So what are the imaginings related to dogs in the Hindu mythology that have a bearing on our everyday lives? Hinduism is based on two dogmas or beliefs: the transmigration of the Atma (soul) and the related Karma doctrine of compensation or punishment in the next birth. If you behave nicely, you will enter the womb of an upper Varna woman or get released from the cycle of rebirth entirely and find Moksha. But if someone does not follow the Dharma of his Varna, he can expect to enter a womb of a dog or a pig or a snake. Many animals are associated with this philosophy of reincarnation, but ‘good’ animals such as cows and horses are not in that list. So, a sage or priest can curse someone by saying– Agle janm men kutta banoge (you will become dog in your next life).
In the 13th century, a Telugu text called Vijnaneshvaramu mentions that if a Brahmin commits a crime deserving capital punishment, his head should be shaved and his forehead marked with the sign of a dog’s paw. Unlike western societies where the dog is man’s best friend, in Indian society the dog is a lowly, impure creature. This, however, is the 21st century, when many Indians believe that time has come to realise our true potential. How can this be achieved with a consciousness animated with perversions that brutalise both animals and human beings? How can we be a truly modern society with a consciousness of caste that is so profoundly anti-modern? The General’s condition best epitomises this dilemma, modernity wears thinly on our being, beneath the veneer of civility we continue to practice caste as if it were our birth right. Caste antagonism, hatred and perversion surface at the slightest provocation. What the General’s sound byte represents is not a concern with governance, but rather an expression of the natural attitude that has completely internalised a consciousness of caste that we are not even aware of when we insult and humiliate our fellow beings. It is a condition of normalcy especially when practiced by the upper castes on the Dalits.
There can be no escaping the fact that under the present government, such a condition of normalcy has acquired a heightened pitch. It becomes all the more threatening for democracy when the rule of law is disregarded in the name of majoritarian sentiments.
What is becoming increasingly clear with every passing day is that the present government is backtracking on its promised development agenda. Its model of growth is clearly one that is unable to produce employment on the desired scale. The resentment grows, not only in Lutyens Delhi, but everywhere in the country. Even dominant castes are now showing signs of unease and unrest. Dalits and minorities are the worst hit given the growing intolerance and insensitivity of a majoritarianism that is repeatedly threatening not only our rich cultural diversity, but also the very foundations of our constitutional democracy.
Rather than blame previous regimes for the present ills, it may be useful for the government to turn its gaze inwards with the critical intent of assessing the capabilities of its members, both fringe and mainstream, in the practice of democracy.
Notwithstanding their democratic victory, what is now on public display is a clear deficit of democratic sentiments where respect for human rights is being replaced by the diktats of majoritarianism. There can be no doubt that Indian democracy will outlive the present moment of gloom and doom as it has so often done in the past. The humiliation of Dalits in this manner may appear normal for the General and his likes. However, it may be worthwhile to ponder over the fact that in a democracy dogs too will have their day. Elsewhere in the country, the General’s sound byte may prove to be fatal for the present ruling class.