The Jaati Mukt Bharat Movement demands the complete & absolute Abolishment, Delegitimization and Derecognition of Caste as a de-facto entity in India.

 

The जाति मुक्त भारत योजना or the Caste-Free India Movement is the first structured and strategic approach to permanently removing the caste system from India – swiftly and securely. The project targets the caste system at its core and incorporates all – social, legal and religious means to permanently eradicate the concept of caste and caste-based discrimination from India.

The movement shall be divided into 4 distinct phases with the sequential objectives of locating, targeting and eliminating the presence of caste from all social, religious,
educational, commercial and legal systems in the country. For viability, it is recommended that the project be implemented state-wise. Goals for this movement include the following:

1. The official derecognition, delegitimization and complete eradication of caste as a cognizable entity with any tangible influence on society.
2. Replacing a caste/category-based reservation system in our education sector with a merit-based system incorporating mandatory financial aid for economically weaker sections of society and removing caste-based reservation in public sector jobs.
3. Reallocation of resources towards awareness, law enforcement, rehabilitation and community building for a post-caste India.

As caste is inherently a social issue rooted in religion, the use of religious channels will play a central role in its eradication from society at large. That is to say, the target population will respond better to the initiative if it is presented as a religious solution more than anything else, as it would seem more authentic.

This would necessitate that the movement receive the vigorous backing of influential religious institutions and leaders in the country and that these institutions also, to an extent, provision the resources and infrastructure required for its implementation.

 

Phase 1

The first phase of the movement shall focus on the following 3 actionable modules:

1. Formation of a core committee to supervise the implementation of this project. The members of the core committee must be carefully selected to ensure that all steps taken for the successful completion of this project are done in the best interest of the religious community that is to undergo the reformation.
2. Gather mass support for the movement, both from the target demographic and influential leaders & institutions from sociopolitical & religious backgrounds. For this purpose, an extensive presence must be established on social media and an online petition should be formulated.
3. Remove mentions of caste from Article 15 and other sections of the constitution and repeal the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
4. Abolish the caste/category-based reservation system in education and public employment sectors. Replace the reservation system in the education sector with a merit-based system that mandates financial aid for economically weaker sections of society.
5. Prepare the government, education and law enforcement sectors for managing the movement and channeling its social impact.
6. The inception of a religious procedure (preferably a ritual) and a subsequent legal process for renouncing one’s caste.

 

Phase 2

We will initiate the movement with an opt-in approach for those who want to have their caste removed. The candidates can approach their respective places of worship to undergo the ritual followed by a legal procedure where they can have the following statement printed on their Birth Certificate and/or Aadhaar Card:

• “The official bearer of this [identification] does not belong to or recognize the prevalence of any caste, creed or religious categorization that may serve as a component of a hierarchical structure within their faith. Categorization & discrimination against this person thereof is punishable by law.” – Clause [A]

Once the count of candidates who have completed the renunciation process crosses 1 crore, the government may begin to abolish caste for all new births beginning from a certain date. Clause [A] should be printed on their birth certificates and subsequent government documentations.

While the rest of Phase 2 is progressing, it is highly recommended to hold extensive workshops and courses on the caste system, caste discrimination and the shortcomings of our reservation system and other past attempts. The workshops must be low cost, accessible and delivered in local dialects. It is highly recommended if these workshops are held in religious centers across the country.

 

Phase 3

Once the population of candidates who have renounced their caste crosses 10 crore, it is time to abolish the caste system completely. The religious & legal procedures for renunciation of caste must be made mandatory. As an extreme last resort (only if absolutely unavoidable), entry into few prominent places of worship can be barred if the individual hasn’t renounced their caste. They must show that their government IDs contain Clause [A].

It is entirely plausible that there still may be numerous remnant cases of caste discrimination scattered across India. We need to pass dual resolutions that delegitimize caste both religiously & legally and criminalize all forms of caste discrimination. Extensive measures must be taken to ensure the resolutions’ proper enforcement.

It is essential that caste is delegitimized completely by eminent religious and anthropological authorities that are insiders of the pertinent faith and that we eradicate signs of caste where it may potentially gain a foothold again.

So that newer generations may immediately be able to avail the benefit of living in an India beyond caste, it is essential that we temporarily remove glaring mentions of caste in primary & secondary education materials. Note that, this is for a limited period only. Once we have at least one whole generation that is free from its clutches, we may begin teaching it again as a fragment of our past. Remove the caste clause from all government, public and private application/registration forms for IDs.

 

Phase 4

The final phase of the movement may extend up to 25-40 years. It will basically serve as a recovery period in which the primary objective shall be to discreetly & periodically assess the nation’s progress in eradicating the system.

It is essential that the sectors of education, government, religion and law enforcement remain significantly vigilant in ensuring that caste does not regain a foothold in any region. Close collaboration on a national level is required to ensure a speedy and thorough social recovery.

It is essential to view the system as any other malady that ails our society. Online trackers can be built for citizens to view the progress the nation makes each day to eradicate the system from our social structures. This can also serve as a pioneering model for other social change to follow.

Efforts at this point must be to consistently improve the economic standard of the poor and marginalized strata of society. Eradicating poverty and improving the overall standard of living, in conjunction with the aforementioned measures will secure the recovery of Indian society from this system. Once the stipulated time-period comes to an end, the inclusion of Clause [A] can then be removed from newer government documentation and educational material may again include sections on the caste system, this time as nothing more than another fragment of our history. Once the disease has been cured, the cure itself becomes the only remnant of that disease and thus, over time, it must be removed as well.