Inequality, Instability and Voice

Author: Amartya Sen

The essay ‘Inequality, Instability and Voice’ is one of the articles written by Amartya
Sen. It figures in the book ‘The Argumentative Indian’ which is a collection of
writings on Indian history, culture and identity by the Economics Nobel prize winner.

In the essay, Sen touches upon three issues. They are:

• Inequality in the Indian society and the quest for equality;
• Unity and diversity in India; and
• Need for greater commitment to dialogue and solidarity in South Asia.

Inequality and Quest for Equality

Amartya Sen notes that India has had a bad record of social inequality of which the
country’s caste system is one aspect. But he also notes that the country through its
history has had a tradition of accommodation towards others especially of religions.
Muslims, Christians, Jews, Parsees were all allowed to live through a policy of
‘swikriti’ or equity of toleration. While he says that this was not any affirmation of
equality it still meant acceptance of these groups.

He also notes that even after over fifty years of independence, the political equality
that was given to all the Indians under the Constitution has not still brought about
social and economic equality. He notes that in addition to the fundamental rights the
Indian Constitution specifies certain social and economic entitlements. Progress on
these fronts should go towards greater equality.

He also identifies the argumentative Indian tradition as a tool in the struggle towards
greater equality. Voices of dissent and people and groups speaking against caste, class
and gender barriers contribute in this area.

He is of the view that political groups fighting for greater equality for the under
privileged should be united in their fight if they need to make progress. Fighting
among themselves would harm their goal.

He also says that the recent trend towards increased religious and communal identities
has resulted in increased sectarian politics weakening in the process the larger pursuit
of egalitarian commitments.

He concludes this section by saying that the argumentative Indian tradition would be
an asset in the fight for equity. People should voice their views against inequality and
asymmetry. “Silence is a powerful enemy of social justice,” he adds.

Unity and diversity in India

He begins the section by drawing attention to Mughal Emperor Akbar’s inter-

community discussions in Agra in the 16th century. These discussions, Sen says, both
emphasised on the plurality of beliefs in India and the need for dialogue among the
different groups.
He rejects the argument that the British Raj contributed to the making of India. India
and Indians are found through out history from the ancient days of Alexander the
Great to the modern times. For all ambitious and energetic emperors of the country –
Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Chandragupta Vikramaditya, Allauddin Khilji and
Akbar and even the British Indian Empire – their empire building was complete only
most of India was under their rule. Sen adds that the British Indian rulers had a better
idea of India than one of the British prime ministers. Winston Churchill had said India
was no more a country than was the Equator.

He also draws attention to Ujjain being the principal meridian for calculations under
various Indian calendars from ancient days. Attention is also drawn to writings of
Kalidas, an Ujjain based Sanskrit scholar who wrote the poem Meghadutam of the
ancient period, who spoke of the diverse charms and beauties across India.

Besides noting Akbar’s approach of plurality of beliefs and the need for dialogue
draws attention to the religion he founded and a calendar he started. Akbar founded
Din-i-ilahi religion which was a synthetic religion drawn from all the other religions.
‘Tarikh-i-ilahi’ was a move at an integrated calendar for all India. While both these
attempts failed, Sen is all praise for Akbar’s attempts for they “reflected a
constructive search for an overarching unity, combined with a firm commitment of
plurality.”

He concludes this section by saying “neither a homogeneous conception of a unitary

India, nor a view of isolated segments, could take the place of the idea of a pluralist
India”. He also adds that this of a pluralist India had been firmly established even
before Lord Clive began erecting the foundations of the British Raj in the country.

Need for greater commitment to dialogue and solidarity in South Asia

He draws attention in this section to the division of India into India and Pakistan and
the existence of various countries in what today constitutes South Asia or the Indian
sub-continent. Given the long multicultural history of the sub-continent, Sen says a
commitment to dialogue by the countries of the region is a must for regional
solidarity, national unity and social justice.

He calls for dialogue between India and Pakistan. He is also for intergovernmental
and civil society led interaction between the two countries. Media can also play its
role in the advancement of the dialogue route.

He also favours a like approach in India’s dealings with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.