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“JOSHA’s Critical Review of ‘India’s Scientific Diversity: Caste Barriers’ by Ankur Paliwal”
Neher Aseem Parimoo,
Ignacio Mastroleo,
Roland Mertelsmann
Affiliation: Josha Journal, Freiburg, Germany
Keywords: India, Education, Academia, Scientific Diversity, Caste Barriers, Discrimination, Adivasi, Dalit
Categories: News and Views, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Life Sciences
Languages: English
The article "India's Scientific Diversity: Caste Barriers," published in Nature by Ankur Paliwal, sheds light on the pervasive caste barriers in Indian science that prevent marginalized communities from pursuing careers in the field. The article highlights the under-representation of Adivasis and Dalits in science and points out the discrimination and biases they face from privileged castes in higher education. While the government's quota system has helped uplift excluded communities, it has not been effective in increasing diversity at higher academic levels. The article calls for Indian academia to address caste barriers and lack of diversity to promote equality and inclusivity in the field. The author cites the challenges faced by marginalized communities in India's educational pipeline and raises awareness of the impact of discrimination and prejudice on their pursuit of higher education in science. While the article could benefit from more in-depth analysis and specific recommendations for change, it is an essential piece that exposes the need for action to cultivate a diverse and inclusive scientific community in India. This article was first published in Nature on January 11, 2023 (https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-00015-2/index.html)