India’s caste system: what you need to know

Despite being abolished on paper, India’s caste system is alive and functioning even today. The system still determines who believers of Hinduism can marry, the jobs they can work in and the social customs that govern their lives. USC Annenberg’s Tannistha Sinha breaks it down. She explains how the people outside the rubric of the caste system, the Dalits (once called "untouchables") are punished by the centuries-old system. Dalits do the most life-threatening and undesirable work in the country and face violence at extreme rates. Learn about the status quo in India, and what work is being done to disrupt the injustice meted out to the community.

Producer: Tannistha Sinha
Thumbnail: Rachel Kisela

[CarburetorThompson]

As an American I had always been told growing up and in school, that the caste system was basically entirely abolished. Sucks learning about this, but it’s better to be sad than ignorant.

[swapnilsawant]

I belong to SC caste from Maharashtra. my grandfather was very poor and could not even afford to provide normal food and clothes to my father. we had no land or asset as such. Because of poor living standards and zero financial support my father could not pursue higher education and thus failed 12th std. he started doing labor work on daily wages for around 30rs daily. as my grandfather was ill and retired all the responsibilities had to be fulfilled by my father. with just 30rs of daily wage he somehow managed himself to get married and as well as marry off his 3 sisters. when he used to get done from work while coming back his financially stable lower middle caste and few upper caste friends use to spend money on alcohol and dance bar. but he saved every penny he could and later on became a civil contractor. since then he started earning well and started investing in lands and real estate. now he owns 3 lands and one flat all on his own. he put me and my 2 brothers into good schools and did not use the benefit of reservation as we were financially good. he always said we are not taking reservation just so the one who really needs it can take the benefit of it. Also, i forgot to mention during his childhood he had to beg to get food for his family and faced a lot of discrimination from upper caste people.

[slapzzz]

Its simply disgraceful to be a part of a community that follows this bizzare system

[lavkumar]

India is a casteist country. Rampant discrimination is a norm and whatever schemes or affirmative action is brought to resolve this is heavily criticised by insecure upper caste groups.

[multiverse-UFO]

The development of South Asia depends on the total abolishment of caste system.

[robocop-wrer]

To understand caste system people should live in india for whole life
otherwise you are barely scratching the surface.
Its very long and complicated History which cannot be described in few words.

[syedmaricar]

It's all form of oppression, we have to struggle to remove it from the nation. BJP or congress or others doesn't matter.

[carlitaj]

Thank you, this was so informative! I look forward to using this to help my students learn.

[luciaruan]

this video is so important! thank you for making it, tannistha!!

[fahmyayoob]

It's absolutely inhuman and cruel p

[dailycommuter]

caste system still have in villages, my life is best example

[vita]

Everybody can free themselves from caste just to change religion.

[mortem-tyrannis]

Revolution my friend, that is the way.

[waytehdawn]

I’m a city plumber, my jobs not menial and demeaning 🥺

[Happy]

I pray for those in the caste system that are being oppressed. I pray they be healed, delivered, set free, for their health, economic opportunities, educational opportunities, and more in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen. You are not alone and Jesus loves you.

[timbuktu]

The country I dislike the most on earth.

[karlos_infamous]

Hello, I just have a question. How do Indian people determine one's caste? Does it show in surnames? Physical apperance, like complexion? Languages being spoken?

[shadowsoul]

Tannistha, you did really well on this video. It's informative, spoken clearly and confidently, and the message is also clear. Thank you for making this!

[jomichael]

Thank you for sharing your history it is very important. If we don't learn we well never grow.

[dr.shahidkarim]

Wow … they still believe in caste system in 21st century