“Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India”. Comment. (UPSC GS Paper 1 2018)
Caste system has been prevalent in one or the other form in India from thousands of years. Various changes in social, economic and political events has made it to tighten its grip over Indian society like never before. Still there are chances that it can be eradicated through constructive measures.
Caste system cannot be removed easily, because
- Political patronage
Most of India’s political class run on the basis of caste system. People seldom vote on the basis of rationality except in urban areas. Its ability to gain political support has kept caste system relevant.
- Social taboo
In rural India, which comprises the majority, society functions on caste system. Person diverging from the path of caste rules is boycotted leading to fear in people.
- Social benefits
Reservation has indeed been helpful in uplifting socially backward people but it has reinstated the importance of caste system. People flaunt their caste identity in order to avail benefits under government.
To remove caste system
- Egalitarianism
Egalitarianism is a novel concept where there in no class. This approach will create a society where each and every person will be equal on social, economical and political front. This will avoid use of caste identity.
- Education
Education can be considered a long term solution wherein the newer generation will be educated against the perils of caste system. Instilling such ideas can prevent our future generations from practicing caste system.
- Social boycott
This measure can be considered a bit on the revolutionary side due to the forceful nature of its implementation. But through successful implementation of this idea, caste system can be slowly degenerated.
Thus, its too early to predict that caste system is inevitable. Instead new methods and ideas have to be initiated that can create a equal society, which is non dependent on caste identity.
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