The Idea of Equality and the Threatening Reversals in the Social Fabric
by Laxmi Parasuram, Retired Professor
It may be said that I have chosen to write on this subject because I have belonged to an old world which it still lives on prevailing inequalities in society that makes life smooth and comfortable. It is a life that serves its needs without much rancor, gives many opportunities for displaying kindness and gratitude and is not troubled by outbursts of guilty feelings and maintains its well cushioned established routines and social norms. But it is also a world becoming aware of the stormy winds blowing in opposite ways and producing a plethora of comments, arguments and overturning the past.
Yes, that was our childhood days, when we grew up under the care of loving maids, fed on delicious food prepared by devoted cooks and playing around with neighboring kids of all classes, even the children let loose by servants busy on their duties. We used to throw away all sense of equality during games, no one deliberately assigned an unequal status since everyone understood their position without any conscious assertion.
Love and care were asserted in those days as the watch words of one’s duty. Different ways of lives and stories relating to others received a curious audience amidst that diversity of ‘unequals’ . The cumbrous white ‘chatta’ worn by a young Christian maid, a single piece of cloth tied around his fat waist by a man servant, the naked breasts of an old woman and bare feet of almost everyone created no notice or complaints in those days. There was no need to try to look like another or any pressure to be equal in work or compensation.I have read about a similar freedom enjoyed by many in some other old cultures even in the South in America before the civil war.
There were wrong practices, of course, but mostly they were hidden or spoken in whispers or in a strange language among the so called ‘unequals.’ That was one freedom no one could take away from them. They had their own language to jabber and express their feelings and reactions and they were visibly happy in their own chats and gossips. It might be said that in fact there were two different worlds which did not conflict or disagree except on fine points of duties assigned to one another. Social norms and religious beliefs supported these two separate worlds to go on in an amicable togetherness,
When rumors and whispers of freedom and equality arrived to intrude into this condition, we may wonder who first took notice of this idea. On the basis of my understanding so far it is the upper class of landowners, shopkeepers and feudal families that first became aware of the consequences of such a social change on their own lives. Since their roles were clearly earmarked away from strenuous manual and household work, the idea of giving equal status to their subordinates did not seem welcome. In India, freedom was synonymous with escape from colonialism and so it took longer to realize the full impact of a huge social change that could come when social equality was emphasized after the British left. The lower classes in the meantime were coming to realize the importance of their own contribution to the nation and were troubled by moments of realization of their own unequal status.
I remember those days when the landlord’s share of grains, fruits, nuts, spices and honey started coming late and scanty from our land cultivated by the landless. Less and less of smiling faces and loving care from domestic servants. More delays and complaints as well as demands.
I go on with these memories of changes in the old days only in the light of the changes that are happening around us today. The idea of Equality for all seems to have introduced an element of scrutiny and competition in dealing with others and bypassed the criterion ofmerit and worth of the work done by them. This is a very harsh statement to make on the precious ideal of Equality which promises to change the quality of mutual relationships in the world today. The rules and regulations from the top as well as the idea of being watched on mutual feelings can produce unnatural relationships and complaints and take away spontaneous responses and enthusiasm for each other.
The feelings of intolerance and hatred for outsiders who claim equality in spite of their difference in background and merit do not contribute to form healthy ingredients in a thriving society, Mutual hatred and undue claims and demands seem to have become bulk of the problems today and work turns far from a pleasant and better engagement. A tendency seems to have arisen to look at others and demote their worth in one’s own judgement.
Religious and political differences give rise to further differences and dissentions. One cannot accept another party or religious belief as equal to one’s own without education and enlightenment and this leads to fights and hatred that aggravate the situation. The idea of authoritarianism, dictatorship and fascism are mouthpieces of virulent discontent that can overturn our struggles for Equality.
Are human beings really equal? Do they have to be equal to make our society more vibrant and pleasant? Sometimes I feel that it is the idea of standardization introduces by industry that has given rise to the idea of Equality at social and political levels. Could people find their content in doing their work and moving with others who are engaged in their own seats? Will such a change be a deterrent to social progress?
