November 1, 2023
Dear Readers,
The recent caste survey conducted in Bihar has revealed significant disparities between caste demographics and reservation quotas, which have the potential to reshape Indian politics. I emphasise the need for a fresh perspective on reservations to address the grievances of millions while underlying the need for social justice and equality.
As I write this, the situation in Israel and Palestine is deeply distressing. It is regrettable that innocent civilians are bearing the brunt of violence. Military solutions cannot resolve this crisis; diplomacy, historical responsibility, and a shift away from ethnocentric ideas are crucial.
Sincerely,
Hari Jaisingh
Complexities of Bihar’s, nay, India’s caste syndrome
Caste enumeration is absent from our national census, with the exception of scheduled castes and tribes. Historically, governments over the years have strongly resisted the inclusion of caste data until the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar decided to initiate a caste survey. With the release of the survey's findings, the potential ramifications extend beyond Bihar and have the capacity to significantly influence the political landscape of India as a whole.
According to a Scroll article by Shoaib Daniyal, in the mid-nineteenth century, during the British Raj, comprehensive censuses were initiated to gain a deeper understanding of the population under their rule. Caste, a complex system of social hierarchy deeply ingrained in Indian society for millennia, was a prominent focus. However, after independence, collecting detailed caste-based data was curtailed.
From 1951 onward, the sole caste-specific data gathered pertained to Dalits and Adivasis, both subjects of affirmative action programs aimed at improving their access to education and government employment. Consequently, for more than 3/4ths of the Indian population, caste-related information was no longer documented. However, despite the discontinuation of official data collection, caste continues to wield substantial influence in Indian society and, by extension, its politics.
The lack of caste data means that India does not have an official list of all castes or a clear picture of the population distribution among different castes, particularly among the Other Backward Castes [OBCs]. Affirmative action programs and reservation quotas for OBCs have been based on arbitrary estimates, and the 1992 Supreme Court ruling imposed a 50% cap on reservations without solid demographic data.
Last year, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar conducted a caste survey, and the results have now been released, which reveal:
Bihar's total population is 13.07 crore, with backward communities comprising roughly 63% of the population.
Muslims make up 17.7% of the total population.
36% belong to the Extremely Backward Class [EBC], 27.1% to OBC, 19.7% to the Scheduled Caste, and 1.7% to the Scheduled Tribe.
Notably, the EBCs, considered the most economically disadvantaged within the OBC category, have been counted separately since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar rallied them as his political base.
The dominant OBC subcaste, Yadavs, stands out as the largest group in the state, accounting for a substantial 14.2% of the population.
Upper castes represent only 15.5% of the population; Brahmins, in particular, comprise a mere 3.66% of the total population.
What this caste survey reveals is the significant disparity between the overall population of backward classes and the allocated reservation quotas. For instance, EBCs and OBCs together form 63% of the population in Bihar, challenging the current reservation system, which provides lower quotas than their population share. EBCs constitute 36% of the population but currently receive only an 18% reservation in job opportunities. Similarly, OBCs, representing 27% of the population, are provided with a 12% job reservation.
The striking disparity highlighted by the Bihar caste census creates an avenue for mobilization among the backward classes, potentially leading to heightened demands for a more substantial share of reservations and opportunities.
Bihar’s caste data presents a challenge for the BJP, as it has built a successful electoral base by appealing to both upper castes and the poorer sections of OBCs. Supporting the caste census could alienate upper caste supporters already critical of reservation quotas.
Further, pressure from BJP allies could lead to calls for caste surveys in other states. The National Democratic Alliance [NDA] comprises 38 smaller regional parties, several of which garner support from a single subcaste within specific regions. Collectively, they amass substantial electoral strength in key constituencies. These parties are now advocating for a caste census in Uttar Pradesh.
While the BJP is still riding on the popularity of Narendra Modi, the caste census results could change the political landscape, and how the opposition coalition uses this data will be crucial.
According to experts in the field, the Bihar Caste Survey report is expected to exert significant pressure on political parties to announce and implement more welfare schemes targeting the economically disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society.
One critical aspect that merits close observation is whether this survey will precipitate a resurgence of Mandal versus Kamandal (backward versus forward) politics in Bihar and the rest of the country.
True, the caste system in India is a harsh reality. It has been used to exploit and dehumanize lower castes. This is an anachronistic system that cannot be allowed to thrive in the democratic polity of India.
At the same time, the entire gamut of reservations has to be viewed afresh so that those millions of people still groaning under the weight of deprivation and injustice are speedily helped to shake off their burden.
It is crucial to remember that no individual or caste can live in isolation. Those who graduate into the minimum standards of economic and social uplift have to make room for their less unfortunate brethren. Social justice and equality demand this cooperative effort, as we recognize that no one can thrive as an island, and the progress of one segment of society should not come at the expense of another.
(October 6, 2023)
In the shadow of the Israel-Hamas conflict
Once more, Western Asia finds itself engulfed in a grave crisis. Israel has unleashed its most intense airstrikes in a 75-year-long struggle with the Palestinians, leveling entire neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip. In response, Tel Aviv has promised retaliation, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that this offensive marks the commencement of a sustained campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, underscoring Israel's unwavering commitment to reshaping the dynamics of the Middle East.
To better appreciate the backdrop of this ongoing conflict, let's revisit the historical context. The Israel-Palestine dispute traces its origins to 1947 when the United Nations sanctioned the creation of two distinct nations, Israel and Palestine, while designating Jerusalem as an international city. While Jewish leaders accepted this proposal, the Arab nations rejected it. However, during the ensuing conflict in 1948 following the British withdrawal, the plan of the United Nations fell apart. This period is etched in history as the Nakba, or The Catastrophe, as Palestinians were forcibly uprooted from their homes due to the fighting between Jewish and Arab forces.
Israel seized control over the majority of the region, with Jordan administering the West Bank and Egypt occupying Gaza. Jerusalem was split into East and West sectors, each under the supervision of Jordanian and Israeli forces, respectively. Subsequently, following the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict, Israel expanded its dominion to encompass the West Bank, the Golan Heights in Syria, Gaza, the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, and, notably, East Jerusalem.
Regarding territorial division today, certain areas within the West Bank and Gaza are designated for Palestinian self-governance. However, in practice, Israel retains direct authority over most of the West Bank, with the remaining portion falling under the governance of the elected Palestinian Authority. Gaza, on the other hand, is controlled by Hamas. Recent conflicts have primarily arisen between Hamas and Israeli forces, often concluding with significant Palestinian casualties.
Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, takes its name from the Arabic word for zeal. It emerged in the aftermath of the first intifada [uprising] in 1987 and is committed to an armed struggle aimed at ending the Israeli occupation. Unlike the Palestine Liberation Organisation [PLO], Hamas does not acknowledge Israel’s right to statehood. However, it does accept the borders established after the 1967 war. Hamas is backed by Iran and Syria and is close to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Gaza Strip – a narrow piece of land, approximately 41 km long and 10 km wide – has been under the control of Hamas since 2007. The area is home to over two million people. Gaza faces significant challenges as it is subjected to an Israeli blockade, and the Egyptian border is mostly closed. As a result, the residents of Gaza find it difficult to travel in and out of the region, and the import of essential supplies is also restricted.
Following the horrific event of October 7, Netanyahu cautioned that this conflict would be prolonged and challenging and issued a stern warning to the residents of Gaza, urging them to evacuate the area, stating their intention to reduce it to ruins. Unfortunately, people in Gaza have limited means to leave the territory, and as a result, thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in schools and emergency shelters.
The attack by Hamas on Israel has led to an all-out war and raised questions about how Israeli Intelligence, renowned for its effectiveness, failed to anticipate the Hamas attack. There are suspicions of Iranian involvement in the recent conflict, although there is no concrete evidence yet. According to unnamed sources within Hamas and Hezbollah, cited by the Wall Street Journal, the operation was orchestrated by groups based in Teheran. These sources claim that officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] had collaborated with Hamas since August to plan the attack.
The conflict has implications for the relationship between Tel Aviv and the Arab world, creating geopolitical challenges. If Iran is behind these attacks, what is the driving factor behind its determination to provoke Israel? Is Tel Aviv the primary target, or could the motivation be rooted in a broader strategic objective? New Delhi has made no mention of the Palestinians. It is worth noting that New Delhi has not addressed the Palestinian issue. Aside from Prime Minister Modi's tweet, there has been no official statement.
(October 13, 2023)
Ending the Hamas-Israel Conflict for Humanity's Sake
As I write this, bombs are falling over Gaza, and the Palestinian people are facing the threat of a new forced displacement, with nowhere to go in the besieged enclave. The war continues, and the death toll climbs. What is unfolding in Israel and Palestine is horrifying.
In response to Israel’s instruction for all residents of Gaza City and its nearby regions to relocate to the southern Gaza Strip, hospitals turned into sanctuaries for hundreds of people seeking safety from the ongoing bombardments. Alas, that was not to be.
The airstrike on Gaza’s Al-Ahli Arab hospital is seen as by far the deadliest incident among the five Israel-Hamas wars fought since 2008. The tragic event has claimed the lives of several innocent people. While Hamas attributes it to an Israeli airstrike, Tel Aviv insists it resulted from a misfired Hamas missile.
After the airstrike, the courtyard of the hospital was a gruesome sight, with bloodied and charred bodies scattered around. Close by, one could spot blankets, backpacks, and mattresses left behind by families who had sought refuge at the hospital when their homes were destroyed.
Medical personnel and ordinary citizens hurried to transport individuals to Dar Al-Shifa Hospital, which, already on the brink of collapse, struggled to manage the overwhelming number of injured and deceased.
War photographer Ali Jadallah described the horrors he witnessed, stating:
“I can’t describe what I saw. I swear to God – I witnessed the killing of my family, but I couldn’t even handle what I saw today.”
This underscores the brutal nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where innocent civilians are bearing the brunt of violence.
Targeting hospitals is considered a serious war crime. Regrettably, this rule has been violated in nearly all Middle East conflicts. The World Health Organization [WHO] reports that there have been more than 51 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza since the conflict started on October 7.
Providing help to those in need is incredibly challenging at this moment. The United States is collaborating with Israel to establish safe zones and has appointed a special envoy for humanitarian assistance during the conflict. However, Tel Aviv is not allowing aid to enter Gaza, turning this into a matter of life and death for many.
Desperation for basic needs has led some in Gaza to dig wells near the sea or rely on salty tap water from Gaza's only aquifer, which is contaminated with sewage and seawater.
“It is easy to blur the truth with a simple linguistic trick: start your story from “Secondly.” Yes, this is what Rabin did. He simply neglected to speak of what happened first. Start your story with “Secondly,” and the world will be turned upside-down. Start your story with “Secondly,” and the arrows of the Red Indians are the original criminals and the guns of the white men are entirely the victims. It is enough to start with “Secondly,” for the anger of the black man against the white to be barbarous. Start with “Secondly,” and Gandhi becomes responsible for the tragedies of the British.”
These are words by Palestinian writer and poet Mourid Barghouti in I Saw Ramallah.
Yes. Single story narratives are dangerous. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the context behind the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine while recognizing the pain, loss, and humanity of Palestinians and Israelis.
Start the story with the rockets fired into Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and not with the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by Israel and the blockade of Gaza since 2007, and you have an entirely different story.
During this period of grief and suffering, let us question the narratives that endorse revenge and retaliation. Resolving the devastating events in Israel and Palestine, and the wider region, requires more than military solutions. It demands diplomacy, acknowledging historical responsibilities, and reshaping our political mindset to challenge exclusive and ethnocentric ideas of belonging.
I want to stress the importance of supporting both Palestinians and Israelis without picking sides based on different moral standards or showing selective outrage. It is time to be attentive to each other, apply lessons we have learned and the principles we cherish as we strive for a world of fairness and peace. Now is the time to draw inspiration from the humanitarian values of the non-aligned movement and strengthen the bonds of peace and harmony for a better world to live in.
(October 20, 2023)