* CASTEISM IN MODERN INDIA :
- INTRODUCTION :
The concept of caste originated in ancient india. In the later Vedic Age the concept of chaturvama, i.e. the four castes became rigid. The four castes Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas, (warriors ), Vaishyas (shopkeepers) and Shudras (common people) were initially constituted on the basis of their vocations. But later this became hereditary. In modern India also, the caste system has played an underlying role in every aspect of life.
- THE ROLE OF CASTE IN SOCIETY :
The role of the caste system may not be apparent as much in the urban areas as in the rural. The city life has changed our outlook on many matters. Social mingling,professional interaction and education have to a great extent removed from our minds. The rigidity of caste , Inter-caste , marriages and inter-mingling of different castes in every aspect of life has increased to a great extent.
However, the same cannot be said of rural India. In most of the villages of India, marriages as well as social mingling outside the caste is socially forbidden. The conflict between the landholding classes and the landless laborers is a continuous one. This conflict is so grave that even today an inter-caste marriage can lead to a bloody carnage. Casteism is, used by political powers to gain votes. Caste is continually reinventing itself. Caste today can be understood in terms of a dynamics of middle caste electoral politics. The report of the Mandal Commission recommended 27 per cent job reservation for Other Backward Classes in 1990. This was in addition to the 22.5 per cent reserved for the Scheduled Castes (15 per cent) and Scheduled Tribes (7.5 per cent). This led to the outbreak of violent protests all over the country. Some students even attempted to burn themselves alive. Thus , Mandalism redefined the world view of Indian democracy, opening up possibilities and yet truncating democracy into horizontal segments.
Being a major vote bank, the Dalits have entered politics in a big way. The rise of BSP especially in Uttar Pradesh is an example of the rising influence. Similarly some sections among OBC's have gained major foothold in many important states of India. Casteism blinds the moral imagination, rendering democracy a virtual hypocrisy. Caste may be gradually dying, but casteism getting stronger.From the politician seeking a constituency to the NRI seeking a bride, caste plays a prominent role.
Caste may be strong enough to bring leaders of one caste to the forefront. But this would not be sufficient to ensure political power for the party in the election. Again an NRI with urban roots unlikely to be comfortable marrying a girl of his caste from rural areas.
This however does not indicate that Indians have moved away from narrow loyalties. What has happened is that narrow caste loyalties have been eroded by other equally divisive affiliations. Foremost among them in recent years has been religion. The growing regional identity too has taken its toll. In Tamil Nadu, Tamil identity has overridden Dravidian identity.
The power of caste has been further eroded by westernisation. The westernised Indian community shares common dress and food habits. They are reluctant to mingle socially with the non-westernised Indian. None of this suggests that caste has disappeared or is even likely to in the near future. Indeed, caste has the habit of reappearing at unexpected moments as it is propped up by vested interest.
As long as there is no national consensus against casteism, the caste related crimes and politics in some parts of India will not stop.
* CONCLUSION :
Hence, we may conclude that casteism has reduced but not disappeared. It rears up its ugly head frequently but it has to compete with regionalism, nationalism, religion and western thoughts.
By Ankita Shekhawat.
