Caste
 

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/off-topic-discussion/209702-when-you-immigrate-please-leave-your-crazy-relatives-back-home.html

Already posted here, Caste does rear its ugly head in India from time to time but then so does racism. Caste is based on Varna meaning color. It was practiced heavily by the Aryan races in north to segregate themselves from the darker people in India. As one can see that race is still an issue today in US and elsewhere, casteism also remains. Even after 4500 years of history and intermixing, it hasn't gone away unfortunately. Incidentally, anyone had the right to ascend to an upper caste by their acts. The last president of India is a Muslim from a lower caste and the two greatest epics were written by people of lower caste. Its quite silly in today's world but then so is racism and they both exist and rear their ugly heads from time to time. Whats even ironical is that casteism is practiced among other religions in India as well even though its not approved. From Muslims to Christians to Sikhs practice it specially when they get married. Its out in the cities as most are not getting married arranged and the older generations have to face it, like it or not.

A good explanation of caste across the world in different societies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste