Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 203 words written
Opening
M.N. Srinivas in his last lecture had pointed towards rising secularization of caste and had expected that Indian future would not be overburdened by caste induced disabilities.
The barriers imposed by caste as seen in Indian context have proved detrimental for our progress prospects. It has restricted social mobility, suppressed enterpreneurship, heightened social tension, increased social inequality and caused a blockage in human capital formation.
However, caste barriers have been declining due to efforts by both government as well as citizens, some of them being -
Body · points and prose
(1) Constitutional protection against discrimination and provision of affirmative action (Article 14, 15).
(2) Socio cultural reform in pre independence and movements like Dalit Panthers in post independence of India.
(3) Substantation of caste and identity politics causing increased lower caste representation and diversificata (Andre Beteille).
(4) Examples of Shanars of Tamil Nadu leveraging education and Dalit enterpreneurship.
(5) Globalisation and secularised workforce.
Close
However Jan Breman warned that Indian jobs still see caste and religion as stamps for opportunities. 98% Dalits in manual scavenging substantiate this fact. G.S. Ghurye had predicted that casteism hierarchy would transform into horizontal groupings when attacked; this is manifested in reservation demands. Hence caste identity still remains a force in Indian destiny.