society? Does the above example show equality? The nation will only change when the mentality of the citizens of this ‘Independent’ country which is certainly great, will change. Equality shall not exist in just Constitution or Government Plans, It shall exist in real society and I can be only when you practice it daily. Don’t discriminate anyone as ‘Low-caste’, even never think of this word and forgive me as well to use that, never be rude with anyone based on such discrimination. Work with them, Play with them, study with them and talk to them as you do to your family members then we shall proudly say all the Indians are my brothers and sisters.

‘All the Indians are my brothers and sisters.’- This line does not mean that your wife is an Indian so she is your sister or your son is an Indian so he is your brother. It means that we should love our fellow countrymen in the way we love our brothers and sisters. My school slogan also says “Love your Neighbor as yourself”.

WAKE UP INDIANS! RISE UP TO GIVE THE RIGHT OF EQUALITY TO YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS (fellow countrymen).

I have compiled for you some of the beautiful quotes on discrimination:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

-Martin Luther King

“If you believe that discrimination exists, it will.”

-Anthony J. D’Angelo

“The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.”

-Chief Joseph

“If you want to see the true measure of a man, watch how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

– J. K. Rowling

“Remove caste system from your mind and it will disappear from this country.”

– Riya Singh
A Seventh Grader