Picture Credits: Velivada
Caste as a social construct has prevailed in India since ancient times, hierarchically dividing the status and occupations of people. However, the caste system is not a mere division of labour – but a division of labourers ranked one above the other, weighing the worth of humans based on the accident of birth.
Although reassuring to think that practices such as untouchability linked to the purity-pollution notions of the caste system have been eradicated in the 21st century, the accuracy of the statement is not just questionable, but veils the reality behind the ever-existing relevance that the caste system still holds over the lives of a large number of people.
Introduction
Book’s Name - Annihilation of Caste
Author’s Name - B. R. Ambedkar
Genre - Non-Fiction
Language - English
Synopsis - Spoiler Alert!
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in his “Annihilation of Caste” wrote about the need to rid India of the caste system not only as a superficial reform, but to be through and out with it in order to achieve political reform.
This undelivered speech begins with exchanges of letters with members of the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal – an organization of Caste Hindu Social reformers (mostly privileged upperclassmen with little knowledge on the realities of the evils that the caste system contains and brimming with hypocrisy and misogyny) who aimed to eradicate the caste system amongst the Hindus – in the backdrop of inviting him to preside over as the President at their Annual Conference in Lahore in 1936.
After excessive persistence of the Mandal, Dr. Ambedkar accepted the invitation and wrote his speech that he insisted be printed in Bombay and not in Lahore, like the Mandal preferred.
On the pretense of convincing him, Mr. Har Bhagwan came to Bombay to meet Ambedkar, while the real reason was to know the contents of his speech – more precisely, to make sure his speech wouldn’t hurt the sentiments of the upper-caste Brahmins.
This is perceivable from the fact that the conference eventually got cancelled, and the speech remained undelivered due to the mention of the “Shastras” in a light that was unacceptable to the “reformers”.
About the Author
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 - December 6, 1956) was the torchbearer of the Dalit movement against untouchability in India. He is considered to be the chief creator of the Constitution of India, and was the first Minister of Law and Justice of independent India.
He was an extraordinary student, having received his doctorates from both Columbia University and the University of London in Economics. He spent much of his later life towards the political and social rights and freedom of the Dalits. He received India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna posthumously, in 1990.
About the Book
Annihilation of Caste is an undelivered speech, originally named The Annihilation of Caste, written to be delivered at the Annual Conference of the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal in 1936 in Lahore. The speech remains undelivered due to conflicts between Ambedkar and the members of the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal regarding the contents of the speech.
Later, Ambedkar self-published the speech and it received both criticisms from upper castes and great admiration. A second edition titled Annihilation of Caste: With a Reply to Mahatma Gandhi was published in 1937 and a third edition, including an essay Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development was published in 1944.
An annotated edition was released by Navayana in 2014, including an introduction by Arundhati Roy titled The Doctor and the Saint. Arundhati Roy’s introduction points to the lingering question of “Who is qualified to talk about caste?”
Is a privileged, upper-caste woman the appropriate representation of the hardships that follow this Vedic structure, that continue well into the 21st century?
Notions Involved
For ages, the caste system has been legitimized as a tool for efficient division of labour. However, this notion is nothing but an attempt to camouflage the hardships of those who have to live their lives working menial jobs.
Ambedkar’s notion that to do away with the evils relating to the caste system, we have do away with the authority of the Shastras or grammatically read and logically interpret them, was met with hostility amongst the upper-caste Hindus because they were the ones receiving the benefits of the caste system.
Another argument that Ambedkar eloquently presented was that the caste system does not facilitate economic efficiency, but devalues it. This argument is presented by showing how the country will progress economically if all its citizens lead meaningful lives and earn well.
He believed that caste is never a physical boundary, but a mental construct; the only way to rid society of it is a notional change.
Famous Quotes
“It is not possible to break Caste without annihilating the religious notions on which it, the Caste system, is founded.”
“….turn in any direction you like, caste is the monster that crosses your path. You cannot have political reform, you cannot have economic reform, unless you kill this monster.”
“Indeed the ideal Hindu must be like a rat living in his own hole refusing to have any contact with others.”
“Caste in the hands of the orthodox has been a powerful weapon for persecuting the reforms and for killing all reform.”
“It is a pity that Caste even today has its defenders.”
The Bottom Line
Annihilation of Caste is a book of utmost importance, to be read by every Indian. In a day and age where caste is thought of to be obsolete, we must look back at where we come from to recognize the injustices hiding in plain sight!
My ratings for the book - 4.5 on 5
You can buy a copy from Amazon - Annihilation of Caste
Written By - Kristi Mazumdar
0 Comments