My comments were pro-Dalit; if they send me to jail, it's fine, Ashis Nandy tells NDTV: highlights

New Delhi: Despite a clarification and an apology, Ashis Nandy, one of India's most famous academicians, remains engulfed in a controversy over his remarks on corruption among tribals and Dalits at the Jaipur Literature Festival. In his interview with NDTV, he discusses his controversial statement.

Below are the highlights:

• May have chosen wrong words, but the thrust was not wrong. It was pro-dalit, pro-adivasi.
• I can prove it statistically that ST/SC are caught more in corruption
• It was not an accidental slip, it was a Freudian slip
• Should have said 'seemingly' in a majority instead of just saying backward castes are a majority when it comes to corruption
• I have apologized for this
• I meant it is an equalizing force because corruption gives them access to resources which the rich have.
• I would prefer that majority of corruption come from backward castes.
• I am mostly misunderstood when everybody recognises what I am saying has an element of truth but are unwilling to recognise it themselves. This inner tension makes them hostile.
• To make India corruption free will take decades.
• Given the fact that large sections of society lives on the margins, we should learn to live with their corruption however unpleasant or unpalatable that might be
• I am not saying corruption is good, but we have to be prepared for that...
• Most corruption money is 'speed money' - it quickens economic transctaions - it was a respected theory in economics
• Most tribal communities don't care for Marxist ideology but Maoists will not survive for a day if they did not have tribal support
• Madhu Koda has made a point that he can play the game, and that he can be as smart as the upper castes and that too against all social odds.
• Demands of public life to recognise politics - and I believe at this point of time we should be happy that a Madhu Koda has emerged
• (In jail) I will read, perhaps listen to some music
• I have lived with this thing for a very long time to be scared
• I wanted to take a stand in Jaipur also
• These protests are coming from people who have not heard my speech
• I wanted to stay back in Jaipur and so did Sanjoy and Tarun Tejpal, but parts of my family were very worried
• I expected other media to try and to check things better
  
• I did not know it was going to be broadcast
• I was speaking to a general audience of a discussion
• In a country like India Freedom of Speech would have to be defined much more closely
• I don't think FIRs or warrants can stop hate speeches
• In the case of Salman Rushdie, the fatwa was an over-reaction
• I have said Bengal is the most backward state in India
• Bengalis have used progressive ideology to strangle social revolution