CASTE SYSTEM AND SCHEDULED CASTES PROBLEM

 

CASTE SYSTEM AND SCHEDULED CASTES PROBLEM 

The position of the Scheduled Castes has a bearing on the social structure of the "caste society", that is, division of Hindu Society into caste groups. At the top of the caste hierarchy are Brahmanas. The "Untouchables" come at the bottom. There are several caste groups in between. Ritual pollution and purity based on birth in particular caste group is considered the basis of high and low caste ranks. 

The value of pollution-purity pervades all aspects of social life including food, cloth, metals, occupations, etc. Thus, not only are

persons and castes pure and impure or less pure or more impure, but everything in Hindu society is seen in terms of the value of purity-pollution. Gold is pure and silver is less pure; silk is pure and cotton is impure, etc. These are some of the notions we find even today among the Hindus.

The notions of Dharma and Karma are associated with caste-assigned roles and obligations. The dharma of a chamar, for example, is to remain at the bottom end of

the caste hierarchy, to carry out his traditional occupation and to follow the norms associated with his caste in relation to other caste groups. This applies to all caste groups; but those who are at higher levels of the caste ranking are certainly less subjected to suppression and exploitation.

The theory of Karma leads a person to the belief that his low or high caste position is because of his past bad or good deeds, and therefore, he cannot do anything about his position. He can improve his future

by performing his duties in accordance with what he has been assigned to perform under the caste system. These twin notions of Dharma and Karma made the caste system stagnant and regimented. Since Brahmans were at the top of caste hierarchy, they were the rule-makers and prescribes of norms.

 They are even today considered the

models for social and cultural mobility.

In chapters two and eight, we discussed the

evolution of the division of labour and the caste system. Those who occupied the lowest positions pursued defiling occupations. They were at the bottom of the caste hierarchy, and were known as Chandais (exterior castes) . They lived on the outskirts of towns and villages. These castes remained low and suppressed for

ages. They have been listed as 'Scheduled Castes'.