Proposed solutions for the caste problem

[Lalith Ramesh]

Just by looking at the history of the world, one can find several examples of oppressive systems being removed by a variety of means. Which one looks like the best way to solve India's caste problem???

A) Libertarianism-- let the caste system disappear on its own via self-correcting market forces.
B) The counterculture option-- India needs to reject its traditional values and move forward by adopting new ones.
C) The Reagan option-- India needs to provide ample opportunities to its people to get rid of the caste system.
D) Reform legislation-- the Indian government needs to create programs that will get rid of the caste system (incentives for inter-caste marriage, ranking companies on the basis of workplace equality, etc).
E) Roosevelt progressivism-- teach Indians the necessary skills to become wealthy and successful, and then discrimination will end.
F) Non-violent protest-- use non-violent methods to bring world attention to caste discrimination (sit-ins, protests, marches, etc).
G) Socialism-- redistribute wealth to the lower castes.
H) Sabotage-- use limited amounts of violence, like the ANC used against South Africa's apartheid government (interrupt Hindu religious ceremonies, hack computerized displays, etc).
I) Violence-- justice can only be achieved through force, such as during the U. S. Civil War.
J) Separation-- break India into a number of different nations, each being home to an individual caste.

 

[Lalith Ramesh]

PS-- there's also an option "K" which references an international humanitarian intervention. I could not add this to the poll because I reached the maximum number of poll options.

PPS-- option "L" references Rwanda-like violence erupting in India as a result of the caste system.

 

[Vinayaka]

It's complex. The same questionaire could be put to western societies that have strong class systems. I'm personally unsure as to the actual effects of the caste system throughout India. I do know it's a 'first thing' on the list for the anti-Hindu crowd. I know for sure that it varies regionally, and that many folks from India think that where they live is representative of the entire subcontinent. Here in Canada we get immigrants from all castes.

I know of no religious leader that is pro-caste.

I don't see anything on that list that would really address it, and I think it's going away on it's own.

 

[ajay0]

Casteism is not part of the Vedas, and came about as a man-made social system later on.

It should be understood that Rishi Satyakama Jabala, who had authored a portion of the Vedas, was an illegitimate child who disclosed the same to his prospective Guru upon enquiry of lineage. Seeing Jabala's honesty and character, the Guru considered him a worthy disciple.

The Vedas proclaim the equality and fraternity of all human beings.

I have created a thread on this theme...

Liberty, fraternity and equality are cornerstones of Hinduism

"Freedom is a boon, which everyone has the right to receive." ~ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Arya sarva samascaiva sadaiva priyadarsanah, meaning "Arya, who worked for the equality of all and was dear to everyone." ( The Ramayana's description of the Avatar Rama ) “I think in India the...

www.religiousforums.com

So the right solution for the caste system is to go back to the original Vedas, and give up man-made smritis of a temporary duration that came up later on.

 

[sayak83]

Just by looking at the history of the world, one can find several examples of oppressive systems being removed by a variety of means. Which one looks like the best way to solve India's caste problem???

A) Libertarianism-- let the caste system disappear on its own via self-correcting market forces.
B) The counterculture option-- India needs to reject its traditional values and move forward by adopting new ones.
C) The Reagan option-- India needs to provide ample opportunities to its people to get rid of the caste system.
D) Reform legislation-- the Indian government needs to create programs that will get rid of the caste system (incentives for inter-caste marriage, ranking companies on the basis of workplace equality, etc).
E) Roosevelt progressivism-- teach Indians the necessary skills to become wealthy and successful, and then discrimination will end.
F) Non-violent protest-- use non-violent methods to bring world attention to caste discrimination (sit-ins, protests, marches, etc).
G) Socialism-- redistribute wealth to the lower castes.
H) Sabotage-- use limited amounts of violence, like the ANC used against South Africa's apartheid government (interrupt Hindu religious ceremonies, hack computerized displays, etc).
I) Violence-- justice can only be achieved through force, such as during the U. S. Civil War.
J) Separation-- break India into a number of different nations, each being home to an individual caste.

A combination of C, D, E and F....but that is already something that is being done by the governments and civil society.

 

[mangalavara]

Casteism is not part of the Vedas, and came about as a man-made social system later on.

Indeed. I would like to add that in Bali, the varṇas are for ceremonial purposes rather than social matters. Most of the priests there, from what I understand, are śūdras.

The Vedas proclaim the equality and fraternity of all human beings.

This reminds me of that famous line in the Mahā Upanishad: ‘Vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam.’