Caste Rigidities and Social Protest in India

Caste Rigidities and Social Protest in India

Caste Rigidities and Social Protest in India

The concept of Caste has not existed in Vedic period but the society is divided into four hierarchical classes such as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. At the end of the Atharva Vedic period a new class (fifth class) was emerged in the name of 'untouchable class' presently called as Dalits meaning oppressed or downtrodden. These "Untouchable" menials, relegated to carrying out very menial and polluting work related to bodily decay and dirt. In much of India, Dalits were prohibited from entering temples, using wells from which the "clean" castes drew their water, or even attending schools. In past centuries, dire punishments were prescribed for Dalits who read or even heard sacred texts. Many social movements were organized against these practices in South India at least from the twelfth century under the leadership  of social reformers such as Basavanna, Jyotirao Phule, Narayana Guru, Periyar E.V. Ramaswami Nayakar, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar etc., opposed the caste system and casteist tendencies in the society.

Dr. Psubba Rao is an Associate Professor-cum- Deputy Director in Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam has published on social and economic issues like social exclusion and inclusion, poverty and development. His research interests are centered on the welfare and development of marginalized communities, health, livelihoods, sustainable develop and empowerment. He published 16 books on these issues.