4 ms·

India works on a caste system, said caste system being very discriminatory. What the other poster meant is that you'll end up hiring out of the upper castes an

India works on a caste system, said caste system being very discriminatory. What the other poster meant is that you'll end up hiring out of the upper castes and they'll display a lot of bias towards other castes. It's to the point that many from India won't admit to the caste they're in.

ushtaritk421 4y ago
I mean, legally they are not in a caste, right? Does the Indian state recognize caste?
- KrishnaShripad 4y ago
  Yes Indian state recognizes all castes. That is the core problem. For the system to be dismantled you need the Indian state to stop recognizing castes and implement US style Affirmative Action and only provide Reservation opportunities to those from low income groups. But the first ones to fight against this reform would be the "lower caste" strata of the population. Who would give up freebies, Government jobs as well as an education in Prestigious Universities where you can guaranteed to get it based on your birth caste and not on merit? No one would. If I am born in any of the "lower caste" groups I can easily get a Government job, free/subsidized education in any Prestigious University irrespective of my scores/performance. Now there is talk of reservation/quotas in land distribution as well (comments by a politician in a recent speech to his base). Idea is that if you want to purchase land some section of the land is reserved if you belong to a particular caste (and will probably be available for lower than market rate as well). However ridiculous it might sound. Affirmative Action in US doesn't have a quota system or reservation. It instead focuses on equal opportunity (no denial of opportunity to anyone based on their race/creed/color/sex/religion etc). This is different from India's Caste based reservation system where you are guaranteed of a job/education if you belong to lower caste. Doesn't matter if you are merited or not. Doesn't matter if you are rich or not. Even seats in the Parliament of India have reservations/quotas for lower castes. It is ridiculous to talk about dismantling caste system while in the same breath prop up structures that actively promotes this same caste system on the Government level. And the Politicians do not want to dismantle said system because it helps with their vote bank.
newyankee 4y ago
That is a very far fetched statement. I am an Indian and technically from Other backward class (OBC) as classified in the system. I have never had a problem in my city. Off course that doesn't mean that India is not a huge and complex country with 100s if not thousands of groups differentiated based on region, class , caste etc. You are colouring a very complicated and nuanced issue with your personal biases.
- P5fRxh5kUvp2th 4y ago
  What bias is it you think I have?
- KrishnaShripad 4y ago
  The only comment here that actually spoke the Facts as it is. Another commenter even said there is "systemic slavery" in India. Don't know whether to laugh or cry at the naivety of this individual. To think that 1.4 billion people, of which 80% belong to the so called "lower caste" strata, and that the rest 20% are enslaving the 80% is not only laughable but downright insane proposition. I wanted to respond but I know it is not worth spending my time and energy on such individuals. Just goes to show how bias clouds reason and logic. Propaganda in full swing! Thank you for speaking facts.
  - P5fRxh5kUvp2th 4y ago
    I said nothing about slavery, what are you talking about?
    - KrishnaShripad 4y ago
      Did I say it was you? I said "another commenter". If I wanted to say it was you, I would have said it was you.
      - P5fRxh5kUvp2th 4y ago
        you lumped me in with them, implying an attitude I don't have. And before you try to claim otherwise, don't bother. The English language has implicature. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/implicature/ https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/implicature/

ushtaritk421 4y ago

I mean, legally they are not in a caste, right? Does the Indian state recognize caste?

KrishnaShripad 4y ago
Yes Indian state recognizes all castes. That is the core problem. For the system to be dismantled you need the Indian state to stop recognizing castes and implement US style Affirmative Action and only provide Reservation opportunities to those from low income groups. But the first ones to fight against this reform would be the "lower caste" strata of the population. Who would give up freebies, Government jobs as well as an education in Prestigious Universities where you can guaranteed to get it based on your birth caste and not on merit? No one would. If I am born in any of the "lower caste" groups I can easily get a Government job, free/subsidized education in any Prestigious University irrespective of my scores/performance. Now there is talk of reservation/quotas in land distribution as well (comments by a politician in a recent speech to his base). Idea is that if you want to purchase land some section of the land is reserved if you belong to a particular caste (and will probably be available for lower than market rate as well). However ridiculous it might sound. Affirmative Action in US doesn't have a quota system or reservation. It instead focuses on equal opportunity (no denial of opportunity to anyone based on their race/creed/color/sex/religion etc). This is different from India's Caste based reservation system where you are guaranteed of a job/education if you belong to lower caste. Doesn't matter if you are merited or not. Doesn't matter if you are rich or not. Even seats in the Parliament of India have reservations/quotas for lower castes. It is ridiculous to talk about dismantling caste system while in the same breath prop up structures that actively promotes this same caste system on the Government level. And the Politicians do not want to dismantle said system because it helps with their vote bank.

newyankee 4y ago

That is a very far fetched statement. I am an Indian and technically from Other backward class (OBC) as classified in the system. I have never had a problem in my city. Off course that doesn't mean that India is not a huge and complex country with 100s if not thousands of groups differentiated based on region, class , caste etc. You are colouring a very complicated and nuanced issue with your personal biases.

P5fRxh5kUvp2th 4y ago
What bias is it you think I have?
KrishnaShripad 4y ago
The only comment here that actually spoke the Facts as it is. Another commenter even said there is "systemic slavery" in India. Don't know whether to laugh or cry at the naivety of this individual. To think that 1.4 billion people, of which 80% belong to the so called "lower caste" strata, and that the rest 20% are enslaving the 80% is not only laughable but downright insane proposition. I wanted to respond but I know it is not worth spending my time and energy on such individuals. Just goes to show how bias clouds reason and logic. Propaganda in full swing! Thank you for speaking facts.
- P5fRxh5kUvp2th 4y ago
  I said nothing about slavery, what are you talking about?
  - KrishnaShripad 4y ago
    Did I say it was you? I said "another commenter". If I wanted to say it was you, I would have said it was you.
    - P5fRxh5kUvp2th 4y ago
      you lumped me in with them, implying an attitude I don't have. And before you try to claim otherwise, don't bother. The English language has implicature. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/implicature/ https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/implicature/