Page 190 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Unit 8: Changing Trends and Future of Caste System

several laws, spread of education, socio-religious reform, westernization, growth of modern Notes
professions, spatial mobility, and the growth of market economy. Before the independence, some
states were the strongholds of the caste system; but after the liquidation of the native states and
framing of the new constitution for the whole country which generates justice, liberty and equality to
all persons irrespective of the difference in caste, creed or religion, and which has abolished the
untouchability, the caste system no longer functions on rigid lines.
Literacy has also increased. While the literacy rate in 1941 was 16.1, in 1991 it increased to 52.1 (63.8%
among males and 39.4% among females). Education makes people liberal, broadminded, rational
and democratic. Educated people do not accept the caste norms and caste practices blindly. They are
neither conservative nor superstitious. No wonder the caste system is least rigid in the urban areas
today.
The notion that a person is defiled by a lower caste man coming in contact with him is no longer
universally held by Hindus. Taboos against some foods and against accepting food and water from
persons of other castes have also gradually been weakened under the weight of modern conditions.
However, some caste organizations have come to be strengthened. In states like Bihar, some upper
and lower castes have formed their own senas (militant groups) to protect their interests. Politics has
come to be affected much by the caste. Some castes have started consolidating their groups to secure
greater social and political power. Feeling of casteism has increased. In some states, even intercaste
conflicts have increased. Some castes, fearing that some other castes will gain an advantage over
them, have started building up their educational, economic, and religious position and tearing down
their hated rivals. On the other hand, the lot of scheduled castes has been slowly improved. They are
offered more educational and service opportunities through the reservation policy. Though
untouchability cannot be described as a thing of the past, yet its practice has diminished massively.
Broad Changes in the Caste System
Though the changed structure of caste in the contemporary India has been analyzed separately in
this chapter, yet briefly sepaking, the following outcomes in caste functioning may be pointed out in
the present times:
• Caste system is not in the process of abolition but is making adequate adjustment with modern
changes.
• The religious basis of caste has cramped.
• Old social practices of imposing restrictions of varied types have dwindled. Caste no longer
restricts newly valued individual freedom.
• Caste no longer determines the occupational career of an individual, though his social status
continues to be dependent on his caste membership.
• Serious efforts are being made to grant equality to the out-castes and the backward castes which
had suffered because of the restrictions imposed by the caste system.
• Inter-caste strifes are increasing. However, these are more for achieving power than on grounds
of ritual status.
• Casteism not only continues to prevail in community life but in a way it has increased.
• The jajmani system in the villages has weakened affecting inter-caste relations.
• The dominance of a caste in a village no longer depends upon its ritual status.
• Caste and politics have come to affect each other.
• On the one hand, some caste organizations have strengthened while on the other hand, a large
number of castes have lost their group solidarity and a sense of responsibility.
• Caste no longer acts as a barrier to social progress and to nation’s development. India is on the
move in spite of the caste system.

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