CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIA BY AARYAKA

The caste system is the bane for the Indian society. It divides the Indian society into
sectarian groups and classes. Even today, it plays a predominant role in our society

despite the growth of culture and civilization.

The terms ‘Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes’ (SC/ST) are the official terms used in
government documents to identify former untouchables and tribes. However, in 2008
the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, noticing that the word ‘Dalit’ was used
interchangeably with the official term ‘Scheduled Castes’, asked the State Governments
to end the use of the word ‘Dalit’ in official documents by calling the term
‘unconstitutional’ and to replace it with the term ‘Scheduled Caste’ instead.
The roots of the caste system are traced back to the ancient ages. While one view
discriminates between the castes as upper and lower castes on the basis of their origin,
another view traces the origin of the castes to varnas which classifies the caste system
on the basis of their functions. Since then, it was found that undue advantage was taken
by the section of people having an upper hand and a say in the community, leading to
discrimination and exploitation of the weaker sections of community.
The people from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, referred to as ‘untouchables’
form one-sixth of India’s population or 160 million; they endure discrimination and
segregation.

Evil faces of this system

Many villages are separated by caste and they may not cross the line dividing them from

the higher castes. They also may not use the same wells or drink in the same tea stalls as
higher castes.

Discrimination

They often do not have the facility to electricity, sanitation facilities or water pumps in
lower caste neighborhoods. Access to better education, housing and medical facilities
than that of the higher castes is denied.

Division of labor

They are restricted to certain occupations like sanitation work, plantation work, leather
works, cleaning streets, etc.

Slavery

They are subjected to exploitation in the name of debt, tradition, etc., to work as

laborers or perform menial tasks for generations together.

Government Initiatives

The Indian Government has enacted laws to remove untouchability and has also

brought in many reforms to improve the quality of life for the weaker sections of

society. Few among them are:

Constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights

These measures adopted by the government have brought some relief to the weaker

sections of society. The urban areas have shown good amount of impact and some
improvement. However, people in rural areas and villages still face extreme

discrimination. We indeed have a long way to go in achieving the objectives set to

eradicate and abolish discrimination, on the basis of caste and creed. It now depends on

our efforts and a change in our mindset is sure to see a perpetual change, bringing about

equality for all.

Right to Equality
The fundamental fights are guaranteed to protect the basic human rights of all citizens
of India and are put into effect by the courts, subject to some limitations. One of such

fundamental rights is the Right to Equality. Right to Equality refers to the equality in the
eyes of law, discarding any unfairness on grounds of caste, race, religion, place of birth

sex. It also includes equality of prospects in matters of employment, abolition of

India highlight the Right to Equality in detail. This fundamental right is the major

foundation of all other rights and privileges granted to Indian citizens. It is one of the

chief guarantees of the Constitution of India. Thus, it is imperative that every citizen of

India has easy access to the courts to exercise his/her Right to Equality.

Various articles under the Right to Equality are explained

Equality Before Law

Equality before law is well defined under the Article 14 of the Constitution which

ensures that every citizen shall be likewise protected by the laws of the country. It
means that the State will not distinguish any of the Indian citizens on the basis of their

gender, caste, creed, religion or even the place of birth. The state cannot refuse equality

before the law and equal defense of the law to any person within the territory of India.

In other words, this means that no person or groups of people can demand for any

special privileges. This right not only applies to the citizens of India but also to all the

people within the territory of India.

Social Equality and Equal Access to Public Areas

The right of Social Equality and Equal Access to Public Areas is clearly mentioned under

the Article 15 of the Constitution of India stating that no person shall be shown

favoritism on the basis of color, caste, creed language, etc. Every person shall have

equal admittance to public places like public wells, bathing ghats, museums, temples

etc. However, the State has the right to make any special arrangement for women and
children or for the development of any socially or educationally backward class or

scheduled castes or scheduled tribes. This article applies only to citizens of India.

Equality in Matters of Public Employment

Article 16 of the Constitution of India clearly mentions that the State shall treat

everyone equally in the matters of employment. No citizen shall be discriminated on

the basis of race, caste, religion, creed, descent or place of birth in respect of any

employment or office under the State. Every citizen of India can apply for government

jobs. However, there are some exceptions to this right. The Parliament may pass a law

mentioning that specific jobs can only be filled by candidates who are residing in a

particular area. This requirement is mainly for those posts that necessitate the

knowledge of the locality and language of the area.

Apart from this, the State may also set aside some posts for members of backward

classes, scheduled castes or scheduled tribes which are not properly represented in the

services under the State to uplift the weaker sections of the society. Also, a law may be

passed which may entail that the holder of an office of any religious institution shall

also be a person professing that specific religion. Though, this right shall not be granted

to the overseas citizens of India as directed by the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2003.

Abolition of Untouchability

Article 17 of the Constitution of India abolishes the practice of untouchability in India.

Practice of untouchability is declared as a crime and anyone doing so is punishable by

1976) states punishments for not allowing a person to enter a place of worship or from

taking water from a well or tank.

Abolition of Titles

Article 18 of the Constitution of India prohibits the State from granting any titles.

Citizens of India are not allowed to accept titles from a foreign State. Titles like Rai
Bahadurs and Khan Bahadurs given by the British government have also been abolished.

Nevertheless, academic and military distinctions can be conferred upon the citizens of
India. The awards of ‘Bharat Ratna’ and ‘Padma Vibhushan’ cannot be used by the

beneficiary as a title and is not prohibited by the Constitution of India. From 15

December 1995, the Supreme Court has sustained the validity of such awards.

To conclude, the ‘Right to Equality’ should not only remain on papers. This right should

be properly exercised; otherwise it will lose its essence if all the citizens of India,

especially the weaker and backward classes do not have equal rights and equality
before law.

It is 1942 and 10-year-old Anjali's mother has joined India's freedom struggle. Anjali gets

unwillingly involved in the turmoil. She has to give up her biases against the Dalit community, or

the so-called untouchables, and sacrifice her foreign-made clothes for khadi. When her world

turns upside down, will Anjali be able to overcome her internal struggles and summon the courage

needed to complete her mother's social reform work? Inspired by her great-grandmother's

experience working with Gandhi, Supriya Kelkar brings to life the stories of the unsung heroes of

India's War of Independence.

Source: vikaspedia