Persistence of Untouchability
Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Service Examination.
Relevance : Sociology Paper 2 , UNIT 12 Social Structure; Systems of Kinship in India
Persistence of Untouchability
Definition: According to Marc Glanter untouchability can be defined as practice that include all instances in which one person treated another as ritually unclean and as a source of pollution .
The Current State of UntouchabilityAccording to data from the India Human Development Survey conducted by the National Council of Applied Economic Research
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Reasons of persistence of untouchability
The perpetuation of untouchability can be attributed to deeply ingrained societal attitudes and a lack of effective enforcement of the legal ban on this practice. Some key reasons for its persistence are as follows:
- Religious Beliefs and Practices: Many religious beliefs and practices in India have been manipulated to justify caste discrimination and untouchability.
- For instance, some view lower castes as “polluted” and avoid contact with them to maintain their own purity.
- Economic Dependence: Lower castes often find themselves economically reliant on upper castes, making it challenging for them to assert their rights and challenge discrimination. This is particularly evident in lower-paying jobs held by Dalits on land owned by upper castes.
- Satish Deshpande argued that caste is not only a social cultural construct but also an economic and political one, with caste based inequalities and discrimination shaping the distribution of resources and opportunities.
- Limited Access to Public Spaces: Lower castes face restricted access to essential public services such as schools and hospitals, further isolating them from mainstream society.
- Violence and Intimidation: The persistent fear of violence and intimidation from upper castes makes it difficult for Dalits to demand their rights and oppose discrimination.
- For instance, Dalits may face violence for entering temples or refusing certain jobs.
- Lack of Legal Recourse: Lower castes have limited access to legal avenues to fight against discrimination due to a lack of awareness about their rights, inadequate legal representation, and corruption within the justice system.
- Social Norms and Attitudes: Prejudice and discrimination against lower castes are often passed down through generations and reinforced by cultural practices, such as restrictions on sharing food and water and specific ceremonial duties for Dalits in some regions.
- Lack of Political Will: Despite a constitutional ban on untouchability, enforcement of the law is often weak due to a lack of political will to address the issue. Some politicians may cater to upper caste voters for electoral support.
- According to Gail Omvedt state has not done enough to address the problem of untouchability and has been often complicit in oppression of Dalits
- Police and Administrative Corruption: Discrimination faced by marginalized communities is exacerbated by police and administrative corruption.
- Lack of Representation: Lower castes are under-represented in various fields, including politics and media, which hinder their ability to advocate for their rights and challenge discrimination.
Problems and Challenges Arising from the Persistence of Untouchability
The persistence of untouchability leads to several problems and challenges, including:
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- Economic Stratification: The discrimination faced by lower castes results in economic disparities and limits their access to economic opportunities.
- Social Exclusion: Untouchability perpetuates the social exclusion of lower castes, denying them the right to participate fully in various aspects of life, such as education and economic opportunities.
- Educational Disparities: Lower castes face limited access to quality education, hindering their ability to acquire the skills and knowledge needed for success.
- Healthcare Disparities: Discrimination in healthcare leads to poor health outcomes for lower castes, as they may be denied access to facilities or treated with less care.
- Under-representation: The lack of representation of lower castes exacerbates their societal marginalization and diminishes the attention given to their issues.
- Workplace Discrimination: Untouchability results in workplace discrimination, which in turn leads to limited opportunities, low self-esteem, and adverse psychological impacts on affected individuals.
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- Amit Thorat highlighted that such discrimination leads to feelings of low self -esteem , depression , and a sense of hopelessness.
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- Gender Discrimination: Lower caste women face double discrimination, both based on their caste and gender, further marginalizing them in society.
Reference: Static Portion
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
GS Related Practices Questions…
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