Should we identify ourselves with our caste?
There is a discussion at The Other India that I have been a part of and some interesting points stand out from the whole discussion.
I wish to ponder about one point made by suresh about losing your identity based on caste. While I agree that it is nobody’s business to tell anybody how to identify himself or even how not to identify themselves, A few questions then arise in my mind…
- What are the reasons that we tend to identify ourselves with our caste?
- What good possibly comes out for a “lower” caste person to identify himself with his caste?
- Why would a person from an “Upper” caste not identify himself with his caste?
- Is it our religious beliefs that make us so tied to our caste?
These are the questions that I think if answered will help us understand better if abolishing caste by a legislation makes any sense at all.
What are the reasons that we tend to identify ourselves with our caste?
The first and foremost reason is that caste is something that we inherit and what we inherit is something we have to live with. We don’t question that and we grow up with that identity since childhood. Historically people with different castes have had different life styles and have been following different food habits, customs and traditions. We grow up with these customs, traditions and life style as ours and some of these customs and rituals are unique to our caste. When we think of those customs they automatically get tied to the caste. We do not have to make any extra effort to identify with our caste, it just comes naturally to us.
Another reason is the in built-in social hierarchy in our caste-system. A brahmin being on the top of the hierarchy feels good about being a brahmin and wants to maintain his caste. A Shudra or a Dalit does not enjoy the same position but are made aware of their position in the social hierarchy by those holding the top positions. Such acts in the society reinforces the notion of caste on a daily basis. We being a part of the society cannot escape it.
What good possibly comes out for a “lower” caste person to identify himself with his caste?
Given the social handicaps that accompany a person from the lower caste, I cannot think of a single reason why someone from the lower caste will not be willing to shed off the caste identities.
In today’s world one reason could be to avail the facilities/benefits provided by the government to help elevate their economic status. I wouldn’t even consider this a reason but judging from the numerous cases of fake caste certificates, it can be seen that even people from the “upper castes” are willing to be identified as “lower caste”. This I think is a trend more in urban and semi urban areas.
Why would a person from an “Upper” caste not identify himself with his caste?
Due to the social hierarchy, any upper caste person can easily harbor a false “superiority complex”. The brahmins enjoy the top position and they are treated with some respect no matter what their economic status is. This is more evident in the rural areas. Given this, why would the brahmins not want to identify themselves as brahmins? Why would they want to lose the social position that they have been enjoying for ages?
One reason as I mentioned before is the case of fake caste certificates that the upper caste would identify themself not with their own caste but with a lower caste. Such cases are observed only in the poorer segement of the upper caste.
The only reason why an upper caste will be willing to shed ther caste identity would be when the caste becomes irrelevant. Meaning there is niether a benefit nor a handicap for belonging to any particular caste. RealityCheck makes the same argument in one of his comments at a The Other India.
Is it our religious beliefs that make us so tied to our caste?
This question is an important one. If a caste identity is sanctified in the religion then people have every reason to identify with the caste.
Many authors have argued that the caste system is in built in hinduism and there are many others who do not think so. One such article written by M.V Nadkarni argues that the caste system is not intrinsic to hinduism. It is a long article and makes some compelling points.
On the other hand Ambedkar’s Annihilation Of Caste and Who were the shudras makes a case that the religious sanction to the caste system is provided by our religious texts. He even argues that it goes as far as the Rig Veda quoting verses from the Purusha Sukta.
I am in no position to comment which theory is correct but I wish Mr Nadkarni is correct because it would make it easier to abolish caste. If he is wrong then the abolishing caste amounts to a reform of the hindu religion which is a much tougher task.
Mr. Suraj Bhan had made some progress towards reforming the hindu religion. Below is an excerpt from this news article at dalits.org. His efforts indicate that the caste is so tied with the religion and he would have to take help from the shankaracharyas to Delete Dalit slur from scriptures
Delete “objectionable references” to Dalits from the scriptures if you want to intensify the fight against untouchability, says National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman Suraj Bhan. Bhan claims he has the blessings of the Sankaracharya of Sringeri Mutt has for his demand and he will soon meet other Sankaracharyas to garner support for his cause. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Bhan said that references like dhol gan-war shudra pashu nari, sakal tadan keadhikari (drum, illiterate, Dalit, animal, women, all are fit only to be beaten) in Ramcharitmanas should not be allowed in print in a society with a Constitution giving equal rights to all. He said fresh edited versions of these scriptures should be brought out. Bhan said the Commission will hold conferences in all the states to “generate awakening” on the subject. In a bid to garner support for his endeavour, Bhan met the religious head of the Sringeri seat earlier last week. “He has agreed to support my cause and
asked me to speak to other Sankara-charyas on this issue and then a joint appeal can be made,” he said.
It can thus be seen that there are arguments to both sides but even though I would like to believe Mr Nadkarni there are evidences pointing to the contrary. He argues that the caste system is evident in the DharmaShastras and that the Dhrmashastras are just rule books and do not form a part of hinduism. This might be a very valid point but difficult to sell.
Caste-System in India is visible not only among Hindus but also Sikhs, Muslims and Christians as pointed out by this article at backwardpeople. If anybody has to think of abolishing caste, it is not only hinduism that would need reform but Indian version of Islam, Christianity and Sikhism. Though it might be easier with other religions because the religious leaders of other religions blame hinduism for “polluting” their religion with the caste system.
Should we then identify ourvselves with our caste?
It is obvious that this is not an easy question. Even if one is not caste conscious there are many subtle things that makes one identify with his caste. We have seen that there is some impact of religion on the caste system as well. When the religion comes in picture, it is easy to lose sight of reason and blindly follow what it says.
However difficult it may seem, my personal view point is that we should not identify with our caste. The lower castes in my view do not want to identify with the caste anyway. So it mostly comes to the upper castes. We all should make a conscious effort to erase caste boundaries. If religious reform is needed, we should encourage every effort that aims for it. Any person or organisiation promoting the view that caste system is not intrinsic to hinduism should be encouraged with all the support. The Caste system, when branded as an evil and spoken as not being a part of hinduismin in the same breath is likely to get denounced by the religious leaders as well. Once it gets established that caste is not a part of religion the case to abolish caste might get easier.
I would also like to ponder on what would happen if we were to abolish the caste by a legislative action. But that for later…
August 29, 2006
Posted in: Caste, Caste System, India
9 Responses
See http://www.mybuildingsociety.net. See all the photos there. Read all the captions. And then tell me what is caste?
Shivam,
I went through all the photos and the captions. To me it looks like one happy community. But honestly I fail to understand what you wanted to convey by giving this link. I would appreciate if you would elaborate on your point. The community is caste based and I wonder if they are open to people from other castes. I mean if a Dalit comes and lives in that society, will they incude him in all the festivities if he wants to be a part of it?
Also I read your post about Caste and the City at http://www.ambedkar.org/News/News1207041.htm and I find it appalling to see this blatant caste discrimination in the capital city. This is why I think that caste has to go. I know for sure that it needs to go but I just don’t know how?
Dear Polite Indian:
I have to say that I am very impressed with your clarity and logical flow in your article trying to address a complex and complicated issue such as ‘caste’ and ‘our identity’ that goes with it.
I expected to write a blog on this but after reading yours I think you have left little for me to write!
Having said that, I think you asked the right questions. Asking the right questions is the first step. It takes lot of courage and guts to ask right questions.
But if I were you, I would push the envelope little further. I think, in trying to take a balanced view you have not expressed your inner thoughts completely. After reading your questions and answers I am not sure if I could figure out why caste is so important to Indians (if it wasn’t important it should have gone away long ago). I realize that you want it go away. But you also realize that it may not.
How does one solve such a problem?
I may not write a blog on this. Instead I ask you to write one more in which you ask harder questions that go deep deep into our value systems.
The answers you find may not be comforting. Usually most often such detailed inquiry results in truths which are discomforting.
There has to be a reason why caste system prevailed so long. There has to be reason why people hold onto it no matter. Just because they tell you they don’t care about it doesn’t make it go away. Look at every matrimonial- its all caste based. When one knows that one of the effective ways to combat caste is inter-caste marriage (as suggested by Ambedkar) why do people not go for inter-caste marriage?
What is in each of us which make us cling to caste? Do we like it? Is it a matter of convenience? How can a matter of convenience withstand thousands of years? Does it benefit certain sections perpetuate their dominance? And if so, how in and what ways do they influence this perpetuity and thus benefit from this dominance?
[I apologize for taking so long to visit your site and read through this]
Dear Sujai,
Thanks for those words of encouragement.
I was thinking of coming up with a follow up post and make an attempt to further consolidate my thoughts on this.
You bring up some interesting questions in your comment and it is the answers to questions like these that will help us understand the problem better.
I am glad you stopped by.
Well written article PI. Read your other posts as well, you write well - balanced and thoughtful.
Back to the topic here, let me add one more color to your thoughts. Many hindu right wingers are up in arms against “coversions” and are pressing for legal measures. But dont you think this caste-system (coupled with poverty) encourages these conversions. Why would an ill-treated low caste Hindu not consider turning over to Islam or Christianity? In fact, there are suggestions that many Indian Muslims are low-caste converts from Hinduism. Instead of getting upset over this ‘poaching’, Hindus (we) need to take a stock of (our) own stupid complexities that must go away. Birth based caste-system of today is a serious impedence for progress.
silkboard,
Thanks for the kind words.
You are spot on about the relationship of caste and “conversion”. In fact most conversions in the past have happened from the people of oppressed castes. Be it to Islam or Christianity.
I believe caste is an evil that plagues the Indian society and we better take steps towards eradicating it. The hindutva brigade has never been seen uttering a word against caste system. In fact most conservatives want the Caste system to stay and have opposed most steps to dismantle them.
The caste based prejudices in India are very prevalent and people who are not on the receiving end of it don’t feel like talking about it. I think it is time the Indian society as a whole realised its responsibilities and took corrective measures towards mitigating the ills of the birth based caste system.
Caste was one subject which I always thought I have good handle on. More I am reading about it more I find the folly of my thought. I have been browsing your blog and lot of other blogs. Lot of things come to mind. Will consolidate my thoughts and write something about it.
For your this post (for all posts in general) I think they very good writings. Balanced, well thought, analytical and mostly non-controversial. Just as you say it POLITE…
While I do believe if this will be a forum where I would be discussing my viewpoints. I do believe the question whether or not we should identify ourselves with caste…. You did not gave any concrete answer. Your thoughts do not look fully expressed. While you do say that there is bias in the caste system the evils of the SYSTEM are not fully explored. But thanks for calling it a system.
Identity is mix of various things. Basically you grow up with it and then you build it more. Its like asking me to abandon concept of family while I grew up with it. (May be the example is not best here) To give up anything the rewards for should be worthwhile and for greater good. So If someone stops identifying himself with caste how is that going to change anything…
Will people stop calling pundits for Pujas? Will Mathurs of Delhi will start celebrating with Jataws of Munirka? Or the Bhumihars or Jehanabad will celebrate life with Chamars.
Caste is everywhere. Its from the minds to body to the soul of each individual. Never I have been in a relation where I do not have to tell my caste before getting in to full committed relation. While caste as identity has been a great tool of finding about nature of a person…
You are a Brahmin so you will be veggie. You will now lot of mantras…. You are Thakur so you will be brave. The threads of caste web have been weave tightly into fabric of this society.
What should we do so that people stop identifying themselves with caste system? There is no magic formula. Lets talk about it…
By birth someone is a Brahmin, Thakur, or backward. There traditions differ. They are separated from each other like watertight silos. Everyone has separate traditions. Infuse new traditions. Break these silos. Shivjayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi does not restrict people from mixing. Lets make backwards to perform pujas in Kashi and other important religious locations.
High symbols of the castist system are Pujas, Land ownership, works of lesser social prestige.. These symbols needs to loose significance. Supreme court last year made an observation that inter caste marriages as good means of mixing the society. Encourage them… Allow people to have more than one caste. Propose free education for all multi-caste children. Children with parents from different caste can use govt policies using the caste that suits them the most.
There is nothing wrong in preserving the traditions without the ills of it. Asking people to abandon part of identity you must know will be a far fetched dream. It would be possible by taking one step at a time.
Redefine the processes of modifying religious texts. Perform these modifications by symbols of the society who are the flag barriers for these customs. Let the shankaracharya declare that caste is not a integral part of Hindu religion.
Like every system there may be a way to modify religion, caste and eliminate ills coming from them. Radical changes in life does not come through very easily. While if the changes evolve and flow through system they cause minimal damage and massive acceptance.
We will be hypocrites if start saying don’t identify our self with a caste and with the same rhythm we also ask government to identify students in the school so that they should take the benefits of the policies for the backwards. We will be a hypocrites if we ask people not to identify themselves with caste and then ask Infosys Tata and other companies to hire the employees from lower caste. Social transformations will come from accepting the ills not from denying them.
Finally I think if we do not identify ourselves with caste, we should not look at it as transaction where there will be gainers and loosers. Look at it as how much good will it bring to todays society in totality if caste is gone. How will that happen? I don’t know.
I think you are mixing several things here- the professional life and private life of citizens. Caste system has survived in diffferent forms over 20 centuries or more. We dont have enough data as to whether it was always like what it is now or not. It is impossible to remove these barriers within a generation or two. Giving professional equality and equal legal access is the first step. You cannot force people to change their private life- you can only ban its expression in public. You have to wait until equal opportunities will erase the inequalities in public life and in private in that order. Unfortunately, caste is highly political these days and the politicians have been successful in creating a terrible divide among not just castes but also between hindus and muslims and the number of intercaste unions is on the decrease compared to the eighties. I talked to a person from pakistan a couple of weeks ago and he said that they have a different sort of caste problem out there-powerful family names own almost all the wealth it seems.
Thanks so much Sometimes the best way to hold onto something is to let it go. ~Author Unknown
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