Photo by Ron Hansen on Unsplash
Do you guys know anything about the caste system in India?? Most people think that the caste system is an antiquated system that has been abolished a long time ago, but let me tell you, that's a false notion. The caste system is still very much alive, and present, and you need to be aware of this fact. Awareness is power.
My family is from a very low caste in India. There are four basic levels to the caste system, and everyone is born into a certain caste. According to Wikipedia, the four classes were the Brahmins (priestly people), the Kshatriyas (also called Rajanyas, who were rulers, administrators and warriors), the Vaishyas (artisans, merchants, tradesmen and farmers), and Shudras (labouring classes).
The rest of the people who don't fall into of the above structures, are labeled the untouchables, and the scheduled castes and tribes. That's where my family is from.
Basically, we are like gypsies, or the indigenous tribes, who have no papers, and who are unable to own anything, or be anyone in the eyes of the government or society. Not only was my family really poor when they were young, but they were also treated like shit. Literally like shit.
The untouchables are called untouchables, because they are considered dirty - they usually worked in dirty jobs, like cleaning sewage systems, working with leather, or cleaning toilets. Because of that dirty nature of their job, they themselves are dirty, and IMPURE. Due to their impurity, they aren't allowed to visit or be in many places in India. Certain temples, certain parts of the village or town, and so much more.
They sit at separate tables if they are in school. They drink at separate wells, if they are in the village. They shop at separate stores.
In addition, they are definitely not allowed into the homes of the highest caste people. If they inadvertently touch something of the higher caste person's, then that item has either to be thrown out, or scrubbed clean until the cows come home.
In order to improve the status of such lower caste people, there have been spots that have been allocated in the universities, and governments. But it's still a long way away from being equal yet.
There are still numerous cases in India, where Dalits (untouchables) were thrown into fire, or were murdered, because they were dirty and of a lower caste. There are discrimination cases against the Dalits on a daily basis in India, if not hourly.
The sad thing is that even though my family is now living in Canada, and we are well-off, when we go back to India, we are still untouchables. We are still of a lower caste, no matter how much we achieve or whom we become. We can never leave this caste behind. No matter what happens with me, I'll still be from that caste, as will my children, and my children's children.
The caste system haunts the lower caste people, and strangles them into a system that doesn't care for them.
I wanted to share my story so that you would realize that the caste system does still exist and it is very predominant in India, no matter where you go. I still have friends of mine who are from a higher caste, who make fun of untouchables, without knowing that I am of that caste. I am tall, and rich, so everyone assumes, I am from a higher caste.
I always have to correct them, because I want people to know that the caste system is bullshit - it doesn't really matter. I'm awesome, even though I'm from a low caste in India, and I'll forever be awesome no matter which caste I came from.
I hope you found this useful. You are welcome to ask me any questions you might have at all. Love to you all!
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India
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