India’s Caste System, a system of social stratification, began with the idea of keeping peace and order throughout India. Though as time passed, it has created a pernicious effect that restricted the growth and potentiality of a person. As such, the caste system is a barrier (ie. a glass ceiling) to the development of a person in a social, economic, and political manner that will continue to burden the country in the future. As time passes and nothing has significantly improved, the paper aims to inform readers about the power of entrenched and misconstrued religious beliefs over a society and how it can affect the development of a country.
Given the insidious harm the caste system possesses, the study is significant because it allows people to understand the root of the problem and the different concepts that affect and contribute to the conundrum faced by India. Thus, through the paper, the information contributes to a more informed society where people will be equipped with knowledge that will allow them to take part in discourse regarding the fight for human rights and equality in a time where it is long overdue.
Explanation of the concept and related concepts
The Caste System is a process of placing people in occupational groups based on Hindu beliefs. There are four levels, Brahman (priests), Kshatriya (warriors), Vaishya (traders), and Shudra (laborers), into which a person can be born into his lifetime. The outcasts of society are the untouchables. The untouchables are the ones considered to be in the state of impurity and therefore, are obligated to isolate themselves from the rest of the population in India (Untouchability, n.d.). Each caste is expected to fulfil his duty according to the duties, lifestyle, and rights designated to him, thus allowing for the success of society as a whole (Manian, n.d.).
Dharma is the concept of righteousness and right conduct. Making it centric to an individual is to follow the beliefs and teachings