Creation of casteless society in India

 

At present, caste has become a derogatory word. Many modern reformists, politicians, non-governmental organizations, intellectuals and activists regard the system as indefensible, problematic and complicated as it carries a historical baggage of discrimination and exploitation. It has forced destitution on a vast number of people belonging to weaker and unprivileged sections of society in the country. Its practices and values are the causes for illiteracy, communal problems escalating violence, crimes and corruption, disparities of power, wealth and culture, leading ultimately to disintegration of Indian society. Therefore, they wish to change the caste-ridden Indian society into a caste-less society.

Before forming an opinion or passing on any comment, it is necessry that one must understend what caste system really is? How, when and why did it come into existence and develop in its present form? What have been the factors, which brought changes in the system during a very long period of its evolution or  contributed to its development? What are the strengths and weaknesses of caste system? How much influence does it still exercise on modern Indian society?

So far, people propogating for casteless society have not been able to find an alternative to replace caste system. More they criticize caste system, the more they themselves cling to their own caste identities. They find castes to be the easiest and most effective channel to propagate their ideas or create vote-banks. No doubt, a few deformities have developed into caste system during its long period of evolution. But it is not easy to bring caste to an end. It is very difficult for millions of people to forget about their roots or identity, which is defined in their own society on the basis of caste.

Caste-system is one of the oldest social structures in the world. Still it can not be ignored as an adolescent or useless phenomenon, as its hold on the public mind is still very strong. So much and so that, Muslims and Christians, Sikhs or Buddhist, living in India could not remain immune from it for long, though their respective religions believe in egalitarian society.

Caste system has given Indian society a distinguished identity and a solid social structure with a system of thought, a way of life, and sense of direction. It has served to give Indian society coherence, stability and continuity. It still appears to most of the Indians as a very dear and natural social institution. It is not the caste system, but its politicization due to vested interests of a few, that has created problems and has disfigured the face of caste system beyond recognition and created many problems in nation’s prosperity. Socially it has held together different castes and communities despite numerous foreign invasions, migrations and assimilation of various groups and having diverse languages and practices for generations – thus making unity in diversity a reality.