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January 26, 2013

India: Ashis Nandy in shit for making clumsy casteist claims at the Jaipur literature festival 2013

According to reports the overrated Indian intellectual Ashis Nandy made a statement
"Most corrupt people come from OBC, SC and ST communities"

OBCs, SCs, STs to blame for corruption, Ashis Nandy says at Jaipur lit fest
(The Times of India)

Ashis Nandy booked under SC/ST Act for remark on dalits
IANS | Jan 26, 2013,

The major questions that most comes to mind in wake of Mr Nandy's claim are:

Are there ethnic or caste statistics available in the National Crimes records bureau in India, so that we can identify the people convicted along caste, ethic or religious lines? If this is true then it is a very dangerous situation in India.

Does Mr. Nandy have access to statistical data and information to back his claims on the convictions of SC, ST, OBC as opposed to others? Can he produce these figures for wider public scrutiny? If he cant produce these figures then there is solid grounds for him to be a charged for slander.

The man seems to be now qualifying his claim by suggesting that he meant most people charged happen to be SC, ST and OBC since they dont have the influence and power of the upper castes. He has issued a statement, that was read at a press conference.

Whatever it is, and whichever way he should produce statistics and figures to back his claims now. Mr Nandy has been booked under the SC/ST Act, but he too may get away because he has considerable influence and connections.
-Harsh Kapoor (for Communalism Watch)

PS:

Video of the damage control press conference with Ashis Nandy after the controversy broke