India does have a version of racism. We call ours “Casteism.” India’s caste system was recognised on socio-economic grounds. Aryans came to India in 1500 BC and did not recognise local communities. They created three divisions, i.e., warriors, priests and farmers. Warriors and priests competed over the position of leadership. From which priests came out on top to dominate over India.
Eventually, farmers, craftsmen, warriors and locals were commanded by Brahmanas or priests. Similar to most societies, a son will take over his father’s profession in India. This legacy keeps on for an extended period and it circles into a community, jaati or a caste in the Indian system. Brahmans promoted socialism among their respective communities, which generated inequality in this multicultural nation. A lower caste regarding the other is usual, and it is accepted socially. Individuals who clean drains are categorised to the “Scheduled Caste,” and they are referred to as “untouchables.” The people dwelling in jungles as tribes are categorised to “Scheduled Tribes.”
The caste system is playing taking role in social system in India. One’s caste involves their selection regarding marriage, employment, education, economics, mobility, housing and politics, among others.
How the Caste System Affects Citizens
Marriages
Indian marriages are arranged by parents in the majority of cases. There are some parameters they took into consideration while looking for the perfect life partner. Among those, one’s caste is also an important one. Nobody wants the son or the daughter to get married to someone belonging to a different caste. As the term “untouchables” implies, a Brahmin would under no circumstances get married to someone belonging to an SC or ST caste.
Education
Caste reservations are provided in public universities for students who belong to poor backgrounds. An individual belonging to this group can obtain admission in a first rank college through par or below par academic marks with the aid of a reservation. Insolvent Brahmans are, though, at a disadvantage with the system of reservations. As an example, a Brahman needs to get 100% in a number of exams to gain admission in a first-ranked university. Whereas the lower caste candidate can even skip the exam for admission into the university.
Jobs
A large number of government sector jobs are reserved on a variety of caste lines. Poor communities belonging to the Brahman class get severely impacted due to this reservation.
It is exactly as Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar quoted, “Caste will stand in your way for political and economical reforms within India.” In his opinion, removing such a strong root is very hard but possible. However, the voyage to reform contains abundant roadblocks all along the way.
How Can the Government Solve this Caste Issue?
The government has accomplished that separating individuals by caste and matching them to a specific caste by providing special quotas will resolve the caste crisis. Indeed, the Indian government gives rewards to members of lower castes to ensure they feel comfortable with their inferior heritage. On the other hand, the caste crisis remains in the thoughts of Indian citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political agenda receives caste obliteration from the country. India has made some progress in the 21st century on many fronts. However, there is a standstill with loads of room to cultivate. The Indian government does have a good strategy of uniting people from all sections of society. However, several natural ideological negations will come in the way while addressing this problem. Nevertheless, that should not thwart our hope of freeing ourselves from casteism.
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