India Exports Caste System

The word caste is derived from the Portuguese word "Casta"; meaning lineage, breed or race. Recently very interestingly 2-3 major cases of discrimination came into light from the developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom. (First an Indian millionaire couple caught in exploiting maid, secondly a Hindu father set on fire his daughters house on fire in the US just because she married a lower caste person, and thirdly;A Boston graduate was molested and sexually abused by a Hindu Priest of a Hindu temple in Moshi, Tanzania).

Apart from all this, there was news a few days back that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)people strengthening their base in the US and the UK universities through the Hindu students studying there. The mentality of these Hindus is like "If we cant become like the US, what is the problem? We can make the US like India!!!" I think that is what they have started working for!!

Around one in 25 people in the world experiences some form of caste discrimination.

About 300 million people suffer caste discrimination throughout the world.

More than half of these are in India.

First time in 2001, caste discrimination was brought in front of the whole world (by the people working for Dalit Rights) at the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) held at Durban, despite India's objection. But still no change in the system, as those who were suffering earlier still continue to suffer!! Castes earlier used to exist in India, Nepal,Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh etc. Now these incidents show that caste has been exported from India to the many other developed countries, which should be the area of concern for all governments and for all those who are concerned about the basic human rights and good community relationships. These incidents are not new, as the reports (July 2006) of "Dalit Solidarity Network UK (DSN)" clearly showed caste discrimination prevailing in the UK.

When asked by DSN: "Do you believe that Indians in the UK follow the caste system?" More than 84 per cent people said YES. They agreed that caste divide people. Even in the UK, the US, Canada and other western countries there are separate Gurudawaras (Temples of Sikhs) i.e. Ramgarhia, Jat (upper caste in Punjab), and Ravidasi (followers of Guru Ravidas) people can be seen visiting different Gurudawaras as they do in Punjab. A research paper by Mark Juergensmeyer from the UK states that,"Caste relationships between caste groups seem to be upheld to a great extent, the rules of endogamy (marrying within the caste group) are still strictly followed."

People face discrimination in political, education, employment and health sector mainly as in India, though somewhat less. Former Mayor of Coventry Ram Lakha, a Labour Councilor who is a Dalit, faced intense discrimination from upper castes when he stood for election in a largely Indian ward. During campaigning he was often told that he would not get people's vote as he was a chamar. So he filed his nomination in a non-Asian constituency and was able to win.A shopkeeper in Wolverhampton, England, speaks of an incident where a customer insisted that their change be placed on the counter to avoid contact with someone from a lower caste. On a factory floor,in Wolverhampton, England, women from so-called upper castes will not take water from the same tap as a lower caste person.

"Caste has caused division and it does cause social devastation.The problem is that nobody has accepted the problem within this country (UK). Caste is one area which is totally swept under the carpet". The "Caste Divide," BBC Radio 4, April 2003 Rodiya community of Sri Lanka is considered as lower caste people. Similarly Buraku community of Japan also have suffered, as Dalits do in India, but because of the Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Japan the condition of Buraku and Rodiya people is now somewhat better than that of Dalits of India. It was thought that globalisation would wipe out caste. As caste system is so deeply rooted in Hindu religion, there is no such scope. Wherever the Hindus go, they will carry caste discrimination with themselves and stop the development and harmony in that country. Is there any scope for human development if we continue with caste discrimination? Perhaps the only escape is conversion from Hinduism, as such there is no use of living in the religion that teaches discrimination and where there is no value of humanity.

In the light of caste discrimination in developed countries, I think it is time for leaders of the United Nations to rework on the present policies related to the "Caste discrimination". And people who believe in "Basic Human Rights" from all over the world have to come forward to destroy "Hindu Caste System" and give justice to millions of people suffering for thousands of years.

Further References:-
No Escape- Caste Discrimination in the UK (Dalit Solidarity Network UK Report, July 2006).
Report is available
at www.idsn.org/Documents/pdf/UK-Diaspora.pdf

A History of the Untouchables: The Buraku and the Dalit - An article by Katelyn Coyle.

Caste discrimination - A case study for inclusion in the new equality framework -- An article by Annapurna Waughray.

Caste Discrimination Overseas - Adjourned Debate in the UK Parliament (22 November 2005).

Original Article by Pradeep Here

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