Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE RACIAL MIRROR

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

 The Racial Mirror 

 The recent spate of racial attacks on Indians in Australia might have subsided, but, it has indeed opened up many a debate on the issue. While at first I admit that it definitely has hurted me and completely empathize the conditions of the victims, I also condemn myself that we as a collective Indian society are also responsible for inculcating the same feelings. 

 I understand that you may be surprised and shocked at my words but let us consider the facts below. While we talk about patriotism on one hand we also have our own classifications within our nations. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar workers not allowed in Maharashtra, North Indians are victimized in South India and vice versa, North East people are ill treated in other parts of the country, a singer is asked to apologize for not speaking as a Marathi, a film star is victimized for talking about peace and harmony with the neighbouring country, a minister in Andhra Pradesh asks the cricket team to boycott the tournament since Hyderabad was not selected as a venue for the game. 

The list will go on and on, isn’t it? So now you understand that while we get frustrated about the attacks on Indians by outsiders and burn with patriotism, we are all back home, favouring and practicing racism. 

 It is a fact that our constitution promotes Unity in Diversity and that we all believe in oneness, but that is all in the constitution. In practice we are all racist and divided by not one but many classifications. Region, race, religion, culture, colour, status, power, achievements, gender, age, seniority etc etc. We all practically have hatred against our fellow Indians and wait for the opportunity to harm him. Honestly speaking, the harming would bring us satisfaction. Then, the question of patriotism on the racial attacks on Indians by outsiders holds no value. 

 The reason could also be that this racism has evolved among us perhaps due to our incompetence. With our monopoly and expertise coming under severe stiff competitions, we are left with the option of racial discrimination. If the prestigious Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University are now being filled by the students of Bihar, UP, South India and North East, people of Delhi in order to suppress the fact of their incompetence and stiff challenge will be forced to resort to racial discrimination. This is the case in perhaps all the classifications. 

 Then let us face the plain facts. We, as the collective Indian society are all bloody racists. And till the time we live in the glass houses, we should refrain from throwing stones. And before we speak of Nationalism and Patriotism we must first get rid of bigotry, persecution complex, jingoism and conspiracy theory.