(In the face of Govt. of India’s objection to include caste oppression in the agenda of the International Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerances, a number of organizations and progressive individuals have come forward to launch a campaign for the inclusion of caste oppression in the agenda of the Conference. They have formed Durban Campaign. Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), Naujawan Bharat Sabha (NBS), Nishant, Jan Hastakshep are also its constituents along with other organizations and prominent intellectuals and democrats. Durban Campaign has organized a number of meetings to highlight its concerns.)

On the occasion of completion of ten years of the end of apartheid in South Africa, an International Conference is being organized in Durban in South Africa “Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance”.  This United Nations Conference is to be held from August 28 to September 1, 2001.

However, a dispute has arisen over the inclusion of caste oppression particularly oppression of Dalits in the agenda of the Conference. The Govt. of India has opposed this inclusion. It is noteworthy that other govts. in the subcontinent, namely Srilanka and Nepal, have agreed to the inclusion of the caste oppression in the agenda of the Conference. The ground given by the Indian Govt. is that race and caste are not the same thing and hence caste oppression cannot be included in the agenda for the Conference on Racism. This position has been officially stated by the Indian Govt. that caste system does not fall within the ambit of racial discrimination.

It is pertinent to note that the proposed Conference is not exclusively on Racism but it even includes other intolerances as well and in the draft documents discriminations based on occupation and descent are being included. It is also important to note that such discrimination based on occupation and descent are sought to be banned under the international human rights and India, along with our neighbouring countries, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, was identified as a country where such discrimination exists. This proposal was passed in the United Nations subcommission on promotion and safeguarding of Human Rights with India participating in the meeting.

While caste system at the present stage may not exactly correspond to racism, there is a strong body of opinion that racial differences did play an important role in the initial formation of castes in the Gangetic plains. Moreover, caste system with its exclusive endogamy rule, does entail discrimination based on descent and profession. The caste status of a person is determined by birth and the life long discrimination and oppression follows from this status.

Indian Govt. is making much about its ‘measures’ to uplift the oppressed castes. But it is a hard fact that these measures have not ameliorated the basic conditions of Dalit masses in India. They are still subjected to the most inhuman oppression and exploitation. Their women fall prey to the landlords, their henchmen and the contractors. Even the most heinous practices continue till date. The underlying reason is the continuation of the semifeudal relations in the countryside with land continuing to be concentrated in the hands of landlords who belong mainly to upper castes. Distribution of land i.e., carrying out radical land reforms, is the key to ending the caste oppression in India. But the Govt. of India and govts. in the states are reversing whatever was carried out in the name of land reforms.

Even the measures, mainly reservations in jobs, taken by the Govts. chiefly to help bring up a group of elites from among these sections and absorb them into the present power structure, are also implemented hesitatingly and grudgingly. Newer and innovative excuses are invented to not implement these measures. On the other hand, continuous assault is made on them in the name of ‘merit’.

Anyhow the Govt. of India’s claim cannot be a ground to bar the discussion on caste oppression in the International Conference. It cannot be denied that caste system continues to oppress and degrade a large section of humanity in the world. Govt. of India’s avowed worry not to “internationalize” the issue is downright hypocritical and dishonest. It is a ploy to not subject the Indian ruling classes’ protection and perpetuation of caste system to international scrutiny. Otherwise it does not behove the Govt. –  which is selling the very country itself to foreign companies, which is throwing open the whole economy to the exploitation of the international sharks, which is subjecting large masses of Indian peasants and workers to the vagaries of international market dominated by the foreign MNCs –  to plead against “internationalization” when it comes to the question of caste system. The Saffronites ruling at the Centre believe that caste system is a national ‘heritage’ which should not even be discussed, leave alone abolished.

There is no doubt that caste system based on endogamy, social segregation and division, pollution and hierarchical arrangement of different groups with subordination of Dalits and other oppressed castes is an inhuman system which must be abolished lock, stock and barrel. There can also be no doubt that caste discrimination and oppression would definitely qualify to be among “Other Related Discriminations” as visualized in the drafts of the United Nations Conference. In the meeting of the United Nations Committee on abolition of racial discrimination held in August 1999, it was held that the conditions of Scheduled castes and tribes come within the purview of the International Convention formed for the abolition of all types of racial discrimination. It is pertinent to note that in 1999 Indian Govt. signed on the Convention “On The Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination”. Indian Govt.’s position that caste system does not fall in its ambit was not accepted by the Commission.

It is pertinent to discuss that even the Indian Constitution treats caste system and oppression in much the same vein.  In Article 15, discrimination on the basis of caste has been grouped along with discriminations on the basis of race, sex, religion and place of birth. Further Article 341 of the Constitution empowers the President to notify any castes, races and tribes or their parts in the scheduled lists. Here again castes have been likened to races and tribes which only expresses the intent of Constitution makers.

Even the Supreme Court in its various pronouncements has held castes to be social classes and also occupational groups whose membership is hereditary, not voluntary. Even if one were to leave that occupation, he/she is still considered to be a member of that group. Supreme Court has also termed caste discrimination as even more oppressive than racial discrimination.

The Govt. of India’s stand of opposing inclusion of caste oppression in the agenda of Durban conference is totally untenable in the face of the reality of the caste system and caste oppression and also even in terms of the provisions of the Indian Constitution. Indian Govt. is merely trying to hide from international attention the heinous and inhuman caste system which flourishes under its rule.

It is besides the point as to how effective are such United Nations initiatives in eradicating these intolerances which are being aggravated internationally. The leading countries in Europe and USA are all witnessing growth of Xenophobia and discrimination against immigrants from third world countries. With economies stagnating and unemployment rising, ruling classes in these countries are themselves giving slogans designed to whip up xenophobia and racial discrimination. In their own countries, rights of oppressed and deprived are under growing attacks.

Coming to the caste oppression, the United Nations Conference is unlikely to come to grips with the problem, which is rooted in the semifeudal relations in the countryside in India. The international community (read G-7) is pressurizing third world countries to abandon land reforms and give big tracts of land to MNCs; even those lands earlier allotted or meant to be distributed among the members of scheduled castes and tribes in India. With their thrust on market access, large masses of the people, mostly from Dalits and oppressed castes, are waging struggle for mere existence as their traditional means of subsistence come under increasing attacks. With this thrust, they cannot come up with anything except the most superficial prescriptions.

Exposure of the caste system, even when it does not signify any meaningful advance towards its elimination, should also be strived for. This inhuman and degrading system has indeed lasted for too long.