Untouchability

Definition: Untouchables also called Dalit, officially known as Scheduled Caste, in Indian society.

Untouchability is the practice of excluding some cluster or group by segregating some castes from the
main stream by social norms.

Who are untouchables?

Dalits are the members of the lowest social group in the caste system. Out of four primary cast , Dalits
come below Shudra cast. There are various sub casts under Dalits. They are divided into sweepers,
cobblers, disposing dead animals, cleaning human excreta etc. Out of them majority of Dalits are
involved in agricultural activities.

Why They Were "Untouchable?

As per division of Indian cast system, untouchability is racist phenomenon. It is believed in Indian society
that those people who are working as polluting and unclean environment , they are polluting the culture of
society. They are seen as untouchables.

Barriers faced by untouchables:

 Avoidance of physical contact, social sanction,

 Keep to maintain the minimum social distance
 Prohibition against inter dining
 Prohibition against inter marriage
 Prohibition against visiting hindu temple
 Cannot drink from public wells
 Cannot touch anyone from upper cast
 Cannot argue from upper cast demand

Reality of Untouchables
The untouchables are deprived of:

1) Education

2) Property and assets

3) Protecting themselves.

 So they are owned as the property of the caste people. One can think why it is still used. The
tragedy is that although untouchablity was abolished by law in India, yet the some Dalits
 experience the agony of untouchability very deeply in all walks of life: Social, Economical and
Political. If one experience the pain of Dalits then only he can understand the real situation of
them.

Reform and the Dalit Rights Movement

 In the colonial period British people tried to end the some aspects of caste system in India,
specially the Untouchables. They saw the treatment of Untouchables as singularly cruel and
humiliating.
 After independence India constitution identified Untouchables as "scheduled castes. Also Dalit
community become a part of political force in India and enjoy greater access to education.
 Banning untouchability, the Indian constitution allow these groups with specific educational
privileges and permit them as special representative in the Indian parliament.

 In 1936, Dr. Ambedkar formed the Independent Labour Party.

 Dr. Ambedkar demanded adequate representation for Dalits in the legislatures and the
Government of India Act, 1919, provided for special seat in the central Legislative Assembly. He
also accepted the Marxian view of the dialectical interplay of classes organized movements of
workers and peasants against capitalists and landlords

 Jyothiba Bhule flagged off the anti-caste movement in Maharashtra. Also she led campaign for
remarriage of widows. She started Organisation called- Sathya Shodhak Samaj.
 Dalit panthers movement: In 1972, The Dalit youths came forward and took up the task of
bringing all the Dalits on to one single platform and mobilizes them for the struggle for their civil
rights and justice
 Dalit literary movement: The Dalits stated their own magazine and began to express their own
experiences. Along with the formation of the Dalit Panthers, a combination of Dalit poetry and
stories showing the miseries of the Dalits were released. This practice is to fight for all those
people whoever practices exploitation. Also some folk songs, poetry, and autobiographies were
written by some Dalit writers.

Untouchables in Today’s Society

 There are nearly 170 million people roughly around 17 percent of the Indian population. Dalit
settles around remotely located part of villages. Dalit dwellings are the lowliest and least
desirable areas (i.e most polluted areas)
 Compared to any other social group in India, Dalits have one of the highest rates of
unemployment in the country.
  Most Dalits still live-in poverty, without land or opportunities for better employment or
education. With the exception of a minority people whoever somehow got benefited from Indian
policy of quotas in education and government jobs.
 Basic supplies for example drinking water are also segregated, and medical treatments and the
better, thatched-roof houses that exist apparently in the caste Hindu colony. Dalits are further
reinforced by allocation of facilities given by Centre & State, some special facilities are provided
for separate colonies. Dalits often receive the poorer of the two.
 Mainly lower cast/Dalit girls got married at very early age between 10~17 years in large part
because of Dalit girls’ vulnerability to sexual assault by upper caste people. Dalit girls face the
burden of lower caste, lower class, and gender.
Reservations in India
 Article 14 : Mainly for Equality before the Law
 Article 15 : Formed for the Prohibition of Discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex
or place of birth
 Article 16 : Prepared for the Equal Opportunity in public employment
 Article 17 : Mainly Deals with Abolition of Dalit/Untouchables.
 Article 46: For Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes and other weaker sections of cast
 Article 338 : Defined that National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes shall be
a Special Officer for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be appointed by the President.
 Article 340 ; Formed Appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward
classes.
Why Untouchables are still lacking compared to upper cast?
 Sub-standard Schools: 99% of Dalit students come from government schools which lack basic
infrastructure, library and safe drinking water facilities. As state is focusing on universal and
compulsory education for its citizens, the trend towards privatization of education is only
reinforcing the ongoing neglect and deterioration of government schools
 Primary School Enrolment: Enrollment among Dalit children in 1991 at the primary level was
an inexcusably low ~15%, while among non-SCs it was above 80%. The school drop out rate is
higher side for dalit children, especially girls, as compared to other upper casts.
 Discriminative Discipline: In India, Central Government has promised to all schools around
India to accept enrollment for students of all casts, but in reality many teachers refuse to teach
Dalit children. So Dalit children are not given equal opportunities in many schools.
Recommendations
 Dalit girls should be given priority and special attention under existing and future programs of
education.
 Affirmative Action Policy should be prepared and implemented for Dalits.
 State and Centre should jointly accelerate the skill development program so that the maximum
unprivileged community can acquire alternate skills and growth can be made.
 Government should extend financial help to Dalits based on their financial background.