Reservation for the Untouchables !!!

We are a country of paradoxes. As I was studying polity I came across Article 17 of our constitution which speaks of abolishing Untouchability. I realised that practicing untouchability is a punishable offence but the greatest paradox is that practicing caste system is not.While we have abolished untouchability, we have promoted backwardness through reservations for various groups. I fail to understand the difference between the two social stigmas.


Looks like the only difference they make is with their potential vote banks to the power greedy politicians. Unlike untouchability, being in a backward caste has turned out to be of a great advantage. Why can't we abolish even the caste system and have a caste free society?


The irony is that the constitution has become least significant for an ‘Indian’ than for anyone else, after 60 years of India being a republic, because of misinterpretation. 
I am lost pondering over my identity while filling up application forms for various educational institutions and Govt. jobs. Columns like ‘community’ and ‘Gender’ find their places before ‘Nationality’. Is this what the term Equality in Art 14 of the constitution means? 


Today political parties quote, “Our party is a secular party…we give
equal representation to all religious sections of the society.”

Whereas a secular party must quote, “we do not represent any religion,
we have only Indians and we treat all the citizens as Indians and
their problems as ours.” 

Democracy is a utopian idea to an average Indian who does not see himself as a part of policy making in nation building. Sovereignty is lost to the capitalists and mean politicians. 


Today I am seen either as a Marathi or Telugu, as a supporter of Andhra or Telangana. 
I am waiting for the day when I’ll be recognized as an Indian in India.  


Comments are welcome.