Daily Mirror — Part 1
Poison at the Roots: The Invisible Walls

From the series: A Poisonous Poison — Casteism: A Boon or Curse?My Reflections 

By Rakesh Kushwaha

Prologue

In this series, I will share real experiences of people close to me.

Some of them have endured the harshness of casteism silently —

friends who trusted me with their pain,

even as they rose to become principals, educators, leaders, and entrepreneurs.

At the same time, I have also witnessed courage —

individuals who took stands,

sometimes small, sometimes incomplete,

but always meaningful.

Their efforts deserve acknowledgement too.

I will mention names only where the story truly calls for it —

not to expose anyone,

but to honour their journey,

their truth,

and their strength.

Opening Reflection

Casteism does not begin on the surface.

It begins underground — silently, deeply —

like roots of a tree that decide the direction of the entire plant even before it grows.

Before a child learns numbers, poems, or alphabets…

he unknowingly learns “who can drink from which well.”

Before he recognises colours,

he is already told “which house he should not enter.”

This is the story of Root-Level Casteism —

the first sting of a poison that travels upward through generations.

The Underground Rules No One Questioned

In the village where I grew up,

people didn’t declare casteism —

they practiced it silently.

It lived in water, in utensils, in doors, in footsteps.

1. The Wells That Divided Thirst

There were wells for “them”

and wells for “us.”

Not by choice,

not by written law,

but by something far stronger —

fear wrapped as tradition.

Even water — the purest symbol of equality —

was forced to flow in different directions.

My friend Radha Charan, now a government officer, once shared with a heavy heart:

He and an upper-caste friend were walking through the fields.

Feeling thirsty, he approached a tubewell and used the vessel kept there to drink water.

Just as the water touched his lips,

a loud, insulting voice from a distance tore the moment apart —

abusing him, his caste, and his family.

He swallowed not just water…

but the tears of humiliation.

His friend said, “Toh kya ho gaya?” trying to lighten it,

but even he could not escape the aftermath —

he too was questioned later for bringing “someone like him” to their tubewell.

2. The Temples With Selective Entry

The divine was common,

but access to the divine was not.

Some people could enter the temple.

Some could only stand outside.

Some could ring the bell.

Some were told:

“Yahaan mat aa… yeh jagah tumhaari nahi.”

How strange…

God created all humans equal,

but humans created different categories for God.

3. The Pattal System: Food With a Boundary

Eating together was never simple.

Plain pattals were more than plates —

they were invisible borders.

If you belonged to a certain caste,

you had to bring your own pattal, your own vessel,

eat separately,

and leave quietly.

If you forgot to bring one,

someone would politely (but firmly) remind:

“Arey… tumhari thali toh wahan alag rakhi hai.”

Every morsel carried a bitter aftertaste of separation.

4. Separate Vessels: Purity That Humiliated

“Touch nothing.

Use nothing.

Drink in your own cup.”

These lines were rarely spoken aloud —

but always followed with precision.

Tea stalls, wedding homes, gatherings —

everywhere there were cups for “them”

and cups for “us.”

As if even clay cups had a caste.

Landlords and Labourers: Distance That Was Never Measured

The differences went beyond rituals —

they were stitched into lifestyles.

Landlords:

✔ Control

✔ Respect

✔ Authority

Labourers:

✔ Fear

✔ Silence

✔ Limited choices

A labourer’s strength was used,

but his shadow was avoided.

A landlord’s injustice was ignored,

but his anger was feared.

This imbalance acted like an unwritten constitution —

powerful, unquestioned, deeply rooted.

My Own Eyes Saw the Unseen

I wasn’t reading a history chapter —

I was living inside one.

I saw:

Wells that quenched some throats but denied others.

Temples that welcomed some feet but rejected others

Kitchens where food united some but separated others

Humans who saw other humans only through the filter of caste

And one question kept rising inside me:

“If all humans are born equal,

then who created this poison?”

Why This Part Matters

Because root-level casteism is not merely a system —

it is conditioning.

It shapes a child’s mind before education does.

It defines a family’s dignity before society does.

It decides a person’s future before he can even speak properly.

This is the foundation.

The beginning.

The birthplace of the poison.

And only by understanding the roots

can we understand the tree.

Closing Reflection for Part 1

Even today, when I remember those wells, those pattals, those separate vessels…

I realise:

Casteism was not just a system —

it was a shadow.

Silent.

Persistent.

Everywhere.

But shadows disappear when light enters.

This series is my humble attempt to bring that light.

Disclaimer:

This series is intended for educational, motivational, and social-awareness purposes.

The intention is not to blame, target, or hurt any individual, community, or belief.

All experiences are shared respectfully and with sensitivity.

— With respect,

Rakesh Kushwaha

Daily Mirror Part 1 is just the beginning.

If this truth resonated with your heart

or reminded you of something you witnessed,

please share your feedback.

Your voice will help illuminate the path for Part 2 and beyond.