Answer: 

Introduction:

Caste refers to a broad hierarchical institutional arrangement with which basic social factors such as birth, marriage, food-sharing, etc. are organized into hierarchies of rank and status. These subdivisions have traditionally been associated with occupations, and in relation to other higher and lower castes, decide social relations.

While the expression of hierarchy has changed to a large extent in recent times, the system itself has not changed much. For example- even though untouchability and caste-based discrimination are prohibited under the Constitution of India, occupations such as manual scavenging consist mostly of workers belonging to the lower castes.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Body:

In fact, in recent times, the caste system has been evolving and is assuming new identities. This can be seen in following ways:

• Political: Unlike the old structure, various caste communities have strengthened themselves by forming political parties based on caste identity. Example– Bahujan Samajwadi Party, due to which caste based political mobilization has been increasing.
  • Similarly, there is a rising demand for caste-based allocation of electoral seats. Example: Lingayats demand that they be considered as minority communities.
• Caste has gone beyond its traditional scope: Today, caste-based associations provide scholarships, residential coaching facilities for competitive exams, support for business, etc. This encourages people to identify more with their caste identity.
• Uneven benefits: Development policies targeting backward castes and scheduled people have only benefited a particular section of the population. These classes have emerged as oligarchs and have created divisions within the backward castes. These policies have strengthened caste-based mobilization.
  • Example: Major castes like Maratha, Khap and Patidar have been demanding reservation. Socially empowered and land-owning communities like the Jats have also united themselves and are demanding reservation.
• Discrimination still exists: Caste-based discrimination is still widely prevalent in India, with the lower castes facing social exclusion and violence.
• Social: Due to the effects of globalization and technological development, with more inter-ethnic marriages, strict rules of marriage and succession have slowed. But the expression of social exclusion and maintaining caste-based division by communities has not disappeared, instead, it has become more subtle.
  • Example: matrimonial advertisements demand brides and grooms from particular communities.
• Caste has grown beyond Hinduism: In fact, caste is an important factor for marriage, death and other ceremonial rites even among Muslims and Christians. Example: For Dalits converting to Christianity, states like Kerala have separate community names, separate cemeteries, etc.
• Caste based social media groups: Social media has reshaped caste mobilization and caste associations have used it to create discourse, ideate, and connect with each other, and the world.
  • Trending caste based hashtags on Twitter, videos on YouTube, etc are ways to keep caste consciousness alive among people.

Conclusion:

As caste identity is seen to be offering benefits, people will continue to assert them. Thus, it can be argued that the caste system cannot be eradicated in India. However, efforts must be made to reduce its impact on society by promoting social and economic equality and challenging caste-based discrimination. It is crucial to raise public awareness of the damaging effects of the caste system and encourage people to embrace a more inclusive and egalitarian society. As the inequality and inequity in society reduces, the relevance of caste and caste-based associations would reduce and they would decline.

DOWNLOAD PDF