CASTEISIM/ CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIA
It’s very rightly said “that’s not my job”. I belong to a motherly country so I have few responsibilities towards it. However, it’s not my job to worry about the people being murdered in the name of caste and religion. It’s not my job to follow what our traditions and culture propagate. It’s not my job, it’s my holy duty. Rather, it’s our holy duty to put an end to the very evil of our society- Casteisim, for good. During the Indian war of independence, when Gandhi termed the Dalits as “Harijans”, there was no difference. All Homo sapiens on this planet, in this country are supposed to be people of god. When god sent the first two people on the earth, Adam and Eve, he ordered them to not eat any fruit from the tree of knowledge and evil because it gave them the ability to conjure negative and evil concepts. In this modern era, there are millions of people who draw the good ones in this chain of negativity and false claims. To be specific our own Bharatmata has embraced these evils through ages.
Travelers have walked on the land of India since centuries and have commented upon numerous sins such as sati, Casteisim, untouchability, gender inequality and so on. Over two thousand years of history and very few episodes serve justice to the people. One series of events that continues till date is the manifestation of Casteisim. According to asiasociety.org the caste system, as it actually works in India is called jati. The term jati appears in almost all Indian languages and is related to the idea of lineage or kinship group. There are perhaps more than 3000 jatis in India. In each local area jati ranking exists and is very much related to purity and pollution.
India's caste system is perhaps the world's longest surviving social hierarchy. According to the traditional theory, the caste system is of divine origin and is an extension of the Varna system, where the 4 Varna’s originated from the body of Brahma. In order of precedence these are the Brahmins (priests and teachers), the Ksyatriyas (rulers and soldiers), the Vaisyas (merchants and traders), and the Shudras (laborers and artisans). A fifth category falls outside the Varna system and consists of those known as "untouchables" or Dalits. Despite its constitutional abolition in 1950, the practice of "untouchability"-the imposition of social disabilities on persons by reason of birth into a particular caste- remains a part of rural India. Dalits endure near complete social ostracization. "Untouchables" may not cross the line dividing their part of the village from that occupied by higher castes. They may not use the same wells, visit the same temples, or drink from the same cups in tea stalls. Dalit children are frequently made to sit at the back of classrooms. This is called India's “hidden apartheid”, where entire villages in many Indian states remain completely segregated by caste.
Caste system has not done any good. It has developed a parochial feeling and made the people unduly conscious of their own castes. It has given rise to conflicts that cannot be perished easily. Despite the various sections and laws made by the constitution, the upper classes look at lower classes at their slaves. Many reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy invested their entire lives working towards opposing evil practices and educating masses. There are several articles imbibed in the Indian constitution which prohibit caste discrimination.
Nevertheless, the laws and acts can only provide protection, but the change in perception and attitude has to be brought by the society. How can you kill the rat outside by taking the poison yourself? Only the political parties cannot be blamed for this, the prejudice lies in the minds of the citizens of the country. Hence, it is important to say goodbye to this evil who has haunted us for years. We have get rid of this hubris nature of ours. It is possible to provide equality to all these people of god. Although, all change begins with a plan, the success of which depends on several things; depth of commitment, passion for ones of course, willingness to embrace a new path, determination to overcome any obstacle. In every moment, a choice exists. We can cling to the past or embrace the inevitability of change, and allow a brighter future to unfold before us. Such an uncertain future may call for even more uncertain issues. Either way, a new day is coming whether we like it or not. The question is, will you control it? Or will it control you?
