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Caste in India

Caste in India. Gov 1255 Politics of India Prof Prerna Singh. Caste in India. Societal structure of caste: The four varnas Political implications of caste: Caste Mobilization Why , when and how did castes mobilize in North versus South India ? 3. Caste in Everyday Life .

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Caste in India

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  1. Caste in India Gov 1255 Politics of India Prof Prerna Singh

  2. Caste in India • Societal structure of caste: The four varnas • Political implications of caste: Caste Mobilization Why, when and how did castes mobilize in North versus South India? 3. Caste in Everyday Life

  3. Caste Hierarchy • Brahmins • Kshatriyas • Vaishyas • Shudras --------------------- • Untouchables

  4. Caste Hierarchy & Demography • Brahmins • Kshatriyas • Vaishyas • Shudras --------------------- • Untouchables Scheduled Castes/ Dalits: 17% • Scheduled Tribes/ Adivasis: 6% • Non-Hindu Minorities: 18% Upper Castes: 16% Other Backward Castes : 43%

  5. Caste Mobilization North India • Rise of Intermediate/ Backward Castes • Reservations • ‘Silent Revolution’

  6. Social Background of Legislators elected in the Hindi Belt (1952-2004)

  7. Caste Mobilization North India • Rise of Intermediate/ Backward Castes • Rise of Lower Castes • Surge in political participation • Rise of Dalit Parties

  8. BahujanSamaj PartyBahujan = People in majoritySamaj = Welfare ELEPHANT MOVES: A man drives past a wall painted with BSP's election symbol the elephant. Statue of Dr Ambedkar erected by the BSP in UP’s capital, Lucknow BSP Leader & UP Chief Minister - Mayawati

  9. Caste Mobilization South India • Kerala • Tamil Nadu

  10. Causes for Differences in Lower Caste Mobilization in North & South Caste Demography Caste Relations % upper vs. lower castes Steepness & strictness of hierarchy ↓ ↓ Barriers to mobilize Incentives to mobilize

  11. Causes for Differences in Lower Caste Mobilization in North & South Caste Demography Caste Relations % upper vs. lower castes Steepness & strictness of hierarchy ↓ ↓ Barriers to mobilize Incentives to mobilize

  12. Causes for Lower Caste Mobilization in South India Caste Demography Caste Relations Small % of upper castes ↓ ↓ Highly polarized caste structure characterized by strict rules of pollution Barriers to mobilization by lower castes are lower Incentives to mobilize by lower castes are higher Critical juncture: Changes in agrarian society and economy + Activity of Christian Missionaries Time period: Mid-late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in Kerala Early-mid twentieth century in TN

  13. Caste in Everyday Life • Rural India • Urban India

  14. Marriages • Historically, endogamous social groups • Today: • Caste Matrimonials • Is Inter-caste marriage acceptable? No 74%, Yes 20%

  15. “Couple hanged for forbidden love” BBC World News: Thursday, 14 September 2006 Police in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have arrested seven people after two young lovers were hanged because they came from different Indian castes. The boy and girl's parents were among those arrested. The brutal deaths highlight the problems of the rigid caste system in India. The couple, 19-year-old Vishal and Sonu, who was 18, were hanged one after another from the roof of a house in their home village in the Muzafarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. Their crime - to fall in love and come from different castes. Vishal was a high-caste Brahmin and Sonu was a member of the lower caste Jat community. Hundreds watched as the couple died.

  16. “India in low caste marriage plan” BBC World News: Thursday, 14 September 2006 The Indian government has suggested financial incentives of $1,100 should be offered to people who marry members of the lowest Hindu castes. Many Indian states already pay money to those who marry Hindus from the lowest castes who are also called dalits. But the amount differs from state to state - in Gujarat a couple gets the full $1,100 (50,000 rupees) - whereas in West Bengal state the amount is $45. The government says it now wants the sum to be the same throughout India. "In our caste-ridden society if someone breaks out of the mould and marries outside of the caste, we want to give them this money as a token of our appreciation. We want to make an example of them so that others will follow them“ Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar

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