Castes: A Law Is Not Enough by Shawronna

Discrimination comes in many forms. Discrimination based on race and gender have been common in many societies throughout history. However imagine your religion telling you the job that you can have, your position in society, and show much respect you deserve. That is exactly what the Hindu Caste system does. Since independence, the Indian government has tried to end discrimination based on caste by making it illegal. However, caste system is a very old system that is ingrained within society and it is very hard to remove. From simple cases like bullying in school to more complex cases like politics, the caste system still plays a large role in daily life in India. Not only the advantaged higher castes, but also the disadvantaged backward castes are afraid to abandon the rules and practices that this old religion has taught them and their ancestors for more than 2000 years. Therefore, it is not enough just to make laws to make caste-based discrimination illegal, the government has to actively prosecute people who violate these laws, and should continue to educate people about its terrible effects on society.

Caste-based discrimination is very hurtful towards the members of the lowest caste. So the Indian Constitution was that created by BR Ambedkar in 1949 made any discrimination based on caste illegal. However, Indian leaders realized that this was not enough, and the backward castes needed special help to overcome the negative effects of thousands of years of discrimination. So the constitution also included reservations in education and employment for members of the lowest class ( now knows as Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Castes (OBCs) (parliamentofindia.nic). These disadvantaged castes are given some reservation for jobs and education. The percentage of positions reserved is normally around 7.5-15% and at most 18%.

Some of the upper and the middle castes say that it is extremely unfair that some are given priority just because of their castes and that this could mean that unqualified people are getting into some schools and jobs . However, out of a 100 seats if only 15 or 16 are taken for lower castes, which should not make a big difference to the upper castes. More than 80 seats are still left, which mostly only people from the upper and middle caste can get. Most people from the forward castes have been to good schools throughout their lives. They have probably studied at an English medium school and have been through essential educational and social experiences. People from the backward castes however have not had the money, time, or support to get the kind of education they need. Many of the SCST and OBC’s today are first generation graduates of schools. Many of them have not had much support from their families, no money, and no help. So the upper and middle caste should think about the already have an unfair advantage they have overt people from the the lower castes, before they complain about the unfairness of 15-20% reservations in the constitution (persmin.gov.in).

However, the truth is that even reservations in a constitution are not enough, they only set limitations and policies but do not change the attitude and the perspective people have about the lower castes. Although the constitution sets reservations and prohibits discrimination, it is not easy to prosecute people when they discriminate. It is very hard for anyone to intervene in this kind of discrimination because it is very hard to know where it is happening and what exactly is happening. Discrimination happens in many ways, from people not being able to drink water in some villages in North India to students being suspended in some colleges in South India. In many cases stories like this are hidden, and the Government and Police should do more to prosecute the perpetrators so that people follow the law.

Some the results of discrimination are fatal, and urgent action needs to take place to stop this. Today in Indian out of 25 suicides, 23 suicides are committed by people of lower castes (the hindu.com). Often the discrimination they face is too much to handle. For instance, recently a lower caste student, Rohith Vemula, was suspended by a school in South India and the school took away his scholarship. The school board said they were forced to do so because Vemula protested against the execution of Yakub Memon. Memon caused a lot of damage alongside his brother, however Vemula was against him being executed. A peaceful protest is not illegal and the school did not have any right of taking away the money for his scholarship. Many people think that the reason school took away his scholarship was because he was of a lower caste and he was looked down upon. Since Rohith was from a poor family he knew that once the school took away his scholarship he would not be able to study anymore. He ended his life on Jan. 17 2016 (indianexpress.com).

The government needs to take more action instead of just relying on a constitution that was set more than 50 year ago. If no further action is taken on this issue the caste system will not leave our society. Narrow minded people who still believe in caste system should be prosecuted when they discriminate against people from lower castes. If there is no punishment for this kind of discrimination people will not think this is wrong. We need to focus more on changing the culture in our society and the only way to do this is by enforcing the rules more strictly so everyone realizes how wrong this hierarchy and division in society is. India has gained independence, but because of our caste system we are yet to unite.

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"Discrimination on the Campus." The Hindu. N.p., 25 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 June 2016.
"Dalit Scholar Rohith Vemula: The Student, the Leader." The Indian Express. N.p., 24 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 June 2016
"Brochure On Reservation." Brochure On Reservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2016.