Banishing caste system

Sir, - The article by Mr. T.R. Anandan on the failure of anti- caste movements (Open Page, July 24) was thought provoking. The caste system is one of the unscientific creations of man. It has vitiated society. Education and politics are two areas where discouragement of caste is absolutely necessary.

N.R. Ramachandran,

Udhagamandalam, T.N.

Sir - Anti-caste activists were undoubtedly right when they challenged the Government's position on caste in the upcoming U.N. World Conference against Racism. At the same time, there was an impression that the activists were setting too much store by the results of the conference. Mr. Kancha Ilaiah went to the extent of predicting that the conference would result in a greater flow of international funds for the uplift of oppressed castes. There seemed to be an implicit faith in the progressive credentials of Western governments compared to domestic Brahminical-communal ruling forces.

Any illusions on this score have been dispelled - firstly by the series of reports from the U.K. of entrenched racism in its institutions, and secondly by the blunt threat of the U.S. to boycott the conference if the issues of Zionism and reparations for slavery are raised. The precepts of Jefferson and Mill need to be separated from the practices of their latter-day compatriots, which are dictated by geo-political expediency. Legalistic arguments, that the U.N. had earlier rejected resolutions on Zionism, fly in the face of the contemporary struggles of Palestinians. The Indian anti-caste movement needs to be much more cautious about the agenda of Western States and their hollow commitments to human rights. It must make common cause with autonomous groups struggling against racism.

R. Rajesh,

New Delhi

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