There are people who add enough dignity to the position they hold and K.R. Narayanan was one of them as he had an extraordinary sense of humanism, inclusiveness and recognition of all nuance of the Indian society and always fought for social justice. This view was expressed by Jayati Ghosh, Professor, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru Studies, while delivering K.R. Narayanan memorial lecture on “The Uses of Otherness: Accumulation and Social Divisions in India” organised by Dr. K.R. Narayan Centre for Dalit & Minorities Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, in the Capital on 27 March.
Prof. Ghosh clarified that we all feel proud of India for her unity in diversity since ages but on the other side it is also a fact that India possibly has a long lasting and refined system of discrimination which is more perplex than in any other country in the world.
“India has got the most complicated and structured system of discrimination. The hierarchal differences are deep rooted and more or less we have become habitual of it. Along with horizontal differences there are also deep vertical differences,” she said.
Prof. Ghosh also gave an example of the Nehruvian thought which had the notion that in due course of time modernisation and economic development in India would pave the way to overcome caste, gender and ethnic discrimination but surprisingly that has not happened.
She also made a point when she said that of all displaced, around 90 per cent are from SC and ST and the pity is that all political parties that emerged from one or the other social movement have not done enough to address their issues. The political parties who claim to be champions of Dalits or weaker sections have not identified this vast problem of discrimination and so far have failed to address the issue in the required manner.
Towards the end, Prof. Ghosh emphasised comprehensive strategy for development and expressed hope that the youth who are today less tolerant of discrimination in society would step forward to bring some positive change.
Professor S.M Sajid, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, said that in all memorial lectures, the theme was ultimately aimed at achieving social justice and K.R. Narayanan was a true embodiment of social justice. Sajid also said that the objective of this centre is not only confined to Dalits and minorities but also encompasses all weaker and marginalised sections of the society. He further said education is very important for any kind of development. He elaborated the point saying that shifting in the society begins at the age of four years when a child has to get enrolled and the question is asked in which school the child is to be admitted to as this determines what kind of social, economic, political or cultural role he or she will have to play in the future.