People's Democracy

THE central secretariat of the Students Federation of India (SFI) has welcomed the decision made by the international preparatory committee of the World Conference against Racism, to be held at Durban, South Africa, from August 31 to September 7. In its meeting prior to the conference, the preparatory committee has decided to include caste discrimination in its agenda, and the SFI has expressed the hope that the said conference would be a milestone in the mankind’s struggle against all kinds of discrimination and oppression of man by man.

It will be recalled that the demand to include caste discrimination in the Durban conference agenda was opposed tooth and nail by the BJP-led Indian government that even threatened to boycott the conference. The Bush administration of the USA also extended support to the stand taken by the Vajpayee government.

According to government statistics, two Dalits are subjected to oppression every hour in India, three Dalit women become victims of rape every day, and two Dalits are murdered every day. The real situation is still grimmer than what these government statistics present. Dalits who oppose the oppression are massacred. Caste oppression is not a part of history in India but a living reality, which needs to be wiped out sternly.

Discrimination based on caste is as merciless and oppressive as racism. Apart from India, casteism is widespread in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and many other countries. This is inhuman and against fundamental rights. It demands the intervention of international public opinion. Like fascism and racism, casteism too is related to the social and economic inequalities existing in our society. Unless and until economic empowerment of the weaker sections materialises, it will not be possible to eliminate social discrimination.

The decision to include caste oppression in the Durban conference agenda is welcome and a setback to the conservative and arch-reactionary Vajpayee government that still upholds the outdated Manusmriti in its social outlook. The Vajpayee government’s position is against the provisions of Indian constitution, and the SFI has demanded that the prime minister apologise to the people of India. It is shameful to all Indians that such a reactionary government governs our country, the SFI statement added.

The SFI has appealed to all progressive minded organisations and individuals who stand for a discrimination-free society, to come forward in support of the Durban conference so as to further strengthen the struggle against all kinds of discrimination. (INN)