Curses of the Caste System

INTRODUCTION
The Caste System has found its inroads into Iowa from the countries of origin which
mainly include India, Bhutan and Nepal – all in South Asia.

Although, progressive-minded Hindus claim they are free of this social evil, it is still
practiced covertly or overtly. Discrimination on the basis of caste, or “untouchability”,
would include the practice of banishing entry of Sudras into the so called higher-caste
homes and an obsession with supremacy of birth - which still continues unabated.

Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that some changes are taking place particularly among
the educated mass who do realize that Casteism is an inhuman practice. There is a
tendency to break the barriers. For instance, there have been cases of inter-caste
marriages, dining together in public places, visiting temples and some limited entry into
the houses of the so-called upper caste Hindus.
It is seen that the problem among those so-called high-caste educated Hindus who
denounce the caste system is their conservative parents and relatives who do not want
to break with the past. By any standards, a human being is a human being. It is needed
for our society to wake up from this long slumber and help bring an end to this infamous
caste system.

ORIGINS OF CASTE – A HISTORY LESSON

The four-fold division of the society came down from the time of Lord Krishna, the Hindu
deity who was on Earth some 3,500 years ago, according to the Vedic Calendar. The
subsequent literature talks about a four-fold order of the human society based on
occupation and attributes.

The upper class consist of the Brahmanas who are seers, scientists, teachers, politicians,
and the like.

While next in line are the Kshatriyas who are defendants of the society in the form of
soldiers, policeman and guards.

Below them are the Vaishyas or the producers like the farmers, agricultural and industrial
workers.

The Sudras, or the lowest in order, are service providers like tailors, blacksmith, cobblers,
carpenters, etc.

Sudras are “untouchables” to the higher three caste group. The Vaishyas are also
“untouchables” to the upper two castes. There is also some discrimination of the
Brahmins on the Kshatriyas, too.

Outside this four-fold order is another group who are deemed as outcaste; they are
called Chandals, and they live like scavengers eating dog meat and staying beyond the
city limits.
What had been overlooked from then to now is the fact that Krishna himself confirms
many times in the Bhagavad Gita (the holy book of the Hindus) that He composed the
four groups on the basis of action performed or occupation, and attributes or qualities.

However, in the course of time, because of many social factors, the four-fold division took
the form of an evil caste system which was largely followed on the basis of birth and
discriminatory inhuman practices - contrary to what it was originally intended. The
discrimination prevailed vertically, as per the strata of social order with the Sudras being
the hardest hit.
BASIS OF SOCIAL DIVISION
We know Krishna, the exponent of the four-fold division's agenda, for establishing this
order to ensure effective performance of society’s duty. Originally, Krishna never
proposed untouchability, discrimination, harassment and social violence. It must also be
taken into account that Krishna never proposed birth as a factor either.

Words coming out from the lips of Krishna as they appear in the Bhagavad Gita are as
follows:

“I composed the four groups in the society on the basis of quality and action.

The one who sees God in a cow, elephant, dog, chandal and a priest is a true Gnani
[Wise].

Anyone is born as a Sudra. He raises to higher platforms with his samskaras [deeds]. The
one who reads the vedh [Scripture – Holy Book] is a vipra [reader of the vedh]. The one
who knows the Brahma [absolute] is a Brahman.”

This should be a guiding light for those upper class Hindus who are defying the very
principles enshrined in their own scriptures and inhumanly suppressing their own brothers
and sisters with a false notion of supremacy on the grounds of caste.

EVILS OF THE CASTE SYSTEM

The evils of the caste system have penetrated deep into the hearts of society in and
around the Indian subcontinent because of the age-old cultural misconception.

First, there is discrimination against the Sudras which is characterized by the

dehumanizing practice of untouchability. A lower caste person cannot come near or touch
a higher caste person let alone touch food or other items of consumption. They are not
allowed to enter into the house of the higher one or such other places like sacred temples.
Inter-caste marriages are strictly banned. Presence of such cases are severely dealt with.

INSTANCES OF CASTE DISCRIMINATION IN IOWA

• A young man of so-called higher group married a Sudra girl in Iowa recently. The
relatives of the young man came into his house, scolded him and asked him to
leave the house immediately because they were now untouchables. Although the
man's parents were willing to let his newly-married son and daughter-in-law live
with them, the so-called representatives of the caste-perpetuating society would
not let them do that.
 • In another case, a Sudra requested a priest to do the birth rituals of his newly born
cousin to which the priest out rightly denied - saying he would not do that in a
Sudra's house.

• A young, educated Brahmin invites his friends, including some Sudras, to his
marriage party. But because of his parents’ and relatives' pressure, he sends a
second notice to them saying not to come to his house or participate in the
marriage rituals.

• Just a year ago, a Sudra person decides to buy a house in the Des Moines area,
where there were Brahmins living in the locality. Malicious rumors sprang up
saying a Sudra is moving nearby, and he should not be allowed in our locality. The
said Sudra decided not to buy the house and moved elsewhere.

• Recently, a Sudra-labeled individual went to the funeral rites of his friend's father
with monetary support and gifts for the family. The people hosting the rituals called
out from the place where the rituals were being performed denying them entry - in
an insulting manner.

These are few that are known to me. There could be other similar incidences which may
have gone unreported. The cause of the evils related to Casteism are because of vested
interests, greed, lust for power, conceit and animalistic nature of the so-called guardians
of the society themselves.

Historically, the political systems in most parts of the world have been feudalistic, and this
is very prevalent in Hindu-cultural majority nations. This created a breeding ground for
caste-based discrimination, and they continue to flourish even now in the 21st Century.
The suppression has continued to grow because the orthodox group has asserted the
birth factor as their right against the lower caste. Thus, the situation is of the very
custodians of the social order openly defying the very basis on which the system was
founded.

RELEVANCE IN OTHER SOCIETY

The social fabric in all other societies of the world, consciously or unconsciously, is very
much based on this four-fold order. Societies flourish because we have those taking
charge of our responsibilities. But the big difference is that for any kind of occupation,
there is dignity, social harmony, intermingling of the caste groups and freedom to
undertake any trade on the basis of personal choice and capabilities. A cobbler in United
States enjoys the same dignity as the president. This is, however, missing in the countries
of origin of the system where there is rampant discrimination and prevalence of the evils
in the society.
HOW TO SPOT THE PRACTICE OF CASTEISM
• An open manifestation of Casteism may be viewed where Hindus congregate. Do
they only entertain the upper class Hindus although they claim it is a space for all
Nepali-speaking Bhutanese? Upon further observation, do they provide services
to all Bhutanese or do they fail to designate priests to the houses of the Vaishyas
and Sudras - be it for death rituals, marriage, birth or other social ceremonies. (This
is happening despite the fact that all Hindus have exactly the same ceremonial
procedures. But, the situation is that the implementation of the caste discrimination
has effectively led to social segregation.)

• In any social function where the Brahmins and Kshatriyas offer tea or snacks to
the guests present, they will make arrangements for the Vaishyas and Sudras to
sit away from them – for fear of touching.

• Walk a Sudra friend to a Brahmin's house and observe how they would keep him
or her away from the main room or kitchen. As an example, once during a festival,
a person deemed as lower-caste had visited a friend's house hoping to chat with
them. But to his dismay, the friend and an another guest, who were both Brahmins,
stayed in the kitchen enjoying a drink while they made this person stay away from
the room and brought him a drink outside. (This humiliating incident is common
place.)

• If circumstances require cultural rituals, the Brahmin priest would not come to the
house of a Vaishya or a Sudra.

• The caste barrier is most visible when someone dies in the house. Sudras and
Vaishyas would not be allowed to come near the dead body nor the people
performing death rituals. However, they will still accept money and other gifts.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Given the sensitivity and the extremity of human rights violations accruing from the
practice of Casteism, it is imperative for those who can make a difference to lay concerted
efforts to emancipate human kind from this dehumanization. Besides the incidences
highlighted above, there are many exclusionary instances taking place on a daily basis.

Theoretically, it must be made clear that practice of this system has been recognized as
a crime against humanity in countries like India and Nepal. And, its manifestation
constitutionally abolished. It is also reported that other countries affected by this or where
there have been large settlements of Indian diaspora are also taking measures to legally
end this practice. However, it has only been in name because the discrimination continues
as ever before without much sign of betterment for the suppressed.
In the context of Iowa and the United States towards achieving racial harmony, peaceful
coexistence and a humane environment and equal dignity for all, it must be worthwhile to
consider the following:

• Undertake a survey on the cases of caste discrimination in Iowa and the United
States.

• Approach law makers to denounce the caste system in all its forms, and proclaim
or otherwise officially recognize policies that safeguard the rights of all minorities
with a mention of the so-called lower-caste Hindus.

• Work to make Iowa a caste-free and discrimination-free state through systematic

monitoring, documenting, advocating and establishing up a state-level board to
undertake that function effectively.

• Provide Human Rights Education on the basis of the US Constitution and the
United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the need to refrain from
caste-based discrimination or other inhuman treatment.

• Set up a network that would allow for speedy and convenient reporting of the caste-
based discrimination in the state.

This article was authored by a member of the South Asian community residing Iowa. The
name is not provided in order to protect anonymity and any castigation upon this person
and family members for writing this piece - giving “outsiders” a glimpse into the practice
of Casteism in Iowa.