Sem3 Vaibhav Grithlahre Sociology Project Roll No165

7/24/2019 Sem3 Vaibhav Grithlahre Sociology Project Roll No165

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Caste System and Social Stratifcation in India

PROJECT ON


SUBMITTED TO Dr. ayan a!ra"#$CU%T& O# SOCIO%O'&(

SUBMITTED B& )ai*a) +ritlareRO%% NO. ,-SEMESTER IiI

D$TE O# SUBMISSION ,/0,/0,1

2ID$&$TU%%$2 N$TION$% %$3 UNI4ERSIT&5

R$IPUR

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$c6no7led+ements

First & foremost, I take this opportunity to thank Dr. Ayan Hazra, Faculty, Sociology,

HN!, for allotting me this challenging topic to "ork on. He has #een $ery kin% in

pro$i%ing inputs for this "ork, #y "ay of suggestions.

I "oul% also like to thank my %ear colleagues an% frien%s in the !ni$ersity, "ho ha$e

helpe% me "ith i%eas a#out this "ork. ast, #ut not the least I thank the !ni$ersity

A%ministration for euipping the !ni$ersity "ith such goo% li#rary an% I.'. facilities,

"ithout "hich, no %ou#t this "ork "oul% not ha$e taken this shape in correct time.

Vaibhav Ghritlahre

Semester-III, Batch-XII

Roll no-165

$BBRE4I$TIONS USED

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&)))))))))))))))))))))))........................................An%

AI*))))))))))))))))))))))))))..All In%ia *eporter

Art)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))..Article+-)))))))))))))))))))))))..+ther ack"ar% -lasses

S-))))))))))))))))))))))))))..).Sche%ule% -aste

S'))))))))))))))))))))))))))...).Sche%ule% 'ri#e

!S))))))))))))))))))))))))!nite% States +f America

CONTENTs

1. Intro%uction)))))))))))))))))))))))))))...../

(. -aste as a system)))))))).........................................................................0

. History of caste system in In%ia ))))))))))))))))))))..2

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3. *ele$ance of caste system in In%ia)))))))))))))))))))..1

4. 5ro$isions for #ack"ar% castes in In%ian -onstitution))))))))))..)..11

/. -aste system6 An impe%iment to national gro"th)..)))))))))))).13

0. -aste system an% 5olitics in In%ia)))))))))))))))))))...14

7. -aste System an% Social Stratification))))))))))))))))))10

2. -onclusion))))))))))))))))))))))))))))...12

1. i#liography))))))))))))))))))))))))))))(1

RESEARCH E!H"#"$"G%

'his pro8ect "ork is %escripti$e & analytical in approach. It is largely #ase% on secon%ary

& electronic sources of %ata. ooks & other references as gui%e% #y faculty of sociology

are primarily helpful for the completion of this pro8ect.

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Intro&'ction

9I have no colour prejudices norcasteprejudices nor creed prejudices. All I care to know

is that a man is a human being, and that is enough for me; he can't be any worse.

-aste system hierarchically %i$i%es the society. A sense of highness an% lo"ness or

superiority an% inferiority is associate% "ith this gra%ation or ranking. 'he rahmins are

place% at the top of the hierarchy an% are regar%e% as pure or supreme. 'he %egra%e%

caste or the untoucha#les ha$e occupie% the other en% of the hierarchy. 'he status of an

in%i$i%ual is %etermine% #y his #irth an% not #y selection nor #y accomplishments. :ach

caste has its o"n customs, tra%itions practices an% rituals. It has its o"n informal rules,regulations an% proce%ures.

'he caste panchayats or the caste councils regulate the con%uct of mem#ers. 'he caste

system has impose% certain restrictions on the foo% ha#itats of the mem#ers these %iffer

from caste to caste. In North In%ia rahmin "oul% accept pakka foo% only from some

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castes lo"er than his o"n. ut he "oul% not accept kachcha foo% prepare% "ith the use

of "ater at the han%s of no other caste e=cept his o"n. As a matter of rule an% practice no

in%i$i%ual "oul% accept kachcha foo% prepare% #y an inferior casteman.

'he caste system put restriction on the range of social relations also. 'he i%ea of pollution

means a touch of lo"er caste man "oul% pollute or %efile a man of higher caste. :$en his

sha%o" is consi%ere% enough to pollute a higher caste man. 'he lo"er caste people

suffere% from certain socioem#ership in a group is only through #irth. 'he groups are e=hausti$e,

e=clusi$e, an% %iscrete? that is, e$ery person is a mem#er of such a group an% of only

one? he is clearly recognize% #y others as a mem#er of his separate group. >em#ership in

his group influences most of his separate group. >em#ership in his group influences

most of his roles an% acti$ities? there is a high %egree of 9role summation@. No one

shoul% try to change his inherite% mem#ership an% any attempts #y in%i$i%uals to shift

themsel$es to a higher group are strongly %isappro$e%.

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*elati$e ranks affect almost all social relations. >ost interaction among people of

%ifferent groups in$ol$es consi%erations of superiority an% inferiority, an% superiority

means greater pri$ileges, prece%ence an% a larger share of the goo% things in life. :ach

group is a firm entity, name%, #oun%e% self a"are, culturally homogeneous. ecause

interaction #et"een people of %ifferent groups is limite% an% that "ithin a group is more

intense, the mem#ers of a group ten% to share %istincti$e cultural characteristics. A caste

system is therefore one of cultural pluralism.

'he groups are inter%epen%ent? each nee%s the ser$ices or goo%s pro$i%e% #y others. ut

they are hel% together less #y agreement a#out mutual nee%s an% purposes than #y the

coerci$e po"er "iel%e% #y the superior groups. 'he inferior groups conform in their

actions, not necessarily in their i%eas a#out the reasons for su#ser$ient #eha$ior.

A general concomitant of such a system, erreman notes, is that the higher groups

e=plain their superiority in terms of a moral e$aluation that sho"s "hy they are

intrinsically more "orthy. 'hey take a paternalistic attitu%e to"ar%s the lo"er people,

consi%ering them to #e chil%like, irresponsi#le, an% incapa#le of finer feelings or higher

achie$ements. 'he lo"er %o not share these $ie"s #ut a%8ust to the superior po"er #y

a$oi%ing conflict, #y apathy an% psychic "ith%ra"al, or #y o$er compliance. +ther

concomitants are the restrictions on relations #et"een people of %ifferent groups. :ating

an% sitting together, marriage an% se= relations are rigi%ly controlle% or are for#i%%en.

'he higher, pri$ilege% groups hol% that the social or%er is static? the lo"er stri$e to

impro$e their status. Any system of marke% stratification is itself a source of mo#ility

moti$ation as e#len, en%i= an% ipset an% others ha$e note%. Such mo#ility stri$ing is

a constant %ynamic force in a caste system. erreman %iscerns a %ifference #et"een In%ia

an% the !.S. South in that a lo"er group in In%ia is usually more intereste% in achie$ing

superiority for the group rather than euality in the society, "hereas Southern Negroes,

#ecause the society of the %eep South has t"o main %i$isions rather than multiple groups,

ha$e o#8ecte% to the system as "ell as to their position in it. In this "ay there is more

consensus a#out the proper nature of the social system in In%ia than in the South, though

erreman stresses that in neither place %o the lo"er groups accept the concept of their

inferiority.(

2""".southasianme%ia.net;>agazine;...;castepoliticsBin%ia.htm, ast up%ate% on (/ septem#er,(1

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'he principal functions of a caste system are t perpetuate social an% cultural %i$ersities,

an% to enforce an% articulate them. 'hese functions are highly %ysfunctional in the

mo%ern "orl%, irrele$ant to human "elfare an% sources of unnecessary conflict an%

suffering.

'he critics of such %efinitions of -aste system uestion "hether the category is a useful

one. -ertain groups, such as the lo"er ranking groups in Capan, %o not fit rea%ily into the

general %efinition. 'hese critics point out, moreo$er, that specialization is essential in all

mo%ern societies an% lea%s to some %egree of stratification an% ranking. Social an%

cultural %i$ersities ha$e to #e articulate% in all societies? each separate group ten%s to

seek some pri$ileges an% po"er for its mem#ers. 'hese processes are inherent in a

comple= society an%, as processes, can scarcely #e calle% %ysfunctional. 'he tren% in

most contemporary societies is certainly a"ay from the inclusi$e, in$i%ious %istinctions

of caste %i$isions #ut also it is a"ay from cultural pluralism an% to"ar%s a cultural

conformity, "hich some %eplore. 'hose critics a%% that the %iscussions of caste systems

in general ha$e %one little to a%$ance an un%erstan%ing of caste organization in In%ian

ci$ilization.

ut at least these %iscussions of "hat is meant #y a caste system helps us to un%erstan%

the systems of In%ian society as part of the human continuum, as special phrasings an%

configurations of social processes common among much of mankin%. It is especially

important to un%erstan% the %ynamic nature of the In%ian systems, #ecause they ha$e so

often #een %epicte% as static in Hin%u scripture an% in $illagers concepts, as "ell as in

much of the "riting on the su#8ect.

Histor( o) caste s(stem in In&ia

Ve&ic *erio&+ 'he %e$elopment of the caste system in In%ia ne$er seems to #e ha$ing

any uni$ersally accepte% history as such. 'hough there is a general speculati$e faith that

the earliest settlers to this lan%, the In%o


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hymn from the *ig e%a. ater scriptures like haga$a% ita an% >anu Smriti

propoun%s four arnas, to #e o%Es creation. 'here is a general i%ea #elie$e% #y scholars

that may #e in the initial phases the caste system "as a #it fle=i#le. >igration from one

caste to the other "as possi#le #y s"itching 8o#s. arious passages from >anu Smriti an%

other scriptures emphasize that the caste system in In%ia "as originally non


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Although In%ia is apolitical %emocracy, the hierarchical caste system is %eeply roote%

into the society, "hether it is North or South, Hin%us or >uslims an% cities or $illages.

'his system of %iscrimination, #et"een the high an% lo" castes e=ists, almost in e$ery

community. 'he caste system "as e$ol$e% "hen In%ias ancient ci$ilizations, a#sor#e%

the noma%ic Aryan population "ho crosse% central Asia to enter northern In%ia. 'he four

castes %e$elope% out of necessity of its o"n social or%er an% moral an% ritual uotes. 'he

"or% caste comes from 5ortuguese "or% -asta #ree% or raceJ. 'he Sanskrit "or% that

applie% to the groupings "as arna, "hich is often interprete% as colour. Ho"e$er as

per >aha#harata, if %ifferent colors in%icate %ifferent castes the all castes are mi=e%

castes. 'he Hin%us also #elie$e% that the arna of a man is %etermine% #y his profession

an% %ee%s rather than his #irth. 'ra%itionally, the political po"er reste% "ith kshatriyas

an% rahmins "ere custo%ian of %harma. 'he aishyas "ere the tra%ers an% running the

economy "hereas, Shu%ras "ere ser$ice pro$i%ers.

'nctions o) caste s(stem+-'he caste system is cre%ite% to ensure the continuity of the

tra%itional social organization of In%ia. It has accommo%ate% multiple communities

inclu%ing in$a%ing tri#es in the In%ian society. 'he kno"le%ge an% skills of the

occupations ha$e passe% %o"n from one generation to the ne=t. 'hrough su#systems like

Ca8mani system, the caste system promote% inter%epen%ent interaction #et"een $arious

castes an% communities "ith in a $illage. 'he rituals an% tra%itions promote% cooperation

an% unity #et"een mem#ers of the %ifferent castes.

rovisions )or bac./ar& castes in In&ian Constit'tion+

'he $ision of the formulators of the In%ian -onstitution "as to %e$elop In%ia into a

socialist state. A socialist state is the one that protects an% uplifts its "eaker sections. It

stri$es to re%uce the social an% economical ineuality #et"een the people. 'o achie$e this

goal, our constitution has incorporate% se$eral pro$isions that are in the #enefit of the

"eaker sections of the society. ase% on these pro$isions the central an% state

go$ernments implement plans or frame la"s to turn this $ision into reality.

Due to the caste system pre$ailing in In%ia, the su%ras ha$e #een e=ploite% for the ages.

3""".in%ianetzone.com K *eference K History of In%ia, ast up%ate% on ( septem#er,(1

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'hey "ere %enie% the right to e%ucation an% thus "ere left languishing #ehin%, socially

an% economically. Such people ha$e #een categorize% into Sche%ule% -astes. 'ri#al

communities, "ho ne$er mi=e% "ith the main society, are similarly challenge% an% are

categorize% into S'. 'he constitution %oes not %efine the term #ack"ar% classes. It is up

to the center an% the states to specify the classes that #elong to this group. Ho"e$er, it is

un%erstoo% that classes that are not represente% a%euately in the ser$ices of the state can

#e terme% #ack"ar% classes. Further, the 5resi%ent can, un%er Art. 3, can constitute a

commission to in$estigate the con%ition of socially an% e%ucationally #ack"ar% classes.

ase% on this report, the presi%ent may specify the #ack"ar% classes.

-lause 3 of article 14 is the fountain hea% of all pro$isions regar%ing compensatory

%iscrimination for S-s;S's. 'his clause "as a%%e% in the first amen%ment to the

constitution in 1241 after the S- 8u%gement in the case of Cham*a.am #oraira0an vs

State o) a&ras. It says thus, LNothing in this article or in Article (2(J shall pre$ent the

state from making any pro$isions for the a%$ancement of any socially an% economically

#ack"ar% classes of citizens or for Sche%ule% -astes an% Sche%ule% 'ri#es.L 'his clause

starte% the era of reser$ations in In%ia. In the case of Bala0i vs State o) (sore, the S-

hel% that reser$ation cannot #e more than 4M. Art. 143J talks a#out #ack"ar% classes

an% not #ack"ar% castes thus caste is not the only criterion for #ack"ar%ness an% other

criteria must also #e consi%ere%. Finally, in the case of In&ra Sa/hne( vs nion o)

In&ia, S- uphel% the %ecision gi$en un%er ala8i $s State of >ysore that reser$ation

shoul% not e=cee% 4M e=cept only in special circumstances. Art. 14 4J clause "as

a%%e% in 2r% amen%ment in (4 an% allo"s the state to make special pro$isions for

#ack"ar% classes or S-s or S's for a%missions in pri$ate e%ucational institutions, ai%e%

or unai%e%. Art. 1/3J clause allo"s the state to reser$e $acancies in pu#lic ser$ice for

any #ack"ar% classes of the state that are not a%euately represente% in the pu#lic

ser$ices. Art. 1/ 3AJ allo"s the state to implement reser$ation in the matter

of promotion for S-s an% S's. Art. 1/3J allo"s the state to consi%er unfille% $acancies

reser$e% for #ack"ar% classes as a separate class of $acancies not su#8ect to a limit of

4M reser$ation. Art. 10 a#olish untoucha#ility an% its practice in any form. Although the

term untoucha#ility has not #een %efine% in the constitution or in any act #ut its meaning

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is to #e un%erstoo% not in a literal sense #ut in the conte=t of In%ian society. 3Due to the

$arna system, some people "ere relegate% to %o menial 8o#s such as cleaning toilets.

Such people "ere not to #e touche% an% it "as consi%ere% a sin to e$en touch their

sha%o". 'hey "ere not e$en allo"e% to enter pu#lic places such as temples an% shops.

'he constitution stri$es to remo$e this a#horring practice #y not only making the

pro$ision a fun%amental right #ut also allo"s punishment to "hoe$er practices or a#ets it

in any form. 'o"ar%s this en%, 5rotection of -i$il *ights Act 1244 "as enacte%. Art. 3

5ro$i%es reser$ation in 1; seats in 5anchayats to S-;S'.

Art. 1/3 Appoint special minister for tri#al "elfare in the states of >5, ihar, an% +%isha.

Art. (04 Allo"s special grant in ai%s to states for tri#al "elfare. Art. an% ( allo"

reser$ation of seats for S-;S' in the parliament as "ell as in state legislatures. Art. 4

Allo"s rela=ation in ualifying marks for a%mission in e%ucational institutes or

promotions for S-s;S's. Art. 36 Allo"s the presi%ent to appoint a commission to

in$estigate the con%ition of socially an% economically #ack"ar% classes an% ta#le the

report in the parliament.

Reservations+

In%ian constitution en$isages a state "here e$ery#o%y is treate% eually. :$en in the

pream#le, the constitution stri$es to pro$i%e euality in opportunity. Further, the

constitution a%opts the concept of Llike shoul% #e treate% alikeL as the #asis of euality.

'hus, it is $ery clear that the constitution guarantees special pro$isions to #e ma%e for the

#etterment of special classes of citizens. In 5art I, the constitution has lai% %o"n

se$eral articles that pro$i%e preferential treatment to #ack"ar% classes.

'here can #e se$eral "ays through "hich the con%ition of #ack"ar% classe% can #e

impro$e% an% reser$ation is one such "ay. So it can #e safely sai% that although

reser$ation is not guarantee% #y the constitution or it is not a constitutional right #ut it is

certainly protecte% #y the constitution as a mechanism to uplift the un%erpri$ilege%

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classes.

Critical Anal(sis an& ersonal vie/+

In my $ie", reser$ation, in principle, is an effecti$e means of impro$ing the con%ition of

socially an% economically #ack"ar% classes. Further, since "rongs "ere %one against

S-;S's in the name of caste system, I #elie$e that they shoul% #e meaningfully

compensate%. Ho"e$er, it must #e alienate% from politics for truly #enefiting these

classes. It must #e ensure% that this #enefit goes to the really %eser$ing people an% not to

those "ho ha$e alrea%y a$aile% its #enefit. 'he o#8ecti$e of reser$ation shoul% #e to #ring

an en% to reser$ation itself #y uplifting e$ery one of the #ack"ar% classes.

'herefore, I think that the 8u%gement %eli$ere% in the case of In&ra Sa/hne( vs nion

o) In&ia #y the S- in 122 is a $ery fair one #ecause it #alances the amount of

compensation "ith general efficiency of a%ministration #y capping reser$ation to 4M. It

also ensures that the #enefits are not hogge% #y the alrea%y empo"ere% people e=clusion

of creamy layerJ.4

Caste s(stem+ An im*e&iment to national 2ro/th

If there is one thing that is a characteristic of an In%ian, irrespecti$e of his region, his

language an% e$en his religion, then it is his or her caste. In%ia has a long history of a

society %i$i%e% in %ifferent castes an% Caats, "hich goes #eyon% (4 years. 'here are

mentions of a society #ase% on $arnas classJ that are %eci%e% #y the occupation or

interests of a person, in the e%as, that are the ol%est "ritten #ooks of Hin%u religion.

+$er a perio% of time, these classes #etter kno"n as castes #ecame a here%itary

phenomenon, making castes permanent. 'he caste system is not restricte% to Hin%us only,

as there are %ifferent castes among >uslims an% also at some places in In%ia, among

-hristians. ut the most rigi%, pre$alent an% uni$ersal caste system e=ists among Hin%usthat constitute 7 percent of the population.

'o un%erstan% caste system, it is important to un%erstan% its history an% e$olution in

In%ian conte=t. Initially, the society "as %i$i%e% among 3 ma8or castes or classes, that

"ere rahmans, Oshatriyas ,aisyas an% Shu%ras. 'he caste of a person "as %eci%e% #y

5in%iaBresource.tripo%.com;social.htm, ast up%ate% on ( septem#er,(1

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his or her occupation. 5eople "ho "ere kno"le%gea#le, ha% intellectual #ent of min% an%

"ere a scholar, a teacher or a learne% man "ere the rahmans. Oshatriyas "ere the

people in the occupation of "arfare, kings an% other "arriors. aisyas "ere the

#usinessman, shopkeepers, an% tra%ers etc. An% the last castes "ere the group of people

"ho performe% %aily %ay


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many meritorious stu%ents 8o#less. I #elie$e reser$ation, if pro$i%e%, shoul% #e on

economical #asis. As the current reser$ations are more of a political stunt then an actual

step in the %irection of %oing a"ay "ith -aste system.

Caste s(stem an& olitics in In&ia

In%ia #oasts of running the largest %emocracy successfully for o$er / years. No" the

time has come to re$isit the facts an% analyze one of the key areas "here "e ha$e faile%

to achie$e "hat "as inten%e%. In%ian political arena has un%ergone ra%ical changes from

the moment "e ha$e attaine% free%om from the shackles of the ritish. 5olitics in In%ia

"hich "ere suppose% to #e free from %iscrimination an% e=ploitation, ha$e taken a turn

aroun% the moment po"er has #een han%e% o$er to these frau%ulent politicians. -aste

#ase% political parties ha$e emerge% "ith a $icious intention of cashing on $ote #ank of

the most comman%ing class in terms of num#er. -aste #ase% political parties ha$e

initiate% a #rutal process of concentrating on the large $ote #ank of a particularcaste.

>ahatma an%hi an% . *. Am#e%kar ha% ra%ically %ifferent approaches to caste

especially o$er constitutional politics an% the status of Luntoucha#lesL. /'ill the mi%

Sem3 Vaibhav Grithlahre Sociology Project Roll No165

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