Caste remains pervasive in all spheres of social life, even in contemporary India. Despite a long series of historical attempts by great social activists to eradicate the caste system, we have ended up establishing caste as a tool exploited in the hands of political elites. The journey has shifted from uprooting caste from Indian society to manifesting caste as an obscure weapon. There is a considerable gap between caste ideology and its practical manifestations. To eliminate such an orthodox practice, we must also diminish orthopraxy.
The origin of the caste system and its historical impact on society will not be delved into here, as its origin remains partially qualified due to multiple theories. However, we all have a fair idea of its detrimental effects even in modern times, though only sometimes evident. Some observations of people’s lived experiences reflect on the issue of caste sensitivity across society and how far it is from reality.
The primary concern lies in assessing the extent of our sensitivity towards the caste issue and its perceived necessity. Consider an individual raised in an environment where discussions on caste were virtually nonexistent and personal caste identity was not emphasized during his/her formative years. Upon relocating to a new city and sharing living quarters with others, this individual is unexpectedly questioned about his/her caste, specifically if he/she belongs to a specific category of superior caste.
This scenario becomes particularly challenging when the living arrangement involves a group of individuals who persistently engage in discussions on caste, often leading to comparison and the development of an inferiority complex. In this context, one may reflect on how they would navigate such a situation emotionally and intellectually. Surprisingly, this is accepted as a normal behavioral practice by most of the people in society. They assert that one’s reaction is dependent upon the extent of one’s belief in the sensitivity of the matter.
Moreover, the deeply ingrained “desi judgmental act” of attributing a housekeeper’s character to an occupationally based inferior caste, using preconceived imaginative adjectives, and maintaining certain boundaries with them; while showing favoritism towards an individual of the same sub-caste in a workplace, continues to persist. Promptly arriving at a judgment based on someone’s surname exemplifies the ideological biases deeply rooted in our attitude towards caste. Such instances necessitate the need for re-evaluation of sensitivity towards the notions related to caste.
The question no longer revolves around the sensitivity of the matter but rather centers on rectifying the deficiencies in emotional and social awareness concerning the issue. Daily newspapers depict a mounting body of evidence detailing tragic instances of the demise of SC/ ST students in prestigious institutions like IIT, instances of caste-based discrimination on campuses and temple premises, as well as inhumane acts perpetrated by individuals of high stature against Dalit women in village panchayat. These occurrences underscore that we have not completely eradicated the harmful mentality and practices associated with the caste system.
On one hand, we are superficially familiar with caste being exploited as a tool for securing votes and as a political strategy to gain victory by misleading the uneducated rural mass. Simultaneously, the unending debates surrounding the cessation of caste-based reservations or questioning the benefits of protective discrimination afforded to SCs, STs, and OBCs reveal a lack of in-depth understanding of the subtle infiltration of caste and its enduring impact beneath the guise of modernization.
It is essential to recognize how caste continues to significantly influence individual lives across various contexts, particularly at the intersections of gender, age, religion, and a particular community. A thorough scrutiny is required to understand the persisting challenges and address the multifaceted effects of casteism in contemporary society.
Now that we acknowledge the importance of addressing such a critical issue, there is a need for a responsive attitude, particularly from the youth. They possess the potential to reshape the societal landscape disfigured by such persistent attacks on the marginalized section. It becomes crucial to identify the failure to bring about marked changes among the youth despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness and educate them about equality and social harmony, along with the significance of affirmative policies.
The crux of the matter lies in the process of primary socialization, which becomes the foundation for an individual’s initial exposure to teachings about social inequalities and identities. It is during the formative period that children grow into individuals who may label themselves as educated yet exhibit biases and evolving attitudes towards caste-based circumstances when they integrate into society through their interaction.
Definitive views on a final solution for promoting effective awareness to mitigate the faults associated with the caste system cannot be provided. Numerous works have been dedicated to addressing issues related to the caste system and its ideology. Furthermore, it is practically unrealistic to abruptly put an end to the implicit impacts that have ingrained themselves over time. More engaged discussions and dialogues in framing policies for quick delivery of justice to check further occurrences of such cases are the need of the hour.
This should be considered as an attempt which present the idea of how we, as citizens, collectively respond to the historical significance of caste, which has been and continues to be pivotal in shaping societal dynamics.