CASTE SYSTEM AND IT’S MODERN AVATAAR  – REDEFINING INDIA AND IT’S SOCIAL PARADIGM

There is no Hindu who does not belong to a caste. For millennia, this four fold social structure has created a hierarchy that has been the basis of division of all social and political power. Today as a new India tries to break free from it’s past baggage, caste returns as the potent weapon of division – this type not as an ordained social ritual but as a criterion for achieving political and electoral success.

Caste dominates Indian socio-political landscape like no other thing. From the waning but still deeply entrenched vestiges of ‘Brahminical Order’ to the aggressively anti-upper caste and revengeful ‘cult of Ambedkar’ and from the rise of multitudes of regional OBC (Other Backward Classes) satraps – caste loving chieftains on the political map of India to the broad ideological consolidation of OBCs-Dalits-Minorities into a single voting group against the perceived ‘upper caste enemy’ – caste is what rules the hearts and minds of millions of Indians. 

Caste in it’s modern avatar is taking a toll on India’s development and progress. Caste politics is holding this country to ransom. Today caste is one of the most important criterion for winning elections. Numbers don’t come by development or governance, but by being able to create the right atmosphere wherein a ‘right combination of castes’ is formed as a result of which the respective political party or candidate can win the elections. Other things are completely subservient.  

Caste today is less of a hierarchy. Thus we have Dalits flaunting the ‘cult of Ambedkar’ and their glorious history of struggle against untouchability and oppression. The rise of BSP has given strength to Dalit activism but whether it has resulted in real growth for the downtrodden including Dalits is the million dollar question. SP and BSP claim to protect and further the interests of OBCs and Dalits but how far they carry on these principles without harming the interests of upper castes is open to disputation.    

Besides these parties do not have a bright track record as far as cleanliness in public life and good governance are concerned. Most of their candidates are involved in serious criminal cases and some of them are even alleged to be goons and mafias. You can’t sacrifice on everything just to further the interests of Dalits and OBCs. There has to be a balance somewhere. This country needs committed leaders – who focus on development of infrastructure and elimination of poverty. But the majority of Indian populace is so much blinded by their caste loyalty that they will vote none other than their own caste.

Caste based reservations are a social necessity in this country. But this issue is being exploited politically. The reservation policy has become like distribution of charity. All castes are demanding reservations. A community has to be judged based on it’s educational, social and economic backwardness. But it seems the number clout influences and guides the policies of government. Thus we see the powerful Jats getting reservations in several North India states. Now the rich Patels in Gujarat and the formidable Marathas in Maharashtra are clamouring for their own quotas. Reservation policy is not benefitting the Most Backward castes (MBCs) as forwards among the OBCs are cornering all the advantage of reservations. 

There is a need for relinquishing populism. Our political leaders must realize that reservation policy must really benefit the poor Dalits and OBCs. Laws must be framed to that effect. The hierarchy of caste system has to be demolished but this can happen only when opportunism and vote bank politics give way to public interest and a pan-social approach. 

India has to give up it’s obsession with caste system. It has to rise above these narrow confines if it has to grow into a formidable world power. Caste system was a need of society at a certain age, but to continue identifying with it today will lead to social backwardness and resultant economic stagnation. In certain respects, caste divisionism is worse than partition of the country as in the latter country bleeds only once, whereas in former country keeps on bleeding and becomes completely weak and inefficient. Only a caste free India can set her free from the shackles of backwardness and make her fly in the sky like a hero.

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