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INDIAN CASTE  SYSTEM        

 the challenges                                 

        The origins of the Indian caste system remain shrouded in mystery.  The myth reveals that the four varnas (social classes) into which the Indian society is divided have its source in the sacrifice of the original Brahman.  Some researchers conclude that the intermingling of different varna members gave rise to a number of castes (social units). [1]   Debatable or not as this argument might render itself, the fact remains that the caste system in India has existed there since time immemorial.  What is it about the present age with 50 past years [2] in particular then that threatens the status of the Indian caste?

        The new democratic government represents one of the major factors that weaken the role of the caste.  The Indian nation consists of, as Furnivall called them, “plural societies.” [3]   Each caste takes care of itself, lives by its own laws and imposes each its own sanctions for breaking them.  For a long time this situation did not allow the development of a common economic spirit or common social demands or values. [4]   Every caste has definite benefits for its members but the advantages of individual castes all living to themselves come at a price for the nation as a whole. [5]

        With the arrival of democracy and the greater focus on the country as a common land, the monopolies of individual castes become less and less relevant.  The democratic constitution, which came into effect in 1950, aimed at providing all citizens “equality of status and opportunity.” [6]   In addition to this, the government in 1955 set up the Untouchability (Offences) Act against discriminating anyone on the basis of their “untouchability”. [7]   Laws like these heavily impede the carefree expression of caste customs.

        Pramatha Nath Bose stated that the caste system had been essential to raise the minds from savagery but now it stops them half-way through the progress. [8]   To push the Indian society through this progress, the modern government makes attempts at working out the ways so that education remains relatively equally accessible to all castes, another area that significantly challenges the strength of castes.  The spread of education definitely contributes to the diminishing of the discrimination between classes and castes. [9]   The studies prove that the level of education greatly increases the liberal attitudes toward the caste principles. [10]   The modern ways bring the education and the occupational opportunities to the lower classes enabling them to raise their status (sanskritization), [11] a process previously hardly ever possible.

        The urbanization of the country weakens the castes as well.  With more and more people moving and working in big cities the old caste attitudes are bound to collapse.  As the research shows, the city citizens do not identify themselves with their caste origin as much as the villagers do. [12]   Democracy, industrialization and education all increase the sense of the individual achievement rather than that of the caste.

        Furthermore, the industry in India opens its door to a variety of new jobs and methods, “ritually neutral”, which brings members of different castes together decreasing their previous concerns about the mutual contact and pollution. [13]

        In regards to the pollution, in the industrialized society where the means of communication and travel require the close contact between people, the laws concerning not touching members of other classes and castes lose their effect. Despite the old commensality and craft exclusiveness rules, modern Indians become more and more liberal toward eating together and changing their occupations.

        There exist a number of other dimensions that seriously challenge the survival of the caste system.  All of them gradually and persistently, consciously or unconsciously, aim at the elimination of the old system that many people view as unjust and oppressive.  The castes stand firm but the security of their future remains threatened.  What will be of castes in 50, 100, or 500 years?  And will it turn out for better or maybe for worse?  Only time will reveal.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Anant, S. S., The Changing Concept of Caste in India, Vikas Publications, Delhi, 1972

Basham, A. L., The Wonder That Was India; A survey of the history and culture of the Indian sub-continent before the coming of the Muslims, Taplinger Publishing Company, New York, 1968

Hutton, J. H., Caste in India; Its Nature, Function, and Origins, Oxford University Press, London, 1963

Kolenda, P., Caste in Contemporary India: Beyond Organic Solidarity, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., Menlo Park, 1978

Srinivas, M. N., Caste in Modern India and Other Essays, Asia Publishing House, Bombay, 1962

ed. by Charsley, S. R. and Karanth, G. K., Challenging Untouchability; Dalit Initiative and Experience from Karnataka, Sage Publications, New Delhi, 1998

ALSO CONSULTED:

Bose, D., The Problems of Indian Society, Popular Prakashan, Bombay, 1968

Dumont, L., Homo Hierarchicus; The Caste System and its Implications, Paladin, London, 1972