Why Pratap Bhanu Mehta is wrong about social justice politics and caste census

Source– The post is based on the article “Why Pratap Bhanu Mehta is wrong about social justice politics and caste census” published in the “The Indian Express” on 29th April 2023.

Syllabus: GS2 – Government policies for vulnerable sections of society

Relevance– Issues related to caste politics

News– The article challenges the ideas represented by Pratap Bhanu Mehta Mehta in his article “Mirage of social justice” in Indian Express.

What are the P.B. Mehta arguments against social justice?

Social justice enhances “social divisions”. The social justice discourse has focused too much on the distribution of public resources based on caste identities.

He calls for recognising the ethical issues of discrimination and creating effective institutions to address caste inequities.

Mehta terms the Opposition uniting around social justice as a politically unwise idea. It may bring short-term gains but undermine long-term goals.

What are counterpoints to P.B. Mehta arguments against social justice?

Caste-based oppression creates material conditions. This materiality of caste inequality is produced in economic, socio-cultural and political areas through electoral-political machinations.

Social justice has relevance because of increasing poverty and disturbing trends of inequality. Marginalisation of groups neglected for hundreds of years can be a fulcrum for unity amongst opposition parties.

The most basic understanding of social justice is the struggle for equitable division of opportunities, privileges and larger representation in institutions.

The denial of social justice in India is largely a product of the ideology of Hindutva. It portrays caste as a troubling but natural aspect of Indian society. It is denied by policy neglect and political silence.

What is the dominant discourse on caste in India?

The dominant discourse on caste in India has been characterised by a reluctance to acknowledge the scale and severity of caste-based violence and discrimination. The failure to recognise caste injustice is a product of a wider culture of denial and impunity.

The dominant discourse on caste proposes that universal remedies like creating effective institutions can address caste injustices. Often, these remedies are proposed by voices that lack self-reflexivity on their own caste privilege.

Quotas and reservations that provide opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities are perceived as a form of reverse discrimination by members of dominant castes. It shows the lack of a sense of social justice and displays an exaggerated sense of entitlement.

How can the dominant discourse on caste be challenged?

Countering the dominant discourse on caste needs a sustained and concerted effort to raise awareness about the realities of oppression. There is a need to challenge the impunity of those who perpetrate caste-based violence and discrimination in various forms.

The political neglect of caste-based inequalities can only be countered by a recognition of its historical and political dimensions. Political commitment is necessary to challenge the structural barriers that create caste-based oppression.

Electoral politics is the arena where majoritarian politics has to be challenged, resisted and defeated.

There is a need to challenge the culture of members of dominant castes, who are often in positions of power and influence. They propose universal remedies and deride social justice as merely a slogan without acknowledging their own caste-based privilege.

As per a section of the ruling elite supported by the mainstream media, caste census shall lead to casteism. Such fear-mongering needs to be addressed philosophically and by citing the data.