Caste Matters

by Suraj Yengde

The new language of political casteism is corruption. Corruption is equated with Dalit and lower-caste practices. This is why the 2011 anti-corruption movement in India was able to successfully galvanize the otherwise apolitical or ‘neutral’ educated urban class. It launched the careers of many dominant-caste wannabe politicians. The corruption of politicians was held as a primary target. Along with the political class, the judiciary was also declared corrupt. Of all the chief justices, only one was targeted by his name and caste:12 K.G. Balakrishnan, the first Dalit chief justice of India and the former chief of the National Human Rights Commission. Such is the fate of Dalit elites in positions of power. They continue to be haunted by their caste, regardless of their achievements. And it is the visible Dalits who are the first to receive negative attention. They are most unwelcome in liberal spaces of democracy. Thus, we witness baseless accusations and falsified stories being floated against Dalits in public spheres.