CHANGING THE FACE OF CAST

SYSTEM
 What is caste discrimination?
Caste discrimination involves the division of people into social groups (castes)
where assignments of rights are determined by birth, are fixed and hereditary.

The cast system , an inticrate social structure has been a defining force in the Indian
society for centuries
At its core, the cast system categorizes individuals into distinct social groups from birth,
with each group bearing its privileges, responsibilities and limitations as well
 The 4 mains varnas
• Brahmins: Occupying the summit of the
heirarchy they serves as the preists class
and scholars

• Kshatriyas: Directly beneath the

Brahmins, Kshatriyas are historically
warriors and rulers

• Vaishyas: Represent the merchant and

trading class

• Shudras: Associates the lowest varna and

are associated with labour and service
roles
 Origin
According to the social historical theory, the origin of caste system finds its origin in the arrival of
Aryans in India. The Aryans arrived in India in around 1500 BC. The Aryans disregarded the local
cultures. They began conquering and taking control over regions in north India and at the same
time pushed the local people southwards or towards the jungles and mountains in north India.

The Aryans organised themselves in three groups. The first group was of the warriors and they
were called Rajanya, later they changed its name to Kshatriyas. The second group was of the
priests and they were called Brahmanas. These two groups struggled politically for the leadership
among the Aryans. In this struggle the Brahmanas emerged victorious. The third group was of the
farmers and craftsmen and they were called Vaisyas. The Aryans who conquered and took control
over parts of north India subdued the locals and made them their servants.
 The untouchables
Dalits:
1.Considered to be so lonely that they do not have
a cast
2. Performed the tasks like killing animals, tanning
hides, sweeping and cleaning
3. Cannot posses any wealth
4. Cannot possess proper education
5.Cannot enter a hindu temple
6. Cannot marry outside their casts
7. Cannot touch anyone from upper cast
8.Cannot disobey or argue with the upper cast
 Movements
Buddhist dalit movement:
The main motive of this movement was to convert dalits into buddhist
Babasaheb Ambedkar converted 5 lakhs dalits into buddhist to create a non
political ideology and identity

Dalit Panthers
Dalit Panthers was a social organisation that sought to fight caste discrimination. It
was founded by Namdeo Dhasal and J. V. Pawar on 29 May 1972 in the Indian
 Bahujan Samaj Party
The main objective of this party was to protect the schedule casts,
schedule tribes and other backward classes also to make them
economically and educationally stable
 Kasturba Balika school
The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya
(KGBV) scheme was launched by the
Government of India in August, 2004 for
setting up residential schools at upper
primary level for girls belonging
predominantly to the SC, ST, OBC and
minorities in difficult areas.

Kasturba balika school in new delhi

provides education to some 700
underprivileged dalit girls
 Reservation system

The reservation system entitles a

percentage of government jobs,
elected officers and positions in
college for the weaker class people
 Rights for a change in caste system

1.Right to adequate food, water, clothing

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-
being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care
and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of
unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of
livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

2. Right to be free from forced and bounded labour

In 1998, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the Declaration
on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
 3. The right to equal political participation
Article 21 of the universal declaration of human rights recognizes the
right of every person to take part in the government of his or her
country

4.Right to justice
access to justice is a fundamental right that is guaranteed to all its citizens by
article 14 and 21
5. Right to equal employment
Article 16 provides equal employment opportunities in State service for all
citizens. No citizen shall be discriminated against in matters of public
employment or appointment on the grounds of race, religion, caste, sex, place
of birth, descent or residence.
6.Right to be free from cruel, inhuman or degrading act
ICCPR Article 7 states: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be
subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.
 What can we do?
1.To spread education and awarness especially in rural areas

2.to highlight the harmful effects of caste discrimination and the violation of
constitutional rights.

3.Collaboration and Dialogue among Civil Society organizations, government

agencies, and marginalized communities to address caste discrimination.

4.By encouraging inter-caste marriages, the feelings arising out of casteism can be
minimized as these marriages bring two families of different castes closer to each
other.