Read the passages carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.

No Indian, irrespective of his colour or creed, has been able to escape completely from the institution of caste. Its laws ….. (1) ….. been obeyed by all without murmur, complaint or hesitation. Even many a sublime social …… (2) ….. has been sacrificed at the altar of caste to get admission to the social order In all ages, anti-caste movements were launched but they were rendered ineffective due to the inherent strength of the …… (3) …. of caste. It remained as firm as ever. As an institution of social control, it has always been and …. (4) …. a hindrance in the development of social consciousness or national ….. (5) ….

Fill in the blank no.-4