Conditions Unfavorable to Caste

The following elements have acted to weaken the caste system in our country:

1. Spread of Education: Modern education has dealt a heavy blow to the caste system. It has shattered the religious myths. ‘A major part in weakening the caste system is placed by the existing education. Modern education is negative as regards religion. It emphasizes democratic values such as liberty, equality and fraternity. Modern education bears the stamp of the scientific and independent thinking in the West. It has laid great stress upon the importance of man. Thus the progress of modern education is demolishing proportionately the ties of caste, etc. education has encouraged inter caste social interactions. The practice of untouchability has been abolished and even made an offence under the Indian Penal Code. Socially, the new generation believes less in the practice of untouchability. 
2. Process of Industrialization: Rapid industrialization has introduced many changes in the erstwhile static society. It has reduced the intensity of caste fervor because persons from all castes sought and obtained employment in factories. A. W. Green believe that, “although the Brahmin has to take a prolonged religious bath in order to purify himself against the defilement caused by the mere shadow of Shudra, yet it is not possible to avoid the shadow of Shudras in the crowded lanes of city and busy offices. As a result of industrialization individuals of all castes came into mutual contact into factories, hotels, markets, trains, trams and buses etc.” This has helped in undermining the intense feeling of casteism in our society.
3. Wealth as Symbol of Prestige: Now caste no more signifies one’s social prestige. Its place has been taken over by wealth. A person adopts an occupation not because of his caste but because it appears more beneficiary to him. ‘The consideration in the choice of a profession is no longer caste but individual capability and the facility in earning wealth. These days, a wealthy Shudra is more respected than a poor Brahmin’.
4. Social Reform Movements: The movements aiming to secure social emancipation have also struck at the vary root of caste system.
5. Means of Communication: Means of communication have introduced rapidity in social interactions and have brought down the fence that had caused isolation of villagers. ‘It became difficult to maintain the rigidity of caste in the whirlwind of communication set into motion by industrialization through such means as buses, trains, trams, cars, etc.
6. Political Factors: There has been continuous agitation by various groups to end discrimination and exploitation. This was the aim of the national agitation for independence. ‘The objective of this national movement was the establishment of a democratic pattern of society in India. For this reason it made efforts to weaken the caste consciousness in the people.’ The political factors, along with other factors have weakened the caste system.
7. New social Classes: Industrialization has led to the appearance of new social classes in the society. ‘These social classes are replacing the caste. The organization of castes was vertical that of classes in horizontal. The feeling of class-consciousness is so strong that it has led to the weakening of caste consciousness or the feelings of casteism.
8. Constitutional Provisions: The constitution of India in Article 15(2) of the constitution of India declared ‘all citizens equal.’ The fortress of the caste system collapsed when foreign rule came to an end. According to the Untouchability Crime Act of 1955 it is a crime to prevent anyone from using a public place. Despite these steps, the caste system has not died away. It is still being aroused by the vested interests particularly out political leaders. In the shadow of political life, the feeling of casteism is sensed as stronger than earlier.