Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?" ?

-

 Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?" was asked in the Mains 2023 GS Paper 1.  Let us look at the model answer to this question. 

Answer: Caste identity involves the positioning of one's caste group within a social hierarchy. Caste identity in India is complex and characterised by its dual nature of being both fluid and static. On the one hand, there is evidence of social mobility and caste change, while on the other hand, caste-based discrimination and inequality persist.

Factors responsible for fluidity in caste identity

  • Education and urbanisation: Education and urbanisation have led to social mobility and a change in caste identity, loosening of traditional caste ties.
    • For example, the enrolment of SC students in higher education has increased to 58.95 Lakh from 46.06 Lakh in 2014-15. (AISHE Survey 2020-21)
  • Sanskritisation: Through the process of Sanskritization, lower-caste groups have adopted the rituals, customs, and lifestyles of upper-caste groups in order to improve their social status.
  • Inter-caste marriages: There is an increasing trend in inter-caste marriages. According to the India Human Development Survey, the percentage of intercaste marriages increased from 5% to 6% between 1970 and 2012.
  • Division of labour: Over the years, there has been an increase in occupational shifts in the lives of the people. Now, one can excel in one’s career in any stream without the need for caste identity.
  • Government policies: Policies such as reservations in education and government jobs have helped to improve the lives of lower-caste people and have made it easier for them to move up the social ladder.
  • Religious conversions: Post-independence, many lower-class people have converted to Buddhism and Christianity in order to circumvent the restrictions posed by the prevalent caste system.

Factors responsible for static elements in caste identity

  • Endogamy: Despite some mobility, endogamy (marriage within one's caste) remains a prevalent social norm in many Indian communities. As data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) shows, just over 5% of urban Indian marriages are outside of caste.
  • Caste-based discrimination: Caste-based discrimination is still prevalent in Indian society. Thus making it difficult for lower-caste people to access education, employment, and other opportunities. As per the NCRB report, atrocities/crimes against Scheduled Castes have increased by 1.2% in 2021 over 2020.
  • Occupational identities: In many areas, occupations are still primarily based on caste. According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment around 97% of people involved in manual scavenging who were surveyed, belonged to the Scheduled Castes.
  • Social stigma: Discrimination and prejudice against certain castes persist, even in urban areas. The deep-rooted biases and stereotypes associated with caste can limit opportunities and social interactions for individuals from marginalised communities.
  • Caste-based political mobilisation: Caste-based political parties and identity politics continue to shape Indian politics. Many times, this has resulted in the demands for reservation based on castes. For example, Jats in Haryana and Patidars in Gujarat are demanding caste-based reservations.
Caste identity in India is a complex interplay of historical legacies, socio-economic factors, and cultural norms. While there is evidence of fluidity and change in caste identities, deeply ingrained social norms, political interests, and discrimination still contribute to the static aspects of caste identity.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Discuss the Salient features of cultural tradition of south India as reflected in Sangam leterature?15M

-
Introduction :  The Sangam Age in Indian history witnessed the rapid development of literary works in the southern regions. The literature that was created during this time came to be known as Sangam literature Mostly literary sources help us to understand t he society and culture of the Sangam age , which provides information regarding t he classification of the people, caste system , various occupations , practice of slavery , d ress and food hab it, status of women , religious practice s, education a nd other f ine ar t. Sources to understand Cultural Tradition of south India  The literatures are the primary sources for understanding the socio-cultural life of the people of Sangam age. The literatures of the Sangam age consists of the earliest Tamil literary works such as Tolkappiyam, the Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies), the Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls), the Pandinenkilkanakku (Eight Minor works) and the Five Epics Silappathikaram, Manimegalai, Sivaga Sindamani, Valaiyapathy and Kunda
Read more

Discuss the impact of social media, overprotective parenting, and the decline of unsupervised outdoor play on children’s emotional well-being?

-
 The emotional well-being of children has been increasingly influenced by several modern factors, including social media, overprotective parenting, and the decline of unsupervised outdoor play. Each of these elements plays a role in shaping children's emotional health, and their combined effects can be complex. Here’s a closer look at how each factor impacts children: 1. Social Media Impact on Emotional Well-being: Increased Anxiety and Depression : Social media can expose children to idealized images and lifestyles, potentially leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. For example, seeing peers portray seemingly perfect lives on platforms like Instagram or TikTok can make children feel like they don't measure up. Cyberbullying : Social media can be a medium for cyberbullying, which can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Victims of online bullying may experience emotional trauma and difficulty trusting others. Reduced Face-to-Face Interaction : Exce
Read more