DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6523#0279
267
Similarly, I have noticed that when a dramatic
representation was being given, the whole place out-
side the immediate one marked for the guests was
thrown open to the streets, and people came up from
the street and enjoyed the theatrical performance
without let or hindrance of any kind; the mutual
courtesy that grows out of a recognition of the order
made that a possible thing to do, whereas no one
having a party in London would dream of letting
any one come up out of the street. It would not be
possible. A recognition of a social order very often
may conduce to greater freedom of social intercourse.
It is not then along that line that I am going at all.
I am going to submit that with the progress of
evolution in human society you must have in a
living society flexibility and the power of adaptation.
I am going to submit that the caste system, as it
exists, is rigid, lacking in flexibility, and unadapted
to the present conditions of the day. I am going to
submit that very sweeping changes are necessary, but
side by side with the changes there should be the
recognition of certain facts in nature and certain
facts in history. I am going, in fact, to try to show
you that great alterations must be made, and that
the caste system, as it exists to-day, has to pass away.
The realities underlying it can never pass away, for
there are certain great facts in nature which are not
peculiar to India but are found everywhere, which are
the real foundation, or were the foundation, of the
Similarly, I have noticed that when a dramatic
representation was being given, the whole place out-
side the immediate one marked for the guests was
thrown open to the streets, and people came up from
the street and enjoyed the theatrical performance
without let or hindrance of any kind; the mutual
courtesy that grows out of a recognition of the order
made that a possible thing to do, whereas no one
having a party in London would dream of letting
any one come up out of the street. It would not be
possible. A recognition of a social order very often
may conduce to greater freedom of social intercourse.
It is not then along that line that I am going at all.
I am going to submit that with the progress of
evolution in human society you must have in a
living society flexibility and the power of adaptation.
I am going to submit that the caste system, as it
exists, is rigid, lacking in flexibility, and unadapted
to the present conditions of the day. I am going to
submit that very sweeping changes are necessary, but
side by side with the changes there should be the
recognition of certain facts in nature and certain
facts in history. I am going, in fact, to try to show
you that great alterations must be made, and that
the caste system, as it exists to-day, has to pass away.
The realities underlying it can never pass away, for
there are certain great facts in nature which are not
peculiar to India but are found everywhere, which are
the real foundation, or were the foundation, of the