D. Caste conflicts
Herbert Risley noted that there were 2378 main castes among the Hindus in India. Caste conflict refers to conflict between two castes or group of castes on specific issues. In general, it is side effect of the problem of casteism. Apart from casteism, caste conflict arises when:
one caste attempts to dominate over others
when higher castes exploit the lower castes
when castes perceive other castes as barriers in their mobility and in achieving political power when caste find that they are not able to share in the new economic opportunities or acquire symbols of high status
The mobility course attempted by the low and backward castes as a means to get rid of social and economic oppression and to as obtain their legitimate rights, has always been resisted by the upper castes to protect their own vested interests. This resistance attempt on the part of the upper castes and mobility movement on the part of the lower castes leads to conflicts between them.
According to Kaka Kalelker, "Casteism is an overriding, blind and supreme group loyalty that ignores the healthy social standards of justice, fair play, equity and universal brotherhood".
M.N. Srinivas has said that the caste "is so tacitly and so completely accepted by all including most vocal elements in condemning it, that it is everywhere the unit of social action." ln his opinion, most of the shortcoming of the caste system can be removed and the door opened to democratic equality through adult franchise, five year plans, and the provision of education, constant progress of the backward classes and the influence of the culture of higher caste on the living standards of the lower castes.
According to Ghurye, the conflicts originated in casteism can be removed by encouraging inter-caste marriages.
According to lravati Karve, in order to put an end to the conflict arising out of casteism, it is necessary to create economic and cultural equality between the castes.
According to Prabhu, the conflict created by casteism can be ended only when the internal aspects of conduct are influenced. For this it is necessary to try and develop new attitudes in the people. The cinema can do much towards the creation of these attitudes.