Casteism and its Impact on Shudras’ Quality of Life in India

Abstract

Casteism has so far been an integral part of our Indian society, especially Hindu society since the early period. The Hindu caste system is the system through which people in India are socially segregated as well as discriminated. The Caste System is a closed system of social stratification, which means that a person’s social status is obligated to which caste they were born into. It sets limits on our interactions and behavior with people from another social caste. The caste system is an off-shoot of the classification of Hindus into four hierarchical ranks called Chaturvarna. Although there are four varnas in Hindu society –Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, castes are as many as (about) four thousand in India. The first three varnas have their own recognition and autonomy for their livelihood, including power, wealth, and liberty. But Shudra has got no provision for independent livelihood. As such they have been undergoing a dangerously unwarranted ‘inhuman’ position in the society. If we follow the provisions of Manusamhita in particular, we will see how Shudras’ livelihoods have been affected for their caste-position. Consequently, the quality of life of the Shudras has been far lower than the life of that of the first three varnas. There are some strictures in Manusamhita that shown how Shudra’s life and position in society is controlled. As Manu says, if a Shudra desires to earn a living, he may serve a Kshatriya or serve even a wealthy Vaishya. He should also serve the Brahmans for the sake of heaven. It is also said that the service to a Brahman alone is the pre-eminent activity of a Shudra, and for other works he might do brings no reward. The first three varnas have complete authority to allocate some work for the livelihood for Shudras from their own family resources, taking into account his ability and skill, and the number of his dependents. They would give him leftover food, old clothes, grains that have been cast aside, and the old household items. Even a capable Shudra has not the right to accumulate wealth! And the reason given by Manu is very interesting: if a Shudra gets wealth, he may harass the Brahmans. Although the tradition of varna/caste hails from an early date, its impact is still felt in present Hindu society. In this paper I would like to focus on the issue of quality of life with special reference to the Shudras and Dalits. In doing this I would argue, following Dr. Ambedkar, that caste system is not merely the division of labour but a division of labourers, too, and that the system of Chaturvarnya is the rootcause of this caste-menace.