CASTE SYSTEM: Continuity or Change

The above given statement is a very strong statement. It is not only against caste system but also against Hindu religion. But, why Ambedkar was against Hindu religion. It is because the Hindu religion provides the legitimacy to the caste system. A myth in Hindu religion says that Brahmins came from the mouth of BRAHMAJI, Khastriyas from arms, Vaishyas from the stomach and shudras from the feet. The Hindu religion also specifies the kind of work these castes are supposed to do. Thus, Ambedkar thought that only by attacking the Hindu religion he can attack the caste system. Therefore, he adopted Buddhism as everybody is equal in the Buddhist tradition. Now, let us study caste system in detail.

1. What are the features of traditional caste system?

• It is attached to you by birth and you can't change it. 
• It divides the society into different castes which are arranged in a hierarchy. Thus, it provides for inequality at birth. 
• It is hereditary in nature. It means that the son inherits his caste  from his father. 
• Every caste had a particular occupation associated with it. Nobody was allowed to change his caste based occupation.
• Marriages were to take place in one's own caste.
• There is concept of purity and pollution. It means that the upper castes wouldn't accept kaccha food from lower caste. Also, there were certain religious disabilities on the lower castes including the untouchability. .

2. What changes had happened in the caste system today?

• There is no provision of changing your caste so it is still attached to you by birth.
• The hierarchy of castes is broadly same. But, the inequalities associated with birth has been tackled to some extent by the policy of protective discrimination.
• It is still hereditary.
• Occupations associated with castes have changed. Today, with industrialization and modernization there are ample opportunities with the lower castes to come out of their age old degrading ocupation.
• It is also changing but the change is very very slow. Those who marry outside their castes are looked down upon and even killed by their parents in some areas dominated by KHAP Panchayats. Mostly, the urban educated people are marrying outside their caste.
• With people eating in restaurants, traveling in buses and intermixing of people these disabilities are going down.Constitution has played an important role in tackling untouchability.

3. Today, most of the people project caste system in bad light. Is it really bad or are there some positives associated with it?

• Its goodness or badness depends on the values through which people judge it. If we see from traditional values it was positive but if we look it from the modern values of equality, liberty and freedom then it is bad.
• Also, the caste system provided the solidarity among the people of their caste. Secular interests of the members of one caste are seen to be common. It provides an identity to the people which helps them to deal with others. Thus, it is an arrangement which provides solidarity and unity among its members.
• From the value system present today it is bad as it gives undue advantage to some at the cost of others. We need equality at birth though people can become unequal later according to their talents.

4. Indian constitution out rightly rejects discrimination based on caste. But, still castes play an important role in people's lives.Has constitution failed to ingrain the modern values in the lives of people?

• Our constitution is very ambitious and forward looking document. Through constitution we thought to bring change in the Indian society. Constituion is just 60 years old but the caste system is present from ages. So, it is too early to say that constitution has failed.
• It is commendable that through constituion we have tackled the negative aspects such as untouchability and other disabilities.
• Caste is only present in informal terms such as job recommendations in private sector, marriages, etc. which are not harmful as such.

5. What has been the role of politics in reviving caste system?

• It is sad that politicians still resort to caste for their votes. Some see it as natural because castes are ready-made groupings available to politicians which they can influence upon. As a caste group has some common interests the politicians cater to those interests to get votes.
• Dalit movements, farmer's movement and various other movements have revived the caste feelings in the people.
• We can say that caste system has declined but the caste feelings are still there which we call as "casteism".