Sanskritization as a concept has been criticised as :
(A) It does not lead to structural change in society
(B) It results in positional change in the society
(C) It justifies the model which rests on the idea of purity and pollution
(D) It preserves the dalit culture
(E) Adoption of upper caste rites results in upliftment of position of women in society
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B), (C) only
(A) It does not lead to structural change in society Correct. Sanskritisation has been criticised for exaggerating social mobility: it leads to no structural change, and inequality continues to persist.
(B) It results in positional change in the society Correct. This is the other half of the same criticism: the change it brings is only positional change of some individuals, who improve their place within the unequal structure while the structure itself stays.
(C) It justifies the model which rests on the idea of purity and pollution Correct. Sanskritisation seems to justify a model that rests on inequality and exclusion; it suggests that to believe in the pollution and purity of groups of people is all right.
(D) It preserves the dalit culture Incorrect. The opposite is the criticism: the key characteristics of dalit culture and society are eroded, and the very worth of the labour that ‘lower castes’ do is degraded and rendered ‘shameful’.
(E) Adoption of upper caste rites results in upliftment of position of women in society Incorrect. Adopting upper caste rites and rituals leads to secluding girls and women and to dowry in place of bride-price, so the position of women worsens rather than rises.
NCERT (2025-26): “Sanskritisation … Sanskritisation as a concept has been criticised at different levels. One, it has been criticised for exaggerating social mobility or the scope of ‘lower castes’ to move up the social ladder. For it leads to no structural change but only positional change of some individuals. In other words inequality continues to persist though some individuals may be able to improve their positions within the unequal structure. Two, it has been pointed out that the ideology of sanskritisation accepts the ways of the ‘upper caste’ as superior and that of the ‘lower caste’ as inferior. Therefore, the desire to imitate the ‘upper caste’ is seen as natural and desirable. Third, ‘sanskritisation’ seems to justify a model that rests on inequality and exclusion. It appears to suggest that to believe in pollution and purity of groups of people is justifiable or all right.” “Fourth, since sanskritisation results in the adoption of upper caste rites and rituals it leads to practices of secluding girls and women, adopting dowry practices instead of bride-price and practising caste discrimination against other groups, etc. Fifth, the effect of such a trend is that the key characteristics of dalit culture and society are eroded. For example the very worth of labour which ‘lower castes’ do is degraded and rendered ‘shameful’.…” |