Caste Hierarchy and social change: a study of myth and reality
- New Delhi Jyotsna Prakashan 1984
- 208p.
The fundamental characteristics of the Hindu caste structure are (i) the concept of ritual purity, (ii) status and restrictions of endogamy (in regard to marriage) and commensality (in regard to community meals) Today, the Indian Constitution and the legal set-up provide no place for any form of institutionalised inequality. However, it would be highly unrealistic to ignore the socio-psychological fact that only institutional or legal reform is hardly enough to transform the structure of values and standards of behaviour in a society. In analysing the caste system one needs a dispassionate and realistic appraisal of this system in order to apply to the Indian society the dynamic concept of social change which has already ushered in India with the expansion of education and intellectual and professional preparation (open to all) directed to bring about a cultural and and economic emancipation of the whole society from all forms of exploitation and injustice. The interplay of the newly emerging criteria of status in the wake of the increasing contact with the the West, commercial and industrial development throwing open jobs and professions requiring intellectual and professional preparation with no conside- ration of caste vis-a-vis the caste hier- archy can hardly be ignored. The most important point for consideration today is how to control the natural human tendency of self-distinction leading to the creation of of classes based on segregative and separatist tendencies which is a natural manifestation of the human psychlogical fact and results into the development of dual personalities with convictions quite distinct from their claims.