Social discrimination reveals itself in many different ugly forms. In India, the caste system has led to social unrest while also introducing affirmative action policies to the marginalized sections. However, caste based atrocities still do exist in the country, a heartbreaking reality that Zhetoli N. Shohe chooses to address in her article. While everything in this world is not black and white nor can be viewed in a one directional perspective, read on to hear a students’ thoughts about caste discrimination.

Caste: A Never-Ending Pandemic

“What is a country? When people say, “Tell me about India”, I say, “Which India? The land of poetry and mad rebellion? The one that produces haunting music and exquisite textiles? The one that invented the caste system? The country of dollar billionaires? Or the one in which 800 million live on less than half-a-dollar a day? Which India?” Arundhati Roy herself fights with the conundrum. The year 1950 marked the abolishment of Caste System but the question remains- Is Caste System really outlawed from the minds of the layman? Is India’s caste system still alive?

India’s caste system is among the world’s oldest ongoing and surviving social stratification as stated by the BBC. The caste system is a hereditary, social hierarchy, also called “the Jati system” existing for nearly two thousand years. The caste system is based on social distinctions of Hinduism, delineating four major “varnas” or social classes. The Brahmins described as the priests and scholars are on the top, the Kshatriyas described as the nobles and warriors come second, the Vaishyas described as business owners come third, and then the Shudras described as labourers or servants come fourth. The last/fifth group the Untouchables – presently called the Dalits- the outcastes, the sewage cleaners, the group that is completely ostracized from the traditional Indian society.

The fight against the never-ending caste pandemic began from time immemorial. Gautam Buddha, Mahavir, Carvaka, Emperor Asoka, Emperor Kanishka, Sant Ravidas, Sant Kabir, Sant Tukaram, Sant Guru Nanak, Sant Narayana Guru, Sant Nandanar, King Shivaji Maharaj were the prominent figures in ancient and medieval history of India who stood up against the caste system & discrimination. Thereafter, in the modern era, we get to see, Jyotiba & Savitribai Phule, Chhatrapati of State of Kolhapur Shahu Maharaj and finally Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who openly rejected and condemned caste system and religious supremacy. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar through his struggles and battles freed the downtrodden people from the religious, cultural and social chains that enslaved them for ages. The venom of the caste system did not remain contained within the folds of Hinduism, but it got spread into other religions as well. Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Sikkhism- every religion gradually got influenced with ‘caste consciousnesses and ‘caste discrimination’. Dr Ambedkar observed that the higher caste people who converted from Hinduism to other faiths carried their caste-baggage with them, consequently ‘caste’ was introduced in those religions which continued to be carried on imitatively ‘exactly’ as it was practiced in their previous faith- the Hinduism.

Article 17 of the Constitution of India abolished ‘UNTOUCHABILITY’ and consequently the ‘CASTE DISCRIMINATION’, however, the notion of ‘caste supremacy is so deeply rooted in the minds of the people that it could not be annihilated by the law. In Dehradun, a nine year old Dalit girl got raped by upper caste youth. In Pune, Maharashtra, a Dalit boy who chose to marry an upper caste was beaten by the upper caste people. In Rajkot, Gujarat, a Dalit activist under protection got killed. In Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, spurned youth poisoned three Dalit girls. In an interview by BBC News, Dalit women voiced their atrocities of not being able to choose the same pathway and dignity as the other groups and their status being at the bottom of caste and gender. In the midst of Covid-19 Pandemic the Dalit migrants in Uttar Pradesh in an interview spoke about the pain they suffered during the emergency stating that nobody wanted to come in contact with them and the village has produced only two castes- ‘prawasi (outsider)’ and ‘niwasi (insider)’. The pandemic changed the dynamic of untouchability in Indian society which brought a type of horizontal untouchability between bodies.

The vicious cycle of caste atrocities is never-ending. India has laws implemented against discrimination and has made different welfare schemes, reservation for the Downtrodden, but ‘Equality’, even though constitutionally promised, could never be materialised. This reminds me of a quote by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar where he said, “…however good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it, happen to be a bad lot. However bad a Constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it, happen to be a good lot.”

The question of ‘caste identity’, ‘caste supremacy’, ‘caste discrimination’ and ‘caste violence’ was never limited only to the castes which had been officially identified and recorded in the list of Scheduled Castes. In fact, the forest dwelling Tribes, the aborigines according to various records and references also felt the wrath of this unique system of discrimination. They were also considered like outcastes/ignored people by the same caste system which considered their brethren from ‘outcaste’ communities as ‘untouchables’. It may be the reason that no higher caste community from ‘surrounding’ civilization was ever willing to make contact or relationship for centuries with the forest dwelling aborigines before Christian Missionaries from distant lands reached to them combating serious hardships and troubles. Also, because of the social status absolutely identical with that of the Scheduled Castes, Dr Ambedkar protected the interests of Scheduled Tribes in the Constitution of India. It is important to note that SCHEDULED CASTE/SCHEDULED TRIBES (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES ACT) 1989 protects the rights and dignity of both Dalits and Tribals/Aborigines. It may not be wrong to say that the racial discrimination meted out against ethnic tribes in the northeast India has its genesis in the ‘Caste System’.

So, where does the ‘cure’ lie to this caste pandemic? It lies in educating & uplifting ourselves to reach to such a position in life where we can challenge the social status quo & show to the world that we are no less than anybody in terms of intellectual capacity and competitiveness, therefore, we too deserve to be in the position from where we can give direction to the destiny of our people and this nation to the positive and glorious ‘inclusive’ future. Therefore, as a student, I see that “Education” is the only way to make ourselves capable to positively ‘agitate’ in life to finally get ‘organized’ ‘together to claim our rights ‘With the Rights’ that we have in the Constitution of India.

Finally, I realised that the “Education is True & Final Path to The Liberation, Freedom & Justice” and final cure to the pandemic of ‘social discrimination’- this is what I learn in my college which has a vision “To Create a Positive Impact in the World” and motto “STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE”.

Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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