My mom made an ISD call to find what caste was Anjan. I had no clue. The funny thing was Anjan was my childhood pal, about whom I knew everything – likes, dislikes, first crush, favourite food, passions et al. ‘Caste’ did not ever feature in ‘everything’. Anjan was one of the MEB’s (Most Eligible Bachelor), serving Naval officer with all things one can admire about.
My mom had apparently seen a girl and wanted to know what ‘caste’ Anjan belonged so as do the match making. Did it matter to Anjan what caste she was, hell know but parents were hell bent on matching it.
Caste emerged as a social structure in the Indian society and has outlived its utility in most of the places. Anjan is a Brahmin (priest class) serving in the Navy and hence performing duties of a Kshatriya (warrior class). His father has his own business and adheres to the role of Vaishnavas (business class). But suddenly when it comes to marriage, parents remember what class they originally belong to.
Casteism is anchronistic phenomenon in the Indian urban society but a favourite past time of people for ocaassions like marriage. Suddenly, it becomes ‘us and them’
It would be really interesting to see how the new country with 700Mn below 25years who have entered the new millenium with internet connections, mobile phones and mobile jobs will eventually alter these old institutions.
