Caste Identity and Examination of Ambedkar’s Methods to Annihilate Caste

Abstract

Caste is a peculiar problem in Indian Society. To date, social scientists have not given any clear-cut definition of it, but it has certain characteristics, for instance, hierarchy, endogamy, association with a hereditary occupation, restrictions on food and social intercourse, distinction in custom, dress, and speech, and civil and religious disabilities and privileges enjoyed by different sections of the society. It is a social system in which each caste has been assigned a specific role to play. India is undeniably the most stratified society in the world. Apart from huge income disparities, there are caste, religious, and community differences that are deeply ingrained in everyday social relations. No doubt that the nature of caste and community interactions has changed over time, but views along ascriptive lines still remain important markers in both the public and private spheres. Therefore, Ambedkar suggested some methods by which caste can be annihilated. But all the methods suggested by him are still not fully implemented in the Indian society whose observation will be done in this article for which descriptive and analytical method has been adopted. As a result, it seems that caste is a mental illness whose cure is none other than social harmony.