Why Is the Caste System Still So Deeply Rooted in Indian Society?

Ancient Religious Foundations Endure

The caste system is also inherent in ancient Hindu religious thought and is therefore very obviously why the system itself remains in existence today. The idea of varna and jati, which was elaborated in religious literature, gave the notion of a divinely approved social stratification. It was by this religious formulation that the system was given de facto legitimacy, and tied in with cultural identity, rites, and discourses of purity and pollution. In spite of modernization and legal extirpation, these internalized religious tenets continue to create social stratification constructing marriage and community relations as well as social perceptions. The system is supported by the fact that the foundations of the same are seen as a sacrosanct and intrinsic element of a god-ordained order.

Endogamy Perpetuates Social Segregation

Endogamy, a marriage practice to marry within and not outside a caste, leads to a strong grip of the caste system in Indian society. The requirement of marriage in the same caste groups gives origin to hard lines in society. This is a practice that avoids serious integration, as well as interaction among various castes regardless of the generations involved. The castes and social status are identified within these categories and any form of social movement is impossible. As a result, biases and stratification differences are affirmed. Endogamy makes segregation institutional so that the caste distinctions are obvious and socially functional.

Economic Disparities Reinforce Hierarchy

Economic inequalities play an active role in maintaining the inflexibility in the Indian caste system. Years of landlessness, lack of capital, and education made the upper castes focus their wealth. The resultant economic benefits are directly converted to an excessive social power and influence. On the other hand, groups that were historically disadvantaged meet systemic obstacles to accumulating wealth: access to good schools and credit is curtailed and movement to the formal sector is limited. There is deep poverty that curtails social progress greatly. Concentration of wealth permits the leading casts to subjugate the resources and command local economic relations which further settles their high status. This economic structure is directly replicated and supported by the social strata.

Political Vote Bank Manipulation

The caste system has its firm roots in Indian society because of political manipulation of the vote banks. Caste groups are mobilized intentionally towards having caste groups as consolidated electoral blocs by political parties. It is providing specific caste-based policies, gestures of symbolic nature such as reservation promises to the communities that can be used specifically to solicit votes. Caste-consciousness as the main political affiliation of large population groups is strengthened by such strategies. Thus, caste further becomes the basic structure of social and political adherence. It is in the interest of electoral incentives to preserve these specific group identities. This does not allow actual social integration and policies of universal welfare. Vote bank politics is made in such a way so that caste is a reality and powerful phenomenon deliberately stemming the effort to achieve a casteless society.

Modern Systemic Discrimination Persists

Modern discrimination in systems can be seen with the deep roots of the caste system in Indian society. Inherent hierarchies are perpetuated by centuries-old social stratification that is held in place with the support of tradition and religious sanction. Even though it has been abolished through acts of the law, case identity is a major social criteria controlling community relations and marriages. The systemic barriers still exist in the social exclusion aspect, less access to power resources by the lower castes, and prejudice. The system is so widespread that it continues to exist since times immemorial due to embedded social norms and strong cultural assimilation that create contemporary inequality.