CASTE FEELING AND HUMAN BEING

In our country there are different religions. However, while the number of religions can be counted on fingertips, it is not the case with castes as their numbers are manifold as compared to religions.

Since my childhood I have grown up listening to the advice of my parents not to take food from the houses of low castes or from the hotels run by them, not to speak of mingling with them irrespective of being my friends or classmates. Moreover, I was advised not  to pay any visit to their houses  which I was given to understand was a shameful act.

 I could get rid of the influence of casteism and defy the taboo only after I have finished my school life and became sympathizer of CPI(M). At that time I used to regularly visit the house of one of my close friends who belonged to fishermen’s community  much against the wishes of my parents. Later on I had participated in his marriage and had also taken feast alongwith other invitees belonging to different  communities sparking strong disapproval from my parents and relations.

Even though untouchability is not conspicuous anywhere, there is no denying the fact that caste feeling still remains in the hearts of scores of human beings.  This aspect was amply demonstrated  when consequent upon implementation of reservation in jobs in respect of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, many caste-based organizations took to the streets demanding extension of such benefit to their caste as well thereby inciting caste feeling among many a caste. Similarly, concerted efforts were made in the past at attributing the main reason for the acute unemployment problem amongst the educated unemployed in the country as reservation in jobs in respect of Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes. Even now the same propaganda is going on in the country.

It hardly needs any emphasis that even those who are progressive minded including Communists are at times unable to break the barriers of casteism completely.  For instance, as is wellknown, when it comes to marriage, majority of the people are inclined to marry from their own caste or community only. Ofcourse there are many exceptions also. But their numbers would be a minuscule minority. What is the reason for this tendency?  It is nothing but the thought that if they marry outside the caste or religion, it will lead to stiff resistance and subsequent boycott from their dear and dear ones.

As far back as in the late 60s, while I was working with Com.A.K.Gopalan, CPI(M) leader in New Delhi, Com.Suseela Gopalan had proposed to me case of a Christian girl for marriage. Inspite of the fact that I was personally not against the idea, the thought that my getting married to a girl outside the religion would entail cutting off relations with my parents and other relations prompted me to tell her to excuse me for turning down the said proposal.

After almost 4 years have elapsed when I got married, I had to sign a register maintained by the Nair Service Society(NSS), a caste organization of Nair community whom I belonged to, even though I had nothing to do with that organization. Again when my daughter got married also the newly weds had to sign the register of Nair Service Society(NSS)  much to my discomfiture.

My father-in-law happened to be an office bearer of NSS for a longer period. Thus it was but  natural that I was pressurized to become a member of the same when I and my family were staying with my in-laws. Nevertheless, I had resisted the pressure and kept aloof from the functions conducted by NSS owing to my secular feeling and being a CPI(M) sympathizer.

My wife is of the firm opinion that once we moved to our own house in Kerala in the foreseeable future, both of us will have to become members of NSS lest her relations and members of our community will neither  co-operate with us nor shall they invite us for any functions like marriage etc., as and when held. She also nurtures a fear that in such an event , it will result in a practical boycott and in order to avoid the same atleast she should be allowed to be a member of NSS in view of the fact that I will never be inclined to be a member of that organization under any circumstances.

Last, but not the least, it is only apposite to make a mention here that despite the state of Kerala having been achieved new milestones in regard to total literacy, it is really a pity and shame to observe that majority of the ;people are not able to break the barriers of casteism completely as yet. Needless to state, this undoubtedly remains a blot on the dignity of our state and country.

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