A.+Classism+in+India



//**India**// has a rich tapestry of cultures, ethnic mixes, languages and traditions. From North to South, East to West – there are changes to color of skin, clothing, food and language. These may appear to be superficial regional and language changes. Yet, varying religions, traditions, culture and caste add another layer to the complexity of Indian society. India’s caste system is intricately entwined with the people's identities. Their group name denotes everything – it is a person’s occupation, religious beliefs, social standing, traditions and life story ( [|Callaham & Pavich, 1998)].

What's the caste system?
Broadly speaking, a //caste system// is a process of placing people in occupational groups. It has pervaded several aspects of Indian society for centuries. Rooted in religion and based on a division of labor, the caste system, among other things, dictates the type of occupations a person can pursue and the social interactions that they may have. Castes are an aspect of Hindu religion. Other religions in India do not follow this system. Castes are ranked in hierarchical order (originally, the system wasn't to have a hierarchy based on occupation or birth but purely on personality; this has been skewed somehow over time), which determines the behavior of one member of society over another. Even in a modern business setting, where caste isn't openly acknowledged, there may be subtle observances of village or family-style ranking. For instance, a young official may address a senior person, not necessarily his superior, as //chachaji,//a respectful term for a paternal uncle. The most obvious problem with this system was that under its rigidity, the lower castes were prevented from aspiring to climb higher, and, therefore, economic progress was restricted. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of modern India, made the lower castes and untouchables a fifth, lowly class with the name //Harijan,// or "children of God." You see many references to SC and ST in India, in newspapers, government notifications, and so on. These initials refer to //Scheduled Castes// and //Scheduled Tribes.// The government is sensitive about reserving seats in colleges and job opportunities for them. But the government has legislation to make up for the past suppression and oppression of the lower castes. The Indian caste system has been in use for many years. Still today the values of the caste system are held strongly. Reportedly, it has kept a sense of order, and peace among the people. There are **five different levels of the system**: **Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Harijans**. Within each of these categories are the actual "castes" or //jatis// within which people are born, marry, and die. They all have their own place among each other and accept that it is the way to keep society from disintegrating to chaos. This system has worked well for Indian people and still has a major role in modern India. Castes still rarely intermarry and are definitely not changeable. In urban India, though, people of all castes meet socially or for business. Discriminating against anyone because of their caste for things like club memberships and so on is against the law. Though caste and community are facts of Indian life, foreigners are not expected to behave differently toward any caste [|(Manian, 2012)].



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How it's structured
India's caste system (also called //varnas//) is based originally on personality, profession, and birth. In descending order, the classes are as follows ( [|Callaham & Pavich, 1998)]:


 * **Brahmana (now more commonly spelled Brahmin):** Consist of those engaged in scriptural education and teaching, essential for the continuation of knowledge.
 * **Kshatriya:** Take on all forms of public service, including administration, maintenance of law and order, and defense; **Rajput-** ruler, warrior, landowner; a member of the caste Kshatriyas, which is right below the Brahman; important to the community because he is a farmer (the main source of food) and a protector.
 * **Vaishya (merchant):** Engage in commercial activity as businessmen; The Vaishya caste are shopkeepers and sell products, unlike the Shudra who sell services.
 * **Shudra (Kshudra):** Work as semi-skilled and unskilled laborers; artisans, agriculturalists; **Barhi - Carpenter** are a part of the Shudra caste. Within the caste of Shudra there are many different groups with each one performing a service. Their specific service is a birthright and is somewhat similar to unions in the U.S. Duties range from making furniture to building houses.


 * **Harija**: They occupy the lowliest position of the caste system. During the colonial period they were brought from villages to remove human excrement and clean the cities. Their jobs involve doing most of the cleaning, or what we might call "dirty work." The name for them later changed from untouchables to Harijans, which means gods children. Recently this caste would rather be referred to as Dalit, The stigma remains as they are still identified with the work they perform and considered untouchable and treated as such. They have always been marginalized and treated as outcasts socially, economically and culturally.