Equality is unreal

Inequality is the stark reality that we always try to evade. We strive for the equality amongst men and women, rich and poor, mighty and the weak. We perceive it as a calibrator of a perfect culture, a Shangri-la. In spite of all the efforts, equality is elusive and inequality prevails as it is naturally woven into the very fabric of creation. Equilibrium exists when the concerned entities are impugned and try to gain an edge over the other. It can never exist between the equals and nature favours no equals. Mother nature bestows us with the potential complemented with the vulnerability.

Mankind has always struggled to impede the eternal cycle of inequality and equality. The opposition is sometimes against the natural inequality and sometimes against a human doing. Men and women are radically unequal or rather different but complimentary to each other, but we often try to extrapolate them on the same scale. We relocate the point of reference from a practiced inequality to the ingrained one. It might sound audacious, but nature knits a bond between a mother and a child, nurtures it with blood, flesh and protects it with impenetrable cohesive force. Whereas, fatherhood is a recognized ritual that is now construed as natural. So, nature preserves matriarchy and humans practice patriarchy.

History has witnessed its share of insurgencies against the inequalities plaguing the societies. India after achieving freedom in 1947 assured equality to its citizens under the Article 14-18 of the constitution where it states ‘the Stale shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.’ The objective was to eradicate the differences on the basis of sex, caste, religion or race. However, inter alia unintentionally it does injustice in a bid to communicate equality. It says ‘in service, there could be only one norm for confirmation or promotion of persons belonging to the same cadre. No junior shall be confirmed or promoted without considering the case of his senior. Any deviation from this principle will have demoralizing effect in service.’ This law attributes benefits based on age or the tenure of experience than the caliber.

The law discourages the preferment of efficient individuals over the incompetent ones on the grounds of seniority, which often results from the age difference. This practice has taken a toll on the efficiency of Indian Government. The law has purported inefficacy over efficiency in a drive to impart equality. We need to understand our inequalities, respect them and respond accordingly. Nature devised it as a way to increase the competency and make each one of us different and special.