Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter THE SECOND PARTITION OF INDIA The caste-based census will damage the National integrity

FIROZ.T.TOTANAWALA

THE BANGALORE METRO REPORTER 

 The second Partition of India 

 The caste-based census will damage the National integrity 

 India across the world is famous for its massive population and the constant dramas that bring shame to it time and again. It so happens that the Nation engulfs itself in some or the other irrational issue that not only creates irritation to the honest countrymen but also degrades it in the eyes of international community. By now, India has already successfully built its image as a communal based Nation whose majority does not tolerate the minority in spite of boasting itself as a Nation of University in Diversity. 

 Whatsoever, our beloved Nation is in news again for a stupid reason that it is planning to calculate a caste based census for the year 2011. 

We all understand that taking a census once in decade is indeed a mandatory statistical requirement that helps the Nation plan its growth. In simpler terms, the data of how much is our population helps us in many ways of which one is to prepare a plan for our own consumption of requisites which is also already divided area wise. 

 If we go back to our Independence time, we had stalwarts like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, B R Ambedkar and Maulana Azad, who all unanimously opposed the caste-based census and claimed that such a census would indeed divide the Nation. While our current political leaders consider our old leaders as the framers of our Nation and its basic principles, they are on the other hand openly dumping their beliefs and marching towards damaging the integrity of our country. 

 In the year 1951, when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister, he commented his view on caste-based census. He suggested that the caste-based census would attack the very essence of Indian unity which would be damaged in the long run. The same was also accepted by Sardar Vallabbhai Patel. 

If we consider the speech of the architect of our constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, it becomes visibly clear that he has laid emphasis on the National unity. In his speech on motion for the adoption of the Constitution on 25th November, 1949, he said that "I am of opinion that in believing that we are a nation, we are cherishing a great delusion. How can people be divided into several thousands of castes be a nation? ... 

These castes are anti-national in the first place, because they bring about separation in social life. They are anti-national also because they generate jealousy and antipathy between caste and caste. But we must overcome all these difficulties if we wish to become a nation in reality. For fraternity can be a fact only when there is a nation. Without fraternity, equality and liberty will be no deeper than coats of paint." 

The logic behind taking caste-based census is very simple. It will definitely be of no use to India, but, it will definitely help the dividing politicians to obtain the exact number of caste-division, so that they can indulge in manipulation and play the game of power mathematics. 

 Its makes a sense for our Nation to take census based on region, economic level, educational level etc; but it is indeed foolish for us to take census based on caste. What benefit will it eventually give us if we come to know that there are so many various castes and so many followers? Will it help the Government in formulating policies for the growth of the Nation taking into consideration the caste-based figures? 

 While there are also number of protest within the cabinet and the Nation opposing the caste-based census, let us wait and see whether the wicked Politicians empowers the very essence of India’s integrity and succeed in taking out the caste-based census. If they do so, then soon, God forbid, but, our country will start breaking into numerous fragments. We will wait and see. 

Time will tell……….