My lawyer father used to tell me about the power of  certain surnames and
the ‘reservation’ they enjoyed in their public lives in contrast with people
who were granted ‘reservations’ through the Indian constitution.  I used to
get amazed with the stories he narrated of court rooms where the surnames of
judges and the advocates often used to determine the outcome of the cases
rather than their merits.

And these used to happen automatically, no conspiracy, no underhand dealings
but pure, unadulturated ‘brotherhood’ of certain surnames. However, more
than this ‘brotherhood’ what became more important gradually was the
‘othering’ of people who do not have these surnames and have to suffer
prejudices, discrimination at all levels.

READ MORE @ http://www.blog.insightyv.com/

-- 
" The so called caste-hindus are bitterly opposed to the depressed class
using a public tank not because they really believe that the water will be
thereby spoiled or will evaporate but because they are afraid of losing
their superiority of caste and of equality being established between the
former and the latter. We are resorting to this satyagraha not becasue we
believe that the water of this particular tank has any exceptional
qualities, but to establish our natural rights as citizens and human
beings."

- Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Mahad Satyagraha Conference, December 25th , 1927

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