INDIA: In another episode of Transcontinental Times 360° Live, TCT’s CFO Sahra Ardah interviewed the Delhi Cabinet Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam. During this conversation, Gautam discussed the present situation in India as well as a number of other topics.
Gautam is a minister of social welfare, SC & ST, Gurudwara Elections, Water & Registrar of Cooperative Societies, in the government of Delhi.
Since 2015, he has represented the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi Legislative Assembly from the Seemapuri constituency in New Delhi. Gautam is a law graduate from Delhi University. Even before coming into politics, he has spent much of his life on social work.
“As most of the political parties do not hear the voices raised by social workers, I decided to join AAP in 2014.”
Education is costly
“Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar would not be happy, witnessing the current status of India, since it is contradictory to what they desired to be,” Mr. Gautam stated, referring to the current state of India.
“For many people, education is becoming increasingly expensive and impossible to obtain.
“The majority of journalists nowadays work for political parties.
For many people, education is becoming increasingly expensive and impossible to obtain. These days, the majority of journalists work for political parties.”
“Rather than asking questions to the ruling party, they are raising queries to the opposition.”
“Furthermore, social media is playing an increasingly significant role in all areas,” Gautam explained.
The importance of education
In response to a question about population and pollution control, Mr. Gautam replied that the Indian government is unable to enact any legislation to control the country’s growing population; in fact, it is not even required. “
“Regardless of our religious convictions, we all require adequate education.”
“It’s the same with pollution. We’re doing everything we can to improve air quality and reduce pollution,” he said.
Caste discrimination
Gautam highlighted the caste system in India when discussing it, “Castellation can be found not only in rural areas but also in cities, even metropolitan areas. Because it is a product of successive generations. There are four Varnas (divisions) in the Hindu religion: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Kshudra. For thousands of years, only those of ‘higher ranks’ were allowed to read and learn Vedas (religious scriptures) and rule.”
“In contrast, the remaining people were prohibited from their basic human rights. So, this was going on until India achieved freedom & the constitution written by Dr. Ambedkar came into existence.”
“Now, the cast discrimination is there and it is intensified during the Modi government. They are executing politics based on religion. Moreover, this caste system is not made by gods & goddesses, it is people who have created it,” he added.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with discrimination in the evaluation of SC, ST, and OBC applicants for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam, which occurred last July. To develop the country, this must be eradicated.
The ‘Hijab Row’
In response to the clash over wearing a Hijab, Mr. Gautam stated that this (The Hijab row) is political!
“Because of the elections going on in five states and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has not done any work, they want to seize the votes by this; otherwise, the Hijab or Pardah doesn’t matter, but whatever is evil, should be off.”
“Also, the ones who are protesting Hijab can talk about the Pagri (type of turban worn by the natives of Punjab). Furthermore, he sarcastically quoted, “During this pandemic, everyone is wearing a mask, now will you say remove the mask? This will certainly generate a loss to mankind. A day will come & everybody will say that we should follow the Buddha’s path of peace,” he added.
Gender discrimination
Talking about the gender parity situation in India, Gautam said that, before the constitution came into existence, women were discriminated in all ways, even today they are being discriminated against in many ways. After Dr. Ambedkar’s written constitution came into being, in 1950, it has helped a lot to empower women in all ways, because of the acts like Hindu Code Bill.
Everyone, regardless of their caste, religion, or gender, should be given the right to go ahead. Besides, he added that the government is putting on efforts in many ways.
When asked what attributes a leader should have, Mr. Gautam responded, “One should be honest and cognizant of one’s roots, as well as work for and care for people at all levels of society. No one should be treated unfairly because of their caste, religion, or gender.”
“Politicians should be given training, to work properly. The one who desires to purchase votes by offering money or anything, cannot work for people. People too should understand who they are choosing.”
In addition, when asked about his goals for the next ten years, Mr. Gautam stated, “I aim to see a deconstruction of discrimination based on caste, religion, language, and other factors in ten years, and I am working on it; let’s hope for the best!”
Watch the whole interview here:
Also Read: “Let Children Study”, Says Karnataka CM Ahead of HC Hearing in Hijab vs Saffron Row
