Kamal Ghorui
This is the 21st Century. One would think that the evils of caste, creed, race would be relics of the past. Yet – oppression, racism, exploitation – continue to flourish, across the world.
In India, we have the ubiquitous and iniquitous caste prejudices, where the so-called backward classes are more often than not, the targets of discrimination. Dalit suicides. Dalits lynched. Dalits raped. Dalits ostracized. Dalits refused entry to temples; barred from taking water from common water sources. This is not a current trend. This gross inequality, illegality, and bondage, is appallingly rooted in India, through the ages.
At the outset, it is important to note, that the caste system is a blot on Indian Society, more specifically on the Hindu Community; and not, as commonly perceived, on the Hindu Religion. (more on this, later in the piece).
Offences against the vulnerable classes occur with impunity across the country; with little, or no action taken against the offenders. Indeed, there is no crusade, let alone any kind of protest, against this unlawful casteism. Politicians of all hues, turn a blind eye to the ground situation. Needless to say, the very same ‘Netas’, go all out to woo the ‘vote bank’, before any election.
Casteism must go, and go quickly, if India is to remain true to its ideals of diversity, inclusivity and true brotherhood. Any bias, based on caste, is illegal, and against the Indian Constitution; and I will come to the legal aspects a little later.
Before I go further, I must state that I am a proud Indian; of the Hindu faith; and, if one needs to know my ‘caste’ – a Brahmin.
The Caste System is not central to Hinduism
Hinduism is a very unique, old, high principled and dynamic religion; grounded in tolerance and inclusiveness. How then, can there be room for this insidious division of human beings, based on ancestral occupation and birth?
I am no scholar; but grew up with the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Panchatantra, and the osmosis of spiritual thoughts from the Vedas and Upanishads, voiced by the elders. Moreover, throughout the ages, Indian soil, embedded in Hinduism, embraced foreign beliefs; faiths that were transplanted nurtured; and then flourished in the welcoming, egalitarian Indian land.
I wondered therefore, how an advanced, liberal, inclusive philosophy like Hinduism, could be linked to such flagrant unfairness, as the caste system. It was plainly inconsistent.
On the face of it, yes, Hindu society for the last several centuries, and shockingly, till today, is divided into castes, founded on the pernicious edifice of birth. However, this malady cannot be attributed to the core beliefs of Hinduism.
One must go back to the Vedas, Upanishads, the Gita, to find the spirit of Hinduism – that of Dharma (good conduct). The essence of Dharma is uprightness and justice. A righteous philosophy cannot embrace prejudices, based on birth. Indeed, the heart of all religions, is that the way to God, is through the principled way one lives.
The caste system comes from blatant violations of Hindu Dharma. Casteism is patently man-made, and has thus degenerated and filtered down the ages.
While researching recently on the subject, I came across a fascinating, detailed, analytical article by M.V. Nadkarni (author and economist); published in the Economic and Political Weekly, dt Nov 8th, 2003, and titled: “Is Caste System intrinsic to Hinduism? Demolishing a Myth”. The article superbly and factually, delinks the caste system from the Hindu religion.
Key Points from Nadkarni’s article -(paraphrasing):
Hinduism repeatedly emphasizes the principle that it is conduct alone that defines a person.
Hindu canon and philosophy spurns any divisions based on caste. In spite of this, the caste system emerged and survived, due to factors that had nothing to do with Hindu religion.
For about the first half of the long history of Hinduism (4000 BCE to the present day), there was Hinduism, without the caste system. There was considerable social mobility in the post-Vedic period too.
Basically, the Shrutis (Vedas and Upanishads), do not mention the Caste System. The Manusmriti does. But, where there is a conflict between the Smritis and the Shrutis, the latter prevails. An entire Upanishad, named Vajrasuchika, is devoted to an attack on the caste system based on birth.
Yes, there is a mention of Varnas (four castes) in the Rig Veda; but this was towards the end of that period. Moreover, it was an interpolation, added much
later, after the caste system was established; as Ambedkar himself has stated. (Ref: RS Sharma – Sudras in Ancient India, p 29)
Critics should note the fact that Hindu scriptures have backed liberalism and humanism by undermining birth; upholding the character and basic worth of persons, as being important. The Mahabharata makes this point very strongly, reflecting a revolt against the caste system rooted in birth.
Thirukkural, an ancient text, also known as the Tamil Veda, and authored by the legendary poet and philosopher, Thiruvalluvar, stresses the same lofty principles:
Let him who thinks inequity, be warned that ruin awaits him’ ; ‘All men are born alike; the differences are due to differences in what they do.’
Modern Hinduism, elucidated by Swami Vivekananda, Aurobindo and others, also rejected the caste system.
In essence, classical Hindu texts, all have the same teachings, that it is Dharma (rules of conduct) that characterizes a person, not birth.
Ground Realities:
Nadkarni’s treatise echoes the thoughts of every right-thinking Indian – and brings home the point that an incredibly all-encompassing religion like Hinduism, has no place for iniquities of any form; and in no way enables the insidious caste system.
Having established this, let us look at the ugly truth staring us in our face. The situation is indeed deplorable, in spite of the legal protection.
The Indian Constitution ensures equality, forbids discrimination of any kind, and abolishes untouchability, vide Articles 14, 15, 17. Additionally, Article 21, guarantees the right to life and dignity.
Key statutory protections flowing from the Constitutional diktat, include the SC/ST Act (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989), and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. However, in spite of these safeguards. it is an atrocious fact that casteism continues to blight Indian society across the country; across sectors, across classes – in towns and in villages. The scourge is all-pervasive – Caste offenses, caste targeting, caste bigotry; in defiance of true Hinduism; and in flagrant violation of the Indian Constitution and the attendant laws.
It’s seventy-eight years since Independence, and precious little has been done to eliminate the wretchedness of casteism. Apart from the ever-present and patent bias against the vulnerable classes, there’s the horrific crimes that shock the conscience. Violence against Dalit women; “honour” killings – where inter-caste marriages are not only denounced, but more often than not, followed by dastardly acts of persecution and murder. Conviction in most of the caste-related cases, is abysmally low, while the acquittal rate is the opposite !
Then there’s the plague of manual scavenging; a barbaric, unlawful practice where humans clean, carry, dispose of human excreta from sewers, drains, latrines. And no prizes for guessing who is forced to perform this inhumane task. Yes, it’s the oppressed Dalits, cursed by caste, birth, and human apathy. The Manual Scavenging ‘occupation’ which is shamefully and illegally prevalent in India till date, is a ‘job’ that defies description.
The downtrodden humans ‘work’ in human waste, literally; going down life-threatening sewers, choke-full with the poisonous, revolting excreta.
In Delhi Jal Board v National Campaign for Dignity and Rights of Sewerage and Allied Workers and Ors.(2011)8SCC568);, the Apex Court, speaking of the right to dignity, said:
“Given the option, no one would like to enter the manhole of sewage system for cleaning purposes, but there are people who are forced to undertake such hazardous jobs with the hope that at the end of the day they will be able to make some money and feed their family. (at para 20)
“They risk their lives for the comfort of others. Unfortunately, for the last few decades, a substantial segment of the urban society has become insensitive to the plight of the poor and downtrodden including those, who, on account of sheer economic compulsions, undertake jobs/works which are inherently dangerous to life. (at para 20)
The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR), forbids manual scavenging. Yet, the number of workers across India (the majority of whom are women), runs into millions. (1.2 million in 2025).
And to think, Hinduism is associated with these outrageously heartless practices ?!
Sati, child marriages were performed by Hindus. Does that make these customs essential to Hinduism ? Casteism too, is a reprehensible social phenomenon, not a religious one. Therefore, if Hindus follow, or practice casteism, it’s a slur on the follower, not on the Hindu religion.
Time to Bring in Change
Decades have gone by, but the decadent caste system continues. Corrective measures are few and far between, and generate debates. In particular, the reservation versus meritocracy issue. Reservation (excluding the creamy layer), is a must; to uplift those suffering from entrenched oppression.
The recent University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, aimed at curbing caste based prejudice, was stayed by the Supreme Court, on the grounds of probable misuse. Opinion is also divided on the pros and cons of a caste census. However, the Central Government has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration, for the national census. (Census 2027)
Nevertheless, the emphasis should be on identifying all those who are marginalised, discriminated, vulnerable, living below the poverty line; in order to raise living conditions; through good education, monetary and welfare schemes, and the empowerment of women. The use of modern technology (such as Artificial Intelligence) could come in handy to transform lives. For instance, eradicate manual scavenging with the use of robotic machines, thereby liberating the thousands of sanitary workers, from diving into the deathly manholes.
Most of all there should be empathy, and a revolutionary mindset to implement the laws and crack down on caste-based crimes; to proactively alter and correct the current social structure.
In this context, we would do well to borrow a leaf out of the modus operandi of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM); Prime Minister Modi’s life-changing project; a welfare movement that generated significant behavioural shifts across the country; nudging people to move from the harmful, risky, open defecation practice, to household toilet use.
The same kind of commitment and intent is required to make the attitudinal shift away from caste bias, to an inclusive social order. Citizens, particularly those in public life, must take the lead, initiate change, and debunk taboos. Like for instance, recently, in a village in Orissa, the BJP MP, Baijayant Panda, stepped into a local ‘Anganwadi’, to eat a meal prepared by a Dalit Cook; and, with the support of the District Administration, successfully altered the minds of the villagers, who had refused to send their children to this centre.
Another such anecdote, relates to the Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation, GoI, whose Ministry was overseeing the implementation of the SBM. (2016 – 2020). During this campaign, on one of his innumerable field trips, the Secretary was at a village in Warangal, Telangana, to encourage the usage of the “Twin-pit” toilet. The twin-pit is a sustainable, hygienic, low-cost technology, where the excreta, over a period of six months, gets converted to valuable manure.
At the site, and to the surprise of his colleagues, and the onlookers, the SBM Chief jumped into the pit, and began to empty the toilet, using his bare hands; thereby demonstrating that it is safe to handle the dried compost; and to combat the social stigma attached to handling human waste.
There are many such positive stories, of people from all walks of life, proactively trying to make a difference.
We need such dedication and passion, to battle the evils of the caste system.
The SC Status – Conversion – and the Supreme Court Ruling
In March, this year, the Apex Court, in Chinthada Anand v the State of Andhra Pradesh, ruled that the Scheduled Caste (SC) Status is lost upon conversion to religions other than the Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist faiths. This means that the Scheduled Caste members who convert from Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism, lose all the benefits accruing to an SC Status, such as caste reservation, etc.
I beg to respectfully differ with the Hon’ble Apex Court on this issue. Injustices occur, irrespective of religious identity.
The following points may be noted in this regard:
- Article 366 (24) read with Article 341 of the Indian Constitution, define and identify Scheduled Castes.
- Article 341 empowers the President of India, in consultation with the Governor, to notify specific castes, races, or tribes as Scheduled Castes (SCs) for a State or Union Territory. Only Parliament, by law, can include or exclude groups from this list.
- The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, established under Article 341, categorizes the SC Status to those professing the Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh faiths.
- The above Supreme Court judgment, is primarily based on the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.
- It is important to note that in the definition of “Scheduled Castes” under Articles 366(24), and 341, there is no mention of any religion, or of the words “ Hindu”, “ Hinduism”, “Buddhist”, or “Sikh”.
- In my humble view therefore, the said 1950 Order, authorized under Article 341, ought not to have linked the SC status to any religion.
- Casteism is a social matter, not a religious one.
- Hinduism does not recognize caste. Society does.
Enslaved by Society – Saved by the Constitution
The tyranny of the caste system must give way to the tolerance, compassion and fairness which are inherent values in our Indian Culture and in our Constitution.
The Indian Constitution guarantees justice, equality and the right to live with dignity. Additionally, it exhorts the citizens to “value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture” [Article 51-A (f)]
It would be apt to quote the legendary jurist Nani Palkhivala here, on the exceptional qualities of the Indian way of life:
“The quintessence of ancient Indian culture, and of great religions flourishing today can be reduced to the five immortal ideals…. Satya, Dharma, Shanti, Prem and Ahimsa…”
Thus, to reiterate :
The Caste System is a societal wrong, totally unconstitutional, wholly against Hinduism; and must be decimated.
If Hindus follow casteism, it’s the follower who is to blame. Not the Hindu religion.
Hinduism rejects the enslavement by birth. Its behaviour that defines the worth.
The oppressed, wherever they may be, must be uplifted from the weight of subjugation and inequity, spanning through centuries.
On Dr BR Ambedkar’s birthday this year, we must reaffirm our allegiance to our wonderful Constitution; unite to stamp out the curse of casteism, and reclaim the essence of Hinduism and of Indian Composite Culture, that of justice and good conduct.
Hence, this piece.
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