Equality is a delusional state. It just doesn’t exist in the real-world scenario, cause, none of us is equal.
Isn’t each of us is astoundingly unique, driven by our own personalities, perspectives, initiatives and inspirations? How can then we be equal? Not a chance!
Which explains why some of us are rich and some poor. Why some are materialistically driven, and some philosophical. Why one is expert at writing, and another is amazing with music. Make such a list and it will extend to infinity.
Inequality, therefore, is a virtue. It should thrive. It does thrive.
But it has a darker side which also thrives along with it. Exploitation.
The ‘able’ use the ‘not so abled’. The ‘haves’ dominate the ‘have nots’. So, the gap widens. Inequality. A different kind of ‘inequality’.
Because we humans belong to the animal kingdom, do we tend to live by the tenet ‘survival of the fittest’? The answer seems to be a resounding Yes, especially when we look at instances of extreme, inhumane exploitation all around us. But the fact is, we aren’t animals in that sense. We are humans. We live as a society. We depend on each other. We thrive in this ecology. In extension, we are happy to get our identities as citizens of a nation. And we willingly agree to be guided by the Constitution of the nation we belong to.
That’s how the Indian Constitution that came into existence on November 26, 1949, too assumes such pivotal importance in guiding its people against ‘inequality’.
Adopting the philosophy of egalitarian liberalism, it insists on giving its citizens complete freedom to do what they want in a free environment without any state interference, so they could realize their potentialities. Fostering ‘inequality’!
At the same time, it also contends that a complete withdrawal of the state would perpetuate ‘inequality’ and worsen the situation further. So, it empowers the state to play a proactive role in encouraging its citizens to participate equally in the overall development process. Thus have come the reservation policies to treat ‘un-equals’ on an ‘equal’ note, so the constitutional vision of ‘equality’ among the citizens could be achieved.
Makes so much sense!
How such knowledge helps us connect the dots in the bigger scheme of things! How it makes us understand that we should hold ourselves responsible for the growth others too! How it helps us realize that in others’ happiness lies ours as well! How it convinces us that in inequality should lie equality!
Here’s raising a toast to the Indian Constitution that’s 75 years young… and growing!
Saint Maverick
SAINT MAVERICK 