CASTE SYSTEM: Who could enter temples?

 

CASTE SYSTEM: Who could enter temples?

Ambedkar was born into a Mahar family. As a child he experienced what caste prejudice meant in everyday life. In school he was forced to sit outside the classroom on the ground, and was not allowed to drink water from taps that upper-caste children used. After finishing school, he got a fellowship to go to the US for higher studies. On his return to India in 1919, he wrote extensively about “upper”-caste power in contemporary society.

In 1927, Ambedkar started a temple entry

movement, in which his Mahar caste followers participated. Brahman priests were outraged when the Dalits used water from the temple tank. 

Ambedkar led three such movements for temple entry between 1927 and 1935. His aim was to make everyone see the power of caste prejudices within society.