question_answer

'The institution of caste is both visible and invisible in many respects.) Justify the statement with suitable examples.

Or

What are the rules and regulation that caste system imposes on its members?

 

Answer:

Caste system refers to a social stratification in which different castes are placed on the horizontal ladder of social status. Traditionally the twice born castes such as Brahmin, Kshatriya. Vaisya enjoyed the privileges and Sudras were considered as the worst section. Though the social reforms have played an important role in. eradiating caste system and untouchability, yet it is still prevalent in our society.

Though apparently caste system is abolished yet it continues to affect the life chances. The affluent and dominant group generally belong to higher strata and the deprived and exploited sections are the lower caste. Though reservation policy in spheres has tried to eliminate this difference by providing educational and employment opportunities to them, yet this difference is further depended due to reservation policy. As a certain section oi the society is demarcated as downtrodden and deprived. Hence, caste system, exists in our society ?in visible and. invisible forms.

Or

The rules and regulation which a caste imposes on its member are as following:

(i) Inability- to move up or down the status ladder: an individual is required to remain in die same caste in which he had a chance to born. The movement up and down the status ladder is practically impossible.

(ii) Endogamy: The marriage outside the caste is strictly prohibited.

(iii) Restriction on feeding and social intercourse: The twice born caste can?t accept kaccha food from Sudra. The social interaction with the lower caste is restricted, for example even the shadow of Sudra is considered, to spell a disaster on a Brahmin.

(iv) Lack of unrestricted choice of occupation: The members of caste are required to follow the occupation which is meant for that particular job. For example the Brahmins are meant for priestly job, Kshatriyas as warriors, Vaisyas as traders and Sudras for worst menial jobs.

(v) Civil and religious disabilities: The people of lower caste are subjected to several discriminations. They are required to live at the outskirts of the village and are not allowed to draw water from the village well. There entry in the temple is strictly restricted.