Between Two Worlds: Caste, Identity, and Belonging
When I contemplate caste and its impact on today’s India and the world, my perspective is unique. Living in Ireland has shaped my understanding of this complex issue. In 2022, I shared an experience on Twitter (now X) about my interactions with caste Hindus. Initially, they were welcoming, inviting me to their homes and offering food. However, their attitudes changed drastically once they discovered my social media presence. This shift made me question: Do imaginary caste divisions and misplaced nationalism truly bind people together? How have things changed since then, if at all?
Academic Insights on Caste Diaspora
To explore this further, let’s examine some academic studies on caste in the diaspora:
1. Caste Discrimination in Great Britain
Metcalf and Rolfe’s 2010 study, “Caste Discrimination and Harassment in Great Britain,” commissioned by the UK government, found evidence of caste discrimination in employment, education, and service provision among people with roots in the Indian subcontinent.
2. Caste Homophily in Rural India
Tom Davidson’s paper, “Variation in Caste Homophily Across Villages and Contexts in Rural India,” provides valuable insights:
- Strong caste homophily exists across most villages and relationships.
- High-caste groups show stronger homophily tendencies than low-caste groups.
- Homophily varies across relationship types:
— Social relationships (e.g., home visits, advice-giving) show high homophily.
— Economic relationships (e.g., money borrowing) show more inter-caste interactions. - Low castes tend to borrow money from high castes while lending within their own caste.
- High castes are more homophilous in borrowing but less so in lending.
These findings demonstrate how caste homophily contributes to the economic fluidity and stability of higher castes in India, permeating various economic spheres. While caste isn’t tangible, it creates unspoken rules that affect people’s lives profoundly not only in India, but this caste homophily travels abroad with Savarnas to still provide support that they need to establish. However, this support is only for them, their caste, or sub-castes, not everyone.
After six years in Ireland, I’ve experienced a range of emotions: love, heartbreak, reality, and a newfound sense of confidence and belonging. Ireland’s rich literary tradition and history of resilience against British oppression resonate deeply with me. This connection reminds me of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s (Babasaheb's) words from his book “Annihilation of Caste.”
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Babasaheb’s Insights
Ambedkar drew parallels between the Irish struggle and the Dalit experience in India. He wrote:
“The case of Ireland is very instructive. The Irish people were a minority in the United Kingdom. They were also discriminated against. But they were able to achieve home rule through a combination of political agitation and mass mobilization. The Dalits in India are also a minority. They are also discriminated against. But if they can emulate the Irish and organize themselves politically and mobilize themselves in large numbers, they can also achieve their goal of self-rule.”
He further argued that while both Irish Catholics and Dalits faced discrimination, the Catholics achieved self-rule while the Dalits have not. Ambedkar challenged:
“Can you point out a single instance in history where the Shudras or the Ati-Shudras who are regarded as the Untouchables in India, have ever organised themselves, stood up, and defied the authority of the Hindus and demanded an equal share in the Government with the Hindus?”
Despite my love for Ireland, I find myself still fighting for equality among caste Hindus who have brought their discriminatory practices to this new country. My experiences over the past six years have been revealing:
- Initially, caste Hindus are welcoming and friendly.
- However, when discussions turn to politics or when they discover my anti-caste stance on social media, their attitudes change dramatically.
- They often cease communication and stop inviting me to social gatherings.
- During my college days, I observed students openly flaunting their caste identities and expressing discriminatory views.
These experiences highlight how caste consciousness persists even in diaspora communities, affecting social interactions and group dynamics.
I believe it’s crucial to engage Savarnas in discussions about how they perceive and discuss caste within their circles. We need more open conversations to address these issues effectively.
In conclusion, I’d like to share Ambedkar’s words from his speech to the Constituent Assembly,
“Speaking for myself, I have no doubt that the Constituent Assembly has acted wisely in providing safeguards for minorities. […] The solution proposed by the Constituent Assembly is to be welcomed because it serves this dual purpose. […] It is for the majority to realize its duty not to discriminate against minorities. The moment the majority loses the habit of discrimination, minorities will have no reason to exist as separate entities. They will vanish.”
Jai Bhim.
