By M L Satyan
Bengaluru, Nov 11, 2022: The Supreme Court ON November 7, with 3-2 majority, upheld the constitutional validity of the 103rd Constitution Amendment 2019, which provides for 10 percent Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation among the forward castes.
Soon after this, the five-judge Constitution bench was told by several lawyers that the EWS quota on the sole criteria of the financial position of a family is unconstitutional. But the top court said the law on EWS quota does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.
History of the caste system: The caste system is one of the unique features in Indian Society. There are many theories like traditional, racial, political, occupational, evolutionary etc. which try to explain the caste system in India.
a) Traditional Theory: According to this theory, the caste system is an extension of the varna system, where the 4 varnas originated from the body of Bramha. At the top of the hierarchy were the Brahmins who were mainly teachers and intellectuals and came from Brahma’s head. Kshatriyas, or the warriors and rulers, came from his arms. Vaishyas, or the traders, were created from his thighs. At the bottom were the Shudras, who came from Brahma’s feet. The mouth signifies its use for preaching, learning; the arms – protections; thighs – to cultivate or do business; feet – helps the whole body. So, the duty of the Shudras is to serve all the others. The sub-castes emerged later due to intermarriages between the 4 varnas.
b) Racial Theory: Indian sociologist D.N. Majumdar writes in his book, “Races and Culture in India”, the caste system took its birth after the arrival of Aryans in India. Rig Vedic literature stresses very significantly the differences between the Arya and non-Aryans, not only in their complexion but also in their speech, religious practices, and physical features. The Varna system prevalent during the Vedic period was mainly based on division of labour and occupation.
c) Political Theory: The caste system is a clever device invented by the Brahmins in order to place themselves on the highest ladder of social hierarchy. Dr. Ghurye states, “Caste is a Brahminic child of Indo-Aryan culture cradled in the land of the Ganges and then transferred to other parts of India.” The Brahmins even added the concept of spiritual merit of the king, through the priest in order to get the support of the ruler of the land.
d) Occupational Theory: Caste hierarchy is according to the occupation. Those professions which were regarded as better and respectable made the persons who performed them superior to those who were engaged in dirty professions. According to Newfield, “Function and function alone is responsible for the origin of caste structure in India.” With functional differentiation there came in occupational differentiation and numerous sub-castes such as Lohar (blacksmith), Chamar (tanner), and Teli (oil-pressers).
e) Evolution Theory: The caste system did not come into existence suddenly or at a particular date. It is the result of a long process of social evolution as given below:
• Hereditary occupations
• The desire of the Brahmins to keep themselves pure
• The unwillingness of rulers to enforce a uniform standard of law and custom
• The ‘Karma’ and ‘Dharma’ doctrines also explain the origin of caste system. The Karma doctrine holds the view that a man is born in a particular caste because of the result of his action in the previous incarnation. The doctrine of Dharma explains that a man who accepts the caste system and the principles of the caste to which he belongs, is living according to Dharma.
• Ideas of exclusive family, ancestor worship, and the sacramental meal
• Clash of antagonistic cultures of the patriarchal and the matriarchal systems
• Deliberate economic and administrative policies of various conquerors (foreign invasions)
• Geographical isolation of the Indian peninsula and rural social structure
Dysfunctions of the caste system: The caste system is a check on economic and intellectual advancement and a great stumbling block in the way of social reforms because it keeps economic and intellectual opportunities confined to a certain section of the population only. It undermines the efficiency of labour and prevents capital, and productive effort. It perpetuates the exploitation of the economically weaker and socially inferior castes, especially the untouchables.
It has inflicted untold hardships on women through its insistence on practices like child-marriage, prohibition of widow-remarriage, seclusion of women etc. It opposes real democracy by giving a political monopoly to Kshatriyas in the past and acting as a vote bank in the present political scenario. There are political parties which solely represent a caste. e.g.: BSP was formed by Kanshi Ram mainly to represent SC, ST and OBC.
It has stood in the way of national and collective consciousness and proved to be a disintegrating rather than an integrating factor. Caste conflicts are widely prevalent in politics, reservation in jobs and education, inter-caste marriages etc. e.g.: Demand for Jat reservation, agitation by Patidar community.
It has given scope for religious conversion. The lower caste people are getting converted into Islam and Christianity due to the tyranny of the upper castes. The caste system by compelling an individual to act strictly in accordance with caste norms stands in the way of modernization, by opposing change.
Problem and Solution: Today caste has been playing a dividing role in India. In this same country, the spiritual principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” meaning “the world is one family” was upheld. The rishis, sages and saints always prayed “Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu” meaning “may everyone in the universe be happy.” But such noble principles are thrown up into the wind or buried today. Most political parties follow the policy of “divide and rule” meaning divide the people on caste factors and rule the country. Sadly, the present federal government has been promoting this ever since it came to power in 2014.
All autonomous bodies like judiciary, media, election commission, enforcement directorate, reserve bank of India etc. have become ‘subservient’ and follow only the directives given by the ruling government. Unfortunately, the opposition parties are divided. Hence, all good and responsible citizens, NGOs, institutions, people’s bodies must come together, sensitise the common people, form a strong national level movement, and play their role in nation building. Let us arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.
Well written.