Will Dr. Ambedkar’s Dream of Annihilation of Caste Ever Be Realized? Propositions, Possibilities, and Perspectives

While we are far from a "don't ask, don't tell" policy that might mark caste annihilation, Dr. Ambedkar’s vision requires India to blend meritocracy with rational targeted affirmative action.

Swearing in ceremony of Dr BR Ambedkar.

Introduction

The caste system is an ancient social hierarchy in India that divides people into various groups based on birth, occupation, and social status. Despite legal and constitutional efforts to abolish caste-based discrimination, it continues to influence social, economic, and political structures. While religions such as Islam and Sikhism regard all their followers as "equal," caste identity persists in Indian society, not only socially and occupationally but also legally through reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Some argue that caste is an intrinsic part of Indian identity and cultural heritage, while others believe it is a discriminatory and oppressive system that needs to be eradicated. This essay examines both sides of the debate and proposes a balanced and equitable roadmap for reform in India's pluralist democracy.

Arguments for Abolishing the Caste System

The caste system has perpetuated discrimination, inequality, and exclusion for centuries. Despite legal measures, caste divisions persist, affecting millions of people. Abolishing the caste system would promote greater social, economic, and political equality, fostering a just and inclusive society. Here are some key arguments for its abolition:

• Promoting Social Cohesion: The caste system has deepened social divisions. Its abolition would encourage a shared national identity based on common values and aspirations rather than caste-based affiliations.

• Creating a Merit-Based Society: The caste system perpetuates privilege and disadvantage. Eliminating it would ensure that individuals are judged on merit rather than caste identity.

• Ensuring Equal Access to Opportunities: Education, employment, and governance are influenced by caste-based considerations. Abolition would create a level playing field for all citizens.

• Eliminating Discrimination: Caste-based discrimination continues in social, economic, and political spheres. Eradicating caste identities would help ensure dignity and equality for all individuals.

• Upholding Human Rights: The caste system violates fundamental human rights by institutionalizing discrimination. Its abolition would affirm the principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

While abolishing the caste system is a noble objective, its practical implementation remains complex due to deeply entrenched societal structures.

Arguments Against Abolishing Caste-Based Laws and Reservation

The Indian Constitution introduced reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) as a temporary measure to uplift marginalized communities. However, these provisions have been repeatedly extended.

Historical Perspective

The British colonial government introduced separate electorates for SCs to ensure their representation. After Independence, affirmative action was seen as essential to address centuries of oppression.

Justifications for Reservation

• Addressing Historical Injustices: Marginalized communities continue to face social and economic disadvantages. Reservations offer a mechanism for their upliftment.

• Promoting Diversity and Representation: Reservation policies have increased political participation and diversity in governance.

• Preventing Discrimination and Violence: Legal safeguards, such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989), protect vulnerable groups. Eliminating caste-based laws could weaken such protections.

The Caste Census Controversy

The demand for a caste census has been a contentious issue in Indian politics. Proponents argue that accurate caste data is necessary to ensure equitable distribution of reservations and social welfare schemes. States like Bihar have strongly advocated for a caste census to assess socio-economic disparities accurately. Opponents fear that such a move could deepen caste identities and lead to further social fragmentation. The debate highlights the paradox of trying to dismantle caste while simultaneously using it as a basis for policymaking.

Supreme Court Ruling on Sub-Classification of Castes

A recent Supreme Court judgment has upheld the right of state governments to sub-classify castes within the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This ruling aims to ensure that the benefits of reservation reach the most deprived sections within these groups, rather than being monopolized by dominant sub-castes. However, this decision introduces complexities, such as intra-group competition, political maneuvering, and administrative hurdles in determining sub-categories. Critics argue that this move could deepen caste divisions rather than eliminating them, leading to further legal and social conflicts.

Comparison with Western Social Structures

Social hierarchies exist globally, but India’s caste system is unique due to its deep-rooted religious and cultural origins. Western societies, while struggling with class and racial disparities, have implemented anti-discrimination laws that effectively mitigate social stratification.

Ironically, caste-based discrimination has been reported among Indian diaspora communities, including in Silicon Valley, where upper-caste individuals have been accused of replicating hierarchical social structures. This underscores the need for comprehensive reforms within India to prevent caste-based divisions from being exported abroad.

A Radical Turning Point in Lahore

In 1936, Dr Ambedkar’s uncompromising critique of the caste system took center stage when the Hindu Mahasabha invited him to deliver a speech in Lahore—and even requested an advance copy of his address. However, upon reading his incisive critique, the organizers disinvited him, a rejection that underscored the deep-seated resistance to challenging entrenched social hierarchies. Undeterred, Ambedkar transformed this setback into a seminal opportunity, composing Annihilation of Caste later that year—a work that powerfully deconstructs caste hierarchies and cements his legacy as a champion of social justice.

Ambedkar’s Vision for Social Justice

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, was a relentless critic of the caste system, viewing it as fundamentally incompatible with democratic ideals and social justice. In Annihilation of Caste, he argued that caste represents a system of graded inequality that perpetuates social injustice. Although he played a crucial role in drafting constitutional provisions for caste-based reservations, Ambedkar envisaged these measures as temporary, aimed at bridging the gap toward true social parity—a vision that remains unfulfilled as such reservations persist indefinitely.

Path Forward: Policy and Social Reforms

Eradicating the caste system requires a combination of policy measures, legal reforms, and social initiatives.

• Reforming Reservation Policies: A critical review of reservations, including the exclusion of economically well-off SCs and STs (the "creamy layer" concept), can ensure that benefits reach the truly disadvantaged.

• Strengthening Anti-Discrimination Laws: Stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws will help curb caste-based injustices.

• Educational Reforms: Including caste history in curricula can raise awareness and challenge regressive social norms.

• Encouraging Inter-Caste Marriages: Incentivizing inter-caste marriages can foster integration and reduce social divisions.

• Declaring "No Caste": Similar to how individuals can declare themselves "atheist" in religious affiliation, official documents should allow individuals to identify as "No Caste" or "Not Willing to Disclose." This would provide an alternative to caste-based identity while respecting individual choice.

The Road to Realizing Baba Sahib’s Dream

The caste system remains deeply entrenched in Indian society. While affirmative action has provided some relief to marginalized communities, it has also reinforced caste-based identities in governance and policy. Addressing caste-based inequalities requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing legal, social, and economic reforms. The vision of a truly casteless society must go beyond policy measures; it necessitates a transformation in collective societal consciousness.

Although we may still be far from adopting a "don't ask, don't tell" policy—which could serve as a hallmark, if not definitive proof, of the annihilation of caste—Dr. Ambedkar’s vision can only be realized if India embraces a system where meritocratic principles coexist with targeted affirmative action measures. Much like the United States' past DEI initiatives, which sought to balance merit with social justice, India must design policies that redress historical inequities without undermining individual achievement. The recent dismantling of these initiatives in the US serves as a reminder that such policies require continual reassessment and unwavering commitment from the government, civil society, and individuals alike. If the nation steadfastly dismantles caste-based prejudices, fosters social integration, and guarantees equal opportunities for all, the dream of a casteless India may soon be within reach.