Caste and Religiosity: A Critical Study of Neo Vaishnavism Practices

This paper explores the persistence of caste within Assam's Neo-Vaishnavite institutions, despite their foundational goal of unifying diverse social groups and eradicating caste divisions. Neo-Vaishnavism, established in the 14th century, sought to transcend caste through a singular religious practice, promoting equality and collective religious identity. However, over time, these institutions have become intertwined with the existing socio-economic structures, particularly the entrenched caste system.

Religious practices in these institutions are woven into the everyday lives of their members, and the repeated ritualistic participation plays a significant role in reinforcing social structures, including caste. While Neo-Vaishnavism was intended to break down barriers, the ongoing performance of rituals and the institution’s hierarchical dynamics have allowed caste to resurface and persist. This study also posits that caste is only one aspect of the broader social issues that have become embedded in these religious spaces. By employing ethnographic methods, this paper will investigate how the sociological existence of human beings, particularly the monks within these institutions, contributes to the maintenance of such structures. Through this analysis, the paper will provide an understanding of how caste and other social hierarchies continue to shape an institution initially designed to promote equality. In doing so, it highlights the complexities and contradictions within Neo-Vaishnavite practices and their social implications in contemporary Assam.