THE GREAT EQUALISER With government jobs, the lure of permanent tenure overcomes caste prejudice
“Wanted a government job; caste and class, no bar.” This could well be the logo for many families in India today. It is reported that thousand of non-Scheduled Caste candidates, who are graduates and above, have applied for the position of “safai karamchari” in municipalities of Uttar Pradesh (UP). As we read, stress lines on traditional status and distinctions are developing yet again. The figures vary from city to city.
Kanpur Nagar,Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Moradabad have the largest number of “safai karamchari” applicants from the general category, including those who are educationally highly qualified. There are some PhDs too. Even in sleepy Amroha Municipality, for the 114 advertised positions of “safai karamcharis”about 19,000 graduates, and above,have applied.