CASTE SYSTEM: SOCIAL & ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE SCHEDULED CASTES

 

CASTE SYSTEM: SOCIAL & ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE SCHEDULED CASTES

With a view to elevate their position the

'untouchables', who are now known as 'Scheduled Castes' launched several anti Brahmana and anit-twice-born' movements in the past. They also began several reforming and status-emulative movements, which particularly aimed at the imitation of the life, styles of the upper castes and rejection of their traditional practices and defiling occupations. 

The inhuman and exploitative conditions in which these scheduled castes were forced of live for centuries made them conscious of deplorable condition in Hindu society their own realisation, factors external to the caste system also contributed to as the loosening of the rigidities of the caste system.

The Constitution of India has listed the

"untouchable" castes as the "Scheduled Castes" with a view to provide them protection against discrimination, exploitation and degradation. It provides for their social, economic, political, cultural and educational upliftment. A policy of reservation of jobs, positions, educational facilities and of reserved constituencies for State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha and of nomination to local bodies has been adopted by the government of independent India. 

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a leader who fought for a place of honour and dignity for the scheduled castes during the freedom struggle. The British conceded political representation to the "untouchables" by the

Communal Award. Gandhi did not agree to this because the Muslims had already made such a demand with a view to quicken the growth of separatism and coramunalisation

of social relations. Gandhi undertook a fast unto death against the Communal Award. The Award was withdrawn under the Poona Pact, and Gandhi broke his fast. It was stated that Harijans were part of the Hindu social order, and, therefore, their condition had to be ameliorated within the framework of the system. Ambedkar became a Buddhist at the fag end of his life. 

However, he did his best as Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee to make constitutional provisions for the upliftment of the millions of downtrodden Harijans. The name harijans was given to the "untouchable" by Gandhi.

The word means "children of God" and implies that they needed special treatment. Gandhi started a periodical entitled Harijan to highlight the plight of the children of God. Provisions have been made against social discrimination and untouchability, with a view to attain equality of the SCs with the caste Hindu's. 

However, ascriptive status cannot be changed simply by constitutional provisions. The processes of social change and modernisation of traditional values alone can bring about a change in course of time. The Constitution of India makes provisions for the upliftment of the scheduled castes in economic, political and educational fields. Since these provisions have made a tangible impact and have generated a certain level of consciousness among the scheduled caste, the upper and intermediate castes have begun to feel uncomfortable. 

Clashes between the caste Hindus and the

scheduled castes have been frequently reported from different states. The scheduled castes are emerging as

a force to reckon with; representing secular values, egalitarianism and the quest for equality. However, some sections of the scheduled castes who have derived

considerable benefits from the constitutional provisions have attained an elite status among the scheduled castes.

 These sections continue to enjoy the special

provisions despite enormous improvement in their socio- economic condition.

In some areas the scheduled castes are still not allowed access to temples; tea stalls and public wells or water taps. However, today demands are rarely of a religious and ritual nature. What the Harijans demand

today is to be treated as persons. They should not be driven from their land. They should no longer be bonded labourers, and should be given fair wages. Their children should be educated and considered equal to children of other communities. They should be allowed to have their say in all democratic institutions. 

However, the fact remains that the scheduled castes continue to be inferior to the caste Hindus in all secular or mundane matters. Scheduled caste leaders are

subordinate to the caste leaders. The scheduled caste votes have been controlled by different political groups and parties. The leaders of these castes do not wish to

be identified with the scheduled castes.

 They, in fact, desire to be identified with the upper caste leadership. Nearly 90 per cent of the scheduled castes live in villages, and they continue to suffer because they work under the command of the dominant castes and landlords. 

The continue to be economically dependent on the upper caste and class groups. Constitutional provisions have been availed of by the poor Harijans in a very marginal

way. Since they continue to be poor, they are objects of exploitation.