Historically, the emergence of caste system is rooted in the purity pollution dichotomy. In the Purushasukta of Rigveda, all “pure” duties were assigned to the Dwija (upper castes) and all “impure” duties were assigned to the Avarnas or lower castes.
The lower castes faced racial, habitat & occupational segregation. The above case is an example of occupational segregation. As late as 2016, 98% of manual scavengers were Dalits. Most cremators are Dalits. Because no other highly privileged caste would do this.
They can’t shift to other occupations because of the social stigma attached to their present occupations. There’s also a huge caste class nexus working leading to cumulative inequality. Inequality on all axis of power, wealth & affluence.
Scriptures, temples & holy texts were disallowed for untouchables. For those who say it was in the past, in 2014, the then Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi visited a temple in Bihar’s Madhubani district & the shrine was purified after his visit.
If this is what the politically affluent go through, imagine the plight of the powerless.
No wonder time & again Dalits are beaten up when they try to enter a temple or when they try to get on a horse for a wedding coz emulating the rituals of upper caste is beyond the written.
Rise of Dalits is taken as a challenge to existing power order & Violence is used as a tool for suppression.
Sukhdeo Thorat report- 75% of Dalit househelda r landless & denied wages at market rates.
National Commission on Dalit Human Rights- In 38% of schools, dalit children r made to sit separately while taking Mid Day Meal.
These are just a few facts & facts are always understated.
Those who say it’s not about caste are the upper castes.
Who are far away from the reality, living in their privileged bubbles who never faced an ounce of discrimination they were just born at the upper end of the spectrum.
So
Until progressives take a courageous stand by denouncing self privilege
Until radicals make caste foremost project
Until Dalixploitation becomes a concern for all
Until Dalit achievers r unafraid of revealing their identity for fear of losing future
Until then, caste matters!
So I won’t believe any upper caste living in their euphoric bubbles saying that casteism doesn’t exist.
The day a Dalit comes up to me & says this, I shall be happy to acknowledge that.
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