THE CASTE system is today an outdated feudal institution which is proving to be a curse on our nation as it is obstructing our progress. It must, therefore, be quickly destroyed.
Justice Markandey Katju, Judge of the Supreme Court expressed these views. He was delivering a lecture on ‘India and the Constitution’ at the inaugural address of 4th Refresher Course in Law at UGC-Academic Staff College in Banaras Hindu University here on Saturday, he said `the caste system is totally outdated today and has to be quickly destroyed if we wish to progress’.
‘In fact it has already been destroyed economically because the son of a ‘badhai’ (carpenter) now does not become a ‘badhai,’ he comes to the city and becomes an electrician or motor mechanic, and if given a better opportunity may even become a clerk, lawyer or a doctor.
In this way people today are no longer following their father’s profession and this has largely destroyed the economic foundation of the caste system’, he said.
But he warned of the vested political interests that are deliberately fostering and sustaining caste system for their vote banks.
{{/usCountry}}But he warned of the vested political interests that are deliberately fostering and sustaining caste system for their vote banks.
{{/usCountry}}He hoped that the people would see through this caste bank politics and would unite to do away with it rather than letting it become all pervasive. Doing away with the caste system would lead to equality that is the need of the hour, he elaborated.
Vice-Chancellor of BHU, Prof Panjab Singh presided over the function whereas noted law expert and former Vice-Chancellor of Gorakhpur University, Prof RK Mishra was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Prof Mishra said that law cannot be understood with legal materials alone as it requires sound understanding of other subjects also.
Director of academic staff college, Prof Kumar Pankaj welcomed the guests whereas dean of law faculty, Prof MNP Srivastava told the audience about the faculty. Prof BN Pandey told about the refresher course whereas course coordinator, Dr AK Pandey proposed a formal vote of thanks.