Stop doing a Macaulay and believe in being equal

At the risk of contradicting myself, I would say Equality is a very common word but at the same time very deceptive. It is a word which reserves itself shelf-space in various forums being casual conversations, panel discussions, television debates, Government laws and regulations to name a few. However, the question we need to ask ourselves is why so much discussion on the subject and not so much evidence of it in real life? It is similar to the case where every one of us wants change but not all of us want to change. The simple reason is that not all of us believe in being equal. Considering the immense shades of equality, rather inequality in existence, let us be a bit lazy and take two of the most discussed – gender equality and caste equality.

We hear about the Womens’ Equality Act passed in the US or the Minorities Reservations Act in force in India. We also hear about the numerous walks and demonstrations which are held for the said purpose, well attended by people of distinct ages, caste, creed and gender shouting slogans on climate change, world peace, saving tigers (hello!!! Equality??) and legalization of certain restricted substances then happily returning to their respective abodes if not already intoxicated by those substances. TV anchors hold heated panel “discussions” with “eminent experts” in the field with predictions of apocalypse if the situation does not change. Governments proudly announce that 50% of their cabinets comprise of women/scheduled tribes or minorities and corporate houses do the same about their Boards. Well, I wonder why they don’t make similar announcements for male members or the unreserved class. Because that wouldn’t be news of any kind, would it?

Therefore, first we tell a group of people they are different because they are of a different gender or caste, push them to the floor and then make a few laws and reservations for their upliftment and protection. If only cabinets or Boards had equal representation from women without people making laws and announcements (cause women are as much if not more meticulous and thorough than men except probably when they are called upon to appreciate a bottle of Glenlivet or gloat over a supercharged V6 under the hood of a Jag F-Type!). If only the scheduled castes or tribes were not addressed so anymore, because none of these people come down from the forests in the hills to write their IIT entrance tests or dress in acacia leaves anymore. They are just like anybody else!

Until we realise and believe that distinctions of sex, caste, creed, colour are all superficial and we peel off all those superfluous layers until we reach that experience which in English we call the SOUL, which is all pervading, all encompassing, devoid of any flaw or distinction because it is the ONE, we will be stuck with the Macaulay principle. Well, I almost forgot Mr.Macaulay who sits in the title of this write-up. Lord Thomas Macaulay of the East India Company once gave a brilliant speech in the English parliament about how learned, tolerant and cultured the people of India were and why there needs to be created distinctions and rifts within the people to break their tolerance so as to rule over them. You understand where I am coming from?

I conclude by saying we need to stop thinking mankind and womankind and any-other-kind and believe in humankind, else humans will never surpass dogs as humans’ best friends and some people will always remain more equal than others!