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JOSHA’s Critical Review of "India’s Scientific Diversity: Caste Barriers" by Ankur Paliwal
Neher Aseem Parimoo, Roland Mertelsmann
Affiliation: Journal of Science, Humanities, and Arts, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Keywords: India, Education, Academia, Scientific Diversity, Caste Barriers, Discrimination, Adivasi, Dalit
Categories: News and Views, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Life Sciences
DOI: 10.17160/josha.10.4.889
Languages: English
The article "India's Scientific Diversity: Caste Barriers" by Ankur Paliwal highlights the challenges faced by marginalised communities in pursuing scientific careers in India. It reveals the under-representation of Adivasis and Dalits in science and their discriminatory experiences in higher education. The article emphasises the need for more mentorship and guidance for students from marginalised communities and calls on the government and institutions to address the lack of diversity and promote equality. While the article is effective in drawing attention to the issues, it lacks an in-depth analysis of the root causes of caste barriers and offers limited recommendations for overcoming them. It also fails to explore the wider impact of the caste system on scientific research. Nevertheless, the article is an important reminder of the importance of creating an inclusive and equitable scientific community in India that provides equal opportunities for all, regardless of caste or background. This article was first published in Nature on January 11, 2023 (https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-00015-2/index.html)