Totally classless society unthinkable

Anil Sharma

Jammu:The acceleration of urbanization is profoundly affecting the transformation of Indian society. Throughout India, individuals are ranked according to their wealth, status and power. There are ordinary people and influential people. As per possession of assets there are aam admis or common people and the big shots or influential men. The common people are generally obedient and respectful of the powerful people. The latter category also includes people who are at high posts and positions. The persons belonging to younger generation these days are also more forthright in their approach and do not hesitate to address senior employees by their name. However, there are a large number of people in our society, particularly among the educated urban elites who do not follow these traditional rules of purity. Eating in each other’s homes and in restaurants is common among well-educated people of diverse backgrounds, especially when they belong to the same economic class. Social inequality exists throughout the world, but perhaps nowhere has inequality been so elaborately constructed as in the Indian institution of caste. Caste has existed for many centuries, but in the modern period it has been severely criticized and is undergoing significant change. There are thousands of castes and sub castes in India, involving hundreds of millions of people. In rural areas, many low-caste people still suffer from landlessness, unemployment, and discriminatory practices. It is now legally and socially unacceptable to openly advocate any caste’s superiority or inferiority, and lower caste groups are flexing their political muscle.  In today’s vastly different society, the divisions are more or less on economic condition and social status. Although a totally egalitarian society is unthinkable, yet the traditional rules shall hold some importance. The need of the hour is that the whole society should understand the uselessness of this avoidable wasteful expenditure and come forward to eradicate this social evil. The Government and social organisations should also come forward to spread awareness about these social evils. Indian society is one of the oldest societies. It has got its own customs and traditions. Some of them are very old. They do not suit the present times. Humans are social animals. Without society we cannot think of our existence. We live among other folks and enjoy life with them during various festivals and functions. There are many things in society which are praiseworthy like helping each other, respect elders, create a friendly atmosphere etc. At the same time there are some deep rooted evils in society which are now customs and practices in vogue.