The Social Practice Of Untouchability Sociology Essay

The Social Practice Of Untouchability Sociology EssayUntouchability is the sociable employ of casting divulge a minority host by regarding them as ritu on the whole toldy clogd and segregating them from the mainstream. The excluded group could be unity that did non take for granted the norms of the excluding group and historic eachy included foreigners, nomadic tribes, faithfulness- spliters and criminals. This exclusion was a method acting of punishing law-breakers and overly protected against contagion from strangers. A instalment of the excluded group is known as an untouchable. The community who be said untouchable argon from that section of night club which is non only held in the lowest esteem, besides which is be fetchd by the other(a) clubs as unclean. Who ar found to be the sweepers, cleaner, and welt tanners ar considered as unfit for military man indian lodge or co-mingling. They atomic number 18 not permitted to take their water from the human kind wells.The word coterie was in general used by the Portuguese to denote the Indian kindly categorization as they thought that the transcription was intended to preserver purity of blood. The transcription is such a peculiar and complex thing that no satisfying definition is mathematical. Hence we find no unanimity among scholars on the shooterject. Senart fixs that a coterie is a close corporation, exclusive and in theory at either rate rigorously hereditary. It is equipped with as genuine traditional and self-reliant organization, including a chief and a council, meeting on occasion in assemblies endowed with less full authority.According to sir H. Risley, a order whitethorn be defined as a collection of families or groups of families heraldic applying a common advert, claiming common descent from a mythical ancestor, human or divine, professing to follow the same hereditary calling, and regarded by those who argon competent to give opinion as forming a singl e ilk company .the pick up generally denotes or is associated with a specific occupation. A coterie is al approximately invariably endogamous in the sense that a member of the banging circle denoted by the common name may not marry outside that circle, but within the circle in that respect are ordinarily a enumerate of smaller circles individually which is also endogamous. The untouchables stand been referred to as Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes. Local call for the untouchables are in different parts of India and known by different names Bhangi, Pakhi, Chandal, etc. Mahatma Gandhi called them Harijans, which means children of God. It is still in wide use in particular in Gandhis home state of Gujarat. Harijans are now Dalits, which means befuddled race.Historical background Hindi culture was made of four castes fit in to incline of people. on that point are the brahmins, the highest or scholarly people, kshatriya, the caste of the past kings or fightriors the vaisya, the farmers and traders and the sudras, laborers. The people, who come infra the sudras caste, are treated with disdain, but not as outcasts. Today, the caste carcass is plow more complicated and having some(prenominal) triggermandivisions, each forming a complaisant organization whose function is to protect caste members. In Manu Smriti in that respect is written that the depression part of a Brahmins name should denote something auspicious, a Kshatriyas name should be connected with power, and that a Vaishyas name should reminds wealth. The first part of a Sudras name should express something contemptible and the consequence part should describe the service, because of the Sudras low origin. According to Hindu practice, only the speeding castes are abandoned right to study the Vedas. If the Sudra intentionally listens for committing to memory the Veda, past his ears should be filled with molten lead and lac if he utters the Veda, then his tongue should b e cut mop up, if he has mastered the Veda his body should be cut to pieces says the Manu Smriti. In the epic Ramayana, after Lord Ramas return from exile, a Brahmin accuses him of causing the death of his son by his toleration of Shambuka, a Sudra who recited the Vedas. In order to control the situation, Rama finds Shambuka and killed him. The Brahmin boy got life-time again. In Manu Smriti different punishments are given for the same crime, expecting on the culprits caste. If this a great dealtimes punishments were for the Sudras, what was the treatment reserved for the untouchables who were outside the caste system, and placed even scorn than the Sudras in society. In the 1500s, during the rule of the Marathas and the Peshwas untouchables were not supported within the gates of the Poona betwixt 3.00 pm and 9.00 am. The reason was that during this time their bodies were casting long bums, with the reason that the shadow of an untouchable might fall on a Brahmin and pollute him. An untouchable used to carry an earthen pot around his have a go at it so his spittle might not pollute the earth by the shadow. In Maharashtra an untouchable wore a black thread either in his neck or on his wrist for ready identification of swiftness caste people, while in Gujarat a horn was macrocosm languid for identification. It must be remembered that Dalit does not mean Caste or low-Casteor poor it refers to the deplorable state or condition to which a large group of people has been reduced by social convention and in which they are now living.Protection under constitutionIndias government and statutory system when dealing with dalits or untouchables is fraught with contradiction. This is evident in the disparities between fastness and lower castes, in destinations of economic and political power, and is a consequence of the rural areas differential treatment of these sections. The Indian Constitution the writing of which was chaired by the most powerful dalit a dvocate for dalit rights, Dr. Ambedkar embodies civil and reasoned rights providing for non-discrimination. However, secular legal and constitutional structures are contradictory to the prevalent ancient Hindu law religious, social and economic practices that involve a discriminative hierarchy found on hereditary social status, occupation and ritual duties. Stratification of society benefits the upper segmentationes as it secures positions of economic and social power, and allows the exploitation of the lower castes Hindu beliefs and law sanction this. It is on that pointfore not in their sinkest to exact discrimination by the implementation of the constitutional principles and laws in favors of the dalits. The Indian state hasnt, to date, taken a serious approach to the betterment of the dalit situation because it is fundamentally aligned with the upper castes. The provision of reservations for government pose, drill and higher(prenominal) learning has improved the living standard of some dalits, yet most die hard in poverty. Reservations provide positive discrimination ironically this also stereo eccentric persons dalits, resulting in their continual sequestration in society. The state has not successfully provided due access to education, equitable employment, ownership of land and legal protection to break the cycle of caste establish oppression. Dalit political parties and gesturements for the assertion of rights and self design have been numerous and varied, but have been successfully quelled by the state and upper castes through the use of political power, violence, and police intimidation, all contrary to the constitution.Hindus maintain the caste system because their religion requires them to do so, and caste is a characteristic of Brahmanism, the Brahmans being at the top of the system.1 Dalits, as they go away be referred to here, are a sub caste of people at the bottom of the Hindu social and religious hierarchy called Varna Dharma due to polluting personality of their occupations which includehandling dead animals, cleaning, and jobs to do with human excrement. They are compel to behave in de-humanizing ways such the eating of excrement. The inter satisfy of the castes and1 L.G. Havanur, Backward Classes, Judicial Meaning, Socio-legal Services and Research Centre, Bangalore, 1991, p.55jatis, or endogamous sub divisions relating to occupation, is known as the jajmani system. Hindus have relied on this system to divide labour, social and commensally relations and ensure economic and social co-operation.2 On all level the dalits have been discriminated against, and subordinated into servitude.3 Ambedkar in his leadership role in the Indian constituent assembly sought to erase the oppressive caste system by raising dalit awareness and empowerment through provisions in the constitution. obligate 15 and 17 prohibits the practice of untouchability and discrimination based on caste.4 In hindsight, these basic aim s seem too lofty to be realized, given that dalits still remain disenfranchised in relation to the implementation of these articles. xl years later, writing in 1994, Dr. B.D Sharma describes the Indian micro-universe as separated into the first gentleman, where people exercise their rights and have access to courts and police for protection under the law and the other world where people do not.5 The first world comprises of only 15-20% of the population and the other world stools up the majority of disown and exploited people.6 In addition, The Civil Rights Protection Act, 1955, intended to abolish disabilities associated with transposed tell apartes including dalits. While creating an atmosphere where the in alludeities suffered by the dalits have been publicly condemned, the constitutional measures have been rendered ineffective as they are more a lot than not ignored in practice.7 Dalits make up 77% of agricultural labour which is classified as incompetent and unorganised . In the urban setting, they are labourers in construction, scavengers and sanitation workers, also fall into the unorganized category. Wages in the organized sector are correct by the State so that they rise with increased prices, and are passable enough for one wage earner to sustain a family. Labourers bear the brunt of the disparity between organized and unorganized sections. Violations of minimum wage, set actually low in the first place, and payment in kind are common, and go unchecked.8 Consequently, one wage cannot support a family and children and the elderly are forced to work, children dont go to school and are trapped by poverty.9 The State allows illegal labour practices because exploitation results in economic benefits for landowners and employers who are generally upper caste, if it should interfere, more2 Sumit Ganguly Neil DeVotta eds, Understanding Contemporary India, Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder, London, 2003, p.233 -2343 Robert.W.Stern, changing India , 2nd edit, Cambridge university press, Cambridge, 2003. p.60-614 Sumit Ganguly Neil DeVotta eds, Understanding Contemporary India, p.2435 Dr. B.D. Sharma, Dalits Betrayed, Har-Anand Publications, New Delhi, 1994, p.136 Ibid. 7Robert.W.Stern, Changing India, 2nd edit, p. 2428 Prem.K.Shinde ed, Dalits and Human Rights, volume 1, (Dalits and racial Justice) Isha Books, Delhi, p.849 Dr. B.D. Sharma, Dalits Betrayed, p.47dalits may be able to enter the organised sector, and gum olibanum this exploitable labour resource would be drained. Although this massive failure of participation in the organised economy could be corrected by affirmative legal action policies, these have also been insufficient.Article 330 and 332 of the constitution call for affirmative action in the form of special reservations in government representation, government employment and higher education,intended to raise the dalit position in society. Reserved seats are allocated in the Lok Sabha, and the legislative assemblies of the states, effectively giving dalits representation.The schedule castes and scheduled tribes (The Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 was designed to better punish offences such as injury or harassment directed at dalits. In addition, Article 14 of the constitution states that no citizen be denied equality before the law. Ghandi believed that the superordinate word/inferior relations between dalits and upper castes could not be remedied by the state, but needed to be addressed by the upper castes themselves who were obligated for the system.1010 Lelah Dushkin, Scheduled Caste Policy in India, p.632Untoucability, A social EvilUntouchability is basically not from India. It was practiced in parts of atomic number 63 until a some centuries ago, and Japan still has a large number of Untouchables, called the Burakumin. besides it is in the Indian Sub-continent that this system survives, closely bound with culture, religion, biography and politics. Today over 170 million people in India are considered Untouchable, and their development has been slow despite the Legal safeguards and the Government programs. According to the Manu Smriti there are four castes in Hindu society and each caste has assigned duties, responsibilities and privileges. The Brahmins are the learned, the Kshatriyas are the warriors, the Vaishyas are the traders, and the Sudras perform menial t directs and fleshly labour, and are considered as the lowest. And only uppers castes have the right to study the Vedas. The upper castes alone have the right to the thread ceremony which is performed as a rite of passage, allowing them to be termed twice-born.What is a Dharma?A study reveals that he who has the cognition of Brahmagnan is called the Brahmana, and not by caste or not by the birth. apiece one of us is an untouchable, because who among us is free from disobedience to Natures laws, from impurity of ticker and mind, from fears of a thousand kinds, from selfishness and greed. Let us remove the untouchability in us. Anyone is not perfect, but through right dharma, by eliminating our differences and by strengthening our virtues, we move towards perfection. Let us develop the virtue of efficiency and skill to require Shudras the virtue of charity and become Vaishyas the courage and become Kshatriyas the sacrifice and become Brahman, and make ourselves in the copy of the Great Purusha, the Radiant.According to the Bhagwadgeetha or The volume or any other, written, or said, is the same, that all humans are equal. The line of work we breathe, the Water we drink, the Fire, the Sky, the Earth are same. These days Indian students and citizens are being attacked in some countries, and we are discussing and talking about the RACISM and craving for justice. We should condemn these at any cost, but it would be fair if we chip those things in here.What is Untouchability?Untouchability in India is a practice where a particular community considers even touching ano ther(prenominal) community person as polluting one. A person who touches the untouchables is usually made to undergo cleansing process, like bathing, or spraying of water, depending on the regional practice.Who practices untouchability?There is an intense propaganda that untouchability is practiced by higher caste people over lower caste people. But that is no right. Untouchability is practiced by almost all castes, right from brahmin caste to the dalit caste. Even the dalit castes practice untouchability over others.One dalit caste forget not even drink water from another dalit caste.Does Untouchability mean separationism?Segregation in western sense, means, classification and isolating a certain groups of people, for varied reasons. Segregation is mostly associated with authority based society like the western one. Normally, the criminals, rebels, and other anti-social elements only are segregated from the mainstream society, and deported to far off lands or put in jail. This is what happened in the western societies.In general, segregationmeans, separation of different groups of people from one another, and no relationship exists among these groups. For example, in Europe, the protestants and the catholics are segregated, and there is no healthy relationship b/w them, except for that both worship jesus. Similarly, shias and sunnis are segregated people, without any interdependence. But, untouchability does not mean segregating. Because, untouchability was mutually practiced by all groups.In caste system, even though people practiced untouchability, the different castes are mutualist on one another, thus constantly having some kind of interaction and relationship.Does Untouchability mean isolation?Definitely not,there may be segregation of houses of castes in some villages. But there is neer isolation in any villages. Almost all castes interact with each other, because, all castes depend on one another for some needs. The level of interaction differs f rom caste to caste. For example, the dalits will strictly not jumble with other dalit caste, eg. Sakkiliars will never drink water from parayars. But, they will get food and water from the predominant caste of that region. Similarly, the dominant castes like chettiyars, devars, nayakkars, etc may have interactions on equal footing. But still, they do not mingle with one another.There are few communities, who have to closely interact with one another. Particularly in kongu region, the naavithars, vannan community, kosavar community, etc have close interaction with the dominant gounder community. The naavithars (barbers) usually conduct most of the rituals, right from birth to death in the gounders family. It is they who used to sing mangazha vaazhthu during gounders marriage.why does a caste practice untouchability?There is no definite adjudicate to this, as the reason may vary from place to place. But based on my understanding, untouchability is practices because of extreme cultu ral contradictions. Let me list out the possible reasons for untouchability, as i perceive.Life style We all know India is a land of cultural diversity, and that the life style of one community by and large differs from others. For eg, a brahmin community follows strict hygiene, and are strict vegetarians. On the other hand, the farmers and farm laborer castes usually work in handle do not have hygienic life practices. The dalit community flora on cow skins, which is a sin to brahmin community. So its inbred that the brahmins could not mingle with other castes.Commune Living Most of the castes outlast a strong commune life, with a common profession. So, the life styles of all the community members are aligned towards that lifestyle. And there are strong inter dependencies among the community member. In such commune living, people used to resist as large families, with common interest. In such cases, when a member of the family or community, elopes with the other community miss or boy, it creates a wateriness in the large family. The incoming girl/boy may not adapt to the family life style, and may not adapt to the community profession. For example, a brahmin girl will not be able to work in fields if she marries a farmer. Or a farming girl may not be able to work in lash products if she marries a dalit. So, the society has evolved itself to an inbuilt arrangement, not to mingle with each other.Prisoners of war On those days (before Moslem invasion), when a king was defeated in a war, he captures the prisoners of war, and deports to his kingdom to work as laborers or up-to-date empire may be ruled by the enemy for few years, and recaptured by the original king. In such case, the people settled there by the former temporary ruler, may lose their status, and become laborers. In such cases, the victorious king may take steps to quash the settled external people, so that they dont again attempt to overthrow him. ghostly Differences I need not mention abo ut Hindu Muslim differences. That is entirely a different subject. However, there are some(prenominal) sub sects within Hinduism, which had opposed each other. Particularly the influence of Buddhism had profound electrical shock on suppressing those people who work on leather products, as Buddhistic believed in ahimsa. The vegetarian character of India is believed to have acquired during Buddhist rule. Also, since anyone who left the caste is usually abandoned by the community, those who had converted to Buddhism might have been left out after Buddhism waned way. Today, for many of the dalit people, their kula deivam is Vishnu.Cultural Differences Apart from life style, the cultural set of the castes also an important reason for untouchability. For example, the ruling castes had stricter cultural values, which they have followed for generations. For example, leave remarriage is not allowed in dominant castes. But its normal in dalit castes. The widow in dominant caste often fo llows sati, whereas it is not required in the dalit castes.Lineages The common culture and profession resulted in a common rip over centuries, which evolved the respective castes in to distinctive identities, which had made them not to mingle with others.Exceptions from UntouchabilityThe saints and rishis are mostly exempted from untouchability. It means, almost all communities welcomed rishis and saints, and the saints also embraced all communities. Also, the saints are placed outside the caste system, as they have raised one level above in their life, towards the god. Most of the kings never practiced untouchability, and they were mostly secular. Moreover, they did not have the situation or the time to do that. expert and Bad in this world are highly relative term rather than a universally defined one.In the society of barbarians, murderers and rapists, a thief could be the best person among others. However, in a society of saints and nobles, the same thief would be the worst pe rson. Thus when we are sagacity anything as good/bad, we need to consider the environment and prevailing situation.There was heavy propaganda of dalit oppression and suppression by the Marxists, for around a speed of light here. But even assuming their propaganda to be true, lets see how the dalit people were treated here. The dalits lived in a separate colony in the same village. The dalits are not slaves. They were mere laborers to the land owners. They have the right to move to other village, if they feel, the current village is discriminatory or not able to live in. A typical dalit community is allowed to have their own commune life, exactly because, untouchability prevented the dominant caste from abusing or exploiting them. The dalits had their own temple, their own festivals.The dalits had similar type of caste structure, with gothrams and kula deivams. A dalit married from a different gothram of his caste from another village. These ensured that the dalit people also had relations among multiple villages and have their own social structure to follow with. Since the dalit people were allowed to live as a community, their women had the inwrought protection from exploitation. In the case of American slave system each African women is an individual slave, which the owner can do whatever he want. Other slaves cannot come to rescue if the owner rapes the slave women. However, in our caste system, the women were part of the dalit community, and they could not be exploited. Also, since the dominant caste practiced untouchability over the dalits, their youths refrained from mingling with dalit girls as such an act would excommunication from his caste. It is same for the dalit people too.The dalit people had their own panchayat for issue resolution. This is the highest point of freedom that any community might have. The elders in the dalit caste usually try to put to work the problem. If that fails, they take the case to the village panchayat head.To quote a new-fangled history of India, the entire Kashmir valley had been ethnically cleansed of Hindus, just because the Muslims could not hurt the presence of Hindus. So when they became majority they persecuted the Hindus. However, it has to be noted that the Hindus, even though invaded by Muslims were able to tolerate them for thousands of years, by simply practicing untouchability. There are many other instances in the history where I find that untouchability would have prevented genocides, persecution and other horrors of the history. Comparing those incidents with our caste system, we find that untouchability is a practical system evolved as a solution to peaceful existence of conflicting communities.We all know that the urban people are classified as higher class, middle class and lower class. But its a fact that these class peoples mostly lived isolated from others. For example, the higher class people live in posh areas, with neat roads, electricity water facility and spacious homes, public parks etc. The middle class usually lives in halcyon homes, but in congested areas. The lower class people often were the slum dwellers who live in unhygienic and horrific conditions.Let me ask the following questionsHow many upper class people live on with slum dwellers? Suppose a slum dweller roams in calculate of a posh bungalow, what will the security of the bungalow will do? We often find that the rich people drive away the slum people through their securities. How many of the higher class people allow their children to play with middle class people? How many of the middle class people allow their children to play with the slum boys girls?In villages, even though castes follow untouchability, each caste knows the members of the other caste. When the dalit caste had any needs, they always approach the dominant caste. The dominant caste provides food to the dalit people, when they come to the home. The dalit women often share their problems with the dominant cas te women and seek solution. Thus there is a mutually supporting life in villages, inspire of untouchability. Let me ask, how many people in rich posh areas, know the people of the near slum. Or how many rich people help the slum people in needy times? Lets take the case of gang wars in colleges. Students belonging to one group wont interact with the other. Its the norm in many colleges. Its natural because, when there are differences, people chose to live away.