Caste and Youth
Most of the youth do not believe in caste discrimination. In fact, they avoid speaking on “Caste” and “Religion” issues. They believe that speaking on Caste issue is for politicians. People feel that if they don’t believe in caste, “Caste System” abolishes its own existence. But, this is not the truth.”Caste alliances are fluid and are constantly being reconfigured”. (Dipankar Gupta).
People say that, Caste is a very traditional and old custom and it has no place in modern world. But if we consider computers, website, blogging as a representation of modern lifestyle, we can easily see that they are filled with ‘Casteism’. If you go on any search engine and type your caste, you will get up-to-date information on caste, sub caste, varna, gotra, etc. Not only this, we can also find various organizations and institutes which are working for different castes. You are welcomed to this website or organization if your surname is so and so….You will get several email IDs to discuss, debate, respond and to connect with your own caste members. You will also get lessons to be proud and to be aware of history and culture of your own caste. People say that “Kabhi nahi jati woh jaat”.(Caste never abolishes its existence).Thus, best example of elasticity is “Caste”. With time caste moves, it changes, it bends, it transforms and therefore it persists.
When people refer to any castes, it’s not just caste, its hierarchical level of sub castes. When people say that they are superior, they not only mean superior amongst all castes but superior over their own sub castes as well.
For instance, Brahmins are 3% in population. Chitpavan, Deshasht, Karhade, Saraswat, Devagan, God, Kayashth, Nambudri, Shivalli, Smarth, Vaishnav, likewise there are dozens of sub castes in Brahmins. In this also, Ekarantas is superior to others. For example, Andhra Brahimns are the Brahmins from Andhra Pradesh but they also have two sub types- one is “Neyogi” and the other is “Vedeki”. In Neyogi they have 11 and in Vedeki they have 10 further subdivisions.
From this example, we can easily see that in caste also, many hierarchical levels of sub castes survive. This is not just for Brahmins, in every caste situation is the same. Caste and sub caste become very important when it comes to marriage.
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