CASTE AND CASTE PRACTICES
The concept of caste never existed in India, the word caste is used by Portuguese when they came to India, observing the Indian society and practices they follow thought such a system was intended to keep purity of blood. There were a lot of studies conducted on caste system in India. So, many scholars have given the definition of caste, its typology and its characteristics. Ambedkar’s view of caste and caste practices in India:
Ambedkar studied the definitions of caste proposed by Senart, Nesfield, Risley and Ketkar. After critical evaluation of various characteristics of castes, Ambedkar infers that prohibition or rather the absence of inter marriage between people of different castes is the only element that can be considered as the critical element of caste. Among Hindus, castes are endogamous while gotra within a particular caste is exogamous. In spite of endogamy of the castes, exogamy at the level of gotra is strictly observed. There are more rigorous punishments for those who break the laws of endogamy. It is understandable that exogamy cannot be prescribed at the level of caste, for then caste, as a definite, identifiable unit would cease to exit. Ambedkar further says that, Preventing marriages out of the group creates a problem from within the group, which is not east to solve. The problem is that the number of individuals of either sex is more or less evenly distributed in a normal group and they are of similar age. If a group desires to consolidate its identity as a caste then it has to maintain a strict balance in numbers of persons belonging to either sex. Maintenance of numbers becomes the primary goal because, if a group wants to preserve the practice of endogamy. It is absolutely necessary to maintain a numerical equality between marriageable individuals of the two sexes within the group.
What naturally happens is that there is a SURPLUS of either sex in the society. If the group does not take care of this surplus population, it can easily break the law of endogamy. Ambedkar argues that there are two ways in which the problem “SURPLUS WOMEN” is resolved in the society. SURPLUS WOMEN may either be burnt on the funeral pyre of their husbands or strict rules of endogamy may be imposed on them. Since burning of women cannot be encouraged in society, Widowhood, bringing with it prohibition of remarriage is imposed on them. As far as problem of SURPLUS MEN is concerned, Ambedkar says that men have dominated society for centuries and have enjoyed greater prestige than women. The same treatment cannot be accorded to them. A widower can remain so far the rest of his life, but given the sexual desire that is natural, he is a threat to morals of the group particularly if he leads a active social life and does not live as a recluse. He has to be therefore, allowed to remarry a woman who has not been previously been married. If a widower is provided a second woman, then an imbalance in number of women of marriageable age is created. A SURPLUS MEN can be therefore be provided a wife who has not yet reached marriageable age that is a minor girl. Ambedkar identified four means by which numerical disparity between the two sexes can be dealt with.
1) Burning of a widow with deceased husband. 2) Compulsory widowhood. 3) Imposition of celibacy on the widower. 4) Wedding the widower to girl who has not yet attained the marriageable age. These practices take care of the maintenance of numerical balance between both the sexes born out of endogamy.
