Aayushi BansalAIR 7 · CSE 2024 · 245 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Caste is defined as a segmental, hereditary, hierarchical and endogamous social unit within a ritual framework based on purity and pollution.
Body · points and prose
Important dimension of modern life
Caste has readjusted itself to suit contemporary needs. It is now used in power structures in form of identity politics leading to substantialisation of caste. Prof Andre Beteille says that politics in caste is taking us back to caste.
Caste based political parties like Bahujan Samaj Party (Dalits), Samajwadi Party (Yadavs) are a case in point.
Reservation agitations by even dominant castes like Marathas speak of material gains by caste.
Further, even today <5% of marriages are inter caste as per National Council of Applied Economic Research.
Caste based reproduction of economic structures still exists. As per Census 2011, <4% of Dalit households have a govt service employee. Most business communities are traditional castes like Banias, Sindhi, Parsi and so on.
Limited relevance
Close · a summary
However forces of modernisation, westernisation, education have limited its impact.
In urban areas people travel, eat and work together breaking caste disabilities of commensality.
Law and Constitution have brought economic and political mobility for SCs and OBCs countering discrimination. Eg → Prof Beteille found Adi Dravidians in white collar jobs in Sripuram.
Dalit assertions have brought more worth to Dalit literature and culture steadfastly in opposition to Sanskritisation. This has reduced role of caste in deciding ritual and secular status.
Caste was and is there. However, its face has changed emerging in new avatars.