Forced equality is an imposed condition where everyone is made to have the same status, outcome or benefits regardless of individual effort or circumstances. It involves mandating equal results rather than ensuring fair opportunities, often leading to denial of needs, rights and freedoms. This form of equality attempts to erase differences by making all social conditions identical, which undermines individual choice.
Forced equality is controversial because it limits individual freedoms and overlooks natural differences in ability, preference or choice.
Forced equality is best summed up in the following verse
Andher Nagari Chaupat Raja
Taka ser bhaaji, Taka ser khaja
It means that in a place where everything is considered equal without allowing for individual uniqueness, that place is an unjust, chaotic place run by a foolish ruler.
Andher Nagari Chaupat Raja is a famous satirical Hindi play written by Bhartendu Harishchandra.
The story unfolds in a town called Andher Nagari, ruled by Chaupat Raja, an incompetent and foolish king. Everything in this city is absurd – for instance, vegetables and sweet dishes cost the same, implying a lack of understanding and order.
The play begins with a sage and his two disciples visiting the city. They are amazed to find everything ridiculously cheap, and one of the disciples becomes greedy and wants to stay. The king’s court is portrayed as a farce, dispensing nonsensical justice. For example, when a complainant demands justice for his goat killed by a collapsing wall, the blame shifts absurdly from the merchant to various artisans, ultimately resulting in death sentences on innocent people.
The climax comes when the greedy disciple is sentenced to death unjustly. The sage intervenes and finally, the king himself gets sentenced to death by his own decree, symbolizing the downfall of tyranny born out of foolishness.
A meditative person knows that the world runs on it’s own natural order. Any action to change the natural order always results in the opposite being achieved. The best way to live in this world is to synchronise your self with the natural order and achieve your objectives.
Celebrate yourself. Enjoy your uniqueness. There is no one else like you.