Dear @PrDr,
I understand the situation you live around, but you need to understand that it’s not everywhere. Some people with extreme mindset tend to hurt their ego with different opinions.
But due to someone else opinion, you can’t change your opinion. You should not mind what others saying. Instead you should back your opinion with logic, data and evidence. They will be convinced automatically.
I can understand your concern. But the subject of empathy, which you have raised can be brought by individual effort. As I have already said. हम बदलेंगे युग बदलेगा (Charity begins with home)
I respect your concern. But let’s not get speculative. Instead why not work for betterment. Our action speaks louder than our words.
Maybe you remember Raja Ram Mohan Roy. When he raised social problems erstwhile, more people criticised him than support him. He was well ahead of his time. People could not digest his revolutionary ideas. But he won at last…
About the context,
See लोगों का काम है कहना… I think the family is of extreme views. But it’s not their fault afterall. People tend to sway towards popular notions when they do not have their own opinion. It also happens when they do not think holistically.
You are the one who can evaluate yourself not the others. So just chill and enjoy different opinions 
. Do not be attached too much emotionally.
And yes about reservation, I do not subscribe to that notion. Reservation is just an attempt to level out the historical socio-cultural violation of downtrodden.(lets not delve into those controversial topic)
Brother, Indian culture is not a static culture. It is a dynamic and ever evolving. You do not worry. It has sustained from Indus valley to this time.
Change is the only eternal. We cannot be more conservative but ofcourse some core values need to be paid more attention to.
I am providing link to books by Swami Vivekananda if you like to read.
-
Patanjali Yoga Sutras, treatise by Vivekananda
Patanjali Yoga Sutra by Swami Vivekananda.pdf - Google Drive -
Personality Development by Vivekananda
Personality Development - Swami Vivekananda.pdf - Google Drive -
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
the-secret-by-rhonda-byrne-english.pdf - Google Drive
Lets keep improving
Best Regards
JumpingBuddha
PS: I forgot about मध्यम मार्ग (middle path) of Buddha. In case of conflicting situation you can try this way. Be balanced. Do not go extreme, be in middle. Hope that helps.
, I will update here.