Cast off the Caste

Below is an excerpt from my first essay assignment titled "Caste as an identity in India" in the course Indian Society, Literature and Culture, IIT Kharagpur.

What was originally intended to be a somewhat fluid arrangement for functional groups later took the form of caste and now everybody is paying for it. To abolish this discrimination on the basis of caste, the governments over the years in their attempts to avoid major insurgencies simply stick to the unimaginative policy of reservations-cum-subsidies. This policy so far has largely proven to be a major fiasco such that even after cheating the majority out of its rightful place in the society on merit, still almost 90% of the Dalits find themselves lying in depths in all aspects of Indian life. To top it all, in view of this perpetual partiality, resentment is taking shape on a different level between the beneficiaries and their opposition.

At the time of drafting the reservation policy, I’m sure the founding fathers had a well-meant incentive in mind. The aim was to ensure social acceptance for low-caste citizens of independent India by legally ensuring them a powerful space in future. The prospective ill-effects of this act couldn’t be foreseen perhaps in haste and later the ever-dirty politics in India changed the course of time by amending the policy to suit their own needs especially to create long-lasting massive vote-banks.

No gainsaying the positive impacts as change is indeed visible today for Dalits but the realistic facts and figures continually add to our disappointment when its realised that the fraction of the people who actually climbed up adds to nothing but a mere 10%. Rural India still runs on the same wheels of age-old casteism. Lack of awareness and absence of modern education among Dalits is easily noticeable in their submissive attitude towards higher castes in rural areas.

In case of the smaller but more potent--urban India, modern globalized era has brought about major shifts in cultural paradigms across the whole of subcontinent and this notion of caste is no exception. Education today lays emphasis on harmonious co-existence with dignity. No doubt the modern societies, like its forerunners, award its functionaries on a non-uniform scale but reservations and subsidies in varied forms also make sure nobody lags behind. Sadly the existence of caste hierarchy even in modern societies is undeniable although ascribed status has lost significance with time and academic paths to attain higher involvement have been facilitated. However the same globalization marginally heightens the economic inequality due to its capitalistic effects. While learned beings are moving ahead with their ever-increasing influence in global matters, economically far-below people who are the members of the menial underclass have expressed their discontent due to social and economic insecurity.

I think the answer lies in a more inclusive path to future where no section of the society feels excluded. Doing away with caste-based reservations appears to be inconceivable for a foreseeable future although pressing the “No-New-Reservation-Scheme” button now would be a good start. Infuse more education especially in the rural areas. We need to be more direct with our messages. Epical teachings can’t be flushed out overnight but a better perspective would make things more clear and stable. Influential works owning broad sanctity in every religion should not longer remain untouchable and the acquiescent reception needs to be dropped right away. Then only we can dream of a more “just” India.