It has no skepticism that from intolerance to equal rights for everyone we have fought a long battle and still fighting. Equality has a strong impact that everyone who is born in this world at least should not have an indigent life due to our social norms. Their caste, religion, and sex should not come in between their success and it’s my conviction that it’s logical also. Here we will talk over why?

Where does the ‘Equality’ word come from?

Equality word comes from the Middle French word ‘equalite’ swooped from Latin aequalitas, which means the same in quality, measure, and value. Equality came under the law for providing basic fundamental rights and holding the government beholden to basic human rights.

As a result, we have a strong law against discrimination. We can’t disavow that from the beginning people from different caste, religion, race, and gender was deprived of social equality, for instance, they were not allowed to sit with higher ones and were being called Untouchables. They were deprived of the right to education and couldn’t go to the upper caste gatherings.

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar took a strong stand against social discrimination he was seeing since childhood, he motivated the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaign against intolerance of ‘Untouchables’.

As a result of this movement, those who were considered lower ones got their basic rights and the right to education. Social discrimination against them somehow also being reduced. But the question arises “Is Equality exists?” What actually lies in the ground reality? Is the rule of law within the books?

Let’s talk over this.

Ground Reality of Being Equal

This is a controversial topic from the beginning, many heated debates we can see on television but this is not enough. It is very bleak to know that in the modernization era things have not changed much. A reservation has provided many social windfalls to them and today they can have their social life but the mindset of deprivation has not changed yet.

In the rural areas still, these customs can be observed very easily, I have seen these things very closely as I belong to remote areas. I feel very guilty that these things somehow followed in my locality also, and after many tries, I failed to make a change. That’s why I am trying to write something about it so that I could transform the mindset of ‘being Equal’.

These practices can often be observed in rural areas. According to the National UNICEF and Human Rights Watch, there are 250 million people affected by Caste discrimination in the world and most are from Asia, Where 200 million are Dalit and Schedule Caste.

This figure astonished much when One side we are bestowing a connotation that there is no imbalance exists and at the same eternity there is one caste which is still bound to do the same task for years.

Here I am talking about the Valmiki samaj/community in India also known as Sweepers and scavengers. We can often see them cleaning up the public toilets, cleaning the sewerage, public hospitals, and manual scavenging (removal of manual human excrement from the public sewer, gutters, etc).

Now the question arises why not anyone else does that work? Aren’t we snatching justice in the name of equality?

Does Equality Means Justice?

I think definitely no because equality is related to equal rights for everyone and Justice is a fair and true decision for everyone. Here when we talk about the Valmiki community, I think government tries to give them equal rights by reservations and attractive accommodations but not doing justice to them, before we go further look at the stats first.

In India, often there is a reservation, the policy has been implemented by the DR. Bhim Rao Ambedkar who’s try was to give equal status to vulnerable peoples. However, it’s very disheartening to know that even after the reservation the job converted ratio is very low.

Now, one could argue that if we give reservations sometimes denies justice.

According to The Times of India Survey, there are 93% of managers are Non-SC in the private sector but the stats is pretty much good in the public sector. Around 46000 Workers are in Leathering work from which 41000 are stuck with their traditional work- Like Dhusia, Chamar, etc.

Moreover, 76,000 Sweepers are In Uttar Pradesh Of which 50,000 are from Valmiki Samaj (a community). It’s become a matter of concern when their occupation becomes a cause of death for themselves. According to a recent analysis in 2019 around 110 sweepers lost their life in manual scavenging and it has increased by 60% from previous years. For more information, read the India manual scavenging issue.

Moving toward the point, Caste still decides what to do and how to do it. Well after caste the inequalities also exist in Gender, education, religion, etc. Let’s see how?

Existence of Inequality

Moving first with gender disparity, despite many awareness programs, and a high GDP Growth rate, we somehow lack equality for women and men. It can be seen that even after many years of Independence, the ratio of women’s dominance is still not much higher than in developed countries.

And, perhaps this may be the reason that even after 70 years, India’s top court has not had any female Chief Justice yet. It may possible there might be another reason for it, but it should also be taken into consideration while talking about Equality.

Still, the distribution of income prevails by gender, we can count the name of successful women at our fingertips, isn’t it strange? Related post:- Significance of women in the world.

Now come to Education, here equality means the same way of education and learning to every child, which is good. But every child sitting in the classroom has their own needs, different dreams, different perspectives, and different ways of learning why only the same way of learning is preferred? Here I expect that many of you will also disagree with me. Therefore, we made a separate post regarding schooling. Check this post Does schooling interfere with your education?

What Can be the Solution?

Equality is the souls of liberty,

there is, in fact, no liberty without it

Frances Wright

Equality Is something more than just making a law, we have to properly examine whether these prevail in society or not. We make sure that there must be an equal distribution of income, it’s our moral duty, to make vulnerable people live better. All I want to say we have to change the mindset. The stereotype thinking should be checked immediately.

Although I agree that the concept of equality doesn’t apply sometimes due to a variety of reasons. Because at times delivering Justice is far better than following the concept of equality. And I don’t think that I can explain better than these two images. What do you think?

And yes, No one is of lower caste or anything unless we quote them publicly or make them inferior. As the government has made a reservation policy for providing them equal rights but at the same time they are putting them into a special category.

As a result, this reservation could give them equal rights but not social justice because the taboo of the lower caste is still not removed yet. These caste words should be removed from our daily life or we should teach the next generation, that no caste exists. We all are equal.

We should not depend on one community to make our surrounding hygiene we should have to come together to clean a little fraction of our area. Let’s give them an opportunity to make life better.

Edited By:- Ritish Sharma

Our Mailing Address – Namaskar@theblogera.com

The post Reality of Equality- Does Equality Serves Justice? appeared first on Aspiring Blog.

Everything that started for a reason later turned into something else (like evil) or sometimes completely disappeared. So, is the same happening with democracy too? Is democracy really dying?

As time flows things never remain the same, a new generation, a new representative of the public, a new government, new perspectives, and new laws (some are beneficial for the public but some are just a threat to the democracy) makes everything worse to worsen. The term Democracy is itself changing rapidly. I will try to illuminate how?

Before we go any further let us have a look at the meaning and brief History of Democracy.

What Is Democracy?

Democracy is a form of government in which peoples have the power to choose the legislature and their representative, people choose their government by using their voting rights in which only eligible voters (above 18 years old) can vote.

In a democratic country, people can exercise their power to choose their representative or ruling Government directly or indirectly through a system involving periodic free elections. It is a democratic system of government.

India and United States are known to be the two largest democratic countries in the World.

And, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Finland are the top 5 Full Democracies nations according to the Democracy Index by country 2019 (source:-Wikipedia)

Why Democratic Country Needs a Constitution?

The constitution helps in making rules and regulations and principles of a country. In a Democracy, every citizen enjoys the basic right, so on that grounds, the constitution helps citizens to use fundamental rights like freedom, expression, speech, etc. The constitution helps in setting values that should be followed by its law-abiding citizens.

Democracy is further classified on the basis of political freedom or mixed monarchies and dictatorship. This include –

1. Full Democracies
2. Flawed Democracies
3. Hybrid Regimes
4. Authoritarian Regimes

A Brief History of Democracy

Democracy has a vast history but we will not go in-depth, the term Democracy originated from ancient Greek political and philosophical thought in the city-state of Athens during classical antiquity. In the word Democracy, ‘demos’ mean common people and ‘Kratos’ strength.

Cleisthenes, also known as the Father of democracy, was an ancient Greece that came into power with the support of the Athenian people. Athenians established what is generally held as the first democracy in 508-507 BC.

Different Types of Democracy

There are two major types of Democracy –

• Direct Democracy:- It is a form of Democracy where people govern directly. It requires the wide participation of citizens in politics. It also is known as pure democracy. These nations seem to have only limited problems in their democratic functioning.
• Representative Democracy:- It is an indirect democracy where Sovereignty is held by the people’s representatives. Electoral Democracy, Dominant party System, parliamentary Democracy (popular in India), Presidential Democracy, and Jacksonian Democracy (a variant of presidential democracy popular in the USA) are the types of Representative Democracy.

As of now, there are two major Democracies one is considered to be the superpower and another one is the largest Democracy in the world. The USA is considered the superpower nation of the world and can exert influence or project power on a global scale.

Whereas, India or Hindustan, or Bharat is known for its walk with everyone’s motto and secular country. If the USA has the largest economy then India has the largest variety of cultures, and rituals are among the most diversified countries in the world, and of course known for its population and colorful history.

But in-ground reality where do both these countries stand in terms of the level of democracy?

Every democratic country needs a strong constitution that clearly defines the fundamental rights, freedom, legitimized rights, liberties, and security of their citizen so that no dominant group can exercise its power against less powerful groups. As I said above the meaning and perspective of democracy are changing rapidly. This new generation is more into politics. They know when their rights are overruled by these giants or greedy politicians.

I recently noticed some grounds where I think that the basic concept of democracy is dying and its constitution is really counting its last breath. I also agree that many of you will not agree with my perspectives and why I said and think that democracy or freedom to express one’s thoughts is soon going to be overruled. For me, this is what is going on in my country and perhaps yours too.

Here are the 5 grounds Where Democracy is Dying

1. Elections
2. Security
3. Media
4. Equality
5. Healthcare

Elections

Elections are the most awaited time for delegates and citizens. If the United States has to wait every 4 years so India has to wait for 5 years. Every citizen has a hope that this time will be different and newcomers will make a good change. An election is a process through which a citizen can exercise their power of the vote to select a favorable candidate. but wait! Here’s the biggest twist.

There is presidential democracy in the United States where two major parties (Democratic & Republic) have their candidate for presidential posts and there is a long process behind that, but if there is democracy so why the citizens cannot elect their representatives? Why do the representatives make the choice or prefer only that community where there is a chance of vote? Why did only powerful and rich men get a chance for a presidential post?

Same as in India there are plenty of parties but the major ones are Indian National Congress (INC), and the Ruling Bhartiya Janta party (BJP). If we go through the background of the politicians, the majority have a criminal record, are millionaires, and are uneducated. So where is the Democracy?

Why don’t we have the power to choose the right candidate? Why the common people have become just a voting machine for them?

Security

We all have the right to live and freedom of speech as per the constitution, and the law is there to protect us from threats and injustice that happens to us, but that security is only in the books of the constitution or perhaps we didn’t understand this concept completely.

A report suggests that there are less than 20% of people today can say that they trust their government.

There are 106 rape occurs in India and in every 15 minutes one woman becomes a victim of a rapist, and a majority of the cases don’t even report.

Whereas in the USA, having a license for a gun is easier than having a green card. By the end of 2019, there were 417 mass shootings happened in the United States.

CBS News wrote:- “There were more mass shootings than days in 2019”

In the Year 2020 graph of ‘shooting a person’ declined, just because of the coronavirus lockdown. So where is the right of citizens to live freely?

Media

This is the fourth pillar of democracy and the most important part of democracy, the whole country trusts the media more than the government. Media works or I can say ‘had worked’ to present the reality and true picture of what is going on in the country.

But now it is all just a TRP game. They become business-minded, but anyway they are corporates too. For me, the media is losing the trust we had in them. Now we have to search for each and every piece of news from different sources for its authenticity.

We are bound to do this, we can’t just stick to a particular source for trust reasons. Now you can see why people get teed off at the media. Media plays an important role in political influence in the country and the fact is they are really enjoying that.

Instead of loving people and using money, people often love money and use people

Wayne Gerard Trotman

The above quote is appropriate for the Indian media that greed has stirred truth and has far removed citizens from their rights. Once Rusty Eric said “as long as Greed is stronger than compassion, there will always be suffering” and exactly the citizens are suffering.

The media never shows what is true. They are too busy telecasting useless debates and inappropriate news and competing in their industry.

Whose fault is this? The government? Media? Or us? who still watching and trusting them.

Equality

When we talk about equality there can be a lot to discuss but in the very short term, equality means, equal rights for all. There is no discrimination on the basis of caste, race, gender, or religion. The constitution is built to protect equal rights.

However, no one could ever imagine that political influence can even amend these constitutions accordingly which makes it easy for their own rules and capital. Everything will be forgotten after winning the elections whether it is George Floyd in America or Casteism in India.

Healthcare

The true picture of Healthcare facilities has been shown during the coronavirus period. If one country has the most expensive healthcare system so another one expends only 1% of GDP on healthcare facilities.

Of course, India ranks 145 among 195 countries in terms of healthcare facilities. And with the most expensive healthcare, the USA ranks 7 among the 195 countries.

Despite the largest economy and the largest democracy, we don’t have equality in terms of health benefits, so don’t you think democracy is dying? In India, patients lack basic needs like ambulances, stretchers, emergency wards, and medicine, and in the USA if these things are available then because of the expensive healthcare systems, it is unaffordable for middle and lower-class people despite paying huge taxes.

Salaries of Americans have risen but net pay remains the same due to increasing charges of health insurance. Why the healthcare expenditure in the United States?

Democracy was incorporated so that we could elect the right Representative for the country but we have just become slaves to powerful people’s business model.

As I said above everything that started for a reason later turned into something evil. For instance, the Feminist movement that has started to protect and provide equal rights to women and empower them by giving them equal opportunities as a man has too turned into something else. How? You can read it here.

So, what do you think Is democracy really dying the silent death?

P.S:- I am just trying to express my opinion about the flaws in Democracy and it is my personal view. If anyone wants a healthy discussion to improve me on this topic feel free to express your views in the comment section. I would love to read them all.

Our Mailing Address – Namaskar@theblogera.com

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The above expression was used in the famous Instagram channel to narrate feminism in our country. According to them, putting allegations, showing cleavages, smoking/drinking in public, the late-night party are all integrated as feminism. Well, it’s their life, their choice who are we to judge? But some extra-minded people take the word feminism to a new height that may also claim someone’s life.

And I think just because of these people the word feminism is losing its originality. We are also a supporter of feminism but when it goes in the wrong hand, then it needs to be addressed.

Being a man I know these things and are not exactly what they are actually portraying. In just a few points I will try to clear the real image. And all these are my personal views regarding this fake feminism.

Meaning of Feminism

Before going further let us have a look at the real sense of feminism- “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes” this means that women as equal to men and should be given equal respect, care, and opportunity against men.

Women should be treated equally in all aspects. They’re also the pride of any country and sometimes deserve even more respect than what they actually get from our society.

Here are some extraordinary girls describing what feminism actually is.

• Kalpana Chawla an Indian astronaut
• Pratibha Patil honorable former President of India
• Sinha Nehwal and PV Sindhu both Olympic winners on Badminton.
• Hima Das(India’s Golden Girl) Olympic winner and sprinter
• Sarojini Naidu/ Durga Devi/ Rani Laxmi bai and many more.

They’re true pride in our country and will always be remembered for the work they’ve done to make us all proud.

But now my simple question is that have they ever asked about their freedom by blaming others and calling them perverts?

Is it really necessary to show cleavages, smoking/drinking, cheating, abusing elders who oppose them, and making a wrong image of feminism?

When Pseudo feminism become dangerous?

My personal belief is that feminism should be promoted. In fact, all of us need to take a stand against the wrongdoings happening in our society that are oppressing women for a very long time. And every woman should be given equal chances to express their talent.

But this isn’t as simple as it looks. The term ‘Feminism’ has some different sides too, the dark side. The side that is intentionally generated by some extra and money-minded people. There are people out there taking feminism in the wrong way. The way that may claim someone’s life too. We all are supporters of women’s empowerment but when it goes into the wrong hands the result turns to disaster. Like a recent case of Gurugram when a 17-year boy committed suicide when a feminist girl alleged him against molestation.

When feminism becomes fake?

Feminist words narrate the equality of women among others whereas pseudo-feminist asks for more and superiority among others, thinking other genders have no respect at all, basically, this is called Misandrist (which means Female> Male) not Feminist ( Female=Male). The major problem lies that pseudo-feminist always want to act like men and are busy finding flaws when opposed.

I do have some questions for the pseudo-feminist:-

• Have they ever asked their mother to help in the kitchen?
• Have they ever share there mensuration problems with their brothers?
• Have they ever think about their father’s stress, because of the daughter’s security?
• Have they ever think about the elders who really care about them?

We can’t judge anyone because we have no right to interfere with someone’s personal life. But make sure you are giving them equal opportunity. Just look at their pure heart, don’t stop them from drinking and smoking have booze with them, no need to give them career advice all the time they are self-reliant. But they should be empowered enough to know the difference between feminism and fake feminism. There’s a huge difference between Equality and Superiority.

This is my personal view and I’m not targeting anyone, but calling perverts and rapists by Pseudo Feminist to all men is something unfair and there should be a law for fake feminists against abusing/oppressing others and doing unethical activities.

And it’s good to hear that the Supreme court of India is now giving equal rights in the property of ancestors to the daughters too, and this is real feminism in my opinion. That is what I’m talking about. Hope you all get it.

What do you all think? Let us know.

Edited By:- Ritish Sharma

The post Pseudo Feminism appeared first on Aspiring Blog.