TERMS DEFINED: Caste-Based Favoritism Or Discrimination in Eight Sectors In India

In India, caste-based favoritism or discrimination is a deeply rooted social issue that often intersects with nepotism and insider networks across sectors. Below are terms for each sector—Judiciary, Executive, Legislature, Banking, Business, Media, Healthcare, and Education—that highlight caste-based privilege or bias. 

♦️Judiciary

• "Uncle Judges"
  Explanation: In India, this term critiques judges in the judicial system who have close relatives—like nephews, sons, or daughters—practicing law in the same courts where they preside. It highlights concerns about nepotism and favoritism, suggesting justice might tilt toward family ties rather than fairness. The issue ties to debates about the collegium system, where judges appoint judges, potentially keeping the judiciary within tight family circles. Reports have noted this in several high courts, fueling calls for reforms like barring judges from courts where kin practice—though progress remains slow.
• "Brahmin Benches"
  Explanation: Refers to the perceived overrepresentation of Brahmins or upper castes in judicial roles, potentially skewing rulings toward caste allies
• • Jati Justice 
  • Explanation: "Jati" (caste or subcaste) suggests judges favoring lawyers or litigants from their own caste, perpetuating upper-caste dominance in the judiciary—a system historically critiqued for its elitism.
• "Bhai Benches"
  Explanation: "Bhai" (brother) implies a fraternity among judges and lawyers, where sibling-like or familial bonds might influence rulings or appointments.
• "Papa Pronouncements"
  Explanation: "Papa" (father) suggests senior judges paving the way for their kids or relatives, passing down influence like judicial verdicts.

♦️Executive (Government Administration)

• Bhai Bureaucrats"
  Explanation: "Bhai" (brother) nods to the close-knit relationships among bureaucrats, where family members or loyal allies of senior officials might get plum postings or undue influence in administrative roles. It suggests a fraternity-like system where nepotism could trump merit.
• "Varna Vikrams"
  Explanation: "Varna" (traditional caste hierarchy) paired with "Vikram" (a common elite name) implies bureaucrats favoring their caste peers for postings or perks, reinforcing caste-based power in administration
• "Kshatriya Clerks"
  Explanation: "Kshatriya" (warrior/ruling caste) hints at upper-caste officials gatekeeping lower bureaucratic roles for their own kind, sidelining marginalized groups.
• "Saale Secretaries"
  Explanation: "Saale" (brother-in-law) points to bureaucrats favoring extended family or in-laws for plum postings or contracts, hinting at backroom deals.
• "Netaji’s Nominees"
  Explanation: "Netaji" (leader) refers to politicians or senior officials handpicking loyal kin for administrative roles, ensuring family sway.
• "Masi Mandarins"
  Explanation: "Masi" (maternal aunt) adds a matriarchal spin, with relatives dominating the bureaucratic elite.

♦️Legislature (Lawmakers)

• Caste Cadres"
  Explanation: Suggests legislators building political bases by favoring their caste communities, often seen in vote-bank politics where caste loyalty trumps merit.
• "Thakur Thrones"
  Explanation: "Thakur" (a landowning upper caste) implies feudal caste elites dominating legislative seats, maintaining historical privilege.
• Dynasty MPs"
  Explanation: Reflects the prevalence of political dynasties in India, where sons, daughters, or relatives of politicians inherit constituencies or legislative seats, perpetuating family rule over democratic merit. "MP" stands for Members of Parliament, but it could extend to state legislatures too.
• "Beta Benchers"
  Explanation: "Beta" (son) captures the sons or daughters of politicians inheriting legislative seats as dynastic heirs.
• "Khandan Lawmakers"
  Explanation: "Khandan" (family lineage) reflects clans turning legislatures into family enterprises, a hallmark of India’s political dynasties.
• "Tai Tickets"
  Explanation: "Tai" (aunt) suggests older relatives securing party tickets or constituencies for kin.

♦️Banking

• Bania Balances"
  Explanation: "Bania" (merchant caste) reflects the stereotype of upper-caste trading communities controlling banking, favoring caste kin for loans or roles.
• Chacha Cashiers"
  Explanation: "Chacha" (uncle) hints at banking officials appointing or favoring relatives in key positions, potentially influencing loan approvals, promotions, or financial dealings. It evokes the image of an old-boy network controlling money flow.
• "Jati Journals"
  Explanation: "Jati" suggests caste-based favoritism in financial ledgers, where resources flow to specific caste networks.
• "Bhateeja Bankers"
  Explanation: "Bhateeja" (nephew) highlights younger relatives of banking bigwigs rising fast, possibly steering financial decisions.
• "Rishtedaar Reserves"
  Explanation: "Rishtedaar" (relatives) implies a family reserve controlling banking operations, hoarding power like cash.
• "Dada Deposits"
  Explanation: "Dada" (elder brother) evokes a dominant kin overseeing wealth and favors in banks.

♦️Busines

• Parivar Profiteers"
  Explanation: "Parivar" (family) points to the dominance of family-run businesses in India, where conglomerates pass leadership and profits to kin, often sidelining outside talent or fair competition. Think of the "promoter families" in corporate India.
• "Vaishya Ventures"
  Explanation: "Vaishya" (merchant caste) points to business empires run by traditional trading castes, often excluding or exploiting lower-caste entrepreneurs.
• "Caste Cartels"
  Explanation: Implies business alliances formed along caste lines, locking out competition from marginalized groups.
• "Bhai-Bazaar"
  Explanation: "Bhai" (brother) with "Bazaar" (market) paints siblings or cousins monopolizing trade for family gain.
• "Seth Siblings"
  Explanation: "Seth" (traditional businessman) nods to family-run conglomerates favoring kin over outsiders.
• "Mummy Markets"
  Explanation: "Mummy" (mother) suggests matriarchs steering business empires, keeping commerce familial.

♦️Media

• "Savarna Stories"
  Explanation: "Savarna" (upper caste) suggests media narratives shaped by and for dominant castes, sidelining Dalit or Adivasi voices.
• "Brahmin Broadcasts"
  Explanation: Highlights upper-caste dominance in media ownership or journalism, potentially biasing coverage toward caste privilege.
• "Tai Times"
  Explanation: "Tai" (aunt) indicates senior kin shaping media narratives for family agendas
• Mama Media"
  Explanation: "Mama" (maternal uncle) suggests media houses where owners’ relatives or cronies get prime roles—editors, anchors, or journalists—potentially skewing narratives to serve family or insider interests rather than public good.
• "Pappa Press"
  Explanation: "Pappa" (father) implies patriarchs installing relatives as news gatekeepers.
• "Bhatija Broadcasts"
  Explanation: "Bhatija" (nephew) points to younger kin taking over TV or digital media roles.

♦️Healthcare

• "Caste Capsules"
  Explanation: Suggests healthcare access or jobs being doled out based on caste, with upper castes getting preferential treatment or roles.
• "Pandit Prescriptions"
  Explanation: "Pandit" (Brahmin title) implies upper-caste doctors or administrators controlling medical systems, possibly discriminating against lower-caste patients or staff.
• "Doc Dada"
  Explanation: "Dada" (elder brother or a dominant figure) could refer to senior doctors or hospital owners ensuring their siblings, children, or nephews get prestigious positions or control over medical empires, possibly at the expense of patient care or merit-based hiring
• "Bua Clinics"
  Explanation: "Bua" (paternal aunt) suggests family-run hospitals where relatives prioritize profit or privilege.
• "Nana Nurses"
  Explanation: "Nana" (maternal grandfather) has older generations ensuring kin dominate healthcare setups.
• "Tau Treatments"
  Explanation: "Tau" (elder paternal uncle) implies senior family figures controlling medical empires.

♦️Education

• "Guru Gotras"
  Explanation: "Gotra" (subcaste lineage) hints at educators favoring students or staff from their own caste lineage, a subtle nod to traditional Brahmin teaching roles.
• "Guru Genes" .    Explanation: Suggests a system where educational institutions—especially private ones—are run like family fiefs, with teaching posts, administrative roles, or even student admissions favoring relatives of founders or trustees, rather than qualifications.
• "Sharma Schools"
  Explanation: "Sharma" (common Brahmin surname) suggests upper-caste dominance in academia, where privilege shapes admissions or faculty hires.
• "Mami Mentors"
  Explanation: "Mami" (maternal aunt) highlights kin monopolizing teaching or leadership roles in academia.
• "Chacha Chairs"
  Explanation: "Chacha" (uncle) refers to uncles securing trustee or chairman positions in schools and colleges.
• "Bhabhi Boards"
  Explanation: "Bhabhi" (sister-in-law) suggests in-laws influencing educational governing bodies.