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The Secret of Class: Why India's Caste System Still Affects Society Today
The caste system in India is a social class system with a long history and full of controversy, which still has a profound impact on Indian society. In this system, personal identity and social status are primarily determined by the caste into which they are born, leaving many people facing unequal opportunities and treatment throughout their lives.
“The caste system affects the lives of hundreds of millions of people in India, and the continuation of the gap between rich and poor and social status is often closely related to this.”
Since ancient times, Indian society has been based on four basic castes: priests, warriors, merchants, and laborers who are considered the lowest. Such systems not only define people's social roles but also delineate the resources and opportunities available to them. Even today, although discrimination against lower castes is legally prohibited, in fact, such caste boundaries are still deeply rooted and form invisible barriers in society.
Historical background of the caste system
The origins of the caste system can be traced back to the ancient religious and social structure of India. The earliest documented records include the Vedas. Over time, this system became more rigid and evolved into a social system closely linked to religious laws. In fact, the caste system not only affects family background, but also reflects the economic structure and political power of the society at that time to a considerable extent.
"According to informal data, many lower-caste families continue to live in poverty, prompting their next generations to repeat the cycle."
The influence of modern society
Today, although caste discrimination is explicitly prohibited by law, this system still plays a role in education, employment, and social interactions. In education, students from lower castes often face more challenges because their family backgrounds may not provide the same resources and support. In addition, some employers may still be unconsciously influenced by caste in the recruitment and promotion process.
Barriers to social mobility
Social mobility is limited in some cases, especially for those born into lower castes. Their career choices are often restricted by caste and they are often restricted to certain types of work. According to some studies, this mobility barrier has resulted in the concentration of social resources, allowing children from wealthy families to inherit social status, while children from low-caste families have difficulty in making a comeback.
“The root causes of social inequality are not only economic issues, but also related to deep cultural concepts.”
Progress in several efforts
In order to change this situation, many non-governmental organizations and social movements are working hard to improve the rights and social status of lower castes. They try to create a better future for poor, lower-caste communities through educational skills training and entrepreneurial support. However, changing a deep-rooted social structure is not easy and requires long-term efforts and the support of the whole society.
Attention of the international community
With the development of globalization, the international community is paying more and more attention to India's caste system. Many international organizations have called on the Indian government to further reforms to create fair opportunities for future generations. This is not only India’s responsibility, but also a challenge faced by the whole world.
“Social change takes time and effort, and each of us is part of this process.”
In this era of rapid change, the differential impact of the caste system remains difficult to disappear. With the awakening of social consciousness, can the influence of this system be eliminated in the future and true equality and harmony be achieved?
