Caste Identity in India: Glorification and Degradation - K. Jaishankar

*A post by a linkedin user Ms. Divya Ajitkumar inspired me to explore the topic of caste identity in India, as it sheds light on how caste—as an ascribed status—often becomes central in narratives, overshadowing individual achievements, or achieved status. Divya's focus on Major Mukund Varadarajan’s Brahmin identity illustrates an attempt to highlight caste identity (rather superiority of his caste in the social hirearchy in India), rather than solely emphasizing his accomplishments and sacrifice for the country, underscoring how caste identity continues to influence the way personal stories are portrayed and received.

Introduction

Caste identity has long been a defining feature of Indian society. While it has created a deep-rooted social hierarchy, it has also fueled movements to dismantle and transform these very structures. The ongoing struggle to either uphold or break free from caste-based identities reflects a society grappling with questions of heritage, privilege, and social justice. This article explores the dual forces of glorification and degradation associated with caste in India, with a focus on the groundbreaking anti-caste movements led by Dravidian parties and reformers like Periyar E.V. Ramasamy in Tamil Nadu.

1. Caste as Heritage and Hierarchy: A Historical Context

Caste in India traces back to the ancient Varna system, which categorized society into four main groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, each with assigned roles and duties. Over centuries, this system evolved into an intricate, hereditary social structure, creating rigid boundaries between various castes and sub-castes. The caste hierarchy has often led to the glorification of "upper" castes, who hold social and economic power, while "lower" castes, such as Dalits and Adivasis, have faced systematic marginalization and discrimination. Caste-based identities and surnames are a part of this structure, serving as markers that perpetuate historical privilege and exclusion.

In many parts of India, caste-based surnames are used as a means of social distinction, making it easy to identify a person's social background. While some use their caste as a source of pride and glorification, others view it as a symbol of oppression. This duality has led to complex debates around the retention or rejection of caste-based identities, with distinct approaches taken across regions, especially in states like Tamil Nadu where caste abolition movements have had a significant impact.

2. The Glorification of Caste: Reinforcing Social Hierarchies

Caste glorification is prevalent in many states of India, where surnames often indicate a person’s caste and, consequently, their social standing. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan, caste-based surnames are common, often linked with social prestige, economic power, and historical narratives that celebrate one’s lineage. So called, Upper castes, particularly, use their surnames to assert status, sometimes glorifying caste as a marker of cultural heritage and identity.

This form of caste glorification reinforces social hierarchies, often leading to a form of insidious discrimination. Caste pride can take on extreme forms, such as caste-based honor killings, where inter-caste marriages are violently opposed, and upper-caste dominance in politics and economics. Even in modern Indian politics, caste-based identity plays a crucial role in vote-bank politics, where political parties capitalize on caste identities to secure support.

3. The Degradation of Caste: Marginalization and Oppression

For marginalized communities, caste identity has often meant degradation rather than empowerment. Dalits and lower-caste communities have faced centuries of oppression, forced into occupations deemed "polluting" and excluded from mainstream society. This caste-based discrimination is particularly severe in rural areas, where caste dictates access to resources, land, education, and even basic human rights. The caste system’s rigidity has left many lower-caste communities deprived of opportunities for social and economic advancement, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and exclusion.

The brutalities of caste-based discrimination (I have already written a detailed article on this) are not confined to rural India; urban areas also reflect this bias in subtle but powerful ways. Discrimination in job recruitment, housing, and even social circles indicates how deeply ingrained casteism remains in Indian society. For these communities, caste is not a marker of heritage to be glorified but rather a barrier that degrades their social standing and limits their life choices.

4. The Dravidian Movement and Periyar’s Campaign Against Caste Identity

Tamil Nadu presents a unique case in the struggle against caste identity, owing much to the Dravidian movement led by social reformers and Dravidian political parties, particularly the efforts of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. Periyar, a rationalist and anti-caste activist, was a vocal critic of the caste system and the inequalities it perpetuated. He believed that caste was a tool of Brahminical dominance and oppression, designed to subjugate lower-caste communities and deny them equality.

One of Periyar’s most notable contributions to the anti-caste movement was his campaign to remove caste-based surnames, which he saw as markers of social stratification. The Dravidian movement embraced this call, promoting the removal of surnames to create a casteless Tamil identity. Now in Tamil Nadu, people use either their Father's names as Surnames or Mother's Name or a portmenteu of father and mother's sur names. This radical approach aimed to diminish caste distinctions and promote equality, countering the glorification of caste identities.

The Dravidian political parties, including the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), have continued Periyar’s legacy by adopting policies that curb caste-based discrimination. Reservation policies, social welfare programs, and educational reforms have sought to uplift marginalized communities and reduce caste disparities. Today, Tamil Nadu is one of the few states where caste surnames are notably less prevalent, a testament to the enduring impact of the Dravidian movement.

5. Sanskritized Names and the Erosion of Caste Identity in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Sanskritized names have contributed to a subtle shift in identity markers, helping reduce the overt associations with caste that are often linked to traditional Tamil names. In response to caste discrimination, many families, especially those influenced by the Dravidian movement and social reformers like Periyar, adopted Sanskritized names that evoke a broader, pan-Indian cultural heritage rather than specific caste identities. Names like "Karthik," "Arjun," "Nandini," and "Ananya" have become increasingly popular across caste groups, promoting a shared cultural identity that transcends narrow caste distinctions. By choosing Sanskritized names, Tamil families signal their disassociation from caste-bound surnames, thus embracing a more inclusive sense of identity.

Also, in Tamil Nadu, traditional names such as "Kuppan," "Subban," and "Muniyan" have long been associated with marginalized communities, particularly among Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Castes (SC), often carrying a social stigma due to caste prejudices. These names, which once represented specific local identities and occupations, have unfortunately been regarded with a lack of respect in a society that privileges so called "upper-caste" names of communities such as Brahmins, Mudaliars, Pillai's etc. Over recent decades, there has been a noticeable shift as many OBC and SC families have begun adopting Sanskritized or Brahminical names like "Suresh," "Vijay," "Deepa," and "Lakshmi." These names not only carry broader cultural appeal but also signify a break from caste markers that could limit social mobility. This change reflects a desire for greater acceptance and respect, as well as an attempt to align with a pan-Indian identity that transcends caste-based stereotypes. By choosing names that do not reveal their caste background, many are challenging entrenched biases and reclaiming dignity in a society still deeply impacted by caste distinctions.

This trend aligns with the broader goals of the anti-caste movement in Tamil Nadu, which emphasizes equality and collective identity over the divisiveness of caste. The use of Sanskritized names is also influenced by the growing integration of Tamil Nadu within the larger Indian social and cultural framework, as people seek names that are widely recognized and culturally resonant beyond Tamil Nadu. This shift to Sanskritized names reflects a subtle but powerful transformation, where the markers of individual identity move away from caste affiliations and align with values of unity and social mobility. This evolution in naming practices is a testament to Tamil Nadu’s ongoing efforts to diminish the role of caste in personal and public life.

5. Caste-Based Surnames in Other States: A Stark Contrast

In contrast, caste-based surnames remain prevalent in most other Indian states, where they are often seen as part of a person’s cultural heritage and identity. In Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Anthra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, for example, surnames still serve as markers of social identity, and despite efforts to reduce caste-based discrimination, they are still largely accepted as part of everyday life. Caste surnames in these states often influence social interactions, marriages, and political affiliations, making it difficult to move beyond caste distinctions.

Even in urban areas, where the educated and professional classes are often seen as more progressive, caste identities and the use of caste surnames persist. Attempts to remove caste surnames, like those in Tamil Nadu, have faced resistance elsewhere, as they are perceived as an erosion of cultural heritage. The challenge lies in the fact that caste identity is deeply intertwined with social norms, traditions, and local governance, making change complex and multifaceted.

6. The Way Forward: Caste Abolition or Transformation?

The contrasting approaches to caste identity in India raise important questions about the future of caste in Indian society. The efforts of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu offer a model for moving toward a more equitable society, where caste-based identities are de-emphasized in favor of a collective, casteless identity. However, replicating this model in other states may require a nuanced approach, considering the social and cultural factors that continue to hold caste identities in place.

Prominent scholars and activists argue that while caste-based surnames may perpetuate social hierarchies, simply removing them will not eliminate caste-based discrimination. True caste abolition will require systemic changes in educational access, economic opportunities, and social attitudes toward inter-caste marriages and friendships. At the same time, some believe that caste identities, if transformed and detached from hierarchical value judgments, can serve as a source of cultural identity and pride without perpetuating discrimination.

Conclusion

Caste identity in India remains a complex issue, embodying both glorification and degradation, privilege and marginalization. Notably, Caste Identity and discrimination has travelled abroad. While Tamil Nadu’s anti-caste movements, driven by Periyar and the Dravidian parties, have made strides in reducing the visibility of caste markers, the persistence of caste-based surnames in other states reflects the societal ambivalence toward caste abolition. Moving forward, India must reckon with these differing perspectives on caste identity, striving to create a society where social standing is no longer defined by inherited markers but by shared ideals of equality, dignity, and justice.

The journey toward a casteless society may be long and challenging, but the examples set by anti-caste movements in Tamil Nadu offer hope that transformation is possible.

Note: The author is not affiliated with any political party or ideology but advocates for a society that values individual achievements over ascribed statuses like caste. The author supports efforts toward caste removal, envisioning a society where merit and accomplishments define identity.