Caste

The caste system is a weak point in modern India. For over a century reformers from Ram Mohan Roy and Periyar campaigned to end the caste system. Atleast in Tamil Nadu the caste based surname system ended if not caste itself. As long as the reservation system exists, (which should for the forseeable future) caste will inevitably exist.

Anti Hindu and other lobby groups have often embarrassed Indians worldwide with outbursts on the Hindu caste system as if it discriminates against all. More often than not most sensitive Indians withdraw into a shell.

Not many realise that such systems existed in other parts of the world as well.

See attached link on Japan which had a system identical to India's. This is meant for the benefit of most overseas Indians and will hopefully make them feel better. I am not justifying one way or the other just making the point that from the UK in the west to Japan in the east and the middle east in between with its tribal affiliates (similar to caste) every group and region has practised some form of social hierarchy.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25422301-663,00.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/google-earth-sparks-racial-row-in-japan/2009/05/04/1241289077306.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2