The caste system is so flawed, why do Indians refuse to change it?

In the 21st century, most countries around the world are striving for equality, freedom, and human rights, but India remains stubbornly bound by an “ancient” monster — the caste system.

It is neither a law nor religious ordinance; it is more unshakable than the constitution and more deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people than faith itself.

Some view it as the “cancer” of Indian society, while others consider it the “skeleton” of Indian civilization.

Although the caste system is widely considered absurd and an obstacle to development, India continues to adhere to it, with some regions and younger generations even willing to carry the shackles of “birth determining everything” throughout their lives.

So, what is the reason that such a “corrupt” system remains deeply rooted in Indian society?

To understand why the caste system still tightly binds Indian society today, we must first look back at history thousands of years ago.

From the moment the Aryans conquered the Dravidians, the stratification of Indian society gradually began to take shape.

The Aryans not only gained overwhelming military superiority but also took control of the cultural and religious narrative.

According to the Vedas compiled by the Aryans, ancient Indian religious and social concepts were gradually established, especially in the “Purusha Sukta” of the Rigveda, which divided society into four categories.

This religious myth granted sacred legitimacy to social stratification, and hierarchy was no longer just a tool of power; it became part of the “cosmic order.”

Over time, this concept was institutionalized and integrated into the legal system.

The most representative legal text is the Manusmriti, which detailed the duties and conduct of each caste, with caste identity determined at birth.

One’s efforts, talents, and character could hardly alter their social role, laying a solid foundation for the long-lasting existence of the caste system.

During the medieval period, although the establishment of Islamic rule had an impact on Indian society, especially during the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, the caste system was not completely dismantled.

Islamic rulers typically cooperated with high-caste groups, especially Brahmins, ensuring the continuation of the social hierarchy.

Despite cultural clashes and fusion, the basic framework of the caste system remained unchanged.

The British colonial rule in the 19th century did bring some challenges to the caste system, particularly in the areas of education, judiciary, and land reforms, theoretically challenging the caste structure.

However, British colonizers often continued to use the caste system when distributing political and resource benefits, even intensifying the functioning of the caste system in some aspects.

After India gained independence in 1947, the constitution abolished the “untouchability system” and granted equal legal status to all citizens.

However, the reality is far more complex than what the legal texts suggest.

To address historical disparities, the Indian government implemented a “reservation system,” providing quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalized groups in education, employment, and political representation.

The intention behind this policy was to promote social mobility, but in practice, it deepened the entrenchment of the caste system, directly linking caste identity to resource distribution and political mobilization.

Despite the urbanization and informatization of the 21st century, which has driven the rise of a portion of the middle class and blurred some caste boundaries, the influence of the caste system remains profound in rural areas, local politics, and everyday social interactions.

Whether in legal texts or real-world practices, the caste system quietly persists in every corner of Indian society, running through India’s three-thousand-year history, becoming an integral part of its social structure.

The biggest obstacle the caste system poses to India’s social development lies in the severe inequality in resource distribution.

In many rural areas, land is still concentrated in the hands of high-caste groups, while low-caste communities often find themselves in poverty and oppression, unable to escape generational poverty.

The wealthy high-caste groups can maintain their social status through capital, while low-caste families, even if they strive to break free from their fate, struggle to overcome the barriers in education and capital.

The unequal distribution of educational resources further exacerbates this inequality.

Despite the Indian government’s reservation system, which provides educational quotas for low-caste groups, many marginalized communities in rural areas still face numerous difficulties in accessing educational resources.

Inadequate infrastructure, lack of teachers, and campus discrimination lead to many low-caste children not having access to the educational opportunities they deserve, making it difficult for them to break the cycle of poverty.

Even for the few low-caste students who successfully enter higher education, they often face discrimination and social pressure from the mainstream society, and the implicit rejection of social stratification still exists.

In the job market, despite laws prohibiting caste discrimination, caste remains an unwritten standard in many private enterprises and local employment systems.

High-caste individuals find it easier to enter formal sectors and technical positions, while low-caste individuals are often confined to low-skill, labor-intensive jobs.

Even with similar educational backgrounds, caste-related social capital still determines individual career advancement opportunities.

The caste system’s impact on Indian politics is particularly profound.

Many political figures rely on caste-based mobilization to build their voter base, and during elections, political parties often divide constituencies along caste lines, depending on specific caste votes to gain political support.

This “caste-party congruence” mechanism has led India’s political ecosystem to be detached from policy issues, shifting focus to caste identity struggles, resulting in fragmented local politics and “identity-based” political maneuvering.

On a social psychological level, the caste system deeply influences the identity of Indians.

Even young people in modern cities find it difficult to completely escape the implicit pressure of caste.

From marriage to socializing, from daily conversations to friendship circles, the shadow of caste is everywhere.

Even though the law no longer recognizes caste discrimination, the “caste boundaries” in private life remain exceptionally firm.

Why does the caste system persist so stubbornly?

To answer this question, we need to understand the multiple functions of the caste system in Indian society.

Although the caste system is clearly a regressive remnant in modern governance theory, for many Indians, caste is an inherent identity label that provides a sense of belonging and recognition, especially in a country with a highly fragmented social structure.

Political parties stabilize voter support through “caste mobilization” during elections, and many political figures do not wish to dissolve the caste system but rather reinforce caste awareness to solidify their power.

This creates huge political resistance to any reform that attempts to break the caste barrier.

At the same time, religious beliefs and cultural traditions are deeply embedded in the social structure.

The concept of caste in Hinduism is not only derived from ancient myths but also permeates various rituals and daily life.

For many people, caste is not just a social reality but a “religious duty.”

Even among the highly educated middle class, many still hold steadfast to the ideas of “purity” and “hereditary occupations.”

In the context of globalization, although Indian society has gradually modernized on the surface, the deep-rooted caste system has not disappeared.

In fact, in some areas, the importance of caste has only increased.

Marginalized groups rely on identity policies for survival, while the middle and upper classes use caste relationships to maintain their social advantage.