Ambika Maharjan, 22, believes that the caste system is a “bad system” and that “there is no use of it”. “It breeds problems and discrimination,” she says, giving an evidence of how in her own house those of lower castes have been forbidden to drink out of metal vessels. [break]
While her grandma still upholds caste system, Maharjan finds these practices “disgusting” and those acts of racial prejudices “embarrassing.”
Maharjan is not alone in conceptualizing caste-based discriminations as an evil practice, says Amrit Baral, 25, “There must be no rooms for caste-based discriminations in the 21st century”.
Rejecting the historical theory of caste system in all its forms and dynamics, Baral stands solidly in favor of a pluralist society, wherein he says a social circle, that includes all people irrespective of castes, color or creeds, must live together in harmony. He blames the current ills of the society, including the fights and societal tension to prevailing caste system. He concludes, “Caste system hinders development and must be abolished.”
Of late, there is a growing consensus of opinions among young generation that the caste system should be eliminated. Many of them invariably argue that education could act as a powerful weapon to eliminate the practice.
Samuel KC, 21, who is currently doing his BA, says, “The more learned a person is, the less he tends to attach importance to caste issues.” He says the key to the problem of caste-based discriminations lies in having educated people in society. Others echo the same concern: that the caste system is sustained by those who are uneducated, and, therefore, are unable to make better judgments.
Unfortunately, the caste system persists in rural areas and outside the Kathmandu valley and among those functionally illiterate. It is needless to say that education is the answer to much-needed social reforms. However, one cannot ignore the inadequate quality of education in rural areas of the country. KC and Baral feel that the kind of education imparted in rural Nepal is insufficient to mould human behavior or transform the society.
Regardless of region, Kalyan Khardka, 21, points out that the caste system isn’t all terrible since “caste is linked to a person’s name” and therefore their identity. Biplap Giri, 23, says, “It’s good to know people by their names.” He points out that his last name offers information about him which is essential. Giri adds that when names are used to gauge how one treats another individual, castes assumed a negative connotation.
It is also crucial to draw attention to the distinction between caste, culture and religion. Although the caste system is embedded in Hinduism, Nepali culture is not confined to the Hindu faith. Maharjan makes it clear when she says, “Differences in religions and cultures is not a problem. In fact, it’s good, but problems crop up if there is discrimination.”
Nepalis subscribe to many different faiths and are bound to cultural facets like the caste system. KC, a Christian and a member of Patan church, says that the caste system does not matter to him or his family because of his religious affiliation. This fact is evident in his brother’s inter-caste marriage that has the family’s full support.
Having said these, when looking into the future, the youth of today do not seem concerned about the caste of their life partners. But there are still a few of those youths who for the sake of appeasing their parents would not go for inter-caste marriage. Maharjan, 22, laughs and says there would be a “Mahabharat” and so an inter-caste marriage doesn’t seem like a viable option for her.
However, for someone like 23-year-old Rajita Bhusal, who doesn’t believe in the caste system, inter-caste marriage is a non-issue. “I don’t care, but I will have hard time convincing my family.” When asked why, she replies, “This is because of the society and the existing tradition.” She continues, “We should stop this. If we keep on believing what our elder generation said, then it will pass on to the next generation too.”
There are others, like Baral, who claim that inter-caste marriage isn’t an issue with him or his parents. “It’s up to me to decide, it’s my life,” he says. “My parents respect that. And, for others, it’ll probably take some time before the caste system is totally irrelevant to their lives.”
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