Editor,
At the centre of the storm lies Canada as they accuse India of conducting covert operations on foreign soil. The tapes of history have to be revisited when dealing with such sensitive issues whether equating on the grounds of economy or diaspora and no other book seem to throw light on the facts as B. Raman’s “The Kaoboys of R&AW” and “The Secret History of the Five Eyes” by Richard Kerbaj.
As the world witnesses the Middle East being torn into pieces, who are the real conspirators behind the scenes? Or is this a remaking of a new world order taking place with powerful organisations and people shaping it? When the CIA was born out of the ashes of World War II it somehow spread its tentacles to the security services of the Mossad, ISI and MI5 working through its division like the Special Activities Center (SAC) which is tasked for covert and paramilitary action.
The deaths of Hassan Nasrallah or Yahya Sinwar just shows how precise assassinations work in the 21st century. An Al Jazeera report indicates that around 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza and 16,000 children have lost their lives over the past year. Fawaz Gerges, professor of the London School of Economics in his interview with Mehdi Hasan drove home the point that the bloodshed in and around Gaza including Lebanon will haunt the United States and Israel for years to come.
As borders in South Asia and India become more fragile, if such analyses proves true, spying, which is a valuable instrument of statecraft for national security, will nurture a jihadist type of violence on western targets also leading to an increase in white supremacist-style attacks in the future.
Yours etc.,
Christopher Gatphoh,
Shillong-10
Caste reservation effectiveness
Editor,
I appreciate Sujit De’s thoughtful response to my letter on caste-based reservation. While I acknowledge the complexities of this issue, I must respectfully assert that waiting for an ideal world where discrimination naturally fades away is neither practical nor justifiable. It’s not about “waiting” for society to change while relying on reservation to erase caste discrimination. We’ve seen the unfortunate reality that, despite decades of reservation policies, caste divisions persist, and new forms of resentments have emerged.
We must ask: Has reservation truly ended caste discrimination, or has it fostered new animosities? The latter seems evident, particularly among students and communities competing for benefits tied to caste rather than equality. Society shouldn’t wait for reservation policies to fix deep-rooted issues. The solution, in my view, lies in education—true education at the individual level, within families, and across communities.
When I spoke of education in my previous letter, I didn’t mean just school or academic institutions. As parents, we are the first educators of our children, yet how many of us have genuinely sat down with them to explain that untouchability is wrong? Too often, caste bias is passed down in subtle ways. I’ve seen a mother scold her child for sharing chocolate with a friend from another caste, without explaining why, leaving the child to deduce the reason over time. This subtle discrimination is harmful and something we haven’t addressed at an individual level. This kind of subtle, everyday discrimination is more harmful than we realize, and it’s something we have failed to address on an individual level.
Reservation, as it stands, has not eradicated casteism but has created a new battleground where communities vie for more benefits rather than focusing on true social upliftment. How many of us have engaged in efforts to combat caste discrimination? Have we advocated in our temples, mosques, or public spaces? It’s not enough to rely on policies—we must actively work to change the next generation’s mindset.
As the author mentioned, reservation in public transport ensures seats for senior citizens, women, and the disabled, which is necessary. However, how many from backward classes who have risen through reservation to become doctors, IAS officers, lawyers, etc., have voluntarily given up their reserved seats or their child’s reserved seats because they no longer face discrimination and have access to better opportunities? How many have said, “I no longer need this, or my child doesn’t, because I can provide them with better education and opportunities”?
As far as I know, reservation was initially introduced because backward caste candidates lacked access to schools, education, and opportunities. Now that this situation is improving, with many people, if not all, gaining access to better education regardless of caste, should reservation be increasing or decreasing? If this is not our mentality, then we will resemble the scenario depicted in the Telugu film Republic (2021). In the film, those who had protested for access to fishing farms later monopolized the lake, telling the protagonist, “Your caste benefited for 40 years; now we will do the same for 40 years before opening it to all.”
Regarding economic status, scholarships and financial aid can address poverty, but the system is riddled with inequities. General category students often receive less aid than those from reserved categories, regardless of need. Assuming caste-based reservation equates to economic deprivation is flawed. A child from a well-off backward caste family can still claim reservation benefits, fees relaxation and more scholarships while a poor student from the general category may struggle without the same access.
Caste, as the author mentioned, is seen as a fixed identity, but why should it be? Was it enforced by colonizers, or is it a social construct we continue to reinforce? The formalization of caste through reservation perpetuates the very divisions we seek to eliminate. Real change must come from gradually phasing out caste-based reservations and reducing the emphasis on caste in education, jobs, and society.
Reservation was meant to correct historical injustices but now divides society. Instead of encouraging individuals to rise above caste identity, it reinforces it as a factor in one’s opportunities. The path forward is not through more reservations, but by fostering a society where caste is irrelevant in determining success.
I urge every reader of this newspaper to take a moment to reflect. Have we done enough to challenge caste discrimination in our own homes? Have we taught our children to see people as human beings first? True change won’t come from policy alone but from shifting our collective mindsets.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my views.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email