http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sunday-debate/measuring-indians-racist-scale-530
Measuring Indians on the racist scale By By Deepal Trivedi Jun 07 2009 If the United Nations’ definition of racial discrimination — prejudice based on caste, colour, gender or race along with a biased attitude or ridiculing a person based on his/her abilities or character — is considered, few Indians would pass the test. Ironically, while we Indians get hysterical over Shilpa poppadum slight and ferociously defend and generate nationalistic fervour over Harbhajan Singh’s monkey-business, we are stoically complacent about racism around us. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) Marathi manoos protection plan and agitation against UPites, the scheme of offering a gold ring for every family that gives an authentic Tamil name to a newborn or the plight of women in Kandhamal are issues of asmita or chauvinistic regional pride for us instead of racism. Priya Mehta’s parents have summoned her back from Australia. Her father, who runs a boiler factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, sacked all Muslim employees seven years ago. He vociferously argues that he is not a racist and was compelled to take this decision because “Muslims are aggressive and untrustworthy”. Such generalisations are fatal. The stark reality is that the Dera issue in Punjab or Gujarat’s saffron dictatorship is as much laced with race as the Shilpa episode. Such institutionalisation of racism is dangerous for the nation, but short-sighted politicians encourage it to safeguard their interests. Maybe racism and xenophobia are intrinsic make-up of every society and India cannot be singled out, but it does seem to have lots to do with power. Dalit Dera followers in Punjab, Muslims in Gujarat or Christians in Orissa get targeted because they are minorities who seem to challenge the existing social, cultural or economic power paradigm. As long as a minority is non-threatening, nobody takes notice. British historian William Darlymple has never experienced a racist attack in India. But that’s perhaps because he is white, a colour Indians idolise. He, however, admits that he knows black people who have faced racism. Dalrymple says, “Like in all societies, racism is evident in India too”. Though he believes that those attacking Indians in Australia should be hunted and arrested, he categorically says, “I don’t feel that Indians have the right to feel outraged”. Sulabh International founder and sociologist Bindeshwar Pathak points out that discrimination is not unique to India. Every culture has it own set of prejudices he says but adds, “Indian culture has always been about acceptance and being hospitable. But we don’t respect our own people and foreigners, then how can we teach others to respect us?” Human rights activist Fr. Cedric Prakash says it is unfortunate that we get all shrill and prickly over what is happening in Australia but do not even whisper the word “racism” with regard to incidents in our own country. “We need to set our house in order”. The MNS is convinced that its campaign for rights of Marathi people is not in violation of anybody’s rights. “It’s stupidity to equate MNS’ campaign for rights of Marathi people with incidents in Australia. Our issue is an inter-state problem. What is happening in Australia is racial harassment,” says Shirish Parkar, MNS spokesperson. ------------------------------------ ---- INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to [email protected], OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to [email protected] TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to [email protected] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
