Question
How do changes in caste system influence the upper castes and urban upper and middle class?

Answer

  • Caste has tended to become invisible for the upper caste, urban middle and upper classes. For these people, who have benefited the most from the post-colonial era development policies, caste has declined in significance because it has done its job well.
  • Their caste status had been crucial in ensuring that these groups had the necessary economic and educational resources to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by rapid development. They were able to benefit from the subsidised public education, especially science, technology, medicine and management. They were also able to take advantage of the emerging and expanding state sector jobs decades after independence.
  • Their lead in the society in terms of education ensured they did not face any Bon competition.
  • As their privileged status got consolidated in the second and third generations, these groups began to believe that their advancement had little to do with caste.
  • For the third generation from these groups, economic and educational capital alone is sufficient to ensure that they will continue to get the best in terms of life chances
  • For this group, it now seems as though, caste plays no part in their public lives being limited personal sphere of religious practice or marriage.

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