International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research

Authors
Mahmudul Hasan Laskar

Abstract
India is known for its unique feature and image that is unity in diversity or magnificent pot of blending diversified elements. Until unity and integration prevails, India manifests its order and tranquility in social environment. Unfortunately, some divisive mechanisms and social malfunctions often encroach in the very order of Indian society. Ethnocentrism is one such misfortune causing greatest hindrance to the idea of egalitarianism in Indian society; and modernism’s basic requirement is egalitarian social structure, which has not been able to establish. Dipankar Gupta mentioned that modernity is characterised by an attitude of equality with others and respect for others. The manifestations of ethnocentrism have been the symbolic mark of deliberate process of social exclusion in Indian society. Egalitarian society has remained an ideal type or utopia. In actual social relationship, the flame of casteism encountered the path of establishing modern social values. It has been revealed through an insightful sociological investigation that society in Assam is also stratified in caste line despite being its common ethnic identity. It has been claimed on the basis of materialistic development like occupational mobility, political participation and ethnicity that Assam is free from caste differentiation but the essence of caste is inherently surviving in the mental state of the Brahmins and other higher castes. Therefore it has to be assessed that the claim of being modern on the basis of artifact has been concealing the traditional values.