Caste Diversity in Telangana Dr. Sadanandam B. Lecturer (P.T.), Department of Sociology University Arts & Science College, Subedari, Warangal Online published on 8 August, 2018. Abstract In any society, including European or modern American society, there are four underlying varnalu (colors or divisions or groups), the four groups being, intellectuals and priests (Brahmin varnamu), rulers and warriors (Kshatriya varnamu), agriculturists and business persons (Vaishyavarnamu), and all other workers without whose input the society cannot move further (Shudravarnamu). Caste is a tribal identity that is ubiquitous in every human society. The caste conflict in Telangana is nothing more than the tribalism that still exists. Today, all the castes in Telanganaare categorized into four groups, viz., Forward Communities (FC), Backward Communities (BC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Preferential quotas and reservations are established for BCs, SCs, and STs. The Constitution of India endorses and enforces such preferential discrimination. This system reinforces the old caste system, while broadly categorizing them into a new form. Here again like in Vedic Varnamu, any caste can be included into FC, BC, SC, or ST group if one attains a certain social stature. De‐recognition of importance of caste in every aspect of life may be difficult to achieve. The equality clause in the modern Indian Union constitution to protect various groups from discrimination and repression is a positive step. Migration from rural areas to urban cosmopolitan cities and college education might help get rid of some of the social barriers, encouraging the inter‐caste/religious/tribal marriages and social intercourse. I am optimistic about the future of our society as the literacy increases, modern college education becomes compulsory, religious and tribal blind beliefs are eroded by modern scientific understanding of life and secular democratic principles, and the discriminatory quotas imposed by constitution become redundant in a very competitive open market economy Top |