The Caste Conundrum: Let the Caste Census go Beyond Hindus

 Lalit Shastri

Lalit Shastri

The demand for a caste-based census of the Hindu population in India has garnered significant attention and debate. This move by the Congress party and its allies has raised a crucial question: why restrict the caste census to Hindu communities alone? The intricate web of caste divisions extends beyond Hinduism, permeating other religions in the subcontinent as well. Therefore, it is imperative to contemplate a comprehensive caste census that encompasses all religious groups, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and also atheists. This article delves into the history and complexity of the caste system in South Asia more particularly in India, its presence in various religious communities, and why a holistic approach to the caste census is necessary.

The Pervasive Caste System 

To understand the need for an inclusive caste census, one must recognize that the caste system is deeply entrenched in the social fabric of the Asian sub-continent and more particularly in India due to the reservation and quota system that's been steel jacketed by the Constitution for the benefit of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Comunities. Recently the scope for reservation has been expanded with the inclusion for the sake of reservation even the economically deprived among the general category. 

The roots of the caste system are not limited to urban or Hindu society; they extend to rural and tribal communities cutting across religious lines. In villages and tribal societies, an individual's identity is often closely tied to their clan or group. For centuries, social interactions were governed by a pecking order, where individuals' primary loyalty lay with their immediate family and then with their clan or group.

The division of labor gave rise to hereditary occupations, leading to the entrenchment of the caste system. Those who held jobs considered contaminating, such as sweepers, leatherworkers, and crematorium attendants, were confined to these roles for generations, leading to the development of strict social hierarchies that hindered upward social mobility.

Hinduism and the Caste System

Contrary to popular belief, Hindu religious scriptures do not explicitly endorse the caste system. The caste system survived in South Asia due to a multitude of factors, including socio-economic considerations. It served to maintain a delicate balance among communities in a non-modern world. Caste is not just about marriage restrictions; it encompasses language, customs, faith, cuisine, clothing, and moral values, creating an "us versus them" sentiment that is central to the caste system.

It is essential to recognize that the caste system is not a uniquely Hindu legacy. Other Indian religions, such as Christianity and Islam, also exhibit caste-like structures and divisions. South Asians of all religions identify with caste systems, highlighting its widespread prevalence.

Caste System and the Concept of Jati

The caste system and the concept of Jati, based on the four varnas (Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra), are both integral parts of India's social hierarchy, but they differ in their structure and function. The caste system, rooted in hereditary division of labor, categorizes individuals into specific occupations based on their birth, with limited scope for mobility between castes. In contrast, the varna system represents a broader social classification, with each varna having a distinct set of responsibilities. Brahmins traditionally have been associated with knowledge and spirituality, Kshatriyas through times immemorial have been associated with rulers and warriors, Vaishyas with commerce and business, and Shudras with service and labor. While the varna system laid the foundation for Jatis, it's important to note that Jatis can be further divided into numerous subgroups, reflecting a more intricate and localized social hierarchy. These distinctions illustrate how the caste system's rigid hereditary divisions differ from the varna-based Jati system, which encompasses a wider array of social groups, further fragmented by regional, occupational, and cultural considerations.

Casteism in Muslims of India

In the Muslim community of India, casteism is present in a well-defined form. Muslims are divided into "Ashraaf" and "Ajlaf." Ashraaf refers to light-skinned Muslims, tracing their originat to Central Asia, while the Ajlaf are the native converts, primarily from lower Hindu castes. This division extends to converts from occupational castes such as tailors, barbers, and weavers. Pakistan's Biradri system is a social and ethnic segregation system that continues to remain rigid and strong at the grassroots level in villages.

Castes among Christians of India

Christian converts in various parts of India, such as Kerala, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, have retained their caste prejudices. Even though Guru Gobind Singh abolished castes among Sikhs in 1699, some caste divisions persist, albeit in a diluted form.

Dimnishing Caste consciousness among Hindus

Interestingly, when Hindus migrate from villages or settle in other countries, their attachment to the caste system diminishes. Urban areas exhibit a higher likelihood of inter-caste marriages compared to non-urban societies. Moreover, non-Indian origin Hindus and Hindu converts tend not to practice casteism.

Genesis of Social Divide in Historial Perspective

The caste system in South Asia, the latifundias of Rome, the manors of feudal society in Europe, and the social hierarchies that fueled the French Revolution share commonalities in perpetuating social inequalities as we see the caste system in South Asia, with its rigid hereditary divisions, limited social mobility. Similarly, the latifundias of Rome concentrated land ownership and wealth among the elite, leaving the majority in a state of dependency. Feudal manors in Europe created a hierarchical structure where the lords held power, and serfs worked the land, maintaining a stark social divide. In France, the entrenched social hierarchy and economic disparities contributed to the grievances that ignited the French Revolution, symbolized by the storming of the Bastille. These systems all exemplify the consequences of unequal social structures and the potential for upheaval when marginalized groups demand change and equality.

Is the Caste System a Fundamental Element of Hinduism?

No, Hindus do not consider caste as a critical feature of their religion to follow. The aspects of Hinduism that most Hindus identify as crucial to their spiritual practice include the Vedas, Upanaishads and religious scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, and Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas, Also Meditation, Bhakti, Ahimsa, Pluralism, and Advaitvad or the philosophy of Non-dualism. What is noteworthy is that Caste has no place in this entire spectrum of thought and Hindu Philosophy.

The most fundamental Hindu scriptures do not endorse caste-based discrimination. While some Hindu religious leaders attempted to give divine sanction to caste-based discrimination during the medieval period, reformists rose against it, preventing casteism from becoming the ethos of Hinduism.

The Way Forward

In conclusion, limiting the demand for a caste-based census to Hindu communities alone would be incomplete and unjust. The caste system is deeply rooted in South Asian societies, spanning multiple religious groups. To address the issue comprehensively, a holistic approach is imperative, encompassing Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and atheists. As the Indian society progresses towards a post-industrial stage, economic advancements are likely to accelerate processes that can bring caste-based discrimination to an end.

It is vital for policymakers, scholars, and society at large to recognize the need for a comprehensive caste census that goes beyond the boundaries of any single religion and addresses the pervasive issue of casteism in all its forms. Only by acknowledging the reality of caste divisions across religious lines can India take a significant step towards a more equitable and just society. Expanding the scope of the caste census to include all religious communities will enable a more comprehensive understanding of this deeply entrenched issue, and pave the way for meaningful reforms that can benefit all members of Indian society, regardless of their religious affiliations.