Reinterpreting the Relationship between the Caste System and Marxism

ABRIDGED ABSTRACT: In the 1970s, 85% percent of lower caste individuals made up the bottom 35% of India’s financial ladder, leading to the quotidian Marxian argument that the lower castes can be equated to the proletariat of Western Society. While this argument might have some truth, this essay will explore why India, over the last sixty years, has endured too great of a reformation to simply be equated to the Marxist class organization. The disparity between the negativism of the CPI(M) and the current extent of oppression of the lower caste is shown, through the logical incoherencies of the CPI(M). Furthermore, it is established why the notion of a Marxist class revolution no longer has appeal amongst the lower caste. Yet it is still conceded that, although used in an orthogonally different manner, the Marxist framework can still be applied to current organization of the caste system in India.