Outside politics, there are other areas of life in which caste consciousness has been dying down.
Those who try to keep up with discussions on current affairs in the newspapers and on television may be forgiven if they conclude that caste is India's destiny. If there is one thing the experts in the media who comment on political matters have in common, it is their preoccupation with caste and the part it plays in electoral politics.
Many are now coming to believe that, despite the undeniable demographic, technological and economic changes taking place in the country, the division into castes and communities remains the ineluctable and ineradicable feature of Indian society. They also believe that to ignore those divisions or to draw attention to other divisions such as those of income, education and occupation is to turn our backs on the ground reality. The more radical among them add that ignoring those realities amounts to an evasion of the political responsibility of redistributing the benefits and burdens of society in a more just and equitable manner.
Does nothing change in India? A great many things have in fact changed in the last 60 years both in our political perceptions and in the social reality. The leaders of the nationalist movement who successfully fought for India's freedom from colonial rule believed that India may have been a society of castes and communities in the past but would become a nation of citizens with the adoption of a new republican constitution. They were too optimistic. The Constitution did create rights for the citizen, but it did not eradicate caste from the hearts and minds of the citizens it created. For many Indians, and perhaps the majority, the habits of the heart are still the habits of a hierarchical society.
Inter-dining rules
Universal adult franchise opened up new possibilities for mobilising electoral support on the basis of caste and thus prevented the consciousness of caste from dying down. Democracy was expected to efface the distinctions of caste, but its consequences have been very different from what was expected. Politics is no doubt an important part of a nation's life in a democracy, but it is not the only part of it. There are other areas of life in which the consciousness of caste has been dying down, though not very rapidly or dramatically. The trends of change which I will now examine do not catch the attention of the media because they happen over long stretches of time, in slow motion as it were. They are not noticeable from month to month or even year to year but across two or more generations.
Let us start with the ritual opposition of purity and pollution which was a cornerstone of the hierarchical structure of caste. The rules of purity and pollution served to mark the distinctions and gradations among castes and sub-castes. Characteristic among them were those relating to commensality or inter-dining. They determined who could sit together at a meal with whom, and who could accept food and water from whom. Only castes of equivalent rank could inter-dine with each other. In general people accepted cooked food and water from the hands of their superiors, but not their inferiors.
The ritual rules governing food transactions were rigid and elaborate until a hundred years ago. Nobody can deny that there has been a steady erosion of those rules. Modern conditions of life and work have rendered many of them obsolete. The excesses of the rules of purity and pollution have now come to be treated with ridicule and mockery among educated people in metropolitan cities like Kolkata and Delhi. It is impossible to maintain such rules in a college canteen or an office lunch room. To insist on seating people according to their caste on a public occasion would cause a scandal today.
In the past, restrictions on inter-dining were closely related to restrictions on marriage according to the rules of caste. The restrictions on marriage have not disappeared, but they have eased to some extent. Among Hindus, the law imposed restrictions on inter-caste marriage. The law has changed, but the custom of marrying within the caste is still widely observed. However, what is happening is that other considerations such as those of education and income are also kept in mind in arranging a match. At any rate, it will be difficult to argue that caste consciousness in matrimonial matters has been on the rise in recent decades.
In politics, the media
There continues to be a general association between caste and occupation to the extent that the lowest castes are largely concentrated in the menial and low-paying jobs whereas the higher castes tend to be in the best-paid and most esteemed ones. But the association between caste and occupation is now more flexible than it was in the traditional economy of land and grain. Rapid economic growth and the expansion of the middle class are accompanied by new opportunities for individual mobility which further loosens the association between caste and occupation.
If, in spite of all this, caste is maintaining or even strengthening its hold over the public consciousness, there has to be a reason for it. That reason is to be found in the domain of organised politics. Caste had entered the political arena even before independence, particularly in peninsular India. But the adoption of universal adult franchise after independence altered the character and scope of the involvement of caste in the political process.
The consciousness of caste is brought to the fore at the time of elections. Elections to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas are now held all the year round. For logistical and other reasons, elections to even the Vidhan Sabhas may be stretched out over several weeks. There are by-elections in addition to the general elections. Election campaigns have become increasingly spectacular and increasingly costly, and they often create the atmosphere of a carnival. The mobilisation of electoral support on the basis of caste is a complex phenomenon whose outcome gives scope for endless speculation.
Even though for the country as a whole the election season never really comes to an end, the individual voter participates in the electoral process only occasionally and sporadically. The average villager devotes far more thought and time to home, work and worship than to electoral matters. It is well known that the voter turnout among urban professional Indians is low. But even when they do not participate in the elections to the extent of visiting their local polling booths, they participate in them vicariously by following on television what happens in the outside world. Television provides a large dose of entertainment along with a modicum of political education.
Private television channels have created a whole world in which their anchors and the experts who are regularly at their disposal vie with each other to bring out the significance of the “caste factor,” meaning the rivalries and alliances among castes, sub-castes and groups of castes by commentators who, for the most part, have little understanding of, or interest in, long-term trends of change in the country. These discussions create the illusion that caste is an unalterable feature of Indian society. It will be a pity if we allow what goes on in the media to reinforce the consciousness of caste and to persuade us that caste is India's destiny.
(The writer is Professor Emeritus of sociology, Delhi University, and National Research Professor; the illustration is from Seventy Two Specimens of Castes in India, General Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.)
letters@thehindu.co.in
It is very sad that caste is a very influencing factor even in the scientific enterprises of India. The governing positions of the scientific institutions and major scientific awards (especially the Bhatnagar prize) all go to people of higher caste despite there being eligible people from lower castes. Instead, they are given alternate prizes (these prizes are generally won by the people of lower castes). We are nowhere near what we think we are. Sad but true. I would really appreciate if The Hindu could do an investigative feature on this issue.
There is a sense of positiveness in the author's assertions towards a caste-free India. Changes have happened in our society - they are slow, but happening. We should also remember that there were many factors that contributed to this change, even if it was slow. Reformists, leaders, who worked hard to bring an end to discrimination are to be lauded for their efforts. Politics without principles is the order of the day. We can only expect divisive games from them in the name of caste, religion, language and every possible differentiating factor. We should resist such ploys. That change should come from within.
I would like to stress my point especially on caste-based marriage system.I hope my view doesn't offend anyone. I do accept, in the current Marriages, people tend to choose bride/bridegrooms only from their caste in majority. I really don't find any offense in that. Marriage is a system which is much associated with a union of two families rather than that of two individuals.When I say families are involved,all of our elder generations would have a role to play. I believe,Not many of our elders would accept an inter-caste marriage. And they have a point in doing that .There are customs,traditions,habits associated to each caste and every person belonging in such community tries to upkeep it(Not by disparaging other castes, obviously). When we have a opportunity to get good guy/girl from the same community, who go somewhere else?. All I want to conclude is, support inter-caste marriages only when he/she from mutual communities really love each other or else it is fine.
If people believe that caste based favors are slowly diminishing and that urban people have already changed minds then that is where are going wrong. To an extent I believe that urban people have changed minds. But urban cities are reinforced with people from the rural regions and who cares about their mindset towards caste? I am not telling that rural people are the sole reason for this, but there's a section of deprived rural people who have been affected by caste based problems and this section will make sure it doesn't happen to others. But what about people who inflicted this deprived rural people? What happens when they migrate to urban cities and occupy a commanding position in some institution? This makes sure that caste based problems exist, at least in their vicinity and generation.
People affected must be brave, come out in the open and lodge a complaint. The law enforcers should give protection to these people.
Interesting points, yes, there is a shift especially in Urban India,
but most of India is not in its cities, and outside of Delhi, Bombay
etc. there is still a lot of discrimination based on caste. Even in
smaller towns, sit among the 'educated' lot, and the first thing they
will ask you is your name, full name, and their immediate reaction 95
% of the time will be, 'oh, you're a Punjabi'.
Its there and yes, caste-based politics have just made these identities
stronger.
It is not a destiny of India but of world....In India there are some
rules, how different castes can live together as a society, which is
called called Hinduism, and those rules may not be acceptable to the
world and that need to be corrected only which means correction in
Hinduism. In Europe different caste made their own nations to live
together in harmony and talks about equality with in a nation which
cannot be applied in India.
I am captivated by the art more than the article. It captures the past so well. The
two people in the art exude life. Their cloth, jewelry, style and poise appear so
real. This is true art to my eyes. The posture of the man, barefoot, wearing of
religious marks and expression are priceless. The woman's composure, barely
covered breasts and squatting also tell a story. The shapeless mud in front of the
man and the individualized art of the earthenware near the woman say a lot. The
devotion in the eyes of the woman and the focus of the man jump out of the
picture.
Thanks Hindu!
I am appalled to read various comments here especially the ones proclaiming the forsaken and shameful nature of our society, the land and its culture we inherited. In the name of pseudo-equality and incomplete democratization, what are we trading off here?
The Politics of Caste is a shame, yes. All the societal injustices incorporated in the name of casteism is definitely unacceptable. They should go. But, are western ideas the only solution we got to correct this apathy? Do we have to simply copy and emulate the principles our colonizers gave us (sadly though we are doing it in every possible domain). Extraordinary problems need extraordinary solutions. Our unique problem of casteism needs our own approaches.
Not a "every one is the same" umbrella approach that is being blindly taken. Especially when some comments such as the one above, are calling our culture as vodoo culture. Do we eradicate every different society of people we have to replace with one color as in USA?
I have seen enough caste discrimination even today in urban areas. I
had an educated colleague comment about an inter-caste marriage
between a (so-called)lower caste man and a (so-called)upper caste
girl. She said, that the girl who was very fair and beautiful before
marriage, now became dark and ugly. And another colleague responded by
saying 'if you touch dirt you will definitely become dirty'. Hearing
this from such educated people I felt terribly bad that I was even
talking to them. Most of the upper castes will favor their same caste
when it comes to promotion, education, etc. Though there are few upper
castes who are impartial but they are significantly low.
Discrimination is not done openly anymore but it's done more
secretively.
Today we see the castes are coming back. 25 years ago people were shy to use caste names in public. Today is the reality, with Shilpa shetty, Murli manohar joshi, Mani Shankar Iyer etc, some names I can immediately recall. Who can explain a Goswami and Dutt proudly displaying status in TV media? A vokkaliga will be sent to gutter in media. Same with an elava or mala. India is still a perverted and obsessed country. Not in streets, but in the name of traditions (religion?), beliefs, and a 5000 years old voodoo tribal culture. Perverted country of bigots. Shamefully I am.
I think the author forgets to see the fact that in most parts of India,
except in Tamil Nadu, people still use their caste name as their
surname. And there is also a resurgence in the use of caste names as
surnames in Tamil Nadu, especially among the urban youth. A trend
reversal of sorts! We cannot say "what's in a name?" anymore! I think
the attitude of the younger generation towards caste-based surnames must
change. I don't think we can put an end to such attitudes as long as the
education system remains utilitarian.
Caste system as a principle of social organisation is not bad.It turned a social disaster in practice when birth instead of mental faculty was sought to be the criterion of deciding an individual's place in Indian soceity.It was(is) illogical and unfair since it perpetuated inequality.The caste system became inherently self-perpetuating because it promoted social division of labour,hence specialisation and secondly favoured the social classes seeking status quo.Today we are in reverse process.We are moving towards euality.However,the methods adopted to bring a certain level tend to appear creating "uequal" opportunity.Then there has emerged caste-based social institutios,prominenty political parties again as a result of systemic causes and wrong choices.Thus we considerably are what and where we were particularly in psychology.And its stark reflection is the honour killings and caste-based matrimonials.Note here not groups but individuals(supposedly modern)involved and their choices.
The author presents the true state of India. Caste system importance is certainly disappearing with the period of time as people are becoming more and more rational but it will take a long time to be a caste less society in India.
Author has clearly explained the status of caste conciousness in India. This clearly states how the caste conciousness is being awakened when its already dying.
Caste is an integral part of the Indian Body Politic.Indeed, caste is embedded in the biological structure of India, a consequence of carefully arranged marriages between families and unlike disparate tribes that do not intermarry,castes are pervasive socially ranked, and while there are hard to resolve questions of closely ranked castes, everyone knows quite well the general order.This ranking is promoted by and an integral part of the dominant age old belief system of India. Discarding belief systems, deeply held attitudes about ones innate social ranking and methods of the making of families and their human successors are not undertakings that can be accomplished in one or even ten generations. They can be changed and are changing and are always changing, but to turn them inside out and upside down so they disappear requires revolutions whose ends do not justify the means and which require a vast disruption in what has been a millenium old stable system of total inequality.
I was just reading another article on 2 IIMI students caught for doing
drugs whose names were mentioned. Some readers had commented
immediately on them being reserved candidates and this is what happens
with those who should never have been let into IIMs.
As if certain categories of human beings are inferior to others.
Some readers here comment that castes in itself are good while
discrimination is bad. But how can such a system be good when it
clearly says some groups of people are better than others by birth?
What use is a system when division of labor (it's main purpose) is now
being done differently?
If you want to be a part of a group be something you earned and not
what you were born into.
The writer has shown great optimism while analyzing the status of
caste system in India but in fact the caste mentality is something
that has been there in our system for a long time and has gone in
the DNA of our social system . The present era of globalization has
forced us to change and it is in constructive direction. The speed
of change is slow and our political system is in fact stumbling
block for the eradication of this caste system.It is important to
for us to realize that the caste system is unjust and intolerable
for any civilized society.
Every discussion of caste discrimination is followed with the debate
if the society can sustain without a caste system and do we get a
chance to forget the caste. Forget the good or bad, but how to forget
it when our names, surnames, villages, even political affiliations can
very well state where we have come from, and what is the caste tag
associated with it. Why not bring in a new segment into the
constitution NC (No caste)? People can register in this segment, from
which day there will be no caste associated with them, no reservation
and no mention of it henceforth anywhere. This would be applicable to
their children too.
If these strong periodic reminders from external agents are stopped,
may be we will eventually forget it. Probably it won't change
immediately in a day or two, but sometimes in the next generation or
after that, it might just work, might just stop these differences on
caste.
Two important steps to be taken by the Government to eradicate caste
related menace is to abolish Caste based quota in education and
employment.
Highly educated even among the castes that tend to benefit due to
quota politics don't prefer Govt. work due to low pay and other
issues. And therefore, Govt machinery is inclined to employ people
with poor skill set (in all castes) which eventually impacts quality
governance.
Even the well educated and well settled members of backward community
don't want to abolish caste quota as they feel that all people of
their caste cant compete in education & employment with OC.
The most important initiative to be taken by the Govt with long term
vision is to provide and elevate the standard of education given to
the backward community for 50 years so that 2 generations after they
will gain confidence to compete in open.
This step is extremely important for better governance and eliminate
official endorsement of caste quota. Lost 64 years already
Its the caste which have been the focus of Indian society for very long
,interestingly we have researched on caste more than any other field of
society,infact its been inherent in Indian society that almost every day
today activity is been dominated by caste .Today caste is been used as a
tool by many for gratifying there political and social interest so its
not possible that caste will disappear from India rather it will be
reinvented and modified by one or the other group for there interest
.CASTE IS SELF PERPETUATING IN NATURE SO ITS DIFFICULT TO AWAY WITH IT.
I mostly agree with the points made by the writer. A lot of news
channels stigmatize our past and their lack of awareness makes people
believe that the caste system is still on the rise.
However, I think that even a century from now, caste system will not
disappear it will lurk in the background and hopefully die or come back
malevolently.
I fully agree that everything has changed. Yes, to that extent as to
openly deny a brahmin girl a seat in a college. The reason nothing but
she is brahmin. She had scored more than the cut off marks set by the
college. No questions asked as the college is run by minority community.
Where are we heading to in the name of casteless society? Punish the
next generations for the past? THINK.
I think the article is far too opinionated with a very narrow perspective
of how caste operates in our country. Caste a limited social circle,
within which an individual establishes his/her social security. Earlier, this affinity to social security used to be a higher caste
phenomena, but to day it is for everyone. Because if lower caste
people can avail affirmative action if they stay in that social
circle. Moreover, caste is a societal problem, its origin is in the
society but not politics. To expect that politics can instrumentally
change the societal dynamics to this extent is far too optimistic that
can blur the actual reality. Any change to caste system has to come
from our society, with a bottom-to-top approach.
Say what you may, but India is still a casteist society. Inter-caste marriages are happening yeah, but those unions are a minority -- like a bubble in the great drain. Children born out of an inter-caste wedlock are forced to choose either the caste of the father or mother -- and mostly the kids are forced to go with the father's caste. Now, caste has also infiltrated the new media: plethora of matrimonial websites exposes the entrenched communal mindset that reinforces the consciousness of caste. People may not openly discuss or disclose their casteist affiliations in public domain; but, in private, many do wholeheartedly subscribe to the idea of caste identity.
Caste is and will develop further till genetic differences are understood scientifically. In India
politicians grow by caste. Present UPA govt preaches against castes but is wedded to caste
politics to arrogate power to swindle poor Indians thru scams.
no doubt that caste system is one of the many factors hindering the
growth of the country. These politicians for their vested interest
have been continuing the reservation system thought it should have
been removed after 10 years of the constitution amendment. I agree
with the author that caste system is slowly but really getting out
from the minds of the people, as well as from the society as a whole.
The caste system in India has been there since many centuries and
definitively takes time to get eradicated from the society. It is sad
to say that many people though educated still follow casteism and i
assure you that unless there is change among the educated society you
cannot expect caste system to be eradicated because educated people
are the ones who need to bring awareness among the uneducated people.
The other main factor for the caste system to prevail is the
reservation system, which should entirely be based on economic
background than caste system.
Politicians and cream of the “lower” castes use caste for their own narrow economic benefit. Imagine if the quotas in elected positions, admissions to colleges, and government jobs are eliminated completely, these leaders will be the losers. In place of quotas that benefit a few, if funds are allocated to train fifty to ninety percent of all the people in the “lower” castes in modern technical skills at vocational schools, ITI’s, and polytechnics, the whole community will be lifted economically and socially in a decade or utmost two. The leaders have no interest in working for such uplift. They would rather perpetuate the caste equation such that their own progeny will continue to benefit.
Caste is not the destiny, but who can deny its continued importance. The only reason it continues to have the hold that it has, is because of the utter failure of Indian education system at all levels. Institutions have failed to teach individuals to questions the world around them. That has happened because it is very rare to find a truly humble Indian teacher in India: Humility gained while pursuing knowledge rather than pseudo-humility of pretending to be humble. Our venerable prof. when chance came to him to improve the system chose to resign because of the fear of loosing his personal identity rather working through the system to improve it.
Today, when as few of us here talk about caste prevailing only in rural India and things change as the people get more and more educated , I being from Andhra Pradesh I totally see a contrasting scenario. People who are more educated and have more degrees under there belt infact have the so called "Caste Feeling" than any other person in the rural village. And it is at its peak in USA. People in USA send millions of bucks down there in India for there respective caste Parties and see that there Party wins in the elections. I feel it is not about upper castes showing the so called "caste feeling" to that they are superior. The problem is even with the lower caste who tend to believe that things can be only done by some upper castes and they are the superior. I basically feel we have a History lesson on caste system in India and show why one is OC, one is BC and other SC.. and I feel the lessons shall basically be totally concentrating on the system being divided based on financial.
This caste system is deep rooted in Indian history. The heroes of
Indian mythology had been supporting the caste discrimination. As in
Mahabharata Karna who was mistaken to be a shudra was the victim of
discrimination by the positive characters of the story. Rather who
supported (Duryodhan) turned out to be the villain latter.
As the author pointed out the consciousness of caste system had
started dying but not in all aspects of life. When it comes to
politics politicians fear of losing a vote bank. What ever we say, I
have seen many people giving a lot of lecture on caste system but when
it comes to marriage of their son or daughter, suddenly they start
thinking of society.
We are not yet mature enough to think in an unbiased way to this caste
system. It will take time.
caste rules is traditional concept. In modern era of Globalization, liberalization and Privatization education and awareness has shorten
the territory of caste dominance. With time, it is sure that rigid
caste system will not be even in rural areas. As this is social change
which will take place at slower pace. It is impossible to change a
system prevalent from thousands of years. Political parties and Media
will also change as per demand from society. When society become caste
free then politics and media has to shift for real issues. So we need
INDIVIDUAL CHANGE i.e. change in thought process and only EDUCATION
can do this. So education to all and Quality Education are need of
time to put seeds of moral rightness, humanity and thinking beyond
caste boundaries.
The author apparently suggests that the caste distinctions are on the
decline. The examples cited, like growing acceptance to inter-dining
culture and the inter-caste marriages are applicable to the
enlightened and educated community, a small percentage concentrated in
larger cities. The majority rural is still ridden with caste
distinctions. Despite guarantees under Constitution, caste related
abuses in different forms are practiced with impunity. Honor killings
are fully supported by the village. This mind set appears to be
genetically ingrained over centuries; it requires reprogramming. The
reasons for progress in the urban population are higher education and
the opportunities to interact and economically prosper; such
interactions also facilitate evening out of cultural differences to
evolve in to a conducive and enlightened common culture. It would
require honest dedicated politicians in each of the constituencies to
provide such a miracle; the possibility is a veritable mirage.
Author has clearly spelt our problems, neigther media or polictis can control or contaminate our caste system. It's people's perpeception on caste and it plays vital role. Even if efface the caste system, there are other issues like have's & have nots, rich Vs poor, literat Vs illiterate, and digital divides will be there. We need to mould our society with our any divides. Our colonist well planted it in our minds and we need to uproot slowly. I hope we will come good in future.
There are a lot of improvements in the caste system in cities. But caste is a dominant consideration where to live, marriage, hiring, jobs and even friendship in rural areas and villages. Lack of education and poverty are the main reasons for continuation of the caste system in the rural areas. After more than six decades of independence, India has not achieved the vision of the founding father, Mahatma Gandhi. The caste, ethnicity, religion and gender considerations are encouraged by politicians, religious authorities and even government. Reservations in education, jobs, hiring, benefits and elections, strangulate merit system, equal opportunities, excellence, scholarships based on merit and scholarhips based on poverty level. Politicians construct their own fences around particular caste, religion or gender to perpetuate their power and constituency. There is no room for any kind of reservations in a modern secular democracy in the twenty-first century.
it is very difficult to accept that the caste consciousness in matrimonial matters has been on the fall in recent decades. the author might have not done some sociological study of all matrimonial websites promoted by modern technology. even today, majority of youths in india prefer to mention about caste in their matrimonial profile. there is no as such sociological study that reveals the considerations of only education and income in alliance. even if there are such alliances, they are very few. just with some examples it is difficult to generalise the fact that caste rules have eased to some extent.
Millennia ago, yes 'millennia', the caste system was instituted as a mechanism for formal, economic stratification of society. Of course the caste system, as we know it, will disappear as education and living standards rise. It will be replaced by a class system, based on pecuniary considerations, as is apparent in the West. The stratification of society, formal or not, on economic lines is an ineluctable facet of human life. Democracy cannot change that. Our founding fathers, I am certain, were not sufficiently naive to believe that the caste system in India, something allowed to reify over millennia, would magically disappear in a mere 65 years. However, as pointed out by the author, there is plenty of evidence to demonstrate that the caste system is in slow, but terminal, decline in modern India. Let us accelerate this process as much as we can. Jai Hind!
The caste system is one of the greatest social evils plaguing our
country today. It is acting as a powerful social and political divisive
force in our country at a time when it is absolutely essential for us to
be united if we wish to face our nation’s challenges. It is a curse on
our country which must be speedily eradicated if we wish to
progress.Education is the ultimate way to eradicate it properly.If we
want to reduce the disparity between
castes we will have to bring change in education system.
Caste is NOT a problem.. associated discrimination is. Caste as a
social group is, in no way, worse than Religion (another social
group). If xyz feels proud of being born into a particular caste,
nothing wrong in it. In one way or other, we all feel proud of being
part of certain groups (e.g. Religion, region, language, culture,
etc.). If wearing religion (Hindu with Tilak on forehead, or Muslim
with cap or Christian with cross) on your sleeve is accepted as
'normal' in our country, caste should not be treated as any different.
Many intellectuals frown upon people who overtly display their castes
but see nothing wrong in religious symbols. This I believe is
hypocrisy.
Caste in India, like religion in this world is in the minds of people. So long people do not kill each other,it is not a problem. As such slowly all upper castes are leaving the sub caste divisions where as the 80% lower caste indians are becoming more conscious even for marriages. Educated indians including OBC´s, are leaving for oppurtunities outside India! India´s main problem is not caste or religon or political parties, but our book cramming education. We need to instill in authorites the need for providing innovative education with massive funding to generate new technology, to attend the needs of the growing population in dwindling resource environment. That is the only way we can say India is an independent nation.
I think the solution is simple and it is with having an open country.
Democracy is a western concept and so is liberty. Adopting these, and
closing doors to everything else for everything else foreign is the
main reason why we live such hypocritical lives. It's hard to deny
that american media and american businesses which we work in or work
with have influenced us to think outside hierarchical mindset the
older generation still has.
Caste based arranged marriages are still prevalent and that is because
the parents are still part of that previous generation. The next
generation I believe will be much more open.
If India doesn't want to wait for change for so long, then it must
open up the country. Allow more FDI, build infrastructure, be open to
different opinions and let people choose.
If we only could ensure liberty!
Caste Consciousness is slowly but steadily getting removed from this country as the country takes strides in its economic development. Media, politics (especially regional) has had an adverse effect. One more thing that can be noted is reservation to certain weaker sections may have helped them in rising economically; it hasn’t helped them in getting rid of their class consciousness. If you belong to that community you need to take a certificate to prove you being a part of the weaker section. I don’t think this helps them in forgetting their oppressed past and in gaining self confidence
as the author has mentioned all important posts are being held by upper cast people.i would like to give some insight into this topic.i am not against reservation for the people who are needy. govt has set the reservation for the lower cast people and it is indirectly making them not to work or to compete or to explore their ability . how many people from lower cast do you think are able to get seat/appointment in general category - very few.this is not due to their inability but they feel like they are separate and their level of intelligence needed to clear the exam is less they work less .coming to my point i support the people who are having the higher level of intelligence than their fellow people to handle higher level posts weather he is from upper cast or lower cast -it does not matter.so with respect to the prevailing reservation system many upper cast and less lower cast people will be selected for higher level posts there is nothing to argue in it.
Well i don't think so caste can be removed from Indian society at any
time.caste is the most important identity after sex and religion in India.Moreover with coming up class system which is giving rise to a
class within the caste,this system itself is self perpetuating giving
rise to a hierarchic society.
Although our society is showing a some what liberal attitude towards
the same but our politics still revolves around it.One doesn't need to
quote examples for this, the present polls are itself depicting my
point where politics is not about serving the society;for its
development but is all about using the differences in the society be
it regional,religion or caste based:Aiming at so called "DALIT VOTE
BANK".
What we need to analyze today is not only our present but our future
too.We need to realize what sort of image are we going to present to
this neo-liberal and globalized world of the "Emerging Super Power-
INDIA"....
Legislative provisions; policies of educational institutions/workplaces; reservation as affirmative action would keep alive the caste consciousness amongst the Indians. The thin veil of 'acceptance' and 'embracement' of the urban educated youth is yet indecisive.
My grandmother used to talk about caste-system while she was growing up. There were many backwards communities in Kerala like the Paravans, Pulayans etc. They were mostly very poor people who used to do the most menial jobs. They were not allowed inside the houses of upper caste people. They had to cover their mouths when they spoke to upper-caste people so as not to let them breathe their filthy breath. At one point of time they even had to swipe away their footprints while leaving if they enter an upper caste person’s compound. Time has gotten rid of such archaic customs in our present day society. If you are studying in an institution or working in a company we don’t reflect on who might be from a lower caste and delineate them away. Still the lower caste people are suffering and most of them still have low income jobs. The caste-system is wearing off, but at a snail's pace. In the mean time politicians will take maximum advantage of it for their progression.
The author has rightly said that the caste system has undergone a great transformation.Now,we do not have discrimination on the basis of caste for food, job oppprtunities or any other such social taboo which was predominant in the anicient times.But,the media alone cannot be blamed for present casteism which is still existing in our society and has been termed as our destiny.Our politician to a great extent are also responsible to it. In every election which occurrs throughout the year from the local to national level, instead of bringing the issue of development, education, health and other major issues, our politicians are making the poor and illiterate people victim of casteism. It is just that if our politicians are doing, media is showcasing it. The recent incident which created a fuss between salman khurshid and EC.So, our leaders should move above the petty benefits and take the responsisbilty for fiasco of their state and do not bring the caste factor is the need of hour
There exists a complete disconnect when writers comment on Indian caste
system with a eurocentric approach. Caste in India cannot be equated in
terms of a discriminatory set up but as a structure that was misused by
the politics and it continues till this date. Caste might be fading away
for a section that aims social mobility but it will surely be strengthened with the forces of globalization and democracy in times to
come. Only then the Dalit pride will be exchanged with the quest of
Brahmanical dominance.
If caste is India's destiny what is going wrong in Indian Society. Caste
is reality of Indian society. We must plan for development on the basis
of caste, region as well as economical conditions of the civilian.
Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Caste system is the oldest racist
system known in human civilizations. I believe such inequality might
have been adding to the hatred of many peoples. Most of the peoples in
Indian subcontinent converted to other religions in prospects of
equality.
Is this irrationality one of the reasons for the hatred of peoples in
Pakistan and Bangladesh towards Hindus in India?
I have even found many Indians denying poverty and horrific slums which
are quite visible to the naked eyes.
For India to truly become prosperous, healthy and first world country,
they will have to stop denying and eradicate many irrationality in
their society.
Unity is in India's security interest!
CASTE has been a major obstruction in my life. The girl whom i loved
the most belonged from an orthodox marwadi brahmin family. We were in a
relation from past 11 years,since school times, but now i had to let
her go simply because her parents would'nt accept me (as i belonged
from a different caste). This has been the saddest part of my life. i
consider myself a failure. It is the caste that have had snatched all
my happiness in life. Moreover, it is a birth right of any human being
to choose their partner in life then why such obstacles. We sould all
be against caste system. It is also a major hindrance in economy
development.
The caste system is an inseperable part of the Indian culture. The caste system has perpetuated itself from millenia and apparently the impact it would have on the mindset of man can be gauged from this. However, i agree with the points the author has highlighted here, there has been a drastic reduction in inter-dining principles, slowly the inter caste marriages are increasing given that people now are identifying class and not caste as norm for a secure future. Like one of the comments said, we cannot truly separate the caste system from our society but we can mend it to fit the changing times and also put a foundation to stop atrocities unleashed on caste and communal lines by strengthening our education, public service delivery and also promote cultural exchanges to erase superstitious and biased beliefs that are currently harming our society.
Actually it is not necessary to demolish caste to establish a democracy representative of true majority of political views and priorities. What is really needed is to do away with the present first-past-the-post electoral system which only throws up the DOMINANT MINORITY as the "majority". Our electoral system needs to be overhauled to represent a CLEAR MAJORITY, say 70% of votes. This will force political parties to adopt wholesome manifestoes and render appealing to sectarian interests infructuous. The State should measure only secular parameters like economic backwardness and deliver services and distribute resources. This is necessary and sufficient to achieve a true secular democracy, without resorting to painful and unnecessary social engineering, reengineering etc. Be the change you want to see is the simple truth, electoral reforms are the need of the hour.
It is a slow process indeed. The upper castes have held society in their grip for centuries. Rapid urbanization and democratization of the country are helping the cause if ever so slowly. The day that mention of caste disappears from the matrimonial ads will be the one when we'd have achieved the goal. That may take a long while, or may never be reached entirely. In the meantime, it is critical to ensure that we take more steps forward than backward. Social change after all is not a linear process.
Caste can disappear from the society if it is not reckoned for garnering benefits in elections,reservations in some form or another.While politicians try to field candidates on the basis of castes and religion and use it to the hilt for promising the Moon under reservations,abolishing castes will be next to impossible
The ongoing perspectives in sociology failed to understand the system of caste from the theoretical framework of knowledge/ power relations. It is caught up in the binary of colonialist vis a vis nationalist and remain in the hangover of Orientalist tendency. It constitutes the elitist posture of the question of caste, rather than looking into the question at generic level and its subjective dispositions. Though author attempts to project the common sense view of caste, but it lacks analytical rigour.
I dont think, caste is fading away rather its getting more deeper.Yes,in one aspect it has changed lot between 3 caste. Now Brhamins, Kashtriya and Baniyas have(50%) merged but still SC/ST/OBC not accepted. I think main reason for this is reservation. There are huge nr poor people in (no upper and lower cast plz) Brhamins and Rajputs. So they feel isolated from the main stream, as they dont get any social benefits from govt. So, if they would like to remove the caste system then first thing they should remove reservation. Provide all Indians a high quality education, so that SC/ST/OBC could also walk into the campus with high esteem and dignity.If they dont do, we cant get rid of cast factor. Thats the bottom reality. I mean look at our industries, universities, they dont hire reserved category candidates, simply because of this frustration. Why govt cant understand: Dont feed them with Fish, rather teach them how to catch the fish. I bet you problem will be solved.
The author seems to think that the continued relevance of caste in our collective consciousness will cause people to "conclude that caste is India's destiny". He seems to think that while caste consciousness is, in general, on the retreat in society, it is only the politicians and the media who continue to add fuel to the dying fire of caste consciousness. I disagree. Of course progress has been made and will continue to be made as newer generations of Indians are exposed to deas of liberalism and equality upon which our nation is modeled, and are able to cut their ties with the noxious elements of their cultural heritage. But the reason that caste continues to be a focus during politics and in the media is that things haven't changed to such an extent that we can now rest. The cities have changed in many ways, but in the rural areas, the ossified ideas of caste and their hierarchies still remain strong. The political parties know this and exploit it and the media reports on it.
CASTE is the ONLY main force, driving the Indian politics, Society and culture. It is very slow.."It would be better if there is any other word other than slow." Many educated fellows in our country still follows it, implements it, teaches to there next generation. The only way it is slow because of love marriages. I think the only way people can mend, is by encouraging Love marriages.
It was not caste system in India... it was like... carpenter's son will be carpenter, teacher's son will be teacher etc..... since there were no means of inter-sharing and even if there was.... there was always a question that if somebody went outside his community to learn some new art then how and why will he use it... now there is inter-sharing but this trend is still there... politician's son will be politician.... actor's son will be actor....lawyer's son will be lawyer (there have been exceptions) it is in middle class only that one might see some break in this trend... the categories have changed..the trend is still there..
Matrimonial sites and internet plays a significant role in promoting caste system as it affects our modern educated classes who have access to internet.They do not let them forget this inhuman practice.At marriage time parents suddenly become conscious of caste ! this consciousness is fueled by internet and matrimonial sites. They proudly write name of caste in your profile, privileged castes feel pride in reading brahmin/rajput but other lower castes are branded as chamar/nai/dhobi which is derogatory. It violates their right to dignity and equality. Similarly internet if full of caste literature, which is lower caste, which is upper caste, what are the surnames they use, their demographic distribution. Caste literature is equally liable to be banned on internet as the Moaist or Naxalite literature.
It is rightly pointed out by the author that changes in society are not visible in a time frame of few months or couple of years and are hence not overly analyzed. But what media people should indulge in is trying to prevent the politicians from creating laws that bring back the concept of caste - like caste based reservations in colleges. I firmly beleive that such a reservation should be based on economic status rather than caste. Issues like caste based reservations (which IF i recall correctly, The Hindu also supported in an article in Frontline magazine) are bound to keep caste based distinctions alive in our minds. One may argue that it is difficult to award seats based on economic criteria as many people do not even pay proper IT. The govt. proj. (now in some sort of a controversy) of UID by Mr. Nadan Nilkani would help in addressing a part of this problem by 'tagging' every individual and hence recording his / her economic status..
This is a very good summary of what is actually happening in the country. The media should take leaf from this and help the countrymen in developing the caste less society. Author has correctly seen the indicators.
Caste is a reality in india.even though less stringent than before,caste identity is still relevant,especially in in semi urban and rural areas.what constitution provides for backward castes are remedial measures so that caste doesnt adapt itself with changing times and continue to be a reality forever.as Rawls put it.there cant be a difference blindness,otherwise there is a great danger of strong beoming stronger and weak becoming weaker in a society where utilitarian concepts of rights are emphasized.caste in indian politics is both a welcome and baneful phenomena which should be tackled with a flexible,
selfless attitude devoid of any pre conceived biases.
I agree with the writer that the caste consciousness is disappearing but very slowly. The process is very slow because the caste has been cast in the stone for centuries . It will take time to whittle it from the stone. Of course our political parties have no qualm in perpetuating it for their vested interests. Had they really made sincere efforts to eradicate the casteism, , it would have been on its leg many years ago. The casteism will definitely go away with the spread of education and other factors.
A welcome perspective. Taking a step back has let the full view dawn on this reader. The author observes that organised politics (that is, political parties) and private TV channels (media, to use the broader brush) are the prime perpetrators of "caste" in modern India. That, is hard to deny. With urbanisation on the march, "caste" is bound to dwindle just as marriages arranged on caste lines (the last fortresses) dwindle.
I do not understand the point of this post! Like many problems in India, the ones related to caste are stinging the country everyday. But one must also remember that caste system in India is unique when compared to any culture in the world. This means, we need a solution which fits India solely. I don't think politics is the enemy here, but comparison with another country/culture is! No point being ashamed of the caste system, no matter how meaningless it may seem in this so called 'globalized world'. Lets accept it and bring in our OWN way to get around it. The questions to be asked are 1> When did caste system start to become a problem 2> What exactly changed which caused this problem. Now there we can find answers. Sociologists must write in those terms and stop the blame game!
Where there is education there is power whether it is by money or
technology. In India from the ancient time only a hand full noble
population were engaged in getting education that's why power was in
the hand of few people which always belong to upper cast.There is
also some traces of lower caste king in the past but very few
like a drop in the ocean.If we want to reduce the disparity between
castes we will have to bring change in education system.The government
ought to open the institutions in large number which can fulfill the
desire of need because number of educational institute in India is
comparatively much less than china consequently it is creating
unemployment which leads poverty and disparity.
The author's discussion lends support to the widely held view that politicians keep 'caste issues' alive to serve their narrow interests. But it will be a very slow process for that class to realize that they are laggards when it comes to recognizing societal transformations!
Professor Beteille has described the obvious changes in society but does not go deep enough. In addition to providing rights to all citizens, the framers of the Constitution did plan to remove caste consciousness also. Two fundamental factors prevented such plans from being implemented. The provision of limited reservation to the lowest 20% of the population on the basis of caste alone was meant to be terminated after 10 years. But politicians saw an opportunity to appease even more voters on the basis of caste and expanded caste consciousness across the length and breadth of the country. Policy gave way to pandering and it flourishes until today. The second factor has been the utter subservience of the judiciary to the political class. By allowing Parliment to amend the Constitution at will,caste consciousness has seeped into the Constitution itself. A judiciary that cannot protect its own turf can hardly be expected to uphold justice across the country. Our founders cannot be blamed.
Caste system is bound to collapse in next 50yrs. There are very strong reasons to believe this.
Around 10000BP, domestication of plants led to agriculture based society. Migrations, conquests and scientific temperament led to initial progress of this society. Our Caste system has genesis in this agrarian society.
Next major era is 1800s Industrial Revolution. But for India, its recent ITC revolution which has made most powerful impact - agro based society is on edge of collapse. Heavy internal migrations and acceptance of modern values is creating new society [here, as author points out education and income consideration are on rise].
So, age of caste, religiosity, superstitions, is over paving way to human rights, income inequalities, communism, globalisation, west-south divide issues.
This point needs study -> soon authority of Present Gods will be questioned. Like gatherers' Animism changed to agrarian's Hinduism, Buddhism. New era will have its own new Gods.
André Béteille's observations about the dying of 'caste consciousness' are on the mark. But much more is happening.
Increasingly over the years, in urban India, arranged marriages are giving way to "love marriages" --- most of them inter-caste. As more women get educated, join the workforce and become economically independent, their choices prevail over traditional authority. Mixing of the sexes and cultures and the replacement of the feudal value system by bourgeois ethics are at the root of this change. Quotas to lower-castes in education and employment, rural land reforms and the compulsions of electoral politics might have accelerated this process. The latter, unfortunately but expectedly, have created caste-based 'vote banks', especially in less-industrialized, less-educated and poorer districts and States. Hopefully, over the years, this too shall pass.
In the hot summer of 1961, we were attending the NCC camp for college students in Dharapuram, desilting the irrigation channel there. One particularly hot afternoon, while returning to the camp, we asked a khadi topiwala on the way, if we could get some water to drink anywhere nearby. He pointed the way to a well some way off and added we might not like to drink from that source. We asked why; he explained that as the well was reserved for, and, used by, only lower castes he did not deem it proper for us to use that well!
All of us, a dozen or so, including a couple of Brahmins, laughed at this notion of untouchability and rushed to the inviting well. Once we reached the well, we momentarily hesitated - only because it was slightly dirty and not exactly hygienic. Still, to prove a point, we gulped the water down. I have lived half a century to tell the tale!
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