Caste as a ‘Way of Life’: Path to Equality and Inclusion

Context

Recent initiatives like the PM Vishwakarma scheme and the National Education Policy (NEP) treat caste as a cultural and occupational identity. While these efforts aim to promote inclusion, they raise concerns about achieving real equality.

 

Key Concepts

1. Culturalisation of Caste

Caste is increasingly seen as part of culture, blending traditions, rituals, and occupations into broader social identities.

2. Secularisation and Politicisation of Caste

Caste has shifted from being purely religious to being politically and culturally significant in modern India.

 

Impact of Caste-Based Occupations

Socio-Political Effects

• Caste as a Community Identity: Movements like “Hindu unity” promote shared cultural identity but risk sidelining minorities.
• Civilisational Unity: Programs integrate tribal and local symbols into mainstream Hindu identity, but this may dilute unique indigenous traditions.
• RSS Narrative: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh uses cultural symbols to promote caste inclusion, but this approach often overlooks minority rights and true unity.

Economic Impact

• Funding for Caste Occupations: Special schemes (e.g., for potters or barbers) aim to support traditional professions financially.
• NEP’s Vocational Push: Mandatory vocational education up to Class 8 may unintentionally reinforce caste-linked roles, limiting academic opportunities for marginalized groups.

 

Challenges of Caste-Based Occupations

1. Historical Debate: Gandhi valued caste roles for community solidarity, while Ambedkar criticized them for promoting inequality.
2. Social Stigma: Traditional caste-based jobs are often undervalued in society, leading to marginalization.
3. Inclusion vs. Equality: Programs that include caste roles respect tradition but fail to dismantle caste hierarchies.
4. Symbolic Empowerment: Recognition schemes may boost pride but don’t bring material change.
5. Economic Trap: Reinforcing traditional jobs can lock communities in low-income cycles without access to education or growth.
6. Forced Assimilation: Efforts to integrate caste practices into the mainstream sometimes feel imposed, not voluntary.

 

Advantages of Current Initiatives

1. Cultural Recognition: Traditional skills and crafts are valued in the modern economy.
2. Economic Upliftment: Financial aid, like in the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, supports artisans and small traders.
3. Skill Development: NEP promotes practical training, helping close skill gaps in trades.

 

Problems with Inclusion Without Equality

1. Limited Social Mobility: Vocational focus can keep families tied to caste-based jobs for generations.
2. Discrimination: Caste prejudices, like violence over food habits, still exist despite cultural inclusion efforts.
3. Caste Census Debate: Calls for a caste census often highlight disparities rather than reduce them.

 

Way Forward

1. Promote True Equality
   • Ensure caste occupations are treated as equal to mainstream jobs.
2. Educational Reforms
   • Allow students to easily switch between vocational and academic paths, promoting upward mobility.
3. Raise Awareness
   • Run campaigns to encourage respect for all types of labor, reducing stigma around manual work.
4. Encourage Voluntary Integration
   • Preserve cultural identities while fostering solidarity between castes without coercion.