Discriminatory policies, practices and attitudes

(1) Race based discrimination or racism. It reflects treating people differently on the basis of their race, color and complexion etc.

Having the same type of legal rights for everyone and the anti-racism laws can get rid of this kind of discrimination.

(2) Gender based discrimination. It reflects the attitude, sometimes on religious grounds, that men and women should have different (unequal) rights and privileges because they are different. It can lead to vastly differing and discriminatory treatments, customs and laws for men and women.

Having a non-religious type uniform code (e.g. the UCC) and a change in the attitude in society in terms of equality between men and women are needed to get rid of gender biases and discrimination.

(3) Caste based discrimination or casteism. It is based on people's caste labels, reflecting a bias against them according to their vocation or caste ("high" or "low").

To get rid of casteism, the laws and regulations which promote and prolong casteism in society, including the quotas and reservations in education and jobs on the basis of caste, need to be eliminated. Moreover, politicians and government officials should demonstrate to public that doing any type of useful and important work (even cleaning a public toilet) is in the interest of everyone in society.

In any case, if there is casteism or casteist treatment of people (e.g. people being mistreated or abused because of their caste or vocation), it should be discouraged, handled and stopped through anti-casteism laws (like racism is taken care of through anti-racism laws) and not by granting reservations and quotas in education and jobs on the basis of caste. Moreover, if anyone in society faces undue poverty or financial hardship, any type of assistance to that person (e.g. in education and jobs etc.) should be on the basis of his / her financial condition and not caste. Note that trying to mix caste labels with financial condition of people for the purpose of granting reservations and quotas in education and jobs, although might seem okay for public relations and gathering political support and votes, is quite unfair and discriminatory to others who, even though poor, do not qualify for such considerations (job quotas etc.) because of their caste labels. Moreover, caste based quotas in education and jobs etc. promote and prolong caste divisions in society as people getting such benefits (jobs etc. on the basis of caste), no matter what their economic condition etc. (the creamy layer consideration in quotas notwithstanding), try to hang on and stick to financially benefitting caste labels which qualify them for job quotas etc. Finally, continuing to grant financial help, benefits and opportunities in education and jobs (directly or in the form of quotas) to the undeserving (who may not even be poor but have the "right" caste) can erode public confidence in the system (which is seen as rewarding the unqualified) and can also be a drain on public resources / treasury.

(4) Religion based discrimination. It reflects the discrimination and intolerance against other religions and faiths according to the consideration that they are not legitimate and acceptable. It generally manifests as being intolerant and unaccepting of people of other faiths and having campaigns, calls and suggestions to convert them religiously, either by force or "peacefully", sometimes while using the right of freedom of religion as an excuse.

Thus to promote religious harmony and peace in society and reduce religious bias and discrimination against people of other faiths it is necessary to show respect, acceptance and tolerance for other faiths and not mistreat people for having different religions. Moreover, notwithstanding the right of freedom of religion, any campaign that denigrates and undermines other religions or calls for the religious conversion of people belonging to other faiths should be avoided. Similarly, creation of societies, states and countries purely on the basis of religion or to serve and promote narrow, prejudicial and exclusionist ends should be discouraged. In addition, considering that God has no religion is one and the same in spite of having many names (different ones in different religions), people should get used to the idea that everyone, irrespective of religion or faith, is equal in front of God. Finally, to reduce religion and faith based divisions, biases and discriminations in society, there should be the implementation of non-religious, non-discriminatory and same laws for everyone (such as the UCC).

By: Dr. Subhash C. Sharma
Email: [email protected]
Date: July 1, 2009

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