Casteism refers to favoritism towards one's own caste and ignores principles of justice, fairness and equality. It is caused by the endogamous nature of castes, desire to enhance caste prestige, and urbanization which leads castes to organize and live together. The consequences of casteism include hindering national unity, threatening democracy, encouraging nepotism and neglecting talent. Solutions to casteism include education, promoting intercaste marriage, reducing the use of caste, and promoting economic equality to reduce gaps between castes.

1. Dr. Vikas Nandal
Assistant Professor
Geeta Institute of Law, Panipat

2. CASTEISM
Casteism is a social problem associated with the caste
system. Just as the caste system is exercising its
influence in all the fields of social life casteism too has
become all pervasive.
What is Casteism?
Casteism is understood as a partial or one-sided locality in
favour of any particular caste.
According to Kaka Kelelkar, “Casteism......is an over-
riding, blind and supreme group loyalty that ignores the
healthy social standards of justice, fairplay, equity and
universal brotherhood.”

3. CAUSES OF CASTEISM
Casteism which exercise as negative influence on the
network of social relations is caused by several factors of
which the following may be noted.
1. Endogamous Nature of the Caste
2. Strong Desire to Enhance Caste Prestige
3. Improvement in the Means of Transport and
Communication Leading to a particular Organisation of
Caste.
4. Urbanisation indirectly Favouring Casteism
Industrialization, people search job and migrate to
cities, Hence, they always try to live with their own
community.
5. Powerful Hold of the Caste Over the Members

4. CONSEQUENCES OF CASTEISM
Some of the major harmful consequences of casteism can be
noted here.
1. Hinderance to the Development of National Feeling
2. Dangerous to Democracy
3. Encourage Moral Degeneration
Encourage Nepotism
4. Casteism Leads to the Negligence of Talents and
Efficiency
5. Casteism may even Lead to Brain-Drain

5. SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF CASTEISM
1. Education
2. Encouragement to Intercaste Marriages
3. Minimum use of the term “Caste”
4. Promotion of Economic Equality
 Wide economic gap between the upper caste people and the
lower caste people.
 To provide equal economic opportunities for the lower caste
people to attain economic prosperity.