Indian caste system

Indian civilization is the oldest civilization in the world, the time we are cooking with spices, the west is still hunting, we formed governments and set the laws, the west is still in savages and barbarism. When the Persians are attacking India, Aryans and Dravidians introduced this caste system to differentiate their people, they didn’t realize that it will become an evil in the society. It’s such an indistinct way of separating the people, many subcastes are emerged from them and turns to a real curse to modern India.

According to Bhagavad Gita, there are only four basic castes, as the times passed on, it was subdivided in to many castes and marred the basic idea of caste.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Ch.4, Verse 13
The Lord says:
"The fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma;"

In the Bhagavad Gita, Ch.18, verse 40
the Lord says:
"There is no being on earth, or again in heaven among the gods, that is liberated from the three qualities born of Nature."

Gita Ch. 18, V.41:
"Of Brahmanas, Kshtriyas and Vaishyas, as also the Sudras, O Arjuna, the duties are distributed according to the qualities born of their own nature."

The word 'GUNA' in Vedanta means prakriti (Satwa, Rajas and Tamas). The principle of caste system is not confined to any one country. It applies to all human beings of all races, in all countries. This Sanatan principle is eternal and is not subject to change. It remains unchanged in the past, in the present and in the future.

Brahmins: Teachers, scholars and priests

Kshatriyas: Kings and warriors

Vaishyas: Traders

Shudras: Agriculturists, service providers, and some artisan groups.

Traditionally, although the political power lay with the Kshatriyas, the brahmins as keepers and interpreters of religion enjoyed much prestige and many advantages. The knowledge and power stayed with some people only, it was not spread evenly.

It might be farce when I am talking about Bhagavad Gita in modern world, but we should know from where and how we came. It’s such a shame to all of us on this rational discrimination on the caste base. Just imagine how we feel when an western white guy say that you are Indian based on skin complexion, we really take that as discrimination; How justified it is when we are discriminating the people of your own country on caste bases?.

Several critics of Hinduism state that the caste system is rooted in the varna system mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures. However, many groups such as ISKCON consider the modern Indian caste system and the varna system as two distinct concepts. Many European scholars from the colonial era regarded the Manusmriti as the "law book" of the Hindus and thus concluded that the caste system is a part of Hinduism, an assertion that is rejected by many Hindu scholars, who state that it is an anachronistic social practice, not a religious one.

This caste system also brought the unethical reservation in Indian society, it’s again nothing but separating the people based on caste. On the other hand, the quality of education and professionalism is comprised due to this reservation. It became a hand tool for politicians to save their seats.

The Indian caste system is relaxing somewhat, especially in metropolitan and other major urban areas, due to the penetration of higher education, co-existence of all communities, and lesser knowledge about caste system due to alienation with rural roots of people.

Though inter-caste marriages are now relatively common in India, many Indians consider caste a major criterion for matrimonial choices. Almost all Indian matrimonial websites and matrimonial columns in Indian newspapers contain caste-based categories and it is common to see matrimonial advertisements openly stating the caste as a criterion of choice.

In rural areas and small towns, the caste system is still very rigid. The total elimination of caste system seems distant, if ever possible, due to caste politics.

Caste-related violence

Independent India has witnessed considerable amount of violence and hate crimes motivated by caste. Ranvir Sena, a caste-supremacist fringe paramilitary group based in Bihar has committed violent acts against Dalits and other members of the scheduled caste community. Phoolan Devi, a bandit-turned-politician belonging to Mallah lower-caste was mistreated and raped by upper-caste Thakurs. She turned a bandit and carried out violent robberies against upper-caste people. In 1981, her gang massacred twenty-two Thakurs, most of whom were not involved in her kidnapping or rape.

Over the years, various incidents of violence against Dalits, such as Kherlanji Massacre have been reported from many parts of India. At the same time, many violent protests by Dalits, such as the 2006 Dalit protests in Maharashtra, have been reported as well.

Caste politics

Mahatma Gandhi, B. R. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru had radically different approaches to caste especially over constitutional politics and the status of "untouchables". Till the mid-1970s, the politics of independent India was largely dominated by economic issues and questions of corruption. But since 1980s, caste has emerged as a major issue in the Politics of India.

The Mandal Commission was established in 1979 to "identify the socially or educationally backward", and to consider the question of seat reservations and quotas for people to redress caste discrimination. In 1980, the commission's report affirmed the affirmative action practice under Indian law whereby members of lower castes were given exclusive access to a certain portion of government jobs and slots in public universities. When V. P. Singh Government tried to implement the recommendations of Mandal Commission in 1989, massive protests were held in the country. Many alleged that the politicians were trying to cash in on caste-based reservations for purely pragmatic electoral purposes.

Many political parties in Indi

a have openly indulged in caste-based votebank politics. Parties such as Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal claim that they are representing the backward castes, and rely primarily on OBC support, often in alliance with Dalit and Muslim support to win the elections. Remarkably, what is called a landmark election in the history of India's biggest state of Uttar Pradesh, the Bahujan Samaj Party was able to garner majority in the State assembly Elections with the support of the Brahmin community.

FYI: There are many external links (text with blue color) in the post, please use them for more information and to check for terminologies.

PS: Keep this Live, Click on Ad's

Say Cheese!!!

Boss, to four of his employees: "I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to let one of you go."

Black Employee: "I'm a protected minority."

Female Employee: "And I'm a woman."

Oldest Employee: "Fire me, buster, and I'll hit you with an age

discrimination suit so fast it'll make your head spin."

...To which they all turn to look at the helpless young, white, male

employee, who thinks a moment, then responds: "I think I might be gay..."

PS: Keep this Live, Click on Ad's