As we move away from the tragedy of COVID-19, we try to grasp all sorts of realities- money, health and interpersonal relationships; they are not viewed through rose-coloured glasses anymore. People are more aware of their rights, their duties toward the nation and also the ongoing socio-political scenario in India. We are proudly recognised as being the biggest democracy in the entire world, and we are recognised and lauded for our achievements, and our contribution to the field of science and technology; yet there remains an extremely contradictory scenario that paints an entirely different picture of our nation in world politics.
Untouchability: The Social Evil
Untouchability is known to be one of the most abhorrent social evils out there. It has its roots in the caste system of India, where in the Dharmashastra ( a Hindu text), where it is believed to be mentioned for the first time ever while explaining the hierarchy of caste and how one should behave within the set boundaries of caste. Untouchability has always violated the most important fundamental as well as the most natural right - the right to life with dignity.
Untouchability is exploitation, it is prejudicial and it creates more division- a sentiment of us and them. One might believe that this evil that existed in the post-Vedic era would be eradicated by now. Well, news flash! It has not been eradicated; not even in the 21st century, not after 75 years of gaining independence.
It is common knowledge that the British empire benefited from the divide-and-rule policy but it was Hindu Indians who perfected it with the help of the caste system. Let us look at some instances of untouchability in the states of modern India. These instances are a slap on the faces of the people who live in the bubble of their privilege and are of the belief that discrepancies do not exist anymore just because they do not have to face them.
A Nine-Year-Old Subjected to the Evil of Untouchability
A nine-year-old boy from the lower-caste Dalit community died after being beaten by his teacher for drinking water from a pot meant for upper-caste teachers. The death occurred on the eve of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence from British colonial rule, The Dalit boy who was killed on the eve of Independence Day this year was Indra Meghwal from Jalore district in Rajasthan in the western part of India.
He had been so severely assaulted by his upper-caste teacher that he was hospitalized for several weeks, after which he succumbed to his injuries. Indra’s father, Devaram Meghwal said the drinking water pot the child had touched was used only by teachers. The distraught father alleged that the teacher had beaten his son so brutally that he became unconscious.
This, however, allegedly is not an isolated incident. As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, over 1,30,000 anti-Dalit cases were registered between the years 2018-2020. The highest number of anti-Dalit crimes was reported from Uttar Pradesh (36,467), followed by Bihar (20,973), Rajasthan (18,418), and Madhya Pradesh (16,952).
Reason For the Existence of Social Evils Even in Modern Scenario
What is the reason for this to happen despite laws against exploitation based on caste and sub-castes? The main reason is the lack of education and awareness regarding these laws and the intensity of consequences one might face if one fails to respect these laws and acts. Another reason is the thirst for power that one might get from being at the top of the hierarchy in the caste system. By forcing the ones at the bottom of the chain to stay at the bottom, the ones at the top enjoy a power trip and, hence, maintain a power disparity.
One of the other main reasons is that there is a lack of will to approach development and change. To reject the set social norms and speak against exploitation and injustice. There need to be steps taken by both the state and the central governments in order to spread awareness and wake people up from their deep slumber. The judiciary also must have judges belonging to these social sects in order to bring to the forefront the issues of the marginalized.
These instances and mishappenings point towards the lack of humanity possessed by people. It further cements the belief that with the advent of technology and its development of it, the individual is losing his humanity, his morality and his ethics. As people of India, we must strive harder to achieve the goal of treating people with utmost dignity, despite their differences. We must also strive to eradicate these differences that incite hatred and indifference in people's hearts.
Written By: Twisha Trivedi
Edited By: Nidhi Jha
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