India is a democracy. India is also a secular country which means that there are many religions co existing with each other. All these religions together make India so special. As India is a home to many religions this has given rise to the system of caste within each religion. 

The word caste derives from the Spanish/Portuguese word casta meaning race, lineage or breed. It was used formally for the first time in India by the British to identify and enumerate the various groups in India as part of their census exercises. 

Caste is hierarchical, hereditary and endogamous in nature, and has historically been linked to specific occupations. However, some occupations like agriculture have traditionally been caste-neutral. The word “untouchable” applies to the despised and degraded section of the Hindu Population. 

With casteism being practiced in India, the concept of untouchability is a huge problem that people have to deal with. Over the years people have become more open minded and untouchability is not practiced by most people but it is still a social evil that haunts the lower caste and tribes even today. 

Untouchability is a practice in which some lower caste people are kept at a distance, denied of social equality and made to suffer from some disabilities for their touch, is considered to be contaminating or polluting the higher caste people. The word “untouchable” applies to the despised and degraded section of the Hindu Population. 

Untouchability is an age-old practice in India. According to Mahatma Gandhi, “it is the hate fullest expression of caste”. According to Dr. D.N. Majumdar, “the untouchable castes are those who suffer from various social and political disabilities, many of which are traditionally prescribed and socially enforced by higher castes”. 

The untouchables face very cruel and harsh behavior by the hands of the upper caste. According to the upper caste the lower caste occupies the lowest position in society. The lower caste are not only treated cruelly but also subjected to various kinds of exploitations. 

Untouchable, also called Dalit, officially Scheduled Caste, formerly Harijan, in traditional Indian society, the former name for any member of a wide range of low-caste Hindu groups and any person outside the caste system. 

In accordance to the Indian Constitution, untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of Untouchability shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law. 

Article 17 is also a significant provision from the point of view of equality before law (Article 14). It guarantees social justice and dignity of man, the twin privileges which were denied to a vast section of the Indian society for centuries together. 

The Constitution of India provides seat reservation, establishments of advisory bodies to oversee problems of the schedule caste, establishments of charities that work for the welfare of schedule caste and various educational opportunities for the benefit of the schedule caste and schedule tribes. 

Untouchability is a hinderance on the path to progress. India is a developing country and there is no place for regressive practices like casteism and untouchability. Expecting the lower caste to do works like manual scavenging and other related works that are too dirty and shameful for others to do is a completely wrong mindset. In a society all people are equal and deserve equal opportunities at livelihood. Everyone deserves to live a dignified life regardless if they are rich or poor or if they belong to any strata of society.  

References, 

https://www.epw.in/engage/article/untouchability-india-reading-list

Aishwarya Says:

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