Sudha Murty and "pure" vegetarianism
Recently, a video went viral where Sudha Murty admitted to not carrying her own utensils when visiting abroad, lest she has to eat out of crockery in which non-vegetarian meal was served. The internet was in uproar, with a vocal section calling her act casteist because of the (loose) association of pure vegetarianism with upper castes
I, for one, am not convinced that this is a casteist act.
Caste is undeniably one of the most important lens to view Indian society through, but to reduce each and every action performed by a savarna to her caste, trivializes the seriousness of casteism in India.
Unless we have compelling evidence to the contrary, the simplest explanation should always be preferred. And in this case, the simplest explanation is that Sudha Murty is religiously convinced that non-veg food is abhorrent and impure, and she'd never want to eat in a utensil in which that disgusting thing was served.
It does NOT mean she regards brahmans as superior. She might be a closet caste supremacist, but this act, in itself, does not prove it.
"Casteist unless proven otherwise", is completely antithetical to the liberal idea of judging people as individuals, and not as part of the group they were born in.
Especially surprising is the reaction of so many Muslims who are cheerfully celebrating it as yet another act of Hindu casteism.
I mean, just think about it. Would you not becoming extremely squeamish if you're served on the same plate where a pig was served 10 minutes ago, even if the plate was washed? And would you agree to drink from the same glass in which alcohol was served? Does this make you casteist also?
There is no dearth of serious issues to outrage about right now, including weekly reports of actual casteist horrors. Lets try not to make light of them by raising trivial acts to the same level.