Caste Misconceptions: True or False

• The class will cover misconceptions about caste and contemporary understanding.

Seven Misconceptions About Caste: True or False

• The caste one is born into determines one's occupation.
• Caste designations are permanent.
• Castes relate in mutually accepted hierarchical patterns.
• Everyone with the same caste name is related.
• Castes are uniquely Hindu.
• Hinduism legitimizes preferential treatment according to caste.
• Castes have been abolished.

Understanding True/False Answers

• Statements marked with a cross are completely false.
• Statements without a cross might be partially false or true.

Caste and Occupation

• Ancient varna system in law books prescribes occupations for each varna.
• People in the same caste engage in different occupations.
• Caste names do not always correlate with an individual's profession.

Ancient Texts and Caste

• The Dharmashastras state society is divided into four varnas and everyone must follow the dharma of their varna.
• In emergencies or distress, people can follow the duties of other varnas.

Caste Mobility

• A Brahmana can receive Vedic instruction from a non-Brahmana, but becomes more honorable upon completing study.
• One may teach, officiate sacrifices, and receive gifts; if these are unavailable, they may live by the occupations of a Kshatriya, or a Vaishya

Flexibility in Caste Designations

• Castes sometimes change their names and behavior for advantageous treatment.
• Caste groups may be given a new caste name when moving to a different area.
  • Chettiar (merchant) and Pahari (mountain people) are examples of this.

Chettiars Example

• The Chettiars originated from Chettinad in Tamil Nadu.
• Formally referred to as Nattukottai Chettiars or Nagarathars.
  • Nattukottai: people with palatial houses in the countryside
  • Nagarathars: city dwellers, traders and temple-based people
• Chettiars were traditionally precious stone merchants and traders.
• They later became involved in banking and moneylending.
• Chettiars emigrated from India to Ceylon, Burma, and Malaya as the British expanded in the region.
• The Chettiars became the pioneer financiers of Singapore.

Contemporary Issues

• In 1999, 15-year-old Siddhant Paswan, a Dalit, became Siddhant Kumar to avoid caste discrimination.
• Changing identity was a way to avoid caste descrimination specifically when looking for jobs.

Mutual Acceptance of Caste Hierarchy is Disputed

• Some castes might differ in opinion about the "correct" local hierarchical patterns.
• Disputes regarding the “correct" local hierarchy frequently occur.
• Caste rankings can change over time.

Caste Name Does Not Imply Relation

• Some castes make pots and are called "potters" by those around them, but are not related to all "potters."
• Not every "Ambani" is related to every other "Ambani."

Caste Not Exclusive to Hinduism

• Castes exist in other faiths such as Jains and Sikhs.
• If caste is regulations around marriage/interaction with other groups in society, then it exists outside Hinduism.
• Marrying within one's caste and avoiding interaction with other castes occurs among Jains and Christians.

Hinduism and Preferential Treatment

• Hinduism does not explicitly legitimizes preferential treatment according to caste
• Bhakti movement is against preferential treatment.
• Alternative religious and non-religious movements have criticized preferential treatment according to caste.
• Buddhism and people like E. V. Ramamswamy Naicker reject preferential treatment.

Buddha's View on Caste

• The Buddha asserts that all four castes are equal and sees the brahmanas' claims of superiority as boastful.

E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar) - Social and Religious Reform

• Periyar was born into a Hindu trading family.
• In 1904, on a pilgrimage to Varanasi, he observed rituals and said Hinduism was Brahmanical exploitation.
• Periyar was one of the leading participants and leaders for Vaikom Satyagraha around Sree Mahadeva Temple in Kerala in 1924-1925.

Caste Abolishment Difficulties

• India's constitution declares "untouchability" is abolished and discriminating against "untouchables" can be prosecuted.
• India's constitution does not explicitly abolish castes.
• The United States does illegitimize discrimination on the grounds of race or gender
• The United States has no laws abolishing race or gender.