Casteism and oppression in the 21st century -
At least two Dalits are assaulted every hour in 21st-century India, and every day, three Dalit women are raped, two Dalits are murdered and two Dalit homes are torched on average. Over 200 million Dalits, who comprise nearly 17% of India’s population, face the threat of such violence daily (Ref: Wire)
In the last five years, a total of 300 caste-related murders have been reported in Tamil Nadu and most victims were Dalits.
The Thoothukudi police brutality case which resulted in double murder — father and son, shook the entire nation. #JusticeforJayarajandBennix
was among the top Twitter topics trending in India on the 26th of June 2020 and among the top 30 trendings globally. The justice to date hasn’t been delivered to the family members of the deceased.
The oppressor and the oppressed -
Jai Bhim reminds me of Karnan in a similar way.
Karnan depicts the refusal of a bus stop to the oppressed communities of Podiyankulam and police brutality on the elder members of the village and
Jai Bhim paints a gruesome picture of the atrocities and systematic violence that are being committed by the police, the upper caste, the justice system and the government against the tribes.
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It’s refreshing to watch movies based on tribal rights, educating and empowering the audience about the struggles faced by them. Some like us are
privileged and do NOT understand how grateful we must be to lead our lives the way we want to.
Oppression is “omnipresent”, it’s a well-known fact. But casteism and discrimination from educated people is something I’m profoundly disgusted and ashamed of. Especially the teachers at primary schools or at college, policemen, people holding jobs in government offices, and the list goes on.
As youngsters, from childhood, we are fed, forced the way old customs, traditions; leaving no space for our free will thinking. We’re taught to stay away from people from lower castes, call them names, not to mingle with them; taught that the darker the complexion of a person, the less respect they deserve, taught not to question all the wrongdoings. Taught to follow some random conditions set by a random person centuries ago for some random shitty reason. Taught to follow the shitty caste system created based on rank, status in the society, their money.
The only way to grow and learn is to UNLEARN. To unlearn everything taught to us. To re-write and live a life where all human beings are treated equally, with justice. A new world begins with us, this generation, not everyone will be on board but change starts slow and is very impactful for the future.
The world will be a better place only when casteism is eliminated, which is almost impossible. But again, some things are worth even if it’s a lost cause
because we owe this fight to every person in the future, to lead a normal life. To not feel invalidated, insecure, to think of themselves any less than others, to not lower their worth or self-esteem.
The main takeaway from these movies — to make the world a better place for the oppressed by treating them how they should be treated — as humans; who deserve to live a life like any other WITHOUT any discrimination, any injustice, WITH equality and RESPECT. To make their lives better by striving to raise their living standards. And most important of all, to unlearn and create paths of our own.
