Purva GargAIR 79 · CSE 2014 · 226 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
None written.
Body · points
Untouchability is the extreme form of social exclusion practised in Indian caste system based on perceived pollution by mere touch.
The problem of untouchability characterises social exclusion, subordination, humiliation & economic exploitation.
Various perspectives on the problem of untouchability have been forwarded such as:-
Gandhiji - untouchables are harijans and by their upliftment & promotion of their welfare, upper caste groups can apologise for their historical misdeeds.
Ambedkar - untouchability is the undying part of Hindu caste system - which merely changes form but does not die out. He offered solutions such as abolition of caste system, conversion etc.
Racial theory : The original inhabitants who didnt adopt the caste system were grouped as untouchables. Further, hypogamy & children from hypogamy marriages, those communities which lost in war were grouped as untouchables.
Andre Beteille - The persistence of poverty with certain caste groups leads to obduracy of untouchability.
Close · a way forward
The Constitution of India abolished untouchability under article 17 of fundamental rights.
Nonetheless untouchability continues in modern India in various forms such as manual scavenging predominated by dalits, separate tea cups for at tea stalls, dalit sarpanch asked to sit on floor.
Thereby, untouchability is a social problem which is being dealt by legislations such as Protection of civil rights, Prevention of atrocities against SC. However, it can be removed only by a social movement against untouchability.