Garima LekhwaniAIR 136 · CSE 2016 · 202 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
A. Beteille in his study of Indian caste system emerges as a true realist. He adopts a liberal approach in the study of caste system. He challenges Dumont's assertion that Indian society is closed/static, arguing that no society is absolutely closed or open by explaining mobility in Indian caste system.
Body · continuous prose
Beteille indicates how modernity has led to flexibility in caste system with avenues of mobility in the form of education, economic opportunities, change in landholding pattern, etc. Moreover, Dalit movements/consciousness has always challenged Brahminic domination over economy, polity, etc. thereby advocating for a change in secular hierarchy.
Close · a summary
He thus asserts how Indian caste based society has witnessed mobility and is dynamic. However, he also asserts that in modern times, secularization is an incomplete agenda as old caste is being replaced by new caste instead of being disintegrated. Caste based hegemony, exploitation, antagonism has weakened but has not been eliminated. He also speaks in favour of reservation policy for SCs/STs but is critical of reservations for OBCs. According to him, Anti Mandal agitation has been the biggest cause of caste polarisation since independence. Beteille thus presents a realistic position on the caste system and how it undergoes change over a period of time.