Trigger Warning: Mentions Institutional Murder and Caste-Based Violence
The integration of the caste system in the Indian social hierarchy is a deeply rooted part of the sectarian society. Most of the caste hierarchy also brings layers of complexity into the idea of secularism that talks about equality and equity in the largest democracy. Caste-based discrimination contributes to a major fragment of build-up in Indian society. A detailed survey was conducted by the cell of IIT Bombay where 388 SC-ST students participated out of which, 77 students described their lived experiences of facing discrimination on campus.
Darshan Solanki who died by suicide last year on February 12 confided to one of his friends mentioning feeling threatened on the campus, IIT Bombay, because of his caste. Darshan Solanki has allegedly confided in another student about being harmed by Aman Khatri. Solanki belonged to Ahmedabad and was suspected of having jumped off the 8th floor of his hostel building on the campus.
Darshan Solanki who died by suicide last year on February 12 confided to one of his friends mentioning feeling threatened on the campus, IIT Bombay, because of his caste. Darshan Solanki has allegedly confided in another student about being harmed by Aman Khatri. Solanki belonged to Ahmedabad and was suspected of having jumped off the 8th floor of his hostel building on the campus. Khatri was later arrested by the police based on the letter found in Solanki’s room that mentioned, “Arman you killed me.”
The deep-rooted caste system represses a lot of concerns: Analysing the IIT survey
Undeterred by the societal hierarchy, the existence of a deep-rooted caste system repress a lot of concerns that also gets failed to be viewed through institution and ideologies. Caste, as we know it is placing any individual in a social and economic hierarchy with an intersection of identity placed through birth.
Internal surveys conducted by the IIT Bombay openly reveal the same social structure of caste-based discrimination that leads to isolation, demarcation and severe mental health issues faced by students belonging to marginalised communities. A statement, which was issued by the results of the survey mentions the convenience of power hierarchy which is directly evident in India’s social and cultural discourse.
The institution issued a statement stating “although very useful qualitatively, are hard to interpret quantitatively.” In the necessary urgency to bring structural and breaking down the diverse existence of caste, class, race and gender diversity in India, the relatable concerns to bring different intersections are equally necessary to the discourse.
The ambiguous nature of law might not be accessible, though available
Rights and law although equally implied and don’t differ from community to community, yet the ambiguous nature of a caste existence nullifies equal access to justice for different individuals.
Bhupen Verma, from Samaypur Badli who is working as a sanitation worker, adds that his child who is studying in a government-funded school is constantly ridiculed by his fellow classmates knowing about his caste. He has stopped going to school due to the discrimination that forced him to leave the place and lost 3 years of his schooling.
Bhupen Verma, from Samaypur Badli who is working as a sanitation worker, adds that his child who is studying in a government-funded school is constantly ridiculed by his fellow classmates knowing about his caste. He has stopped going to school due to the discrimination that forced him to leave the place and lost 3 years of his schooling.
Also Read: Rise In Institutional Murders: The Pressure Of Class, Caste And Gender
As article 14 states the right to equal and dignified life for individuals but similarly the lack of co-existing features to place discussion on the ambiguity of law has often been neglected. The lack of ability to prioritise the legalities of the largest democracy isn’t evident in the societal conundrum. Most of the work associated varies from the framework of caste, class, race and gender and legitimises the unworthy nature of the societal and systemic construction. This also disallows the work to be permissible for every marginalised individual to be accessible to them in the