Caste System As A Divisive Factor

Caste system as a divisive
factor
 Caste is a system of social stratification, which lies at the very root of
social structure of most social groups in India.
 Social structure means the persistent pattern of social interaction
existing within and among social groups.
 These patterns of interaction are guided by the normative system of
the society.
 Caste structure is thus a pattern of social behaviour in which groups
and individuals are guided by prescribed set of norms, values and
sanctions.
 The groups and individuals occupy specific statuses within and in
relation to other groups.
 In this system individuals are born into a certain caste and thereby
acquire the role and status associated with that caste identity
The caste system is interlinked with the ‘Varna’ model
which divides the Hindu society into four orders, viz.,
Brahmana, (Brahman, traditionally, priest and scholar),
Kshatriya (ruler and soldier), Vaishya (merchant) and
Shudra (peasant, labourer and servant).
The first three castes are ‘twice-born’ or ‘dvija’ since
the men from these castes are entitled to do the sacred
thread at the Vedic rite of upanayana, which the Shudras
were not allowed to perform.
The untouchable castes are outside the varna scheme.
Features of the Caste System
The main features of caste system are
i) hierarchy,
ii) endogamy,
iii) association with a hereditary occupation,
iv) restrictions on food and social intercourse,
v) distinction in custom, dress and speech, and
vi) civil and religious disabilities and privileges
enjoyed by different sections of the society.
Ashok Kumar Thakur v. Union of India
(2008) 6 SCC 1
Justice R. V. Raveendran-
Caste has divided this country for ages. It has hampered its growth. To have a casteless
society will be realization of a noble dream. To start with, the effect of reservation may
appear to perpetuate caste.
The immediate effect of caste based reservation has been rather unfortunate. In the pre-
reservation era people wanted to get rid of the backward tag -- either social or economical.
But post reservation, there is a tendency even among those who are considered as 'forward',
to seek 'backward' tag, in the hope of enjoying the benefits of reservations.
When more and more people aspire for 'backwardness' instead of 'forwardness' the country
itself stagnates. Be that as it may. Reservation as an affirmative action is required only for a
limited period to bring forward the socially and educationally backward classes by giving
them a gentle supportive push. But if there is no review after a reasonable period and if
reservation is continued, the country will become a caste divided society permanently.
Instead of developing an united society with diversity, we will end up as a fractured society
for ever suspicious of each other.
While affirmative discrimination is a road to equality, care
should be taken that the road does not become a rut in which
the vehicle of progress gets entrenched and stuck. Any provision
for reservation is a temporary crutch. Such crutch by
unnecessary prolonged use, should not become a permanent
liability. It is significant that Constitution does not specifically
prescribe a casteless society nor tries to abolish caste. But by
barring discrimination in the name of caste and by providing for
affirmative action Constitution seeks to remove the difference in
status on the basis of caste. When the differences in status
among castes are removed, all castes will become equal. That will
be a beginning for a casteless egalitarian society.
Abolition of untouchability
The thrust of Article 17 and the Act is to liberate the
society from blind and ritualistic adherence and
traditional beliefs which lost all legal or moral base. It
seeks to establish new ideal for society - equality to the
Dalits, at par with general public, absence of
disabilities, restrictions or prohibitions on grounds of
caste or religion, availability of opportunities and a
sense of being a participant in the main stream of
national life- Justice K Ramaswamy in State Of
Karnataka vs Appa Balu Ingale And Others AIR 1993 SC
1126

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