Class Character

Despite more than sixty years of Independence, we continue to be divided on the lines of caste, religion and language. But, on a subtle basis, we are also divided on the basis of class.

This is what is called as the “middle-class mentality” because it is most prevalent in the middle classes and the nouveau-riche. We seek to compartmentalise people on the basis of their incomes, the kind of lifestyle they lead, and the kind of society they move in. The fact that every being has personal preferences and tastes – and every person is different from every other – is conveniently glossed over.

Even a person who is very rich and is earning a lot of incomes may prefer to lead an austere life subsisting on the bare necessities only. But this is not sufficient for those afflicted by “class character”. They are impelled to show off their affluence and wealth at every turn. For them, their wealth is a part of their persona. When, by circumstances, they are divested of their affluence, they feel that they are “nothing” and they “don’t count”.

We forget that we are all independent of this wealth, society, pleasures and what not. We seldom realise that most of our problems are because of the way we perceive the world. Even though all our scriptures talk of a gradual degeneration, still there are people who believe in an order wherein all will be equal and will treat others as equal. They lead ideal lives and strictly follow some basic rules ordained for mankind.

Thus, if we see people different from us, instead of commenting and gossiping about that person, we must understand that all of us are different from each other.