With a long experience of living in the National Capital Region and then spending a lot of time in the state of U.P., one can easily compare the two. Uttar Pradesh has long been ruled by goons and any party that needs to establish itself in U.P. has to be equally evil as the unofficial law of the place demands.
The word that one must learn here is “vyahvar” or “civilities.” It doesn’t mean that the people are too polite or decent but they maintain ties with those at the top. The law demands one to know the right set of people up there and then even the least deserving person can reach heights or can be acquitted of the most heinous crimes so done. The Police are as weak before the goons as is a child in the cradle. The traffic rules are for the taxi drivers and the truck drivers from where the police can extract good money with ease. People don’t know anything as a zebra crossing and they have not even been introduced to the concept so far. This reminds me of how people in Kanpur keep the side mirrors of the car closed so that the mirrors remain safe, without knowing the purpose behind those side mirrors. A seat belt is also something unknown and uncalled for.
Casteism, when it comes to Brahmans and Thakurs, is also quite visible and reminded about. The Brahmans take pleasure in narrating how great and strong their traditions are and how they have always sidelined those who were lower than them, without realizing that there isn’t any other achievement they hold than sidelining others. Also, the Brahmans here lack knowledge of any other caste or the culture of any other state, especially if they haven’t moved out of U.P. as they hardly listen to anyone’s experience, being busy with blowing their own trumpet. Thakurs too have a lobby, which showcases its power and doesn’t let anyone stand before them. However, the Thakurs, being truly powerful, are less into sidelining any caste or class and have been seen helping the state grow by entering businesses and gaining power. On the other hand, Brahmans gang up against the non-Brahmans and try earning favors from Thakurs just like it used to be in the earlier times when the Brahmans tried winning the confidence of the kings.
The idea of showcasing one’s wealth, even when there isn’t much, is also prevalent here. Men carry guns during weddings and show themselves to be superior to others. In Delhi, it’s called “hawabaazi” or “bragging.” Delhi, having borrowed a lot of its culture from Punjab, believes in keeping the guns inside than showing them outside. In U.P., the people don’t have to answer to anyone to fire in the air or fight around and show their guns off as associations with those at the top or being a bottom-licker to those at the top is enough to be breaking the laws of the country and keeping up the laws of U.P.
To be continued….