Topic – Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
1)Discuss how caste manifests itself in Indian diaspora. (250 words)
Why this question
Caste in South Asia is a strong institution to reckon with. A host of caste related discriminations, disadvantages are still common and violence against lower classes still takes place in India, even though the severity of the problem in the society as a whole has significantly fallen down. It would be interesting to see what happens to Indians who move out of India for a long time/ forever.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to dig deep into the relationship between Indian society and caste system. It wants us to extrapolate this relation to Indian diaspora, living under a different socio-economic context and a separate political and legal framework.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the key demand of the question and mention any relevant and essential aspect of the question, so as to give a complete picture of the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – write a few lines about the number of Indian diaspora and the diverse number of countries in which they have settled and flourished.
Body-
Discuss in detail about how caste manifests itself for Indian diaspora and to what extent. What are the discriminations faced in private and public life. E.g inter-caste marriages; denying employment opportunities based upon caste system; Dalit movements in foreign countries; caste consciousness as a tool to claim superiority etc. Mention the difference in severity of the problem in India and outside India- lack of violence and institutional bias in other countries; non-politicization of the issue; better chances of getting relief in case of any discrimination proved in a court of law; lack of social protection like ST atrocities act etc.
Also try to brainstorm and bring out the reasons as to why caste system in its milder form is still practised among Indian diaspora- e.g strong role of family and relatives in Indian society vis a vis other societies; sub-conscious acceptance of one’s superiority vis a vis lower castes; assertiveness of lower castes etc.
Conclusion– Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
