Despite the progress we have made in society, caste issues still persist. Recently, district authorities investigated a village in Puthukottai, Tamil Nadu, and discovered that the villagers were practicing untouchability. The Dalits were not allowed in the temple premises, and even the local tea shop had a two-glasses system. It is frustrating to think that such discrimination still exists. Upper caste individuals cannot claim that their blood or physical makeup is different from that of the lower castes. So why is there such discrimination? It is disheartening to see that some people have lost their sense of humanity and conscience. As someone who has not personally experienced the caste system, it is difficult to comprehend and accept.
Some pertinent questions asked by the people of the lower castes are – Can you upper caste people tell us that your blood group is completely different from that of the lower caste? Is there something different in your human body that is not in the body of the lower caste people? Do you have three hands while the lower caste people have only two hands? Do you have 11 fingers while the lower caste people have only 10 fingers? Do you have two heads, while the lower caste people have only one head? If not, why is there discrimination among various castes? If you who are with one head, two hands and 10 fingers are called human beings, what are the others called since those others also have one head, two hands and 10 fingers.
What really happened?
A few months ago, all of us were stunned; the whole of India was shocked, when the media brought out a particular issue on Caste System that happened in a village in Puthukottai. In the month of December 2022, many children were falling ill in that particular village and parents were in tears. Children were getting fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Parents were perplexed as not only one child was affected, but all children. Doctors were confused! These children were not only out-patients, but they required hospital admission and treatment as they were very sick. Now, moving from children, many elderly and adults were diagnosed with same symptoms.
Sr Lini Sheeja MSC
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