For centuries, Indian society has been bound by the shackles of caste discrimination. This hatred has blunted not only the social structure but also human conscience and compassion. Every decision, every perspective, every justice is now weighed on the scales of caste. Until society frees itself from caste prejudices and learns to distinguish between justice and injustice, some selfish and cunning individuals will continue to manipulate us into their circus, conspiring to divide us.
The roots of Indian society go back thousands of years. But these roots also contain many knots that have divided humanity. The concept of caste may have initially served as a framework for social organization, but over time, it became a tool for injustice, discrimination, and exploitation. A hierarchical mentality divided society into classes, and this division shifted a person’s identity from their actions to their caste.
When a society loses its moral conscience, it begins to accept injustice as normal. This is the biggest problem today. Casteism is so deeply ingrained in our psyche that people justify even injustice by viewing it as “favoring their own.” If a criminal belongs to one’s own caste, people assume he is innocent; and if the victim belongs to another caste, empathy for their pain vanishes. This is the point where humanity dies and casteism triumphs.
Politics has kept casteism alive and even fueled it. In every election, candidates are judged not on their merits but on their caste identity. Leaders know that caste mobilization is the foundation of their power, so they seek to keep society divided rather than united. Weaponizing caste for votes is a most dangerous trend, as this division not only weakens the spirit of democracy but also sows distrust and hatred in the minds of generations.
Education is the most powerful means to overcome racial prejudices. Unfortunately, even the spread of education often remains incomplete without equal opportunities. Until every class receives equal opportunities, equal platforms, and equal respect, the eradication of caste-based thinking is impossible. True education is that which empowers individuals to think independently and understand the suffering of others.
The media is a mirror of society. But when the mirror itself becomes blurred, how can the truth be seen? News of racial violence or discrimination is often presented from a political perspective, but it lacks human compassion. The media needs to become a medium of dialogue in society, not division. The fundamental duty of journalism is to expose the truth—even if it is against any caste, class, or religion.
In every era, there have been cunning and devious individuals who exploit society’s weaknesses. Sometimes in the name of religion, sometimes caste, sometimes language—they divide us to secure their positions and power. We, the public, are spectators to their show. They perform, we clap—and the circus continues. If we truly want change, we must become judges, not spectators.
Justice is truly meaningful only when it is administered without prejudice. Justice knows no color, religion, or caste. Society must move beyond the “us versus them” mentality and embrace the spirit of “justice for all.” This is the foundation of democracy. If every individual begins to think beyond caste, this change will be nothing short of a revolution.
Casteism is not just a social problem, but a form of mental slavery. It makes us irrational, insensitive, and divided. The greatest demand of our time is that we look within ourselves and understand that our true identity is not our caste, but our actions and our character. We must begin to break down the walls that have divided us for centuries. Only when society learns to stand up for justice—without regard to the caste of the victim or the perpetrator—can we truly say we have taken steps toward civilization. Otherwise, this caste circus will continue, and we will remain unwitting spectators.
