Untouchability

A big blot on human civilisation has been discrimination of human beings based on distinctions such as caste, class, ethnicity, colour of skin and other prejudices. In the pandemic, we see a new set:  the living and the dead are being shunned for infection

A housing society barred nurses who have been bravely serving patients. Hearse vans are difficult to get and the dead are denied dignity of cremation by some villagers. Infested patients are being treated like culprits by neighbours.

Of course, there are shining examples of human empathy. In Sankhli town, two women and a man wore protective gear and did all the needful to give dignity to a Covid felled patient. There are volunteers who are stepping out to help and serve the afflicted.

It is important to note that all other inhuman discriminations flow from selfishness and a cruel conviction that others are lesser beings. Such attitudes lead to the practices of ostracising, segregation and persecutions of those people.

This unacceptable practice cannot be justified in any way. The safety norm of distancing is being wrongly interpreted as a justification for exclusion and social boycott. Instead of supporting each other, we are unfairly pushing others to the brink.

When we touch our own faces, we run risk of self-inflicted infection. Will we refuse to touch our remaining body? Will we deny ourselves human dignity? We must imagine ourselves in the situation of the ones we cruelly demean. We need physical not social distancing… sanitising not shunning… empathy not untouchability!

Protect yourself from the illness of untouchability

Overcome prejudice & keep alive your humanity!

~ Pravin K Sabnis