The caste system is a centuries-old social framework that divides Hindu society into four main varṇas—Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kṣatriyas (warriors), Vaiśyas (traders) and Śūdras (servants)—plus thousands of subgroups called jātis. Originally meant to organize roles and duties (dharma), it gradually hardened into a birth-based hierarchy. Those pushed outside the system became known as “untouchables,” now referred to as Dalits. At its core lies the idea of purity and pollution, with each layer thought to carry spiritual weight—good or bad karma stacking up over lifetimes.

Fast forward to today, and the caste system still casts a long shadow. India’s Constitution outlawed “untouchability” in 1950, and affirmative-action quotas (reservations) aim to level the playing field for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Yet pockets of discrimination persist, especially in rural villages where access to wells, temples or even basic education can hinge on traditional status. High-profile Supreme Court judgments keep tweaking reservation percentages, while protests by Dalit activists and allies make headlines—proof that old prejudices don’t vanish overnight.

Across the globe, the Indian diaspora grapples with caste too. Recent workplace bias lawsuits in Silicon Valley brought this issue to light, showing that geography alone doesn’t erase deep-rooted social norms. Meanwhile, social media campaigns (#DalitLivesMatter) have gained traction, pushing younger generations to question inherited biases and revive the spirit of equality at the heart of ancient texts.

Though it may seem like ancient history, the caste system remains relevant—if only as a reminder that social change often moves at a snail’s pace. Efforts toward education, legal reform and grassroots activism continue to chip away at rigid divisions, proving that traditions can evolve without losing their spiritual essence.