A concerned glance in our society and history confirms the uninterrupted dynamics of hierarchy at work.
- Having accepted this hierarchical infrastructure, a natural consequence has been installation of an attitude which holds power in awe
Dr. Lalit Mohan Sharma
A concerned glance in our society and history confirms the uninterrupted dynamics of hierarchy at work. The caste system may well denote division of labor, yet one cannot refute its hierarchical dimensions exerting its indelible print as it can be viewed in functional terms for centuries to the present day.
Even in present times, you hear how men from higher castes beat up a Dalit for riding a horse as a bridegroom, and how a Dalit raped is more of a ‘political’ incident and rape of a higher caste is all over the media.
It may not be ‘ constitutional’ to think like that, but that’s the undeniable truth as far as the minds of people are concerned. Parents and children, elder brother to younger siblings, the separate ponds for last rites at Haridwar, colonies established in towns and cities, those who ‘serve and give’ to society and the privileged who receive the service, — there is a hierarchical structure which is pretty obvious to be ignored. This can even be read into the way the ‘majorities’ look at the ‘ minorities’. Bitter and shameful, maybe, but truth stares back if we examine in detail the actual print of conduct and behavior.
Read: CASTE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
In administration, the need for hierarchy is undebatable, but we do talk about decentralization and devolution of powers for smooth and democratic functioning. Yet, to remain quiet when ethical norms are thrown to the winds, it behoves anyone in that hierarchy to be the whistle blower. Children keeping mum about the corruption or dissipating habits of the parents cannot be condoned. A stunning example from Mahabharata is the game of dice where losing everything he could put at stake, Yudhishthir plays Draupadi. Now that woman is an independent person, but not in the system followed. Moreover, she isn’t just his wife, but wife to his brothers as well. None of the Pandav brothers raises an objection at this unethical act: Yudhishthir is the ‘elder’ brother, a ‘king’, and thus hierarchy here dramatized its most cruel and irrational illustration. Yudhishthir, subconscious of the ill intent of Duryodhan, refuses not playing the game since it’s not honorable to do so. Elders like Bhishma and Vidur do not intervene since royalty of the Crown Prince Duryodhan enjoys unchallenged place in hierarchy.
Read: Pakistan’s Forgotten Dalit Minority
Having accepted this hierarchical infrastructure, a natural consequence has been installation of an attitude which holds power in awe. A fawning infection is prevalent. Old men bow and bend to touch the feet of a young MLA, the Mai- Baap syndrome, the absence of I- Thou relationship, the prevalent of I-It communication only illustrates the damaging aspects which present a dismal picture of the society.
Practice and acceptance of authoritarian tendencies tend to be a natural outcome. To bully the weak and to fawn before the arrogance of the powerful characterizes the social scene.
That things are changing with time is to be rather optimistic. In fact, those are exceptions and at individual levels. The general sense of pride in hierarchy is a valid feature of Indian society. The story turns frustrating as patriarchal dimension of our world view is kept in view. Yudhishthir will always be obeyed. And, if Karan chooses to join his ‘ brothers’ on the request of Kunti or Krishna, well Yudhishthir wouldn’t be expected to sulk at this twin assaults of hierarchy and patriarchy!
Read: Sant Ram Udasi – A Dalit Poet and Naxalite
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Dr. Lalit Mohan Sharma, born in 1952, has published ten books of English poetry which include ‘Man with A Horn’, ‘Eyes of Silence’ and ‘There’s No Death’. His book, A Three- Step Journey, is English translation of Zahid’s Urdu poems. ‘Icicles of Time’ is the latest in 2024. Sharma was conferred with ‘Master of Creative Impulse’ at World Poetry Conference in 2019. A former Principal, Government College, Dharamshala, he has been anthologized in several books of poetry, stories and such books of academic interest as 21st Century Critical Thought: A Dialogue with Post-Modern Voices Vol I, (2020), A Handbook of Contemporary Ethics, (2024), Ed by Molly Joseph and JS Anand
