Accept it or not- it's the caste that makes a big room in the Indian society. Some may hate talking about caste but that's where the lives of many are loitering.
It goes without saying that every caste has an icon. NTR is a matchless icon for Kamma community and business tycoon Ramoji Rao is another. Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga had been an icon for Kapus for many years and now Chiranjeevi is exercising that knowingly or unknowingly. Reddys look at YSR as their icon while Vysyas take the reference of Rosiah in their hearts. Krishna Madiga is an icon for Madiga Community. PV Narasimha Rao was the icon for Brahmins. All these years Rama Linga Raju has been an icon for Rajus too. There is nothing wrong in that ardent favoritism but the hearts of followers get squeezed and depressed when the icons malign their charisma in public.
Today, the self pride of followers of Ramalinga Raju has stooped down. The reason need not be explained here again. The legendry personality is now appearing like an escaping mouse leaving the people those have kept faith on him to fire. Satyam, his business surname, has turned upside down and shaped as 'LIE'. Even AP Finance Minister Rosiah lamented today that he is stopping his head down being a Telugu man. It's not just Rajus indeed, but entire Telugu community is feeling sad as the reputation of Ramalinga Raju has spread across the world.
Keeping that aside, and coming back to caste-feeling or caste-partiality, it is in fact a curse to society when others are harmed by it. Raju community has boasted its unity to good extent by extending support to Rama Linga Raju online with messages on a blog. Such unity is also seen among Kammas and Reddys. Many Kammas stood beside Balakrishna when he was trapped in 'shooting' case. Many Kammas got united to fight against YSR's rule assuming a tyranny on them.
But Vysyas hardly stood behind Ramesh Gelli during GTB mishap. Brahmins hardly stood beside the scholar Nagaphani Sarma when he was alleged with a molestation case in USA. These stand as exemptions for unknown reasons.
The unity of a community will be known only during crucial times when a celeb-icon pertaining to a caste traps in trouble. Good or bad, it's the court of law that has to decide. But leaving a human being to his fate when trapped in trouble is something that should be condemned. I don't say that criminals should be supported. A self confessed white-collared convict should need humane touch before punishment. And Rajus are doing their best.
In fact first, Ramalinga Raju is a Raju, then a Telugu and then an Indian. He has hoisted the pride of Telugus in international scenario and he is the one who pulled down the same tearing it. Let us not forget the former while responding to latter. Let us stand by the side of Telugu pride and don't malign it more.
Written By Usha Chowdary
The views expressed in the article are the author's and not of greatandhra.com.
