“In ‘Castes in India’ Ambedkar provides a pioneering analysis of the origin and development of caste in India.
The chapter begins by defining what caste is and explaining its origins from Ambedkar’s perspective, as well as examining the role caste plays in the oppression of women. Ambedkar’s causal explanation of women’s oppression marks a departure from other significant political works of the time, including Gandhi’s, which largely neglect the oppression of women as a critical form of social inequality. Ambedkar’s ‘Castes in India’ serves as a vital corrective to the traditional canon in political philosophy due to the valuable insights it offers.
Dr. Ambedkar’s study of the caste problem involves :
(1) in spite of the composite make-up of the Hindu population, there is a deep cultural unity;
(2) caste is a parcelling into bits of a larger cultural unit;
(3) there was one caste to start with and
(4) classes have become castes through imitation and excommunication.”
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“‘Waiting for a Visa’ by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is a brief autobiographical account written in 1935-36. It illuminates the pervasive caste-based discrimination faced by the Dalit community. The title metaphorically suggests the Dalits’ ongoing struggle for acceptance and dignity in Indian society.
Key Chapters
Childhood Experiences : Ambedkar recalls being denied help during his childhood travels due to his ‘untouchable’ status, leaving lasting trauma.
Academic Discrimination : Despite his advanced degrees, Ambedkar was refused accommodation and faced profound disrespect upon returning to India.
Transport Refusal : Hindu tongawallas refused to transport Ambedkar, highlighting dangerous, deep- rooted intolerance.
Superstition of Impurity : Casteism perpetuates beliefs in impurity and contamination, contrary to religious teachings on compassion.
Medical Negligence : A Dalit woman died in childbirth as a doctor refused care, showcasing deadly caste-based discrimination in healthcare.
Professional Disrespect : A Bhangi boy, despite his post as a scribe, faced disrespect due to his caste, forcing him to leave his job.
Historical Context : Discrimination against Shudras and untouchables has deep historical roots, with Ambedkar’s activism aiming to combat these injustices.”
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