Overcoming Gender, caste and religious biases in India

India, which was once called “The Golden Bird”, is now a developing country; precisely so because the Mughals, the British, etc., plucked bare the bird of gold. All those conquests have left a huge scar, lasting for centuries. But the scar will vanish soon if we overcome all the differences and biases existing in the society. The sooner we start treating people as mere humans, and a part of nature, the sooner will “Our Hindustan” be the most flouring nation in the world.

Gender bias is the most prominently visible, and demeaning biases of all time. It has been prevalent from time immemorial. Since men fought wars, ran enterprises, were engaged in more outgoing activities than women, they arrogated to themselves the superior positions and gave women a subordinate role in social and economic activity of communities. The physiologists and psychologists have repeatedly demonstrated through scientific experiments and tests that women are not inferior to men in intellectual capacity and emotional stability. Notions of women inferiority thrive on ignorance. Many women face discrimination on grounds of getting lower wages or denial of educational opportunity. The exponentially increasing amount of crimes against women are also due to the same notions of inferiority.

Of course we cannot forget the brutally ill-treated transgender. Often laughed upon, these people have to go on roads to earn for a living, because none are ready to recruit them in companies or work places. It’s sad how a person’s identity can attract so many preposterous comments. They are treated worse than criminals, for absolutely no fault of theirs. Being transgender is completely normal. They are equally talented and capable individuals, who deserve equal chances at everything they do. Women and transgender do not require privileges, all they need is fair and square treatment. Places where the literacy rates amongst the genders are equal, and where everyone are given equal opportunities are seen flourishing.

Due to the squalid mentalities and social prejudices, many people faced injustice due their ‘claimed’ low births (castes) and economic difficulties. The great Dr.B.R.Ambedkar wrote our constitution, which was aimed at resolving the social injustices based on caste, creed, etc., to all which he was victim. Our present constitution caters to the need and well being of all. Yet, justice remains unserved for many. Even though the Indian law is completely unbiased, we, the citizens who are supposed to abide by it, are clearly not. The resources should be available to all and in parity. The economically weak people should be given a push. Caste based prejudices are still preponderant. To eradicate this, our law provides reservation for the socially and economically weak. But when it comes to exercising the law, the pillars are still weak in the aspect .Many people take undue advantage of this law, due to which the deserved end up paying a toll. Even the ones who have no need for a reservation, end up getting a seat due to certificate they have in hand. This ends up spoiling the reputation of all people who have reservations and are actually in need of it. The mindsets we have about various castes should be thrown out in order to strengthen our nation. A person, should be able to reach a position only if worthy; it should not be based on the caste or creed. Only then will we be able to strengthen our social pillars, thus strengthening the economical pillars of our nation. India is a melting pot of cultures and religions from all over the world. That is what makes us unique. It is also our strength.

All of us are humans, and more so a part of nature. Our religions merely showcase our faiths and beliefs, nothing else. Biases rooted on religion is shameful and reflects on the pettiness and immaturity of people. These ethnic biases are responsible for the petty riots, which are breaking our nation into bits and pieces. These riots were what inspired the British to divide and rule us. Acknowledging people for the way they are, and accepting the differences is what makes us all grow from within. For we all know, monotony is boring. Being united amidst diversity is what is going to help the nation bloom with prosperity and richness.

We all are Indians, and above all a part of a country which worships nature. We have no need to mimic another country in any way. It was our traditional richness, with the liberal mindsets that made us the most independent and richest nation in the world. Our system has flaws, but it can be fixed only if we fix ourselves from within. This mainly means letting loose of our restricted and biased principles. Remember, “United we stand, divided we fall”.