The Illiberal Construct of "Caste” & the Liberal “White Saviorism.”

Context about the Author: He is an immigrant from India, an American combat veteran, liberal to the core, and disgusted at the naked rise of racism and bigotry in the U.S. post-2016.

As a liberal myself, it is with a heavy heart that I write that the average American Liberal does not know what the word "caste" means. Not only that, unfortunately, the liberals are fast becoming useful idiots for savvy anti-India and anti-Hindu entities such as socialist activist Kshama Sawant, the Equality Labs group, the so-called "Hindus for Human Rights" group, and others to legitimize wacky theories attacking Hinduism and India. Liberals, with their “White Savior” mindset, have no inkling about the inherent paradox of associating caste with Hinduism but are hell-bent on legislating against caste and Hinduism as they fight to save non-existent victims of caste oppression in the United States. Their attempts may be Quixotic, but the consequences are severe and life-changing for all Hindu, brown-skinned immigrants. It is, therefore, essential to demystify the misunderstandings surrounding the concept of "caste" in Hinduism in terms that are easy to understand for the uninitiated Western person. 

There is no empirical evidence to suggest that the caste system exists in the United States.

While there may be certain discriminatory practices in the US, such as racism, sexism, and classism, these cannot be equated with the caste system. These forms of discrimination are based on factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, which are different from the caste system. This notion of "caste" is a thoroughly Western construct, frequently misaligned with Hinduism's original tenets, and serves as the primary source of misconceptions of the American Liberal. By examining the origins of the term "caste," differentiating between the concepts of varna and jati, discussing the gradual waning of caste in India's big metropolitan cities, and highlighting the hypocrisy of American criticisms of caste while ignoring the effects of forced religious conversion, we can better understand the complex reality of caste in Hinduism. 

The Foreign Concept of Caste

The concept of "caste" originates in the Portuguese word "casta," which means race, breed, or lineage. The Portuguese used it during their colonial rule in India to describe the complex social stratification they observed. The word "casta" was later anglicized to "caste" by the British colonialists. While the British and Portuguese sought a simplified understanding of Indian society, the reality was far more intricate, with the concepts of varna and jati forming the basis of societal organization. Read this article by Sanjay Chakravorty on BBC News for more details on how the British weaponized caste against Indians and made it as it is known today.

The Hindu Concept of Varna 

Varna is a Sanskrit term that translates to "color" or "class" and represents ancient Hindu society's four primary social classes. These classes are the Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and Shudras (laborers and service providers). Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, emphasize that an individual's varna is determined by their qualities, aptitudes, and actions (guna and karma) rather than by birth. 

The Hindu Concept of Jati 

Jati is a system of thousands of endogamous groups or sub-castes, each with specific social, cultural, and occupational roles. Jatis are often based on regional, linguistic, and occupational factors. Over time, the varna system became intertwined with jatis, leading to the rigid caste system observed during the colonial era. However, this rigid and hierarchical structure was not an original aspect of Hinduism but rather an outcome of historical and social factors that influenced its development. 

Modern Day India

The Government of India has made concerted efforts over the past decades to dismantle caste-based discrimination and promote social equality. Even the Indian Constitution explicitly prohibits discrimination based on caste and includes affirmative action policies to uplift marginalized communities. Additionally, urbanization and the rise of big metropolitan cities have contributed to a decline in the importance of caste. In these urban centers, education, employment opportunities, and social interactions have gradually diminished the impact of caste on individuals' lives. However, despite these efforts, caste-based discrimination remains a valid concern in small-town India (but certainly not in the United States). 

A Brief History Lesson

The forced conversion of Hindus and tribal communities to Christianity and Islam has irrevocably affected their traditions and social cohesion. Examples of the damage caused by forced conversions include the loss of cultural identity, fragmentation of communities, and the erosion of traditional values and practices. Moreover, these conversions have often been accompanied by violence and coercion, resulting in significant psychological trauma for the affected individuals and communities. 

Islamic Invasions and Forced Conversions (14th-18th centuries)

Islamic invasions in India began in the early 14th century, with the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire playing prominent roles in the subcontinent's history. These invasions often involved the destruction of Hindu temples, the imposition of jizya (a tax on non-Muslims), and forced conversion to Islam. The most notable example of this occurred during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who pursued highly aggressive policies against Hindus.

European Colonization and Forced Conversions (16th-20th centuries)

The arrival of European colonizers, notably the Portuguese and British, introduced Christianity to India. Both colonial powers sought to convert the native population to Christianity as part of their imperialist agenda. In the Portuguese-controlled territory of Goa, the infamous Goa Inquisition (1560-1812) targeted Hindus leading to mass forced conversions, persecution, and the destruction of Hindu temples. The Portuguese succeeded in converting, murdering, maiming, and torturing thousands of Indians, destroying entire generations in one fell swoop. Similarly, British colonial authorities and Christian missionaries employed various methods to convert the local population, including economic incentives, educational institutions, and coercion. 

Contemporary Instances of Forced Conversions (20th-21st centuries)

Forced conversions continue to occur in India today, with numerous reports of religious groups targeting vulnerable sections of society, such as economically disadvantaged groups, tribal populations, and women. The same fraudulent and deceptive practices continue to this day in the name of harvesting souls. Various Christian organizations, such as the Catholic church, the Seventh Day Adventists, many other Baptist and evangelical churches, and organizations, such as the Joshua Project, continue their work to convert the Indian Hindu. Ignoring everything else and putting an unbalanced focus on caste as a singular issue within Hinduism detracts from broader discussions about social justice and equality in India and the United States. Recognizing the hypocrisy in American criticisms of caste is essential when those who critique caste ignore the consequences of forced religious conversion on Hindu and tribal populations in India. By unjustly concentrating on a single aspect of Hindu society, critics often overlook the systemic inequalities and discrimination within their communities and those caused by them in foreign countries. A more constructive approach would be to dialogue about shared values, challenges, and opportunities for promoting social justice and equality across cultures.

To summarize, the Western construct of "caste" is paradoxical to Hinduism as it fails to account for the complex and nuanced nature of the social organization in Hindu society. The term "caste" itself is a colonial construct that oversimplifies the concepts of varna and jati, which initially focused on qualities and aptitudes rather than birth-based hierarchy. The Indian government's efforts to dismantle caste-based discrimination and the gradual waning of caste in metropolitan cities demonstrate progress toward social equality. Moreover, it is hypocritical for American critics to focus solely on caste in India while ignoring the detrimental effects of forced religious conversion on Hindu and tribal populations. Such conversions have led to the loss of cultural identity, community fragmentation, and erosion of traditional values. A more fruitful approach would involve fostering dialogue and collaboration to address social inequalities and promote justice and equality across cultures. To comprehensively understand Hinduism and its relationship with caste, one must recognize the historical and social factors that contributed to the caste system's development. Doing so can contribute to a more accurate and empathetic understanding of Hinduism and its diverse adherents, ultimately fostering mutual respect and cooperation among different cultures and religions.