Srishti Bhatt: Sociology II answer copy

1(b) caste conflict is the power result of cultural & power differential between upper and lower caste, also, between two caste of same position within the hierarchy

According to Gail Omvedt, Hardiman caste conflict is expressed in [overt] manner where lower caste intentionally differ in culture (desanskritise) as a mark of rebellion.

Deepankar Gupta in his "Interrogating caste" advocates that jats criticised brahmins as selfish and look down upon them

Caste conflict in a [covert] sense is provided by GP Pradhan who argue that Post LPG with rise of Dalits in secular hierarchy there are greater violence against them. This is also reflected in frequent clashes between Dalit & Dominant Thakurs over taking baraat procession in UP, similarly lynching of Dalit sporting moustache by Rajputs.

Caste conflict is also between upper caste where caste are forming alliances with Dalit caste group to achieve secular goals (Rajni Kothari calls this casteisation of Politics)

Similarly caste conflict more recently has taken secular tone where caste groups are agitating for affirmative actions ep. Jat of Haryana thus caste conflict persists in Indian society

1(c) The conceptual difference between caste and varna has been provided by GS Ghurye and supported by Mahatma Gandhiji.

According to GS Ghurye caste is a the hierarchical division of different groups based on occupation, while varna simply means colour. It is a result of diffusion of Aryan with non Aryans.

This view believe that caste hierarchy led the advent of atrocities against lower caste in the form of untouchability. Louis Dumont calls this distinction between dwija and ekjati based on binary opposition of Purity & Pollution.

Gandhiji, while advocating for varna based division of labor, called caste based hierarchy, a perversion of varna.

Subaltern perspective by Gail Omvedt, Ambedkar refute this view as Brahmanical. They instead advocate for annihilation of caste and development of Dalit consciousness.

According to them "Dalit" would liberate them from shackles of caste oppression and would provide them social mobility.

1(d) MN Srinivas based on his study in Coorg came up with concept of Sanskritisation. Sanskritisation is the process by which lower caste group imitate upper caste values, lifestyle to reach upper cradles of hierarchy.

Features of Sanskritisation:-

→ It is not just Brahmanical but can be an imitation of any dominant caste → It necessarily proceeds after secular mobility → It is cultural mobility.

Based on Sanskritisation many caste like mundas, Kols etc could attain mobility. However it is seen that

Sanskritisation provides a positional change within local caste hierarchy without any real structural change.

Louis Dumont argues that Brahmin still carry caste names and binary opposition persists.

Andre Beteille argues that there are various phases of structural inequality like class, power this sanskritisation is not enough.

Yogendra Singh argues that caste groups are going for modern westernisation.

Due to its limited nature many caste groups are going for desanskritisation for instance Lingayats.

1(e) Louis Dumont in his Homo Hierarchicus views Indian caste system as a product of Hindutradition.

According to him caste based hierarchy is not seen with respect to whole. It is relative as no caste is superior by itself. He adds that this is not seen as inequality (unlike west) rather people make a virtue out of this hierarchy.

He provides 2 views on caste division → Principle of Purity & Pollution → Binary Distinction between pure and impure

for instance Dwij's vs Ekjati Brahmin vs Kshatriya-

Not just in cultural sphere, the disjunction is also reflected in Power relations

Louis Dumont's views are criticised by many sociologists → Indologist criticise it as colonial view undermining Indian society → Hardiman based on his study in Himalayan foothill argue that untouchable dont consider Brahmin as pure → TK Oomen posits that Dalits differ in culture not because of pure impure notion but as a matter of rebellion