The debate whether the caste system has a religious basis is hindering efforts to find a solution as the political exploitation of the situation.
The caste system exists, despite being illegal, and it is abhorrent. It is a socio-economic order that exploits and demeans the lower section of the order, today known as Dalits. The crucial point is that the grouping within the system is hereditary. The caste system has been historically perpetuated by stating that it has religious sanction.
Many Hindu academics deny the religious basis of the caste system, as it exists. They claim that the system as originally propagated in the scriptures is merely a system of division of labor, that is essential for societal functioning and that exists in every society. The position a person occupies in the system is based on ability and not birth.
We have seen that Hindu scriptures embody a wide range of often-conflicting beliefs. Hence it is easy for both the proponents of the religious basis of the caste system and its opponents to quote from the scriptures. Many times quotations are taken out of context. However the fact is that this debate is purely academic and diverts from the issue at hand.
Today the need is to get rid of this system, whether it at one time had a religious basis or not. Most Hindus believe that religion evolves and even if Hinduism at one time supported a hereditary caste system, it cannot do so now. But getting rid of the caste system is easier said than done. Some of the impediments are listed below.
- Dalits want quick fix solutions. They are not amenable to a slow process of change. This system has existed for at least 2000 years. It is difficult to change the mindset of those who are benefiting under this system overnight, because these people will have to concede situations of socio-economic power. Quick fix solutions will not work.
- Dalits want to penalize the non-Dalits. The present non-Dalits did not impose the system. Many of them are not in favor of it. Many of them are in dire economic situation despite having a higher social rank. Hence there is a resentment to this rob Peter to pay Paul attitude, which leads to a clash and hampers the corrective process.
- The political leadership of the Dalits does not really want a change, despite the noises they make. The Dalits today constitute about half the Indian population, which makes a massive vote bank. The Dalit leaders are cultivating this vote bank by keeping passions high but not allowing concrete reforms.
Therefore for every one step taken forward the Indian society is taking two steps back and therein lies the problem.
