India is probably the last bastion of great social evils-Caste, Communalism, Corruption and Criminality, and the great majority of Indians consent to it. This is what constantly breeds violence in some form or the other, and unless a massive people’s movement is unleashed, we cannot overcome the abominations in our country. Indians need to take a good look at the havoc caused by the deviations of the rule of law we have so casually accepted for decades. Unlike other countries, there are powerful strongholds in our society that will keep India in the dark ages unless they are overcome. Take any situation in the country, including the latest terror attack in Mumbai - nobody can doubt the political subterfuge at work behind the scenes, the underhanded manipulation going on even as the truth is unraveled, if it ever will be. Don’t be distracted by the fingerpointing at Pakistan, the greater dangers lie within. It is not too far fetched to speculate that the Mumbai terror episode happened because some Indians in high places wanted it to. Such is the sorry state of our matrbhoomi. Even if it is possible to overhaul the system, dealing with our venal politicians is not the main solution. Indians must own up to the fact that the rot in our country is not just political, it is social. We are the enemy. Reforming our society first is the only way to bring real change. Observe how tangible reform in many countries is a reality, but it’s quite obvious the few great Indians who attempted to transform our land mostly failed. Throughout history great social evil has sooner or later been dismantled – but not to any great extent in India. Slavery was dealt with by people like Abraham Lincoln and William Wilberforce; Nazism eliminated by war, and failed Communist ideology discarded by popular will. Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela set an example to the world but it was Gandhiji’s ideas they largely borrowed. Isn’t it time for India to seriously implement what Bapu died for? Can we discover the powerful source of his convictions and make them ours? Is another great ‘Salt March’ called for to galvanize our nation? For Barack Hussain Obama to become the 44th US President, something fundamental has realigned in America. Such a paradigm shift is required in India where though Dalits and women occupy the highest offices in the country, nothing fundamental changes. Obama could not have made it if the overwhelming majority of citizens did not vote for him – Americans have dealt a huge blow to race prejudice in their country. People power unquestionably carried the day in America – why does that not happen conclusively in India? Every election only brings another bunch of crooked politicians to power, who merely exacerbate the cancers in our society. India is a bizarre place where there are people who actually worship actors, politicians, gurus etc., as if they were really gods. All it takes is one charismatic charlatan to concoct something sacred or spiritual or very wise and before long he develops a large following. I suspect many centuries ago a bunch of clever rascals, (most likely in the garb of priestly service), got together (possibly backed by some ruler) and decided to create and enforce a certain hierarchy that would keep them at the top of the food chain. They succeeded brilliantly because they wove religion into the whole concept. Rarely does anyone give up their privileges and once a “religious” caste system was entrenched it has continued for thousands of years. Those bred exclusively with all the perks that wealth, knowledge, and superior lifestyles afford, have remained securely on the top of the heap. High caste folks now actually believe they are some kind of exceptional people. The poor and the disadvantaged exploited for so long, came to accept deprivation and degradation as their lot in life. These dispossessed Indians have finally wised up and now demand their slice of the roti ka tukda but the inequality in our society is deeply entrenched. Caste is India’s original sin, heinous in its far reaching divisive impact among our people. The magnitude of injustice is so great in our land that national repentance and reparations are called for. There are certain key issues that urgently need to be addressed to overcome the enormous challenges we face. Perhaps in our violence torn, religiously manipulated society if the following concepts are implemented, India could experience a genuine, peaceful revolution and our democracy become a model of peace and harmony for the world: Let the Sangh Parivar prove that Hindutva truly seeks the welfare of all Indians by reinventing itself as the party that eradicates Caste in India. Let Indian Muslim clergy and leaders lead their community out of backwardness - empower women, emphasize education and ban religious ideas of hate and violence. Let Indian Church leaders admit they have betrayed Christ and India by establishing a western institution called Christianity for 30 pieces of silver. Let the government make it a crime for any political party to use religion in any way to come to power and legally prohibit them from running for office if they do. When politicians attempt to win elections or religious leaders build their domains by seeking to turn Indian against Indian, can we respond by making it clear we are united in our search for a better society? That we do not want to raise our children to hate one another, that we are only interested in issues that unite Indians and we will not support the politics of division anymore. Can we unite and demand a political process where religion cannot be used as a tool to manipulate the masses. Can every Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian etc., hold their religious leaders accountable to ensure their teaching and practices only foster community not discord? If this happens across the country its impact can halt the alienation of different groups who seek revenge because they are nursing many grievances. Situations like Mumbai’s terror experience suggest it may already be too late. It certainly will be if we don’t act now.