When the debate around nepotism is hot, I too would like to add my 2 pence worth. Nepotism is deeply ingrained in each one of us. It’s in the structure how our society has been built up. It springs from the caste system, where businesses were built with getting in your own people — family members, relatives and your caste people.

The entire new Motel industry in the US, for example, in modern day history, has been built on nepotism — the people of your ilk, imported into USA from Gujarat. It spreads outwards. In villages, it is the caste. In towns, add religion to it. In big cities, add the region and state you come from. In foreign lands, add the country you come from. We still haven’t been able to break the caste barriers. Only a Brahmin can perform certain rites and rituals. There are people who proudly call themselves as Rajput and there are others who proudly announce on their cars — Jat Boys, Gujjar and so on.

While still in jobs, the barriers are being broken, the biggest market for nepotism is not Bollywood. It is the Marriage market.

The current debate is superficial. Ask for equality at the grassroots level and every one will leave the ground. There are others who feel angry about the reservation system. But if you debate with them, they do not want to hear or see the oppression and the stigmatization and discrimination these classes have gone through for ages. Remember Kachra from Lagaan? Despite Bhuwan’s support, the inferiority complex is deeply ingrained in his blood.

There are other ways to handle (read perpetrate) nepotism at the grassroots level. The fear of the wrath of God! Even after 50 years of Independence and equality guaranteed by the Constitution, there are classes, who do not go to temples. Not because the so called upper caste people don’t allow them. Yes, they don’t want to allow them. But they fear the law and will not protest the entry of so-called lower caste person openly. Hence, they want to preserve the fear of God in the minds of so-called lower caste. The so called lower caste person doesn’t visit the temple because of this fear, despite the law being on his side.

And there is nepotism in these temples too. The so-called lower caste people can’t break through into the Temple Committees. So you know where nepotism comes from? And the flag-bearer of anti-nepotism in Bollywood, doesn’t shy from announcing out aloud that she is a Rajput girl. And don’t forget that the flag-bearer of anti-nepotism has her sister as her manager to abuse the rest of the world, while she can be holier than thou. The last time this flag-bearer took up social causes was when Manikarnika was going to be released. Her Rajput blood was ebbing the highest at that time. This time, it is Thalaivi. Long live nepotism. Long live controversy — the neo-marketing.