The prevalence of caste system in people’s minds still looms over our so-called modern world. Despite living in an era of education and technology, parents in general still believe in maintaining caste differences as a determining factor in relationships, marriages, and even friendships. Rather than perceiving people in terms of their humanity, values or abilities, they tend to see everything through the lens of caste identity.
Parents’ overemphasis on caste has created so many problems. Youth have to make do with whatever their caste may allow them, usually at the expense of their own happiness and dignity. Families are split apart, friendships are destroyed, and violence even is committed in the name of “honour”. It is pathetic to watch how parents who otherwise labour for their children’s future are unable to liberate them from the earlier shackles of caste discrimination. Thus, the caste system is not only a tradition but it is an instrument of oppression in our very own homes.
If we want to move ahead as a nation, we need to start by removing caste bias from our own homes. Parents will come to understand that honour actually comes from maintaining harmony, love and equality and not from upholding a caste title. The young are primed for a barrier-free society but require the elders’ support. Parents must now set the example and allow their children to live outside of the constraints of caste.
Namell Saeed
Karach
