Philosophical Traditions to The Quest of Caste, Problems to The Persistence of Caste in India

This study examines the persistence of caste in contemporary India through the lens of philosophical traditions and socio-political realities. Drawing from the intellectual legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the research explores how Western philosophical frameworks—particularly the pragmatism of John Dewey and the social reconstruction theories of Bertrand Russell—were adapted to address India's unique caste-based social order. The study investigates the historical roots of caste in Hindu religious texts, particularly the Rig Veda's role in establishing the varna system, and analyzes how these ancient hierarchies continue to manifest in modern Indian society. Using a schematic and descriptive methodology based on secondary data from scholarly articles and journals, this research addresses five key questions: the philosophical foundations of India's caste system, Ambedkar's transformation of Western philosophical rhetoric for the Indian context, the applicability of pragmatism to India's caste issues, the extent of caste persistence in post-colonial India, and future prospects for caste-based society. The study reveals that despite constitutional safeguards and social reform movements, caste continues to structure Indian society through multiple mechanisms including Right-Wing Authority (RWA), Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), and the political instrumentalization of caste identity. The research particularly examines the resurgence of caste-based discrimination under contemporary Hindutva politics, highlighting incidents of violence against Dalit communities and the institutional perpetuation of upper-caste dominance. The study demonstrates that while Ambedkar's philosophical framework, embodied in the Indian Constitution, provided theoretical tools for caste abolition, the practical implementation has been undermined by persistent social attitudes and political exploitation of caste divisions. The findings suggest that caste operates not merely as a social institution but as a comprehensive political system affecting social, economic, and cultural spheres. The conclusion emphasizes the paradoxical nature of caste in modern India: while it benefits upper castes through preserved hierarchies, it continues to inflict severe humiliation and marginalization on Dalits and other oppressed communities. The study argues that genuine modernity in Indian democracy requires a social sphere insensitive to caste distinctions, accommodating indifference rather than difference. This research contributes to understanding caste as a dynamic social construct requiring continuous examination of its evolving forms and intersectional manifestations in contemporary India.