A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

 In the year 2013, group of village panchayats in Odisha made headlines. It was a historic moment. Dongria Kondh tribe in Niyamgiri hills had just won a case against a mining giant Vedanta. Vedanta was collectively denied to mine in their land. The tribe considered that these mining activities will make their deity upset. They considered it to be sacred. Nobody would have thought that tribes would win over a billion dollar company. But the justice was prevailed by honourable Supreme Court.

The citizens had limited freedom, even in post-independence India. Pre-colonial Section 377 of IPC made sodomy illegal. It was the landmark judgement of Navtej Singh Johar case (2018) which paved the way for freedom to LGBTQIA+ community. The draconian Section 377 was taken down. It was indeed a 'pride' moment for India. However, justice here is political in nature. The social battle still remains because of the orthodox nature of the society. The above two examples showcase that a society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity (external help).

What does society mean here? What is even justice? Is it only the political justice that counts? How does charity helps if society has less justice? Here, many sociologist go on to say that society is a group of people. They live in a community with interdependence on each other. Activities such as trade, religious gathering, celebrate festivals, maintain public order, etc. are carried out by them. Infact the constitution of India mentions co-operative societies in multiple parts of it. Because they are the bedrock of any sound nation.

"Justice is the first virtue of any institution (society)", is a famously quoted by John Rawls. In his work 'Political theory of justice' has laid down many ground rules for the same. Some of them being- rule of law, equality of protection, etc. Judiciary is often termed as the 3rd wheel of democracy. But only political justice won't suffice. Society also needs social justice. It ensures social well-being of a man.

Currently, residents of capital, New Delhi, breathe an air of AQI above 500. Drink polluted water laden with impurities and chemicals. They are paying indirect taxes in the form of Air purifiers and water filters respectively. Definitely this not a just society in terms of environmental stance. Here comes the role of charity. It will require people to pour in their money to stand and fight against environmental injustice. But does these charity provide a silver bullet to all the problems?

Charity is without a doubt one of the noblest things one can do towards society. Mother Teresa is revered for compassion towards poor and the work she did in Calcutta. She helped many suffering with life threatening diseases. Today many conglomerates carry out charity work. TATA institute is well-known for that. During Covid-19 pandemic, Ratan Tata allowed many doctors to utilise Taj hotel in Mumbai, since they were not allowed to go home. Companies Act 2013 has made certain component compulsory as CSR (Corporate social responsibility). This is nothing but a form of charity towards a less health just society.

Is it that the charity can be only of economic nature? No. "Charity begins at home" is a proverb we have all come across. It is to instill values of empathy towards unjust society that surrounds us. It can start from family to schools to workplace. A good education and value system learnt by a child is crucial. They shape their surrounds accordingly. If the child learns moral values of justice, chances are he'll replicate the same in his adult life. It is direct impact because child considers parents and teachers as his idols. Even workplace would be more just if he practices what he learnt in the childhood.

Literature has talked about it lengths, say Rig Veda- talks about greater autonomy to women in participation in worships rituals. Had stratification of caste but it was more of occupational orientation and people could move in these stratas. It was a more just society. But it was a completely contrary case in later Vedic Age (Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharveda). Women were prohibited from performing rituals. 'Aitreya Brahmana' goes on to mention that- 'daughters were the cause of misery to fathers'. It gave rise to practices such as dowry- to provide incentive for early marriage so that father can be relieved from the misery. This injustice was overcome after more than 2000 years by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Between these periods, women were vulnerable and required charity (financial support) from husbands.

Contemporarily, Xinjiang province of China is infamous for forceful conversion of Muslims in this region. It is a case of violation of human rights and religious rights. Similar is the case with Myanmar- facing military coup. Pakistan- become a begging bowl of IMF and other international loans. They are classic example of injustice in- religious, political and economical sphere. Charity is surely required but they inject a temporary dopamine (charity) to long term surgery (justice society).

It is the same story with developed nations too. Even Roe v/s Wade case was recently altered by the highest of USA. Denying women their bodily autonomy in abortion case. Infact several issues such as gun violence- direct threat to safety. Racism against black people- a cop killed brutally a guy striking a knee on his head. These are all hallmark of an unjust society. Here interventions (charity) are needed to rectify these ills. 

Many a times government provides 'loan-waivers' (charity) to farmers during stressful times. But is more of a populist demand conceded to gain votes. World Bank has stated that such economy is not sustainable. Government needs to create more just agricultural communities. Which thrive on scientific backed monsoon pattern, soil type and testing, micro irrigation practices, climate zones, suitability of crop, etc. Only then our farmers would be truly what envisioned by Lal Bahadur Shashtri- "Jai jawan, Jai Kisan, Jay Vigyan".

Climate change is a persistent threat in the 21st century. Paris Agreement 2015 talks about a planned way to tackle the same. Concept of CBDR- common but differentiated responsibility, which recognises the historical injustice. It was industrial economies such as USA, UK which had been main culprits of pollution and reaped significant benefits. So, it is their moral duty to provide Global South with technological, financial support. Loss and Damage talks about a transfer of 100 bn dollars annually from developed nations to least developed countries. It is evident that climate inequality (less justice society) voices more charity.

Streams of STEM (science tech engg math) has very few women representations. It is reflection of gender-based injustice that prevails. Hence, government provides charity in the form of scholarships to girl child. Only then will be able to see more of Sunita Williams, Sudha Murthy in the field of STEM. Breaking the social barrier of stereotyping of women into one fold is vital. Hindi movie Dangal portrays how young girls, Phogat sisters,  goes on to conquer a male dominated sport of wrestling.

Moving towards a just society is therefore necessary to cherish the ideals by our founding fathers. The ideals in the preamble reflects- political, social, economical justice. Only when society stands tall on these principles- tribal people from Niyamgiri Hills can think to defeat mighty Vedanta.