Freedom to the World Today and
Forever through Democracy
|
Caste/Tribal Diversity in Andhra Pradesh
There is no universal system of caste throughout India. The
belief that the Vedic varnashrama dharma was the “caste system in embryo,”
seems to be flawed, since the existence of tribes/castes in Andhra Pradesh
predate the migration of Brahmins to that region. One may argue that in
any society, including European or modern American society, there are
four underlying varnalu (colors or divisions or groups), the four groups
being, intellectuals and priests (Brahmin varnamu), rulers and warriors
(Kshatriya varnamu), agriculturists and business persons (Vaishya varnamu),
and all other workers without whose input the society cannot move further
(Shudra varnamu). Without these four broad classes there is no society
in this world. Thus if the society is the God, his/her head is the
intellectuals and priests, shoulders are the warriors and military, the trunk
is the business and agricultural community and finally the limbs are the
workers who fulfil the basic needs of the society starting from the work
in agricultural fields to the temple construction, without which society
cannot go forward. Anybody can become a Brahmin varna (religious/spiritual
class), but one has to be born into Brahmin caste to be a Brahmin caste.
Caste is not a Varnamu and these should not be confused with each other.
Caste is a tribal identity that is ubiquitous in every human society.
The caste conflict in Andhra Pradesh is nothing more than the tribalism
that still exists.
The castes in Andhra Pradesh can be divided into two distinct categories.
Brahmin, Komati, Reddy, Kamma, Velama, Kapu, Nayudu, Relli, Mala, Madiga,
Yeraka, Yanadi etc., castes are based on their tribal, cultural and
religious differences, while the castes like Chakali (washerman), Kummari
(potter), Kammari (smith), Kamsali (goldsmith), Mangali (barber) etc
are based on their duties. With a few exceptions like the Brahmin
caste (see below), all these castes
are uniquely localized in Andhra Pradesh. Each caste has a deity and
distinct social formalities. The interaction between various castes is difficult
because of these religious, cultural and tribal considerations.
Today, all the castes (tribes) in Andhra Pradesh are categorized into
four groups, viz., Forward Communities (FC), Backward Communities (BC), Scheduled
Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Preferential quotas and
reservations are established for BCs, SCs, and STs. The Constitution
of India endorses and enforces such preferential discrimination. This
system reinforces the old caste system, while broadly categorizing them
into a new form. Here again like in Vedic Varnamu, any caste can
be included into FC, BC, SC, or ST group if one attains a certain social
stature. Even today the tribalism prevails and the social interactions such
as marriage and festivals are influenced by caste. Inter-caste/religious
social intercourse is still not accepted. One can see the power of
caste/tribe over the society clearly in politics. Even in the North America,
the Telugu nationality is divided along the lines of caste, e.g., the Telugu
Association of North America is dominated by Kamma caste where as the American
Telugu Association is dominated by Reddy caste. Sreenivasarao Vepachedu,
10/30/98
Prof. Ilaiah Kanche's Caste
In my last article on the Caste System in Andhra Pradesh, I gave
a brief account of the tribal and religious origins of the Caste
in Andhra Pradesh. Now I would like you to read the views of Prof.
Ilaiah Kanche, who belongs to Kuruma (shepherd) caste/tribe and Christian
religion, from his critique of Hindutva, "Why I am not a Hindu."
These views are ignorant and biased against Brahmins, but these views are
popular among some sections of the society such as Dalit Christians, all
Hindu haters, and foreign Indologists for political reasons. He is
part of a movement against Hinduism as a whole with a broad nexus among hate-filled
fundamentalist groups that draw from communities such as Islamists, Christian
missionaries, ‘Dalit’ leaders, Marxists, Anglophile Indian elites (still
bearing the white man’s burdens), Western/American Indologists and South
Asian specialists.
"Suddenly, since about 1990 the word 'Hindutva' has begun to echo our
ears, day in and day out, as if everyone in India who is not a Muslim, a
Christian or a Sikh is a Hindu. Suddenly I am being told that I am
Hindu. This totally baffles me. In fact, the whole cultural milieu
of the urban middle class- the newspapers that I read, the T. V. that I see-
keeps assaulting me, morning, evening, forcing me to declare that I am a
Hindu. Otherwise I am socially castigated and my environment is vitiated.
Having born in a Kurumaa family, I don not know how I can relate to the Hindu
culture that is being projected through all kinds of advertising agencies.
The government and the state themselves have become big advertising agencies.
Moreover the Sangh Parivar harasses us everyday by calling us Hindus.
In fact, the very sight of its saffron-tilak culture is harassment
to us. I, indeed not only I, but all of us have never heard
the word 'Hindu'- not as a word, nor as the name of the culture, nor as
the name of the religion. We heard about Turakoollu (Muslims), we heard
about Kirastaanapoollu (Christians), we heard about Baapanoollu (Brahmins)
and Komatoollu (Vaisyas) spoken of as people who are different from us.
There are at least some aspects of life common to us and the Turakoollu
and Kirastaanapoollu. We all eat meat. The only people with
whom we had no relations, whatsoever, were Baapanoollu and the Koomatoollu.
But today we are suddenly being told that we have a common religious
and cultural relationship with the Baapanoollu (Brahmins) and Koomatoollu
(Baniyas or Vaisyas). This is not merely surprising; it is shocking."
Professor Ilaiah Kanche was born in a small Telangana village in the early
fifties in Andhra Pradesh. He is a Fellow at Nehru Memorial Museum
and Library, Delhi and Reader in political science at Osmania University,
Hyderabad. He is also an activist in the Dalitbahujan and civil liberties
movements. Sreenviasarao Veapchedu, 12/11/98
To know more about Dalit Kuruma Christian Ilaiah Kanche and his ignorance
and hatred against Brahmins and Hindus, please visit: http://www.bharatvani.org/indology/Ilaiah.html
Casteism and Hope
The strife between various groups is part of a worldwide phenomenon,
which affected all kinds of human relations for thousands of years.
The reasons for hostilities between different tribes/castes/religions/nationalities
are mostly prejudice, jealousy, self-righteousness, partisan politics
etc., among the groups. In the primitive tribes most frequently cited
provocations for hostilities were abduction of women, rape, theft of crops,
poaching, a strayed pig, a slaughtered cow, witchcraft etc. Sometimes friendly
tribes begin to build hostilities leading to fights following allegations
of such acts. Vendetta and grief of each casualty fuels a fresh
fight providing sufficient motivation for the next. The cycle goes
on forever. Also, the tribal problems involve superiority and inferiority
in addition to the group solidarity, e.g., in the Roman empire Germans
were considered inferior and were not allowed to intermarry with Romans
and were allowed to work as servants and soldiers only. The caste/religious/tribal
conflict in modern Andhra is a combination of primitive tribal and modern
partisan politics.
One may broadly divide the human races into a few categories such as Caucasians,
Negroid and Mongoloid. The hostilities have not been limited to between
such groups, but extended within those groups. In a larger context
of human history degrees of biological or cultural differences have had
little relationship to the degrees of strife, repression or violence. Contemporary
black and white Americans have lower hostilities than those that exist in
all-black or all-white nations such as Burundi or Northern Ireland. Throughout
America, Africa, Asia, Europe and India, the racial intermixtures over
the centuries have left hybrid populations. For example, in different parts
of the world people of Negroid ancestry have been divided into more or less
racially pure blacks and colored castes. In Andhra these caste groups
are minutely graded racial designations; the skin color and ancestry are
accompanied by marked cultural and religious differences.
De-recognition of importance of caste in every aspect of life may be difficult
to achieve. The equality clause in the modern Indian Union constitution
to protect various groups from discrimination and repression is a positive
step. But, affirmative action and quotas in the jobs and education based
on group identity is counterproductive. This short-term prescription to
solve the problem automatically became a long-term policy of appeasement
that created vote banks strengthening the divisions in the society, leading
to an irreversible process of balkanization of the society. Migration from
rural areas to urban cosmopolitan cities and college education might help
get rid of some of the social barriers, encouraging the inter-caste/religious/tribal
marriages and social intercourse. I am optimistic about the future of our
society as the literacy increases, modern college education becomes compulsory,
religious and tribal blind beliefs are eroded by modern scientific understanding
of life and secular democratic principles, and the discriminatory quotas
imposed by constitution become redundant in a very competitive open market
economy. Sreenivasarao Vepachedu, 12/21/98
For more on Caste click here:
Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh
Caste system isn’t racism and our
best sociologists and anthropologists are clear on this
For compilation on castes/tribes like Brahmin,
Kamma, Kapu, Mala, Madiga, Mangali. Mutarasu, Raju, Reddi,Velama,etc.
Frontline, Volume 17 - Issue 18, Sep. 02 - 15, 2000
The census of 1881 enumerated 1,929 castes. Of these 1,126 (58 per
cent) had a population of less than 1,000; 556 (29 per cent) less than
100; and 275 (14 per cent) less than 10. There are a large number of single-member
castes. Brahmins, Kunbis and Chamars accounted for more than a crore
(10 million) each. These three accounted for as many people as the bottom
1,848 (96 per cent) castes. However, the Brahmin population in Andhra Pradesh
may be anywhere between 1.5 to 3% of the total population of Andhra Pradesh.
Of these 1,929 castes, 1,432 (74 per cent) were found only in one locality
(out of 17), e.g., most of the castes in Andhra Pradesh are localized.
Only two castes, Brahmins and the Rajputs, had an all-India presence.
The pattern of localization also seemed to vary across space. For example,
while the eastern and southern regions had high localization of the big
caste groups, in the northern and western regions they were spatially spread.
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The Backward Classes community in Andhra Pradesh consists of 92
castes and these castes are categorized into four groups as follows
:
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List of B.Cs and categorization
(As per G.O.Ms.No. 1793 Education Dept., Dt : 23.9.1970
as modified from time to time).
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GROUP - 'A'
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Aboriginal Tribes, Vimuktha Jathis, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic
Tribes etc.
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1.
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Agrakula Kshatriya, Palli Vadabalija, Bestha, Jalati,
Gangavar, Gangaputra, Goondla, Vanyakulakshatriya, (Vannekapu,
Vanne reddi, Pallikapu, Pallireddi) Neyyala and
Pattapu.
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2.
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Balasanthu, Bahurupi
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3.
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Bandara
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4.
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Budabukkala
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5.
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Rajaka (Chakali, Vannar)
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6.
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Dasari (Formerly engaged in Bhikshathana G.O.Ms. No.32
BCW (M1) Dept., dt. 23.2.1995)
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7.
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Dommara
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8.
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Gangiredlavaru
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9.
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Jangam whose traditional Occupation is begging.
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10.
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Jogi
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11.
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Katipapala
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12.
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Korcha
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*13.
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Lambada or Banjara in Telangana Area (Deleted and Included
in the list of Scheduled Tribed G.O. Ms. No. 149, SW
Dept., Dt 3.6.1978)
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14.
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Mondivaru, Mondibanda, Banda
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15.
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Nayi-Brahmin (Mangali, Mangala and Bhajanthri G.O. Ms.
No. 1, BCW (M1) Dept., Dt 6.1.96)
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16.
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Nakkala
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17.
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Vamsharaj (Pitchigunta Deleted in G.O. Ms. No. 27, BCW
(M1) Dept., Dt 23.6.95)
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18.
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Pamula
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19.
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Pardhi (Nirishikari)
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20.
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Pambala
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21.
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Peddammavandlu, Devaravandlu, Yallammavandlu,
Mutyalammavandlu
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22.
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Veeramusthi (Nettikotala) Veerabhadreeya (G.O. Ms. No.
62, BCW (M) Dept. dt. 10.12.1996)
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23.
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Valmiki, Boya (Boya, Bedar, Kirataka, Nishadi, Yellapi
Pedda Boya & Chunduvallu G.O. Ms. No. 124, SW Dept.,
Dt 24.6.1985)
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|
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Yellapall (G.O. Ms. No. 61, BCW (M) Dept. dt.
5.12.1996)
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24.
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Yerukulas in Telangana Area (Deleted in G.O. Ms. No.
149, SW Dept., Dt 3.6.1978)
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*25.
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Gudala
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26.
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Kanjara - Bhatta
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27.
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Kalinga (Kinthala deleted in G.O. Ms. No. 53, SW Dept.,
Dt 7.3.1980)
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28.
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Kopmare or Reddika
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29.
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Mondipatta
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30.
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Nekkar
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31.
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Pariki Muggula
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32.
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Yata
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33.
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Chopemari
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34.
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Kaikadi
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35.
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Jo-shinadiwalas
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36.
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Odde (Oddilu, Vaddi, Vaddelu)
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37.
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Mandula (G.M.No. 40-VI/70-1, Edn dt. 10.2.72)
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38.
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Mehtar (Muslim) G.M.No. 234 - VI/72-2, Edn
dt.5.7.72)
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39.
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Kunapuli (G.M.No. 1279/PI/74-10, E&SW., dt.
8.8.1975)
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GROUP - 'B'
Vocational
|
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1.
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Achukatlavandlu
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2.
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Aryakshatriya, Chittari, Giniyar, Chirakara, Nakhas
(Muchi (Telugu Speaking) Was deleted in G.O. Ms. No.31
BCW (M1) Dept., dt.11.6.96)
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3.
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Devanga
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4.
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Goud (Ediga, Gouda (Gamalla) Kalalce, Goundla, Settibalija
of Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna
Districs & Srisayana (Segidi) (G.O.Ms.No. 63, BCW
(M1) Dept., dt.11.12.96)
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5.
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Dudekula, Laddaf, Pinjari or Noorbasha
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6.
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Gandla, Telikula, Devatlilakula (G.O.Ms.No.13, BCW (P1)
Dept., dt 20.5.1997)
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7.
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Jandra
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8.
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Kummara or Kulala, Salivahana (GpO.Ms.No. 28 BCW (M1)
Dept., dt 24.6.1995)
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9.
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Karikalabhakthula, Kaikolan or Kaikala (Sengundam or
Sengunther)
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10.
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Karnabhakthulu
|
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11.
|
Kuruba or Kuruma
|
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12.
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Nagavaddilu
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13.
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Neelakanthi
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14.
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Patkar (khartri)
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15.
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Perika (Perika Balija, Puragiri Kshatriya)
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16.
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Nossi or Kurni
|
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17.
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Padmasali (Sali, Salivan Padmasali, Senapathulu, Thogata
sali)
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18.
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Srisayana (Segidi) (Deleted and merged with Sl.No.4
of Group - B vide G.O.Ms.No. 63, BCW (M1) Dept., dt
11.12.1996)
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19.
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Swakulasali
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20.
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Thogata, Thogati or Thogata - Veerakshatriya
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21.
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Viswabrahmin (Ausula, Kamsali, Kummari, Kanchari, Vadla
or Vadra or Vadrangi & Silpis, Viswakarma) (G.O.Ms.No.
59, BCW (M1) Dept., dt 6.12.1995)
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GROUP - 'C'
Harijan Convers
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1. Scheduled Castes converts to Christianity and their
progency.
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GROUP - 'D'
Other Castes
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1.
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Agaru
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2.
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Arekatika, Katika
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3.
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Atagara
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4.
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Bhatraju
|
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5.
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Chippolu (Mera)
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6.
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Gavara
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7.
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Godaba
|
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8.
|
Hatkar
|
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9.
|
Jakkala
|
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10.
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Jingara
|
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11.
|
Kandra
|
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12.
|
Koshti
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13.
|
Kachi
|
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14.
|
Surya Balija (Kalavanthula) Ganika (G.O.Ms. No. 20,
BCW (P2) Dept., dt 19.7.1994)
|
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15.
|
Krishnabalija (Dasari, Bukka)
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16.
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Koppulavelama
|
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17.
|
Mathura
|
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18.
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Mali
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19.
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Mudiraj, Mutrasi, Tenugollu
|
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20.
|
Munnurukapu (Telangana)
|
|
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21.
|
Nagavasam (Nagavamsa) (G.O. Ms. No.53, BCW (M1) Dept.,
dt 19.9.1996)
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22.
|
Nelli
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23.
|
Polinativelamas of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam
Districts
|
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24.
|
Poosala
|
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25.
|
Passi
|
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26.
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Rangarez or Bhavasarakshastriya
|
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27.
|
Sadhuchetty
|
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28.
|
Satani (Chattada Srivaishnava)
|
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29.
|
Tammali (Confined to Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, karimnagar,
Nizamabad and Adilabad Districts only. G.O.Ms.No.20,
BCW (A1) Dept., dt.21-July-1997)
|
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30.
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Turupukapus or Gajulakapus of Srikakulam &
Visakhapatnam districts. Who are subject to Social customs
of Divorce & Remarriages among their women (G.O.Ms.No.
65, E & SW Dept., dt.18.2.1974)
|
|
31.
|
Uppara or Sagara
|
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32.
|
Vanjara (Vanjari)
|
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33.
|
Yadava (Golla)
|
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* Deleted
|
The major Occupational Groups identified for assistance alongwith
their traditional activities are shown below :
|
Sl. No.
|
Occupational Groups
|
Major Economic
Activity
|
% share in the total occupational
group
population (State Level)
|
|
1.
|
Yadava
|
Cattle Rearing
|
23.46%
|
|
|
Golla
|
Milk Vending
|
|
|
|
Kuruma
|
Sheep Rearing
|
|
|
|
Kuruba
|
Kumbli Weaving
|
|
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2.
|
Gowda
|
Toddy Tapping
|
16.34%
|
|
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Ediga
|
|
|
|
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Settibalija
|
|
|
|
|
Yata
|
|
|
|
|
Gamaeler
|
|
|
|
|
Gundla
|
|
|
|
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Kalalee
|
|
|
|
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Srisayana
|
|
|
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3.
|
Agnikulakshatriya
|
Fishing
|
9.34%
|
|
|
Besta
|
|
|
|
|
Gangaputra
|
|
|
|
|
Vanyakulakshatriya
|
|
|
|
|
Vada Balija
|
|
|
|
|
Pattapu
|
|
|
|
|
Palli
|
|
|
|
|
Gangavaru
|
|
|
|
|
Goondla
|
|
|
|
|
Vannereddy
|
|
|
|
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Pallikapu
|
|
|
|
|
Pallireddy
|
|
|
|
|
Nayeelu
|
|
|
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4.
|
Padmasali
|
Weaving
|
9.24%
|
|
|
Devangi
|
|
|
|
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Thogata
|
|
|
|
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Thogati
|
|
|
|
|
T V Kshatriya
|
|
|
|
|
Patkar
|
|
|
|
|
Swakulasali
|
|
|
|
|
Jandra
|
|
|
|
|
Atchukatla Vandlu
|
|
|
|
5.
|
Odde
|
Earth Works
|
7.22%
|
|
|
Uppara
|
|
|
|
|
Vaddelu
|
|
|
|
|
Sagaras
|
|
|
|
6.
|
Vishwabrahmin
|
Goldsmithy
|
6.72%
|
|
|
Kamsali
|
Blacksmithy
|
|
|
|
Kanchari
|
Brassmithy
|
|
|
|
Kammari
|
Stone Carving (Silpi)
|
|
|
|
Vadrangi
|
Carpentry
|
|
|
7.
|
Rajaka
|
Laundry
|
11.88%
|
|
8.
|
Dudekula
|
Cotton Carding
|
4.05%
|
|
|
Noorbasha
|
|
|
|
|
Luddaq
|
|
|
|
|
Pinjaries
|
|
|
|
9.
|
Kummara
|
Pottery
|
4.10
|
|
|
Kulala
|
|
|
|
10.
|
Nayeebrahmin
|
Hair Dressing
|
3.99%
|
|
|
Mangali
|
|
|
|
11.
|
Gandla
|
Oil Pressing
|
1.17%
|
|
|
Telikula
|
|
|
|
12.
|
Arekatika
|
Butchery
|
0.64%
|
|
|
Katika
|
|
|
|
13.
|
Medari
|
Basketry
|
0.64%
|
|
|
Gundla
|
|
|
|
|
Gadaba
|
|
|
|
14.
|
Poosala
|
Petty Dealers
(Beads &Needles)
|
0.22%
|
|
15.
|
Rangrej
|
Tailoring/Needles
|
0.19%
|
|
|
Chippollu/Mera
|
|
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Regional
Trajectory of Castes in Andhra Pradesh
|
