casteism
Birth-based social prejudice
Casteism is prejudice or discrimination based on caste—the hereditary social stratification system most associated with South Asia.
Like racism or sexism, casteism encompasses both individual bias and systemic inequality: Casteism persists in hiring practices even among educated professionals.
The term appears in discussions of discrimination against Dalits and other marginalized castes, including in diaspora communities.
Hindu hereditary social order
- untouchabilityState beyond contact or criticism
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- ritual purityUndefiled state for worship
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
State beyond contact or criticism
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- segregationForced separation by group
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- honor killingMurder for family disgrace
ghettoization · stigmatization · slurs · dehumanization · bonded labor · passing
Marriage within one's group
Advance arrangement to hold
- affirmative actionPrograms boosting marginalized representation
- social reformOrganized push for societal betterment
- conversionAct of changing states
- quota systemLimit on numbers admitted
Collective action via shared characteristics
- political representationElected officials acting for constituents
varna
Hindu hereditary social order
- untouchabilityState beyond contact or criticism
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- ritual purityUndefiled state for worship
pollution · dvija · hereditary
untouchability
State beyond contact or criticism
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- segregationForced separation by group
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
honor killing · ghettoization · stigmatization · slurs · dehumanization · bonded labor · passing
endogamy
Marriage within one's group
reservation
Advance arrangement to hold
- affirmative actionPrograms boosting marginalized representation
- social reformOrganized push for societal betterment
- conversionAct of changing states
identity politics
Collective action via shared characteristics
- political representationElected officials acting for constituents
- discriminationracism, systemic discrimination, Jim Crow laws, sexism, racial harassment
- biasprejudice, racism, bigotry, sexism, ageism
- Castevarna, Brahmins, untouchables, Dalit, untouchability
- oppressionoppression, tyranny, racism, repression, secret police
casteismegalitarianism
Philosophy of universal equality
social equality · classlessness · social justice · equal rights · human equality
casteismmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based system · equal opportunity · social mobility · egalitarianism · individualism
casteisminclusivity
Practice of welcoming all
social inclusion · non-discrimination · tolerance · acceptance · integration