Define Caste and Explain How Caste Discrimination Leads to Other Social Problems in India

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14. Define Caste and Explain How Caste Discrimination Leads to Other Social Problems in India

Caste refers to a hereditary, endogamous social stratification system rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Manusmriti, dividing society into hierarchical groups based on birth, occupation, and ritual purity. Traditionally, it comprises four varnas: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers), with Dalits (formerly "untouchables") outside as avarna, facing severe exclusion. Jatis, sub-castes, add complexity with thousands of localized groups. Caste is not merely occupational but a rigid identity marker influencing marriage, dining, and social interactions, perpetuated by notions of purity and pollution. In modern India, despite constitutional abolition of untouchability (Article 17) and affirmative actions like reservations, caste persists as a social construct, intersecting with class, gender, and religion. From an MSW perspective, caste is a structural barrier to equity, demanding anti-oppressive practice to address its intersections with poverty and violence.

Caste discrimination, or casteism, manifests as prejudice, exclusion, and violence against lower castes, particularly Dalits and Adivasis, denying them equal opportunities and dignity. It leads to multifaceted social problems in India, exacerbating inequality, poverty, violence, health disparities, and political instability. Economically, discrimination restricts access to education and jobs, trapping lower castes in low-wage, menial roles. Despite reservations, implementation gaps and backlash perpetuate cycles of poverty; Dalits, comprising 16.6% of the population, own minimal land and face higher unemployment. This leads to intergenerational poverty, with children inheriting disadvantages, fueling urban slums and informal economies where exploitation thrives.

Socially, casteism fosters segregation, with practices like separate water sources or temples reinforcing untouchability, leading to psychological trauma and low self-esteem among victims. It intersects with gender, as Dalit women face triple discrimination (caste, class, gender), increasing vulnerability to sexual violence; NCRB data shows rising atrocities against Scheduled Castes. This breeds communal violence, such as honor killings in inter-caste marriages, disrupting social harmony and straining law enforcement.

Educationally, discrimination hinders access; lower-caste students face bullying, higher dropout rates, and biased curricula, perpetuating illiteracy and skill gaps. This contributes to broader problems like child labor, as families prioritize survival over schooling, undermining human capital development and economic growth.

Health-wise, casteism results in disparities; Dalits have poorer access to sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare, leading to higher maternal mortality and diseases. During crises like COVID-19, they faced amplified vulnerabilities, exacerbating mental health issues from stigma.

Politically, caste discrimination polarizes society, with vote-bank politics exploiting divisions, leading to corruption and weak governance. It fuels movements like Dalit assertion, but also backlash, causing unrest and hindering national unity.

In essence, caste discrimination cascades into systemic problems, demanding MSW interventions like community education and policy advocacy for true equality.