Although India is a country rich in heritage and boasts about different religious and traditional sentiments of different ethnic groups, the ethnicity within the groups have affected the people over the time and still continue. It is not the case that one particular religious or ethnic group practices it. Caste system is viewed differently by different groups. For example in Hindus the linage comes as (from top to bottom): Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Kayasthas, Baniyas, Sunars and Lohars(smiths),Shudras. In Muslims it is divided into Shia and Sunnies. For Christians it is catholics and protestants. As Hinduism has the broadest classification, its prominence it well marked and observed. In Jains it is Digambars and Pitambars.
In Hinduism it started with two system classification. People were divided on the basis of the god they followed i.e those who followed Lord Vishnu were called Vaishnavs and those who worshiped Lord Shiva were called Shaivis. Gradually the system was divided on the basis of those who gained the power to worship and stay close to the god, and serve them.This group of people were called the Brahmins. Then came the people who called themselves the protectors of the religion and the gods i.e the Kshatriyas. After them the lineage of the scholars or the scribes came i.e the Kayasthas. Baniyas were people who were meant for business. Sunars and Lohars were for all the work related to the work of metals. And Shudras were those who came to the lowest of the lineage. These people were meant for menial works like cleaning, carrying the deads etc. , and were not allowed in the cities or the residential areas of the upper castes. The six category was divided into upper castes and lower castes. From Brahmins to the Baniyas it was the upper caste and from the Smiths to the Shudras it was the lower caste. The Shudras were pushed to the outskirts of the city and were called the Untouchables. The upper castes believed that whatever these people will touch will get polluted. They were not allowed inside the temples, eateries where the upper castes had access to and were denied of all the public facilities available for the upper castes. They were even not allowed for the water sources as all were owned by the upper caste people. Brahmins regarded them as threats to their existence and imposed cruel rules upon them. The plight of the lower castes was pitiable throughout India. Every region followed different norms. Norms in South India was different from those followed in the North India. Everything was controlled by the Brahmins. From the eating habits to the clothing styles, all the rules were made by the Brahmins. They were denied access to the daily basic needs and lead a life of miseries.
When Buddhism arrived these lower caste Hindus started to convert to Buddhists as it gave all equal rights and it respected human beings. Again this was seen at the time of British India when people, mostly from Southern India after a major revolt of the Shudras against the upper castes after which many Shudras converted to Christianity.
Though India is developing and ranks in the top ten developing countries,but in many backward regions the scenario remains the same. Still 40% of India practices untouchability. This caste system has now resulted into the reservation system or quota system which has made the classification broader in the present days. The laws need to be implemented practically rather than keeping inside the walls of the parliament or else the problem will increase through the years.
SHRUTI DAS
REG NO.- 1540460
Bsc (PCM)I
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