Social Issues in Hinduism

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Hinduism is known as a diverse religion with its numerous traditions and customs. Hinduism accepts and gives an absolute freedom of beliefs and worships to the devotees. It bonds the whole world as one single family that is built upon one truth, and therefore do not discriminate anyone. However, there are some social issues that Hinduism accepts which have encountered criticisms from the Hindu community along with the external world. Few of the prominent issues include caste system, Sati practice, dowry system etc.

Hinduism takes a very strong stand on unity and considering all the Hindus as family regardless of age, gender, beliefs or Hindus living in different countries. Therefore its apparent that one would believe that everyone gets treated equally. The term "unity" definitely applies to Hinduism until certain topics get discussed such as the caste system. The caste system discriminates people based on their socio-economic status. The caste system is a hierarchical sequence including the Brahmins at the top who are the priests. The caste Kshatriya comes next in the hierarchy who are wealthy ruling families along with nobles and warriors. Then comes the caste Vaishya who are the merchants, the business people, the farmers etc. The last and certainly the least caste is the Shudra, also known as the untouchables. The untouchables are the most mistreated and poor people. Because of their caste they don't get hired at any good job positions therefore they live in the poverty for rest of their lives. There are many talented individuals that cannot make the right usage of their intelligence because of their caste. Hinduism divides the people based on their birth and family lineage and calls it the will of God. Yet at the same tim...

... middle of paper ...

...They all got started with good intentions but over the years people have customized it and now it's just examples of violence and discrimination.

Works Cited

Bumiller, Elisabeth . May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons: A Journey Among the Women of India. 1st. New York, USA: Ballantine Books , 1991.

Bowen, Paul. "Themes and Issues in Hinduism." World religions: Themes and issues. 1.4 (1998): 79-99.

Embree, Ainslie. Sources of Indian Tradition: From the Beginning to 1800 (Introduction to Oriental Civilizations). 5. 1. Richmond, TX, USA: Columbia University Press, 2005. 365-498

Feldman, Rayah, and Kate Clark. "Women, religious fundamentalism and reproductive rights ." Reproductive Health Matters. 4.8 (1996): 12-20.

Hawley, John. "Sati, the blessing and the curse: the burning of wives in India." Oxford University Press. (1994): 215-305.

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