Caste System – Take a Break

India entered into the so-called Industrialization phase some 40 to 50 years back. That is when the huge industries started taking shape in our country. From then on – slowly but surely, technology has increased the comforts of our lives in this country. This tremendous leap in the condition is thanks to the competition that has come in the wake of advanced and viable options from other countries, as a result of opening up of the market. The last decade has proved that competition helps in steady growth of economy and also helps the society in general.

But then that is something we all know. Let me introduce you to the boundaries of this article. This article is meant to show how industrialization and improvement in technology has created caste disorder and what is it that we can do to stop it from deteriorating.

First, let me give you a brief background on the origins of the caste system/structure we have had in this country.

The word caste is not Indian but comes from the Portuguese word “casta” (breed or race). The rulers of earlier era, the philosophical thinkers and the planners, wanted an ideal society where there would be people who would know their responsibilities and would work to fulfill them. Where they would be respected for their respective work and would be crucial to the smooth running of administration and maintaining harmony. It was due to this that they created Caste system. Ones caste determined the range of jobs or professions from which one could choose. Caste system is all about - a stratified and hierarchical socio-economic organization of society that evolved as India's ancient civilizations (with its own social order, moral and ritual codes), absorbed the nomadic, Sanskrit speaking, Aryan populations who crossed the mountain passes from the steppes of Central Asia and settled in Northern India. The ancient Hindus, literally meaning people of the valley of the Indus River, soon took on functions and specializations that had little to do with tilling the soil. The four castes developed out of necessity, for with the evolution of society it was no longer possible for the tiller of the soil to assume the functions of priest, warrior, merchant, and artisan all rolled in one.

A new way of life brought with it a need for governance and order, defense and conquest, learning and trade, laborers and artisans. Roles began to be defined and people were classified according to their function, occupation and economic place in society. The Rigveda defines four such social castes. Brahmins' were to be the spiritual and temporal guides, teachers and exponents of law.  Kshatriyas were the warriors, princes and kings. Vaishyas took on the tasks of agriculture and business. And finally the Shudras included individuals who performed service communities – manual and agricultural laborers, artisans, masons, etc. No king was complete without his Brahmin eminence grilse and over the centuries the Brahmins attained immense power, upholding the law as well as dispensing it. Although there are four main sects, there is one more sect that finds mention in the Rigveda, the so called fifth group in the hierarchy, the "outcastes" or "untouchables", who lived on the fringes of society and were very much a part of mainstream society as the tasks of scavenging, cleaning up after funerals, killing or hunting animals for food, working in leather and other unclean materials. Mahatma Gandhi gave this sect a name in the 1940s – Harijan, which when literally translated means "the people of God".

Interestingly Rigveda compares the caste system with the functions of human body. “Every member of each caste is a manifestation or derivative of the universe symbolized by the embodied human spirit and Purusha (body):

The Brahmin was his mouth,
Of both his arms was the (Kshatriya) made.
His thighs became the Vaishya,
From his feet the Sudhra was produced. (X.90.1-3)”

Thus, the society was bifurcated with the intention of allowing everyone to work in his or her specialized field. Things went smoothly till the modern world took over. We came to be ruled by people who had no sense of caste system and who eventually destroyed this caste system. India finally abolished caste system in 1949. That is where I think the problem multiplied. We tend to look at the caste system with a wrong pre-conceived notion. It was meant for the betterment of the society and unlike what we think – the Shudras and the Harijans were respected for their work in those days. But then times have changed and so have the notions and perceptions.

This is where history lesson ends.

You must be wondering why should I take you through the history of how the caste system evolved? Well the intention is for you to understand the different castes and their work culture. I want to prove that industrialization and technological up-gradation has actually been the single largest reason in the deteriorating caste situation in this country and that it has led to alienation of the Shudras from mainstream. It is known that only Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas who would get formal education and training in those days. Shudras were responsible for most of the physical work in the society. This did not require any formal education and hence they remained uneducated for a very long time. With time, these people did not want to be left aside while the opportunities evolved on the horizon. They wanted to study and work on par with the other sects. The rulers of the country did not allow this for some reason. And so Shudras suffered.

Now Industrialization brought machinery and these machineries were improved upon with technical advancement in the field of science & engineering. Use of machinery meant reduction of physical labor. With the improved machinery being used in every part of the country – the physical laborers (read as Shudras) started losing their jobs. They were good at physical labor – but most of the work was and is now being done by machinery. Even to operate and control the machinery you require educated and trained people. Shudras have never been able to get these trainings as these trainings and education come with a price tag. They being the lowest earners in the society have always been on the fringe and hence have never got those trainings or education. Now, in any society, you will find that there are almost 60-65% laborers or people who do physical work i.e. Shudras, 20-25% Business community i.e. Vaishyas, 5-10% Police, Armed Forces etc i.e. Kshatriyas and 5-10% Politicians or strategists i.e. Brahmins.  Thus, we are looking at almost 50-60% people who have suffered because of this improvement in technology and impetus on Industrialization! That is a huge number. That amounts to 500-600 million people in our country? The current day rulers got this idea of giving them reservations in education and in service. How well it has been implemented and at who’s cost – is a question that would be a topic of debate for times to come. But how do you otherwise bring this huge sect of people up – who have been rendered homeless and without job due to industrialization? Industrialization and growth have reduced job opportunities for this sect. This sect specializes in a particular art – but the same was and is now been done by some or the other machine/tool.  There is definitely a case for Shudras to feel that they have been victimized/ oppressed - & so they feel too. This has led to all this caste disorder in the country – where Shudras have now started questioning on why should they be discriminated against in terms of education and right to earn? It is important to note that this has never happened in the history of our country. History proves that never before has a Vaishya asked why should only Kshatriyas rule or be the king? Similarly, in the thousands of years of our ancient history there is no reference of Shudras ever raising this issue of discrimination. Why? They were always doing the hard part of physical work. They always knew that they are the lowest earners in the society structure. So why this discontent today? It is simply because they had never been neglected. They always had a job, which could help them earn. But now, thanks to Industrialization and technical up-gradation, they are losing their jobs and their right to earn, which has pushed them to the brink of revolt. And revolt they will someday.

Don’t under-estimate these millions of people. They have the power of numbers and it is a “number game” these days. The day they rise together – they will create uproar. The years of suppression and oppression will come to the fore some day and that will be the day of reckoning. Just a case in point is the political scenario taking shape in our country. Our leaders have got a sniff of this discontent and it is no wonder that people like Mayawati have got tremendous clout. Rise of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is by no means a fluke. Kanshiram (the founder of BSP) was not a fool after all. He could see the fire within this sect of modern day Shudras and decided to do something. He floated a political party and made Mayawati (a Harijan) the head of the party. Her party has made inroads in almost all the states that they have fought elections in. Be it Uttar Pradesh, or Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharastra or even Orissa. They may not have made Government in most of these states – but latest figure show that they do spoil the party of some other political unit by grabbing 5-6% votes (or more) in most of these states. And the percentage of votes is growing in numbers everyday. You think it is just a passing phase? Well – think again. Look deeper.

I ask you – do you want to see your country in turmoil? Do you seriously think that by working so hard to bring technology to the fore you will achieve harmony and prosperity for all? You have done enough damage by bringing in industrialization – forcing people to go out of jobs. You have rendered so many millions homeless. So here is what I suggest – I say it is time you STOP WORKING so hard for heavens’ sake!

Yes, the whole intention of the article was for you to know that you all are working too hard (Did you think there was some other intention of writing this article?). Relax. Take a break. Have a Kit-Kat or whatever. The country needs your sacrifice you know. So give it. Take your time out. For all you know you may help the country avert the impending disaster of caste disorder.

Amen!

Mantosh Singh..

25th Aug 2006'