The recent 'Interlok' issue reveals the insecurities within certain segments of the Indian community. Central to the debacle was the unearthing of a fact which some of them are uncomfortable with; the caste system.
The caste system is not fiction. It is a relic of the past. India had exorcised this blatant discriminatory practice via its Constitution. Some argue that it is still being practised today (albeit in a more hush-hush manner). What no one can deny is the fact that it existed, at one point or the other in the time line of mankind.
Going by the lineage or inherited caste status, one could be a Brahmin, a warrior, a merchant and at the bottom of the list, an untouchable (also known as a 'pariah'). With diligent tracing of one's roots, it is possible to determine which class one belongs to. Therefore, if say, one's ancestor was a 'pariah', he or she unfortunately suffers being labelled a 'pariah' in the present day. It is an inescapable fact.
With the liberalisation of thought and societal behaviour, the caste system was condemned and castigated - rightly so. To accept one's fate as a 'pariah' for the rest of one's life is akin to living a life without dignity. It is like giving up the hope for a better life, something no right thinking man will ever do, or even consider. The same applies to the other classes (save for the Brahmins, for obvious reasons).
Now that the caste system has been removed (formally), does it rid off one's scars inflicted by the system? No. History remains. It reminds us of the scars. However, the course of the present and future is entirely up to us. Now that the path is cleared, it is open to us to 'move on' and take the first step on this path.
Some would not have it that way, however. This brings back my point about certain segments of the community being insecure (there are of course, other variables, such as being manipulated or quite possibly, there is a reasonable explanation for what happened). The mere mention of the word 'pariah' drives some of them up the wall. Then there are the fire starters. And who can leave out the gas stations, who kept fueling these people for their own political mileage. All of these reaction stem from the insecurity of the community (where the fault lies is arguable - family, government, poverty etc.)
Three things to note. First, read the book. Secondly, think about what was written. Thirdly, save the environment (or rather, do not harm it). If one is able to get to the fourth, that would be even better - the fourth being, writing a response about the book, be it a review or literary critic about the book.
I do not see anything wrong with the book 'Interlok', strictly speaking. I have reviewed it in full and in my mind, I do not think that it was written with a racial agenda or anything close to it.
However, given the current political climate in this country, the Government's decision to include this book in the SPM syllabus is rather suspect. It is not too far fetched to think that political considerations could have outweigh pedagogical considerations.
Whatever the case may be, we have missed a golden opportunity. We could have easily crossed our arms and say "We've moved on".
How unfortunate, that we took the bait.
And so, the cycle continues.
The caste system is not fiction. It is a relic of the past. India had exorcised this blatant discriminatory practice via its Constitution. Some argue that it is still being practised today (albeit in a more hush-hush manner). What no one can deny is the fact that it existed, at one point or the other in the time line of mankind.
Going by the lineage or inherited caste status, one could be a Brahmin, a warrior, a merchant and at the bottom of the list, an untouchable (also known as a 'pariah'). With diligent tracing of one's roots, it is possible to determine which class one belongs to. Therefore, if say, one's ancestor was a 'pariah', he or she unfortunately suffers being labelled a 'pariah' in the present day. It is an inescapable fact.
With the liberalisation of thought and societal behaviour, the caste system was condemned and castigated - rightly so. To accept one's fate as a 'pariah' for the rest of one's life is akin to living a life without dignity. It is like giving up the hope for a better life, something no right thinking man will ever do, or even consider. The same applies to the other classes (save for the Brahmins, for obvious reasons).
Now that the caste system has been removed (formally), does it rid off one's scars inflicted by the system? No. History remains. It reminds us of the scars. However, the course of the present and future is entirely up to us. Now that the path is cleared, it is open to us to 'move on' and take the first step on this path.
Some would not have it that way, however. This brings back my point about certain segments of the community being insecure (there are of course, other variables, such as being manipulated or quite possibly, there is a reasonable explanation for what happened). The mere mention of the word 'pariah' drives some of them up the wall. Then there are the fire starters. And who can leave out the gas stations, who kept fueling these people for their own political mileage. All of these reaction stem from the insecurity of the community (where the fault lies is arguable - family, government, poverty etc.)
Three things to note. First, read the book. Secondly, think about what was written. Thirdly, save the environment (or rather, do not harm it). If one is able to get to the fourth, that would be even better - the fourth being, writing a response about the book, be it a review or literary critic about the book.
I do not see anything wrong with the book 'Interlok', strictly speaking. I have reviewed it in full and in my mind, I do not think that it was written with a racial agenda or anything close to it.
However, given the current political climate in this country, the Government's decision to include this book in the SPM syllabus is rather suspect. It is not too far fetched to think that political considerations could have outweigh pedagogical considerations.
Whatever the case may be, we have missed a golden opportunity. We could have easily crossed our arms and say "We've moved on".
How unfortunate, that we took the bait.
And so, the cycle continues.
