How successful have the anti-caste movements been in terms of the relevance of caste in India today?

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Discuss the ways in which the caste system has been challenged. How successful have the anti-caste movements been in terms of the relevance of caste in India today?

The caste system in India is infinitely intricate and undergoing constant scrutiny. Since the independence of India, it has been suggested (Beteille 1996:154) that caste was of ever decreasing importance, in the eyes of the intellectuals at least, highlighting that the caste system was “counted among the obstacles in the way of progress”. However, the caste system still remains today, half a century later. Although it is true that the caste system is indeed undergoing change, as Eriksen (2001:136) brings to attention, questioning the effect urbanization, profession, qualifications and legislation has had on the contemporary caste system, what challenges have there been to the caste system itself? And is Dumont (1980) correct in his view that caste and hierarchy is an integrated and integral part of Indian society and culture? The Indian constitution claims to desire an egalitarian society based on meritocracy over caste compliance, however as Srinivas (1964:97) notes, the measures of the constitution are “half-hearted and full of loopholes”, although the recent rise of the Dalit as a political party, campaigning for equality, fight this “half-heartedness”. However, one must ask about the impact of the Dalit political party. On one side the “untouchables” are using the castes system to their advantage for perhaps the first time, but on the other by taking advantage of their solidarity and unity amongst their own caste are they forever strengthening the whole system of caste? Perhaps, even though they are fighting against the oppression of the caste system, they are creating a climate in which people will continue to identify within their own caste, and thus perpetuating the social stratification.

As earlier mentioned, Eriksen (2001:136) talks of the impact urbanization and education (leading therefore to professions) has had on the caste system. It is important to look the impact of urbanization, as this has become a challenge to the caste system, promoting meritocracy, and perhaps giving people the chance to achieve beyond their birth. As India becomes an ever increasing world power, more and more job opportunities are being created in urban areas, and indeed the caste system becomes somewhat muddled in modernisation. Beteille highlights the “growing importance of class” (1996:151) opposed to caste. Does this then mean that the caste system in India is being challenged by industrial growth and the recognition of class? Perhaps so, however, as Beteille (1996:152) notes, it is more than likely to be the educated intellectuals who back up this claim, rather than the unaccounted mass of India. Driver and Driver (1987:54) also mention the emergence of class in India, with reference to many other anthropologists, for example Mukherjee (1970:52) talks of the emergence of two classes, whereby they were not differentiated by caste and custom but by “contractual and economic” differences. In their essay Driver and Driver debate the beginnings of class, and emphasis the possibility of social mobility, something linked strongly to a class based system.  Social mobility indicates importance being placed on namely material wealth, therefore working outside the caste system, as wealth can be achievable even for the Dalit – for example as only the Dalit can work with dead animals, they could perhaps become a rich leather merchant. Although studies such as Sharma’s (1974:170) show a strong link still between class and caste in the six villages he had studied, suggesting therefore that whilst the emergence of class can in some ways challenge the caste system by providing a form of social mobility, it is not alone enough to overcome the historical system of caste in India.

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If it is, however, as Dumont suggests, that caste is a cornerstone of Indian society and culture, then what can be said about religion and caste? In Beteille’s article (1996:156) he quotes Weber, “without caste there is no Hindu”. However, Eriksen (2001:136) not only mentions how important the caste system is to Hindu religion and ritual, but also draws attention to the fact that there have been attempts within Hinduism itself to eradicate the caste system, none of which have been successful it may be noted. Here Eriksen talks of Ghandi, and his attempt to “modify the caste system”, amongst ...

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