A while ago, while introducing the Unique Identity Number (UIN) for Indians, we were promised that it would not contain personal data. However, we’ve just found out that the lure of power that comes with such a massive database is too powerful to resist. 85 lakh children will be tagged and tracked with their caste information under a scheme that the government promises will help evaluate the performance of schools.
Consider the implications of having a child’s caste officially recorded in a database. It means that it’s unchangeable, and forever linked to them. In a country where it’s illegal to discriminate on the basis of caste, tracking caste details of children is ridiculous. When we’re trying to abolish something, giving it official sanction and putting it as a badge on an individual is hardly the most progressive step. Suppose a child doesn’t care what his or her caste is? But that’s not enough – apparently the government cares.
The Nazis used to number humans - are we just numbers?
No comments:
Post a Comment