Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Project on
UNTOUCHABILITY IN INDIAN SOCIETY
Sociology- II
SUBMITTED BY-:
TO-:
SUBMITTED
DEEPAK KANERIYA
DR.BIR PAL
SINGH
2012 B.A.ALL.B.76
PROFESSOR
II TRIMESTER
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................
ASSISTANT
statement of problem...
Objectives
Hypothesis...
Who are untouchable..
Shudra in vedic period...
B.r.ambedkar
and
his
struggle
for
untouchables..
Rights provided by constitution
Conclusion..
Bibliography .
the
rights
of
ACKNOWLEDGEMNTS
I would like to thank my Sociology teacher Dr. Bir Pal Singh for allowing me to pick up such an
interesting topic. I would also like to thank my seniors as well as my friends for providing
valuable inputs during the course of this project.
STATEMENT OF PROBLAM:Studying and preparing a detailed project on the untouchables and their status in society .
Basically the culture and tradition of a country depends on its historical background. Ancient Vedic
culture still continues in some aspects in India because the Indians are the successor of the Vedic
inhabitants. The culture was divided in two distinct groups; Dravidians and Aryans. Vedas and
Upanishads which had a thoughtful effect on the development of cultures, traditions and religious
conviction of India. Vedic culture has continued from 1500 BC to 500 BC in the north and northwestern
parts of India. This time period is divided into two parts - The Vedic Vedic Religion. Caste meaning
Varna or color originated in Vedic period. Through this distinction Aryans claimed supremacy over the
conquered (Dasas and Panis). It is a Portuguese word meaning clan. They mastered the art of cultivation
with it emerged greater division of labor and hence need for different occupations.Once the Aryans settled
as agriculturists the Aryan society developed into grouping what is known as the four-fold caste system.
Those who were fighting were known as Kshatriyas; those cultivating were known as Sudra;and, the
lowest class in the priestly community elevated themselves to the status of Brahmins. Significantly, with
the beginning of cultivation by the Aryans the earlier word "gavasthi" meaning search for cows came to
mean 'to fight', because fights between the various tribes of Aryans for fertile land and herds of cattle
were common. Soon, by 600 B.C. a new grouping emerged in the Aryan community, a group of people
dealing with trade and commerce. This led to emergence of new class Vaishyas, the Sudra community
moved up to form this new grouping, while the non-Aryans and mixed-Aryan became Sudras. The
concept of pollution also figured during this time as those who undertook unclean occupations like
cleaning of carcasses, fishing and other occupations came into existence.
In the beginning, the class system was not rigid. But in the later Vedic period it became rigid when the
Brahmins and the kshatriyas became powerful and the vaishyas were made to pay tributes. The sudras
became miserable and began to be treated as untouchables.
The Brahmins were specialized in creating the sacred texts and carrying out various types of rituals and
they also acted as a priest. The people of royal family were classified as Kshatriyas. They performed a
commanding role in society and helped to maintain law and order. In the Early Vedic Period all the three
upper classes Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas were considered as relatively equal Aryan, but in the
Later Vedic Age the Brahmins and Kshatriyas became upper class. The Vaishyas were traders and farmers
or any type of worker but the Shudras were the lower class; they were untouchable for upper-class and
were meant to serve the upper three classes.
The caste system, in those days had some advantages. It reduced friction within the society. Marriages
within the caste reduced maladjustments in family life. It ensured continuity of occupation as the sons
usually followed the fathers occupation. This reduced unemployment and brought about perfection of
several arts and crafts. Furthermore, since the caste system was based on the principle of division of labor,
the Aryans were able to establish and maintain a sound economy.But soon caste system became a social
evil. It suppressed an individual's talent and became an obstacle for his personal development. It gave rise
to untouchability and acted against the feeling of common brotherhood. Because of the mutual jealousies
among the various castes, the Hindu society disintegrated and fell an easy prey to foreign invaders .
Award in 1932 providing for separate electorate for the Depressed Classes. In protest, Gandhi
resorted to fasting unto death. Tremendous pressure wasmounted on Ambedkar to withdraw
this demandfor the status of separate electorate foruntouchables. Ambedkar was unperturbed
andsaid The Mahatma is not an immortal person,nor the Congress. Mahatmas have come
andMahatmas have gone. But untouchables haveremained as untouchables. But ultimately
herelented and signed the well-known Poona Pact on September 24, 1932 on behalf of
thedepressed classes ensuring reserved seats foruntouchables. The Pact was later embodied in
the Government of India Act, 1935.
Indian law does not recognize the age-old practice of untouchability. This practice is a form of
social discrimination against certain groups of persons, based on their caste.Even today, it is relevant
because there are honor killings conducted in the name of inter caste marriages. In real life,
untouchability is not talked about much because it is an ugly truth that people are discriminated against
based on their caste.
Although the history of untouchability goes back to the period of the Vedas and Puranas, the
implementation of it was based on mistaken interpretations of the people of that time. As we all know,
beliefs can be dangerous when people misuse it to gain positions of absolute power and prestige in
society. These blind beliefs plague the Indian society and get translated into illogical, cruel and intolerant
actions against specific communities such as the Dalits.
Indian Law: Legal Measures against Untouchability
Indian law does not permit the practice of untouchability. Article 17 of the Constitution of India bans the
practice. The government of India has passed the Untouchability Act, 1955, to eliminate any form of
caste based discrimination. To eradicate the caste based discrimination, the government introduced the
reservation system, meaning that it has reserved seats in educational institutes and government services
for Dalits. Political parties in India use this as the bait to get votes from the Dalit community too.
However, this is a highly debated issue because many Dalits oppose it, stating that merit should be given
preference over caste considerations.
Whether we practice or preach against untouchability, the truth is that it is still practiced in various parts
of India. Those who dared to question social discrimination faced physical and mental torment because
the social ground reality still remains the same for them.
Bibliography
Article Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : The Messiah of the Downtrodden by Siddharatha Dash.
NLIU sociology text book By Dr. Birpal singh sir
Soft data
http://www.lawisgreek.com/indian-law-what-is-untouchability.
http://www.preservearticles.com/201012271775/removinguntouchability.html.
Article Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : The Messiah of the Downtrodden by Siddharatha dash
http://www.lawisgreek.com/indian-law-what-is-untouchability.
Nliu sociology text book by Dr.Birpal singh sir
http://www.preservearticles.com/201012271775/removing-untouchability.html
Article Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : The Messiah of the Downtrodden by Siddharatha dash
http://www.lawisgreek.com/indian-law-what-is-untouchability.
Nliu sociology text book by Dr.Birpal singh sir
http://www.preservearticles.com/201012271775/removing-untouchability.html
Article Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : The Messiah of the Downtrodden by Siddharatha dash
http://www.lawisgreek.com/indian-law-what-is-untouchability.
Nliu sociology text book by Dr.Birpal singh sir
http://www.preservearticles.com/201012271775/removing-untouchability.html