In India Caste rules regardless of Religion

Lol! I am surprised to read that people keep tabs of such things. I know that many communities do keep a track of their lineage and ancestry and are proud to show it off as much as they can, however, I thought people converted to another religion because they didn't like the one they were born in, barring mass conversions forced by missionaries and invaders. So why keep records of their original religion and insist on continuing the same by their children?

I also was once very proudly told by a Syrian Christian that they were converted Brhamins and marry with brahmin converts. So caste factor is so strong even after centuries.

It's not a new and surprising thing in India. Caste system has deep roots in Indian society and most of our activities and opinions are influenced by our castes at some point or the other. And I think the main reason for this deep seated belief is our constitution itself which recognizes a citizen through his caste and religion. Although we talk a lot about equality and there are also a hell lot of rules in our constitution advocating equal rights and equal treatments but we all know the reality. Many political party and leaders nurture this hatred belief in the society for the sake of their own benefits. Our country has reservation system which is purely based on caste system and many movement and protest are often organized by people of different caste to get their caste recognized under the radar of reservation. So, in my opinion if someone is choosing their life partners or marrying in their own caste then it should not be a matter of surprise. It's a common practice in our country.

I feel that having a caste reservation has worsened the situation in India. We also have politicians  demanding reservation for Christians and Muslims converts  from lower castes and tribes ..Our politicians have seen to it that Caste factor would never die but become a dividing factor in our society.

usha manohar wrote:

I feel that having a caste reservation has worsened the situation in India. We also have politicians  demanding reservation for Christians and Muslims converts  from lower castes and tribes ..Our politicians have seen to it that Caste factor would never die but become a dividing factor in our society.

Caste is akin to apartheid and sadly in India the government both BJP and Congress perpetrate it. In long run cast will break India.

Caste is in the constitution of India till that is amended I don't see how caste will ever go away.  I think in ultimate analysis it could well break up India a 100 years down the line. 

MG Singh wrote:

Caste is in the constitution of India till that is amended I don't see how caste will ever go away.  I think in ultimate analysis it could well break up India a 100 years down the line. 

Caste is the main weapon in the hands of Indian politician no matter which party they belong to. The so called secular congress has played caste and religious card in Karnataka by announcing Lingayat community to become a separate religion from Hindus.

MG Singh wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

I feel that having a caste reservation has worsened the situation in India. We also have politicians  demanding reservation for Christians and Muslims converts  from lower castes and tribes ..Our politicians have seen to it that Caste factor would never die but become a dividing factor in our society.

Caste is akin to apartheid and sadly in India the government both BJP and Congress perpetrate it. In long run cast will break India.

I don't think the caste or the religion system will ever go from Indian society. It could have gone but the Indian politics would not let it go.

suni51 wrote:

MG Singh wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

I feel that having a caste reservation has worsened the situation in India. We also have politicians  demanding reservation for Christians and Muslims converts  from lower castes and tribes ..Our politicians have seen to it that Caste factor would never die but become a dividing factor in our society.

Caste is akin to apartheid and sadly in India the government both BJP and Congress perpetrate it. In long run cast will break India.

I don't think the caste or the religion system will ever go from Indian society. It could have gone but the Indian politics would not let it go.

Congress party which has always stood on communal and caste issues has now gone one step further by dividing Hindus further by announcing Lingayat as a religion. How much more ridiculous can they get ?

Why blame congress or anybody else.  Caste is PART of Indian constitution so what's the crib.  First amend the constitution. Who will do it? 

Who else do we blame other than a party that has ruled India for nearly 70 years since Independence , encouraged,supported and nurtured caste system ?

https://m.hindustantimes.com/india/caste-based-reservations-must-continue-sonia/story-2GT2uPLoWQzdOJ4hozWPRM.html

True, in its history of ruling, it has never considered to change the reservation system to merit based or income based system. This is the leading cause to the economic downfall. However BJP also is not taking any action or plan regarding this to change it or remove it.

usha manohar wrote:

Who else do we blame other than a party that has ruled India for nearly 70 years since Independence , encouraged,supported and nurtured caste system ?

https://m.hindustantimes.com/india/caste-based-reservations-must-continue-sonia/story-2GT2uPLoWQzdOJ4hozWPRM.html

Congress never framed the constitution and it was the Janta party under VP Singh extended reservation to OBC,. Even RSS has changed colors now and supports reservation. Modi is toeing the line .   We must remember that Mandal Commission report was kept in cold storage by Indira  Gandhi for years till VP Singh opened the Pandora's box. 

Indians want to keep dividing like amoebas and then make small groups known as castes.

It is a self inflicted injury and none can complain 

It was after british rule that these caste systems & other evils spread I guess. The distinction of caste, religion, black & white must have started in the British regime. We need to expel these social evils to become vibrant & accomodating like our great ancient heritage.

The caste system is the bedrock of Hinduism and the Ramayana and Mahabharata extoll it. You remember Karna was thrown out of the swayamvara of Draupadi as he was a lower caste( His mother had abandoned him) it solidified during Muslim rule. The British did not enforce caste but did not interfere with it.India had an excellent chance to do away with Caste but Gandhi is on record that caste system is essential for India. So ???? Take or lump it, caste will not go away. Blaming Congress is like flogging a dead horse. RSS could have done it or at least tried but they also now talk of caste.

epraneeth77 wrote:

It was after british rule that these caste systems & other evils spread I guess. The distinction of caste, religion, black & white must have started in the British regime. We need to expel these social evils to become vibrant & accomodating like our great ancient heritage.

I must correct you. British had nothing to do with caste divisions. This has existed since last 5000 years when the Laws of Manu became a bedrock of Hindu society.

This is an evergreen topic and has become relevant now with the coming General Election in 2019. Once again Caste and clan combinations are being worked out. I was watching  a discussion on Bihar and Karnataka and the dominant theme was caste and the permutations that will bring victory. India will forever remain mired if it does not throw cast away. But it cant happen and some times I am glad that my son is in school in UK. India is a terrible place but I do wonder why Gandhi did not eradicate it? The change by RSS in support of caste reservation is baffling. Will India have a messiah ? I don't know.

MG Singh wrote:

This is an evergreen topic and has become relevant now with the coming General Election in 2019. Once again Caste and clan combinations are being worked out. I was watching  a discussion on Bihar and Karnataka and the dominant theme was caste and the permutations that will bring victory. India will forever remain mired if it does not throw cast away. But it cant happen and some times I am glad that my son is in school in UK. India is a terrible place but I do wonder why Gandhi did not eradicate it? The change by RSS in support of caste reservation is baffling. Will India have a messiah ? I don't know.

Karnataka has regional differences , religious issues and caste issues and the politicians are very happy to play one against the other as and when they feel the need to do so.. The present Chief minister Kumaraswamy and his father Deve Gowda are experts in such divisive politics while calling themselves secular  whatever that means in their dictionary !