Caste in India

Recent incidents of honour killings and rising caste-based violence in southern States, particularly Tamil Nadu, highlight the paradox of caste persistence amidst social justice movements and urban modernisation.

Caste paradox in India: Endurance of hierarchy versus forces of transformation

Persistence of Caste as a Social Phenomenon

• Deeply rooted institution: Caste is not merely an individual practice but a social system reinforced by families, communities, and cultural traditions.
• Transmission through family: Customs, rituals, and marriage alliances ensure caste continuity across generations.
• Psychological internalisation: Children learn caste boundaries early, making caste a lived reality rather than an abstract idea.

Honour Killings and the Caste Paradox

• Challenge of social mobility: Education and employment for Dalits have facilitated greater integration into mainstream society.
• Inter-caste marriages as flashpoints: Romantic unions across caste lines, especially involving Dalit men and dominant caste women, are seen as threats to entrenched hierarchies.
• Paradoxical violence:Honour killings are more prevalent in States with empowered Dalit populations (Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Kerala), showing violence arises where caste dominance is challenged.

Tamil Nadu’s Experience

• Progressive civil society: Tamil Nadu has a strong anti-caste legacy shaped by social justice politics and democratic voices.
• Contradictory trends: Despite public rejection of caste killings, caste pride is often celebrated on social media under anonymity.
• Collective vs individual mindset: Public attitudes may appear progressive, but private family choices continue to perpetuate caste divisions.

Family as the Carrier of Caste

• Central role of family: Beyond politics, caste survives due to reinforcement within families through marriage arrangements and social expectations.
• Global comparisons: Shifts in family structures in South Korea and Japan show weakening traditional family units.
• Indian urban youth: Increasing focus on individual autonomy, emotional well-being, and self-prioritisation is slowly weakening the family’s hold and, consequently, caste enforcement.

Way Forward

• Strengthening legal measures: Strict enforcement of laws against honour killings and caste-based violence.
• Social reform campaigns: Promotion of inter-caste marriages through government schemes and civil society initiatives.
• Digital counter-narratives: Leveraging social media to dismantle caste pride discourses and amplify anti-caste voices.
• Educational transformation: Curriculum reform to encourage critical thinking against caste hierarchies.
• Cultural change: Long-term weakening of caste will come from shifts in family structures, lifestyle choices, and changing aspirations of youth.