The Communication Challenge

Title                 :      Untouchability in  Rural India

Editor               :      Ghanshyam Shah, Harsh Mander, Sukhadeo Thorat, Satish Deshpande,

                               Amita Baviskar

Published by    :      Sage Publications

Pages                          :      216

Price                :      Rs 295

Discrimination is rampant in every part of the world, in a society of homo sapiens it is almost a given that certain people have more advantages and privileges than others. It could be economic, racial, religious or communal, but the differences lead to discrimination against one set of people and domination of the other. But amongst all discriminations, untouchability is most unique in the fact that its parent institution, the caste system, is to be found in only the Indian subcontinent. This is one distinct social institution that legitimizes and enforces practices of discrimination against people born into particular castes and legitimizes practices that are humiliating, exclusionary and exploitative.

The book, the result of  field studies and compilation by five sociologists and academics-is a focused and systematic documentation of the extent of untouchability practices in contemporary India. The survey has been carried out over 565 villages in 11 states. It reveals that untouchability is still widely prevalent and is practiced in one form or the other in 80 per cent of our villages. This data is supported by information on the other forms of discriminations Dalits face in every day life like, “unclean occupations open to them; the double burden of Dalit women, who face both gender and caste discrimination; the upper caste violence with which any Dalit self- assertation is met.”

There are several historical theories as to how the caste hierarchy came about, the most popular being, the invading ‘white’ Aryans introduced the caste system and while they regarded themselves as caste Hindus, they relegated the original  (dark) inhabitants as outcastes, outside the caste system,  or atishudras or untouchables. This would mean the system was essentially racial in its origins. The outcastes were never incorporated into mainstream society or economy or even agriculture or any productive activity. They were treated with utter contempt and given menial, unskilled, dirty work, they were segregated as a residual category to be called on only to perform lowly work.

The book describes the different  Dalit communities in various regions of the country and how many of them grouped into organizations under committed leaders of the 19th and 20th century to demand a better status in life.

Our reformists, the Constitution, several legislations, the law, Affirmative Action……have severally and in unison done everything possible to remove untouchability, uplift the community in stages, reserve seats in education, jobs etc, however, society, especially rural society, is still far from giving up untouchability practices. Hardly a week goes by without news in the media of a Dalit massacre for “daring” to draw water from the village well reserved for caste Hindus, or for a liaison between a caste and Dalit couple. Even caste Hindus who ignore their status and partake in functions organized by Dalits are chastised and punished by other rigid caste code followers.

Like men, women too experience discrimination and untouchability in various spheres. Like men they bear the brunt of subjugation and of course the social stigma of caste, but at the same time they have to contend with patriarchal power that makes them vulnerable to not just domination by upper caste Hindus but also by their own Dalit men.

Two aspects of Dalit women's lives are of special concern: the gendered division of labour that exposes women to specific forms of untouchalibity and sexualized forms of oppression.

The book highlights, state-wise, the forms of discriminations faced by women with several real life incidences. But it also points out the emerging emancipation of these women and how, many of them, despite all odds, have managed to achieve greater control over their lives.

The small volume is a good read and reference for all those interested in human, social and political rights.    q 

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