Essay - Understanding Caste System

Introduction

The social divide exists in every society. It exists in the most economically developed countries & to even the most literate countries. Based on the local culture, it differs in form both qualitatively and quantitatively. The ongoing bombardment of the hashtag #Blacklivesmatter is a typical example and an eye-opening reality. Another staunch form is based on one’s religion. Instead of considering God as one and religion as one of the ways to reach him, we have cast long borders between us based on rituals and rigid customs. The degradation is so severe that even within a particular religion, there exists stratification for example – Shia-Sunni, Protestant-Catholic.

Case with India & historical perspectives

India is no less behind. In fact, its case seems dangerous. Almost 85% of Indians follow Hinduism. Within Hinduism, there exist a more explicit form of distinction based on the Varna and the caste of the people. There are five Varna that exists altogether – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The fifth one is the untouchables often called the Dalit. This system is supported by the literature once written by the Brahmins. It was meant to establish an ideal society. However, there is no proof that it is perfectly accepted by everyone at all times or at any particular time. For years, it is forced upon the people. The literature version talks about a system based on the quality of the people. On the other hand, the caste system based on the heredity i.e. based on the birth of the individual in a particular family has become inherent. No one is born with the quality of a Shudra or a brahmin. 

What I perceive is that there exist five kinds of the people in a society as defined by this system and that too at the ancient times. First, the population was still low and there was no lack of resources. Most of the people were living in villages. Barter system used to exist and consumerism was not the case as it is today. It was also the time that consolidation and expansion of kingdoms started. Kings were forging his power by means of rituals. That was when the Brahmins are called in. The king’s seal was approved by them. It may initially be based on moral ground. It is also possible that Brahmins would be criticizing the king if he would do any wrong. With time the quality of this system deteriorated. No longer were the Brahmins listened and anarchy was seeped in by the presence of a ruthless unchained king.

Changes with time

Brahmins comprise almost 5% of the Indian population amounting to more than less than 7 crores as per the latest census in India. Let us get this clear that the current system is not at all what it has to be. This is purely heredity based. There is no check on the quality, nor any system that could filter out & identify the people based on their quality. More so, in the present time the society is altogether different and this kind of system could not be implemented. What the French revolution gave us has changed the entire world from its base.

Caste is a distorted form of the Varna system. As the population of the country increased and more so during and after the times of Mughals, the occupation of the people started to change differing from their caste. More number of Shudras were recruited as soldiers in the king’s army, several became traders themselves. Also, the conversion of people into other religions has started. The people do with the caste system were the ones getting converted voluntarily largely. Another phenomenon at play was the inclusion of the tribes living in Indian forests into the fold of Hinduism. The acclimatization of their local Gods was taking place with the Trideva of Hinduism – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Also, several tales and myths were written and told to validate these changes. That’s how we got different avatars of the Gods. We know that there are 35 lakhs of Gods & Goddesses in Hinduism!

Contemporary India

It’s complicated like always. We live in a democratic system instead of a monarchy. The ideas of liberty, equality & fraternity are being understood by more number of people every day. We are now 132 crores. More than 30% of the population is living in urban areas. The interstate & intrastate migration is an all-time high. We are more connected than ever. Technology, globalization & necessity are bringing us together.

Today in different parts of India, different communities are playful at the power helm. The reservation system has brought many people at an economically better position. More than 3 crores of Indians are living outside of India. That just means that the ideas of clearly defined borders are slowly vanishing. There is an intermixing of cultures. There is now a dual hierarchy based on the classes & castes.

The practice of untouchability is made illegal constitutionally. Various safeguarding laws have been made such as the SC/ST Act to protect the exploits.

The sad part is that untouchability continues to exist. Because of the vote bank politics, the divide between castes is turning grieve. Reservation is fully used to gain the benefit by those with vested interests. The creamy layer continues to get the full benefits yet they could forsake and make way for the neediest. The downtrodden are not attended with the idea of upliftment. He is not empowered at the core but continues to make him handicapped by remaining dependent on the state. On the one hand, there is a growing blue movement by exploiting the cult of the constitution-maker Doctor B. R. Ambedkar, and at the same time, the community has stopped to introspect on its own gaps. Brahmins have grown reactionary instead of openly discarding the caste system that they should! They must realize that their rigidity is been exploited by the political classes. No doubt that a good number of them are themselves disregarding the caste system on the basis of humanity. This must prevail long. The gem of the great Bhim belongs to everyone!

Media has become blatant and feeding to consumerism. It has severely deteriorated. They are openly selling the values of being the fourth pillar of democracy. They are feeding into the fears of people. No doubt that we need a guiding light.

Future

Deprivation exists in many forms - be it gender-specific, economy-wise, etc. It may be uncertain, but there is no harm in being hopeful. The coming generation should show us the way. The slogan should be, 'Equality is the future'...