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 which included the renaming of the untouchables as “harijans”. Ghandi’s attempts to modify the system by disposing of the derogative term for those at the bottom of the caste system was not that successful, caste carried on in a similar vein to before. However, Ghandi’s recognition that change was need within the religion was a pivotal moment in Indian history, Ghandi’s opinion that no one is better than anyone else gave inspiration to later challengers of the caste system. Also, as Beteille (1996:155) writes in regards to castes being a matter of religion, thee “Indians could see that that side of caste was withering away”, instead the future of caste “lay not with religion but with politics”. Gorringe (2005) talks in his article of the influence of the British on India, and it can be argued that British religion has had an impact on modern day India, through missionaries work for example. This showed an alternative to the Hindu caste system, and some may have converted simply to escape from their caste, raising another challenge to the caste system. Chandra (2005:215) also notes the resurgence of Buddhism and the effect that has had on the caste system, highlighted in Ghandi’s actions, Buddhism was another possible alternative to Hinduism and the caste system. Singh (2009:237) highlights that the state wanted “a separation between religion and the state”, thus giving way to politics to make significant changes in contemporary India.
It is in political movements that we see the biggest challenge to the caste system, demanding egalitarianism, equal rights and opportunities regardless of birth. However, paradoxically, as the political parties find their loyalties within their own caste, it is this very movement which could see the continuation of the caste system, this very movement which makes the caste system ever more relevant. Gorringe (2005:86) recognises the emergence of the political movement following India becoming an independent state, due to the growth of democracy, no doubt due to the fact that those governing the country were now in some way accountable for their actions, the voices of the people had to be heard. As I discussed earlier Beteille (1996:54) was of the opinion that since the independence of India, Indian intellectuals were keen to dismantle the caste system, seeing is as out of date and an obstacle to progress. Perhaps it is this that led then to the “crisis of governability” Gorringe talks about, by setting out with such an ambitious, and, as some may view it, sacrilegious, objective, the government opened the floodgates for opposition to the caste system, which let us not forget, Dumont notes as the cornerstone to Indian society. This denotes the biggest challenge to the caste system: that of the political threat of certain parties. By allowing those that were before excluded from governing the country to now take part, it is also allowing many built up grievances to have a voice, and none in India had more to contest against than the Dalit (who coined this new term, finding the term “harijans” patronising (Eriksen, 2001)). It can be strongly argues that these new political parties have had significant impact on India, not only in breaking down barriers between castes, but more noticeably in promoting unity and identity amongst those within a caste. Gorringe (2005:100) talks of those among a caste wearing ““identifiers”, such as flags, posters, banners” all of which strengthened unity and ties amongst those in the same caste. Deliege (1994) too talks of the strong sense of unity among those in the same caste, suggesting that hierarchy does not exist within a caste, only between them, he writes that those within a caste share a sense of egalitarianism. Thus, by challenging the caste system, they are only strengthening it, making it more relevant than ever, as people still identify themselves through caste. Paradoxically, through trying to eradicate the system of caste, stopping the discrimination and violence toward those of a lower caste, they are promoting the sense of safety and strength in numbers, those within the same caste stick together and support each other.
Gorring(2005:106) points out that due to there being a weak government in India, repression is likely due to “fear of being toppled”, therefore implicating that riots, protests and demonstrations to gain electoral support and recognition are often crushed, as the present government is in fear of being ousted. However the growing challenge to the caste system is still visible, extremist parties such as PMK are of growing influence and have succeeded in gaining political recognition. Although the repercussions of extremists groups such as this, Gorringe (2005:108) “violence… having a degree of legitimacy”, as it is the only means challengers to the system can make their sure their voice is heard. Once again this kind of behaviour could be used to look at the relevance of caste today, by using violence to try and get the caste system reviewed will have a negative impact of those that have been attacked, meaning they will be less likely to want to dispose of the current system, the Dailt are not conveying themselves in a manner becoming to those in a higher caste, who already think the Dalit are beneath them.
The Dalit movement claims to have broken and dispersed the slave instinct (in a popular movement song mentioned in Gorring(2005:112), but when we look at India today, we still see the ancient hierarchical system determining who does what job, who lives where, who can go and use certain things etc, the list is endless. It is clear to see that whilst there has been many challenges to the system, and with somewhat more clarity and influence since the Independence of India. There has been social protest, a rise of democracy, emergence of class based economy and certain religious alternatives, none of which, however, have been wholly successful in getting rid of the relevance of caste in India today, although the political movement is ever on going and with what some might say growing clarity and power. After examining some of the challenges to the system, it is possible to use Beteille’s argument to demonstrate the state of caste today. Beteille writes that it is with a growing ambivalence that many regard caste today, (1996:153) “to deny any significance to caste at one time and to give it exaggerated importance at another”. Demonstrating that whilst many Dalit may argue that caste is not inherent and should be abolished, they seek solidarity and strength from the numbers of their own caste, fighting against something by ever strengthening the ties that hold them where they are. Beteille also notes in his essay (1996) that educated Indians feel that “caste does not exist anymore”, although this should not be taken to disregard the relevance of caste today, as it is only those at the top of the caste system who feel they are not affected by it, similar to those at the top of the British class system, who feel there is no class conflict in Britain anymore. It is therefore largely arguable that caste today has as much relevance as it ever has done, even those fighting it fight it through identifying themselves within their caste.
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