India, the country indeed proud of its cultural differences is even today suffering from the evil of caste system. It is astonishing to note that caste apartheid persists within its social setting even in light of the constitution of the country and elegant acts of legislation. Having originated in religious canonicals, this social stratification has become even more subtle and systematic, which influences many spheres of Indian people’s lives.
The Lingering Legacy
Thus the above scholars’ assertion that caste inequalities have endured into the present is well founded for example even marriage remained a preserve of caste. Although it looks like sharing interests of the individual, it maintains the clear cast system and restricts the interaction with the upper classes. Such a practice, reinforced by discriminative social practices, ensures continuity of caste blessings or curse.
Literacy, an agent of social change, is also still divided along the cast system. Unfortunately, even with the governments affirmative action policies in place Dalits and other lower castes continue to be discriminated in educational facilities. They may be isolated, have their rights to access services and services denied; they may even be abused, which greatly affects their studies and also their future job prospects.
Caste differences are continued also in the workplace. Though there are laws against discrimination of castes in acquiring employment, hard and soft prejudices control employments, promotions, and employee relations. People from the lower castes often experience restriction in employment opportunities and biases in employment practices, receive unfavorable treatment in career mobility, long for promotion and suffer from negative working atmosphere.
The Political Dimension
Here, politics in India will attest to the fact that it ‘belongs’ to caste. Most political parties tend to use the issue of caste in order to influence the electorate; this results in formation of caste organizations. A politicization of caste also thus worsens Social cleavages and hampers any endeavours to challenge discrimination based on caste.
A Persistent Problem
There is still a problem of caste system In India despite various improvements in economic and social transformation. However it is now evident that despite the laws and policy formulated to fight castism the implementation is lacking . However, caste biased social mindset and social prejudice still sustain caste based discrimination.
That is why, to get rid of caste- based discriminations completely, use strategies on several levels. This involves improving the efficiency of police investigation, increasing people’s understanding of the possibly negative consequences of caste bias, encouraging marriages between individuals of different castes, and providing education and opportunities of the oppressed caste. Finally, it will mean a transformation of social culture and willingness to build a new civilization in India – just and fair.
