Are we racist by nature? Are we inherently racist? Each one of us.
This question has been
in my mind ever since the news of Nido Taniam's death broke out on national
television. Richard Loitam, Reigamphy, Bony Jajo - some more names - youngsters
who should have been between us, pursuing their profession/education. Yet they
are no more. Would I go to the extent of calling each of these as "racial
crimes"? May be, may not be - there is a judicial process underway and I
hope that answers this question than us jumping up and down on social media. Civil society rightly has joined the discussion. Politicians have as well - yesterday it was Narendra Modi, today it was Rahul Gandhi, and tomorrow it will be Arvind. If they are genuinely concerned, I would be happy, but this being a election year, I look at them with suspicion. Well I look at them with suspicion at the best of times.
But what I am sure is we (all of us - whether from north, south, east, west or
north east ) are inherently racist in our outlook. Racism what does the word
mean? A quick search brought up - " the belief that all members
of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that
race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another
race or races." And trust me Racism will mean the same in any language of the world.
Let me ask you this. How many time while looking for a place to rent a place, have you been asked if you are vegetarian or non vegetarian. How many times have you been asked your marital status? How many times have you been mocked at if you look/dress a bit different than the environment you are in. In North India, I have been told everyone from South is called "Madrasi" which I think is a bit over rated. But what is closer to the truth is that everyone thinks Dosa and Idly are the only food that people eat, and that every thing is cooked in coconut oil. Similarly if you know Hindi, you are North Indian down south. Ever seen how auto drivers change their body language in Chennai/Bangalore the moment they realize that you don't speak the native language of the land. When MNS threatens migrant workers, it also a form of racism. When people from north east are called "chinki" or "nepali"- its just an extension of this. The list could go on but I think you get the drift. There is inherent racism in this country. So lets stop acting as things are perfect.
Somewhere in between all this the concept "one country" vaporizes. Being an Indian, I should be allowed to travel the length and breadth of this country, live anywhere I feel like, work any where I want, dress as I want to. I am part of the idea of one country that India is, and so no one should ask me to change even if I don't fit into the social environment of that place. We all - anyone holding an Indian passport - are Indians first. We need to open our minds - expand our horizons - education can be contributing factor but only to an extent. Beyond that we need to be more accepting, just how we accept the different weathers in the year. But the idea of India has to be paramount. This is as much Irshad's country, as it is Samir's, as it John's, as it is Manjunath's. India is as much a country of the Meitei, as it is of the Kashmiri pandits, as it is of the Buddhists and as it is of anyone - any religion, caste or creed. Racism is prevalent and we all have seen its ugly head come up - in different shape, or size.
But how do we lead this change? It requires a cultural change and maybe a systemic one as well. We need to learn more about each other - understand each other's history, understand cultural differences, food habits and appreciate it as well. NCERT text books have little history covered for the North Eastern states I am told. There has been a sustained campaign to have it added. It needs development - when people from the rest of the country can travel to the north east states to study/work. When Loktak lake should be as easily identified as would a Dal Lake be. When having Obattu for me would be same as having Bamboo shoot dish for my friend Vinay. But that is just a starting point. We need to do a lot more. We need to be aware of the subtle racist undertones that have become a part of the social fabric of civil society. The entire social fabric has to be repaired. But by whom? By our politicians? No. By the government? No. By you and me. We have to step up and say no. Every time. For any form of racism that we see. If you see your friends at it as well, correct them. To correct this malice needs courage of the highest order - the courage to stop the wrong when we see it. Saying no to racism in a candle light vigil isn't enough - we need to do more. All of us, because this has to stop. Because if not, this will keep coming back and crashing into the idea we all cherish, the idea of one country, one India.
This needs a change in our mentality - for some it would easier, for some it would be really hard. But we need to try. Because another Lido, Richard, Reigamphy, Bony should never happen - at any cost.
