Thread by @rajamanirajesh

On the caste and dating debate - A thread.

Prof. Ravikant Kisana's article on caste and dating has clearly been provocative enough to push several people on social media to debate on his arguments. I too was reflecting on the piece and wondered about a few things. 1/15

Any possibility of romance between Bahujans and Brahmin-Savarnas is possible only in the elite educational and workspaces. This is where a miniscule population of Bahujans have managed to enter because of reservations. 2/15

And because of proximity, socialization between Bahujans and Brahmin-Savarnas is made possible in these spaces. It is a subset of this population that populate the dating apps too. 3/15

But the question is, do Brahmin-Savarnas and Bahujans interact as equals in these elite spaces. However tempting, this cannot be measured or extrapolated on the basis of good or bad behaviour of individuals. 4/15

Because caste is a structural problem and is beyond the good and bad nature of individuals. So, it is pointless to address it at an individual level. But can only be addressed at a structural level. 5/15

To know if the educated Brahmin-Savarnas in these elite spaces truly stand for anti-caste ideals, we just have to look back and see if they have made any serious effort to weaken the caste structure. 6/15

Unfortunately, Brahmin-Savarnas have never ever mobilized themselves together to fight against caste. They might force fit themselves as 'allies' in anti-caste movements spearheaded by Bahujans. But they have never spearheaded any anti-caste effort themselves. 7/15

This doesn't mean that Brahmin-Savarnas are incapable of mobilizing themselves. We have seen them do that often in the past. They were able to mobilize themselves and take to the streets in the case of Mandal commission - to protest against the OBC reservations. 8/15

They came together during the Anna Andolan, which sort of was responsible for displacing the Congress and bringing the BJP to power at the centre. In fact, during that phase, several Brahmin-Savarnas in the corporate sector quit their jobs to join AAP. 9/15

And even recently, they came out in huge numbers with their plates and spoons to fight against corona.

But there is absolutely no evidence of educated Brahmin-Savarnas mobilizing themselves against caste. 10/15

At best, there have been individual star celebrities among them who write or speak against caste. So, we have an Arundhati Roy, TM Krishna or V Geetha. But they have only remained as individual stars. 11/15

Even if we assume that these celebrities are well-intentioned, there is no evidence that their activism has weakened the caste structure. If anything, it has only helped in pushing their book sales or concert ticket sales. 12/15

If the educated Brahmin-Savarnas haven't made any concerted effort to dismantle the caste structure, it can only mean that they want the structure to remain as it is. That they enjoy the hierarchal caste structure that bestows disproportionate privileges on them. 13/15

Where the labour, opportunities and livelihood of the majority Bahujans are stolen and distributed as privileges among a minority Brahmin-Savarna class.

Which makes me wonder again. 14/15

Can it even be a fruitful exercise to indulge in a conversation about desire with someone who is literally stealing your livelihood. 15/15