




It started, as such things must, with the political leadership. Virtually all the regional political parties are now led by members of castes which a century ago were excluded from power. Soon it will be the turn of Central Government leadership on a sustained and not just an episodic basis. Over time, this pattern has moved from the world of politics into the more rarefied realms of the bureaucracy and the judiciary. The demographics were always in favour of the lower castes who constituted the majority of the country. In the last century, these demographics have moved even more emphatically and decisively to strengthen the position of the lower castes. And given the context of universal adult franchise this is by no means a trivial matter.
What of the future? What Toynbee said of race applies to caste too. Clearly inter-marriage is the long-term nemesis of caste. And marriages across the caste divide happen increasingly and easily among the rich, the middle class and the poor in urban settings. Those who would like to see a quick demise of the caste system should agitate not for rural welfare funding, but for urban development.
... contd.


Group Websites : Express India | Financial Express | Screen India | Loksatta | Kashmir Live | Biz Publications