Way back in the 19th century in England there was a status system somewhat like a caste system in India. Nobles, Clergy, Labour class or peasants were names given to particular type of people. Nobles and Clergy were considered as higher standard where as Labour, Peasants were considered as low type of people. Nobles and Clergy were more respected even skin colour of these people was more lighter than that of Peasants and labour. But as the time past, everything has changed there. Now every profession in England and Europe has same respect. If you want to be a sweeper or barber or doctor you should have a Degree or a Diploma through a well recognized Institute.
But if you see in India we are still following our old tradition of caste and creed. Even today most of the marriages take place within the own caste, in some states of India a high caste people don’t eat in the homes of low caste, they don’t mix with them. Even now in many villages in North India they call some low caste people as ‘Achut’ or untouchables they are not allowed to visit temples, they are refused to carry water from some wells etc. Caste system is such an evil to our society where high caste people are respected and appreciated at the same time low caste are considered as a burden to our society.
According to Hindu mythology it is believed as the world was derived from naval of God Brahma, Brahmins came from his mouth, Shatriyas from his hands, Vaishas came from his stomach and untouchables came from his feet, accordingly professions were applied to them. Long time ago we have ‘Gurukula’ as school hostels.
A student or shishya who was studying at his teachers or Gurus residence with studies they were helping Guru and his family in domestic work such as collecting fire wood from jungle, cutting wood, cleaning house etc. Once they complete there studies the Guru asked them ‘Gurudakshana’. But this Gurukulas was only for high caste students and low caste students were not allowed near Gurukulas.
In Goa too caste plays an important role more than religion. When I was a kid I was told not to play with someone because he was from a lower caste. I remember our tenant who is a Kulmi or Velip was always given a separate plate and glass for meals and he used to wash it once he finished his meals and it was kept separately and reserved only for him. When you see such things when you are a child it gives a negative image about others. Caste system simply means gaining a superiority, considering yourself high. If someone talks against my religion I am not bothered about it but if someone points fingers at my caste it makes me angry that is because Caste has given prime importance in our society than religion.
