Question

Explain the ways in which caste was used to discriminate against large sections of people .​

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

The roots of the caste system are traced back to the ancient ages. While one view discriminates between the castes as upper and lower castes on the basis of their origin, another view traces the origin of the castes to varnas which classifies the caste system on the basis of their functions. Since then, it was found that undue advantage was taken by the section of people having an upper hand and a say in the community, leading to discrimination and exploitation of the weaker sections of the community.

The people from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, referred to as ‘untouchables’ form one-sixth of India’s population or 160 million; they endure discrimination and segregation.

Many villages are separated by caste and they may not cross the line dividing them from the higher castes. They also may not use the same wells or drink in the same tea stalls as higher castes.

They often do not have the facility to electricity, sanitation facilities, or water pumps in lower caste neighborhoods. Access to better education, housing, and medical facilities than that of the higher castes is denied.

They are restricted to certain occupations like sanitation work, plantation work, leather works, cleaning streets, etc.

They are subjected to exploitation in the name of debt, tradition, etc., to work as laborers or perform menial tasks for generations together.