Reform without equity is dangerous

If the structure isn’t based on equality or equal opportunity then reform, that is, more autonomy and power, will be counterproductive. I was watching Satyamev Jayate the other day; it gives a new perspective on the entire idea of reforms. The hue and cry over police reform has to be put in context to whether the structure in itself equitable or not. In India these critical functionaries like Police or Civil servants or Army have different points of entry for the recruits and thus creates inequity and attitude of discrimination, it quite easily falls into temple squatter’s framework that Indians wallow in, as they like hierarchy wherein they should feel entitled. Even in Britain the system is attuned to fairness and competence, everybody should starts at the same level. We have carried on the colonial British system assiduously, since it serves the purpose of a section. We are been taught in school that the reason why India ‘survived’ after independence is because of the “steel structure” i.e. bureaucracy.  This is the nonsense that is fed to children.

Almost all of India’s major problem is because of ineffective and self-serving bureaucracy, this was worst during 1950s to 80s, wherein the closed system thrived hand in with feudal politicians. The reason why the focus was not on social development like education or health, indeed there are enough evidence to show that they actively connived to keep Indians illiterate. India’s skewed ‘development’ got further detrimental for majority of people after the ‘reforms’ in 1990s since it only perpetuated inequity.

When institutions like Judiciary, Media, Sports body, Market etc. demand complete freedom and autonomy in functioning, it is to be no doubt welcomed, because they should function without any influence or interference. This maybe true anywhere else in the world but in Indian context it has to be scrutinised very closely, we have a culture that thrive on perpetuating system that uses its power/influence to create misery. This framework is very much alive as temple squatters have spread out to lucrative pastures. This framework is sought to be replicated. So the media will furiously defend its turf in the name of freedom of expression without being responsible at all. It’s a mean to suck up money, media freedom is just an alibi. The Judiciary will be most incompetent but they will be very much alive on any hint of contempt. The same that happened in temples all over Indian subcontinent over thousands of years, where being responsible and moral was none of concerns while accruing wealth and giving misery was normal. You look at the way BCCI works out billions of rupees from thin air with bunch of amazingly mediocre players in a country where substantial sections are amazingly poor. It’s just amazing!! Ditto when majority of people suffered, faced untold misery and discrimination over the centuries the temples were opulent, not by default squatters too. While they connived to give godly status to rulers, their concerns included whether U shaped design was better than Y shaped on the forehead, these were serious philosophical discussions. It is the same tradition that political party spokespersons carry on, as they shout down each other with inanities, this traditional quality is the reason why they are appointed for same!  The vaadh samvaad parampara of the dimwits, no wonder with few exceptions Indian philosophy is absolute garbage or at the most common sense if not expressions of mediocrity, in the context of social reality it becomes an elaborate joke. It is in protest that Indian philosophy truly finds its bearings and roots whether through Budha or Kabir or Guru Nanak…the saints and seers over the ages who despite temple squatter’s mischiefs and threats attempted an egalitarian base. But these brilliant attempts were weakened due to vice like grip of the vicious as it played on people’s insecurities. They even have shlokas on anything and everything, indeed speaking in Sanskrit itself is sacred!! Culture lafangas generally start their speech with these to establish their scholarly pedigree. When it comes to India all these egalitarian values and institutions including its mahatmas, should be carefully scrutinised, they tend to sneak in with a bit of cleverness. 

The other day I was reading an article wherein the fellow with feudal reference was saying that he found visiting his friends in Pakistan like going to his own home, they could ‘completely understand him than people in small towns of India’. So our man had flash of enlightenment “if we are the same why this fighting over borders…”. I am not surprised feudals everywhere are the same and they wonderfully get along well, as much as Indian media celebrates birth in British royal family or their coquettish fancies. To mistake it as open mindedness and liberal is where we fault and they sashay as saviours and upholders of values. It is a trick temple squatters have perfected over the years and created it as aspirational framework for common people: To look beyond and be absolutely unconcerned about immediate misery created and perpetuated. Market has morphed it as choice, while for media it is news and it seems our freedom is hinged on it.