FROM  IIMC TO ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE

Dear Friends,

I am happy to tell you that I have been selected for admission to the Key Concepts and Critical Thought Certificate Course in St. Stephen’s College.

On the basis of my CV and short abstract on “Caste”, I was called for an interview. I am thankful to the interviewer  who was cordially interested in knowing what I know. His motto was to test my knowledge, not my ignorance. I am grateful to my esteemed  teacher Dr. Karen Gabriel, who has been guiding and encouraging me lovingly.

Here is the abstract :

                                                                CASTE

                       In the absence of an organised state as the  institution to maintain law and order in Indian society, the caste system worked as a final arbiter. It had religious sanction. The Bhagvad-gita says :

                     श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।

             स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः।।35।। Chapt. 3

[ It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s assigned duty is better than engaging in another’s specialised profession, for to follow another’s path is dangerous.]

In other words, the caste system was seen as synonymous with the division of labour.

                       Over a period of time, the caste system lost its sanctity as a system of division of labour and specialisation of functions and increasingly, people were categorised as ‘pure’ and ‘impure’ on the basis of the manual or mental work, they were engaged in. Thus, the four broad categories of division of labour and specialisation of functions were identified as four caste categories : Brahmin, kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudras.  Dalits who were oppressed at many levels, did not feel associated with any of the four categories. Caste became a form of social capital.

                        In the absence of possibilities for upward mobility in the social ladder, the urge to excel in one’s chosen field of specialisation was hampered. Rigidity in the caste system was further strengthened as opportunities shrunk.

                       In independent India, the constitution sanctioned modern institutions like Parliament and democracy with a pledge that “likes will be treated alike”. Interestingly, however, to enter the modern institution like Parliament, people started mobilising votes using traditional institution like caste system.

                       The situation is bleak, but not hopeless. Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation along with universalisation of quality education and rational allocation of opportunities are the only ways to liberate Indian society from the clutches of the caste system and set the pace of modernisation and progress. And yet many of these modern institutions are themselves steeped into caste politics.