The Preamble of the Constitution of India boasts India to be a country, Sovereign, Socialist Secular, Democratic and Republic, and ensures to its citizens, the liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. Secularism is the basic structure of our Indian Constitution. Secularism essentially means treating all religions at par with each other without creating disparity between any. Known for its multiplicity of religions, varied traditions, diverse cultures, and myriads of languages of people belonging to different castes and communities, India has successfully fascinated people around the world. The basic fabric of our country remains unaltered despite great historical progression, starting from numerous ruling dynasties and foreign invasions to the Mughal and the British Rule.
We, Indians, never forego an opportunity of taking pride in the fact that India is a land of multiple religions and that despite such diversity, we are still called as ONE Nation, and this is exactly where my concern arises. A land accommodating substantial population, belonging to four major castes and several sub-castes, India has been divided on the basis of caste, creed, color, religion, sex, region, language and the list never ends. While there are four major religions professed in India, there are more than 3000 castes and sub-castes (or jatis). Caste is in reference to the social system, conferred at the birth and remains with an individual throughout his life. He is tagged with the name of the particular caste he is born into.
My mind, not getting ready to accept the pre-existing caste system being aped mindlessly by our descendants, gets little curious to know the origin and purpose of the caste system in India. On researching and laying my hands wherever I could, I am able to understand that there are different theories for establishment of the caste system.
To some, the Traditional Theory holds well, according to which, the caste system has been evolved by Lord Brahma (who is considered to be the creator of the Universe). Different men were created from different parts of his body. The Brahmans were created from his head/mouth; the Kshatrias from his hands; the Vaishias from his thighs and the Sudras from his feet. For few, the introduction of caste system dates back to the advent of Aryans in India.
Then there is a biological theory, explained by some, according to which, based on different qualities inherited by people, different professions were allotted to them. High qualities like wisdom and intelligence were supposedly inherited by Brahmins, and so they were given the task of preaching and priest-ing. Kshatriyas and Vaishias, essentially inherited qualities of a fighter, like gallantry, passion, pride and valour, and so became warriors and traders. Mostly the negative qualities like inability, stupidity, lack of creativity etc. were inherited by Shudras, and so, they were assigned the menial and dirty tasks like cleaning, to be performed.
Whosoever was the architect of the caste system in India, I realised that the main purpose, back then, behind this dissection was division of various tasks based upon the intellect of people. However, unfortunately, since then, the idea of caste division has only deteriorated, to the benefit of the upper caste and disadvantage to the lower. The so called Brahmins, or the most elite class, have started thinking themselves to be far superior to any other caste, specifically the Shudras (lower most caste) and treat them as way mediocre to them. Being born into a Brahmin family, makes them believe that they are superior to all, irrespective of the rationality they are born with!!
Staying in metro cities, we don’t really get to see the level at which the caste system is typically practised in major parts of India. Being born and brought up in a modernised Punjabi family based out of Delhi, I had never truly witnessed the extremities in which the so-called caste system is professed. However, once I grew up and got to interact with people belonging to different communities, hailing from different cities, belonging to so called different castes, could I really understand the true meaning of caste system which had been designed way back centuries ago. Until now, for me, I understood the importance of caste system as merely a chapter that I had read in the school History books. But having grown up and after interacting with people belonging to different religions, castes, communities, do I realise the true existence of caste system in India. People of lower castes are still not allowed to enter temples, they are still looked down upon as being unworthy of anything.
Till the time I am made aware about different prophecies associated with particular religions, communities, castes, it is in interesting to be a part of such diverse culture and explore history and dynamics related to different religions and castes, India was blessed or rather suppressed with!! The reason I use this oxymoronic style for addressing the caste system as a blessing or a suppression (or condemnation) for India, is that the main intent behind introduction of such caste system has lost its significance over the period of time. When this difference in existence turns into competition and swerves into the concept of ‘survival of the fittest’, it raises my concern.
Surprisingly, even highly educated people are still caught in the labyrinth of superiority-inferiority of their own caste and religion. People are still divided as being Hindus or Muslims and not accepting the bond that two individuals between different communities share. Our parents belong to an age where accepting inter-caste unification is such a herculean task, let alone them permitting inter-religion union!! Where is UNITY then, is what my mind constantly asks me.
Critics say that in issues of national importance, we all are united as one nation and help all, be it the Kargil war, or Terrorism, or the crisis in Kashmir, or earthquake in Gujarat, or tragedy in Uttrakhand, etc. I think this is the least that we, as citizens of one India, can do!! I truly appreciate and support that at least in the need of such crisis, we citizens realise and accept that human life comes way above the dissection of religion and caste. But my sole concern rises when the issues of religion superiority emanates, when people belonging to different castes and communities start treating people from other castes and communities as different and alien to them, when our politicians take advantage of this divide and play around!!
Despite such diversity, we boast of unity. According to some European writers, “It is this principle of Hindu social constitution that has enabled the nation to sustain without being shattered to pieces, that the tremendous stocks given by the numerous political conventions and religious upheavals that have occurred during the last thousand years.” Such words do inspire me and re-establish my faith in India as a nation. But I truly believe that its’ time for us to stay united as humans, even before as Brahmins, Kshatriyas etc. or as Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians.
I can proudly say that the educated youth of modern India is way ahead of the divided India. Being a citizen of a Nation which requires development not just infrastructure wise, but also cognitively, my mind worries when I look at the youth not-so-educated, not-so-technologically blessed, who are caught in the interiors of our country, and are raised with age old beliefs and concepts, who still believe that Shudras are the untouchables and Brahmins are the elite class; who still believe that Hindu-Muslim-Sikh-Christian is a big divide and being known by your religion/caste is primary than by your intellect.
