The inhuman caste system

There are two concept of caste system in India. One that is practically existing and other that is theoretical. In Practical caste system, Society is divided into four main groups (with a fifth, “the untouchables,” outside of the caste system). Shudra are lowest caste below them are untouchable. Brahmans are the highest caste and they are the one who can read scriptures and perform rituals and Puja in temples. The Sanskrit word for caste is Varna. Manusmriti, widely regarded to be the most important and authoritative book on Hindu law and dating back to at least 3000 years “acknowledges and justifies the caste system as the basis of order and regularity of society”.

Small towns and most of the villages are still infected by this caste system. Lower caste peoples are treated in an inhuman ways. They are untouchable and can-not enter temple. Partially poverty and mainly religious belief make lower caste to accept such inhuman torture. Since centuries, they are living and suffering but never raise voice. Only after independence, and after government provided reservation for SC/ST and OBC, now we can see emergence of leadership in so-called lower caste.

Education played a vital role in reducing inhuman torture based on caste system. It is education, which pave the way for theoretical caste system, which eliminate hierarchy system based on birth from caste system. According to new system caste are based on work you performed and not based on your birth. The Varna system prevalent during the Vedic period was mainly based on division of labor and occupation. That means a Shudra can become Brahmin and a brahmin can become a Shudra based on their work. But this is only theoretical concept which is used to cover up evil of caste system. Truth is even in 21^st century when we have abolished slavery entirely, there are peoples who still wants to maintain their supremacy based on caste and are forcing lower caste to live a miserable life.

Let us stop this age-old inhuman activity. Let us treat every human equal and make India strong.

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