Reflections on the Indian Caste System
“As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28).
How does the Indian social caste system lead to widespread oppression? How does Christianity fit into the dominant Hindu culture? Finally, how do Christian Indians work for social justice and caste eradication without inciting religious friction? Of the many themes that I reflected on during my study trip to India, these three questions stood out as especially important. As a Christian pilgrim in a foreign land, I empathized with the plight of the outcasts and the role of the minority Church. In my journals and thoughts I tried to reflect on these questions. I wanted to enter and live into the questions in my experiences, conversations, and encounters with Indian Christians. While I don’t pretend to have all the answers, I have come away with some valuable new insights, thoughts, and observations. My hope and expectation is that these reflections will continue to develop as I further process the realities of this journey.
I had heard about India’s caste system before, but only through the lens of the media and from an outsider’s perspective. After traveling in India and seeing the realities of caste oppression firsthand, the system and its injustices are much more real. Dalit women living in the streets and begging for rupees. Children with diseased skin looking at us longingly through our tour bus windows. Crippled men with homemade crutches, open sores, and deformed limbs. These images confronted us daily, bringing us face to face with their poverty and with our own extreme affluence. For millions of Dalits – those who find themselves cast out of the social hierarchy - this is the harsh reality. They have no birthright; by nature of their inherited caste, religion, employment, illness, or skin color, they are considered less than human. These are just some of the horrendous consequences of a categorization system that bases individual worth on factors beyond their control. The caste system has served to keep people in their economic place, so to speak; the wealthy maintain their position through the toils and labors of the lower castes. This kind of oppression is not exclusive to India, of course, but the institution and history of the caste system certainly make the cause of this suffering more apparent.
Our group visited two old-age ashram homes, a girls’ orphanage, and two hospitals run by the Church of South India, the ecumenical Christian church body. Christians in India make up roughly ~2.5% of the population, but these social programs reach out to the general population of Dalits and other disenfranchised castes, regardless of religion. Because Indian law prohibits religious activity that even remotely resembles attempts at conversion, Christian evangelism is best approached through social mission. The church hospitals, ashrams, and orphanages fill a great need by addressing the human suffering caused by caste exclusion. Millions of outcasts would experience further suffering without the reduced or no-cost services that the church offers. While it is critical to relieve human suffering, it is apparent that these church institutions mostly address the symptoms of caste oppression. Technically, the caste system has been illegal for decades. But long-held cultural understandings die hard; since access to education, employment, housing, and health is largely based on caste perception, those who find themselves on the bottom of the social ladder have little hope of improving or transcending their lot.
Our visit to India included many seminary lectures at United, Karnataka, and Gurulkul theological seminaries, as well as visits with several leaders of student and social organizations. Our conversations were always couched within the entrenched framework of caste; we discussed social injustice from the perspective of a minority religion focused on outreach. Pastors, bishops, professors, and lay leaders shared the stories of their faith and work. We listened and asked questions. In this dialogue, I was constantly amazed by the dedication, passion, and resiliency of their witness! Challenging a system of massive injustice, a system that’s historically and doctrinally intertwined with Hindu culture is daunting, to say the least. The Church of South India, however, takes up this challenge with vision and faith. Unencumbered by their minority position, they do what is in their power to dismantle caste perceptions and stop social discrimination. I applaud their efforts, and pray for the fruition of their work.
Is it even possible for the church to address the root causes of caste oppression? How can Christians in India go beyond mere symptom relief to fight the systemic injustices caused by lingering caste perceptions? This is truly an uphill battle. How does the work of the church challenge the caste system without causing religious friction? I posed these questions to the many pastors and professors that met with us. They all agreed that this was a very delicate, yet theologically important issue that they have to address each and every day. There was widespread agreement that the best (and perhaps only) way to fight the injustices of the caste system is through the sharing of the gospel good news, made joyfully apparent in social ministry. Advocacy is important, but the risk of being perceived as Christian converters is incredibly dangerous. To assert or even imply that Hindu based belief systems are at fault is equally risky. Since Christians are a minority with intentions that are sometimes viewed as suspicious, inter-religious relations can sometimes be volatile. Freedom of religion exists, but stops short of much of anything that resembles cross-religious faith witness. Indian Christians recognize this, and do what they can to spread the gospel message through their social work. The church speaks through its actions; in doing so, it invites everyone, both outcasts and others, to “Come and See!” The task of taking on the Hindu-based caste system is seen as long-term, incremental work; a system that has been in place for thousands of years, it is believed, will take centuries to completely dismantle. Christians in India are purposeful about being “strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:9), and faithfully trust that the results of their efforts, through the merits of Christ, will one day be realized.
The reality of Christ’s suffering, for church workers in India, is seen daily in the eyes of the outcasts. They respond to this reality by answering the call of Jesus to feed the hungry and tend to the poor. Social justice and service are seen as central tenets of their faith. Living faithfully as a minority religion holds many challenges; the injustices of the caste system being at the top of this list. In the midst of this adversity, however, stands Christ. Indian Christians live by the words of the Apostle Paul: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female...” Despite the challenges and suffering imposed by outdated caste perceptions, the church of India is acting as a light amidst the darkness; “... for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” The gospel good news is alive and well in India, and is being spread through the hands and hearts of the Body of Christ.
I am extremely thankful for having had the opportunity to experience this culture and unique church ministry firsthand; our pilgrimage of faith to India has forever changed my worldview and the nature of my faith. Truly, Christians everywhere share in both our joys and our suffering. For this, I give thanks to God, and will respond with a renewed sense of call.
