3.3.1. Caste inequalities

Unlike gender and religion, caste division is special to India. All societies have some kind of social inequality and some form of division of labour. In most societies, occupations are passed on from one generation to another. Caste system is an extreme form of this. What makes it different from other societies is that in this system, hereditary occupational division was sanctioned by rituals. Members of the same caste group were supposed to form a social community that practiced the same or similar occupation, married within the caste group and did not eat with members from other caste groups.

The caste system in India is a unique form of social hierarchy that categorizes people into different groups based on their birth. Unlike the occupational divisions seen in other societies, where jobs might pass down organically across generations without strict rules, the caste system is rigid and defined by religious rituals. Each caste has its own prescribed duties and social interactions. This system enforces rules such as marriage within the same caste and prohibits sharing meals with those from different castes, reinforcing social boundaries.

Think of the caste system like different clubs at school. Each club has its own members, rules, and activities. If you are part of the 'science club', you can only participate in their events and usually have to work with other members of the science club for projects. Similarly, in the caste system, people are expected to stick to their own 'club' or caste for marriage and community activities.

Caste system was based on exclusion of and discrimination against the ‘outcaste’ groups. They were subjected to the inhuman practice of untouchability about which you have studied in Class IX. That is why political leaders and social reformers like Jotiba Phule, Gandhiji, B.R. Ambedkar and Periyar Ramaswami Naicker advocated and worked to establish a society in which caste inequalities are absent.

At its core, the caste system enforced a strict hierarchy that discriminated against those deemed 'outcastes,' who faced severe social and economic disadvantages. Untouchability, a practice that involved treating these outcastes as unclean, led to significant injustices. To combat these inequalities, notable leaders like Jotiba Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and Periyar Ramaswami Naicker emerged, advocating for the rights of the oppressed and actively working to dismantle the caste system.

Imagine a team project where certain members are not allowed to participate in discussions or get the same resources as others, based solely on their background. This unfair treatment can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment, much like how outcastes felt due to untouchability. The aforementioned leaders acted like champions for those silenced members, demanding equal rights and access.

Partly due to their efforts and partly due to other socio-economic changes, castes and caste system in modern India have undergone great changes. With economic development, large scale urbanisation, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility and the weakening of the position of landlords in the villages, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down.

Significant socio-economic changes have altered the traditional caste system over time. Economic development has led to urbanization, where people move to cities for work, promoting interactions across caste lines. Improved literacy rates and education have allowed individuals from lower castes to access better job opportunities, breaking the cycle of poverty and dependency. As landlord power diminishes, the control previously exerted by upper castes is challenged, leading to a more fluid social structure.

Consider a local community where previously only a few families owned all the businesses and resources. As new businesses pop up and education levels rise, members from various backgrounds start to open their own shops and gain economic independence, resulting in a more vibrant and diverse community that values contributions from everyone, regardless of their background.

Caste is an important source of economic inequality because it regulates access to resources of various kinds. For example, in the past, the so-called ‘untouchable’ castes were denied the right to own land, while only the so-called ‘twice born’ castes had the right to education. Although this kind of explicit and formalised inequality based on caste is now outlawed, the effects of centuries of accumulated advantages and disadvantages continue to be felt today.

Today, caste plays a critical role in determining economic opportunities and livelihood. Historical restrictions on land ownership and education for the lower castes created significant barriers to success. Although legal frameworks now prohibit caste discrimination, lingering effects mean that economic disparities persist, with upper castes typically enjoying better access to resources and financial power. This continues to shape social dynamics and economic mobility across the country.

Think of it as a race where some participants had a head start due to their backgrounds and resources, while others began far behind, lacking access to supports that would help them succeed. Even if the race rules change to allow everyone a fair start, those who have historically benefited will often finish ahead due to their previous advantages.

As in the case of communalism, casteism is rooted in the belief that caste is the sole basis of social community. According to this way of thinking, people belonging to the same caste belong to a natural social community and have the same interests which they do not share with anyone from another caste.

Caste-based politics often emerges from the idea that individuals within a caste share common interests, leading political parties to cater to these sentiments. This belief can result in parties nominating candidates based on caste affiliation and appealing to voters based on caste identity. However, this perspective disregards the diverse interests within caste communities, as not all members share identical concerns or aspirations.

Consider a student council election where candidates focus solely on one group of students, assuming that everyone within that group has the same interests. This could exclude diverse viewpoints and ultimately misrepresent the broader student body’s concerns.

The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an impression that elections are all about caste and nothing else. That is far from true. Just consider these: No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste.

While caste identities significantly influence political dynamics, reducing elections to mere caste affiliations oversimplifies voter behavior. No single caste dominates a constituency, requiring parties to address a range of interests. Voters may identify with multiple parties and are not bound to caste lines; they make decisions based on a variety of factors, including economic conditions and government performance.

In a cooking competition, judges assess dishes based on taste, presentation, and creativity, not just which chef belongs to a particular culinary school. Similarly, voters consider many aspects when making their electoral choices, not solely their caste.

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