Ambedkar: Caste Discrimination In Hinduism

In ‘Philosophy of Hinduism’ Ambedkar has openly criticised the nature of Hinduism as a religion. In it he says that “justice is simply another name for liberty equality and fraternity. It is in this sense I shall be using justice as a criterion to judge Hinduism”, and with detail analyses of Hindu texts like Manusmrithi, Upanishads etc., he proves that Hinduism is “overwhelmed with the fear of pollution… and by its very nature it is inhuman and unmoral.” He was addressing the issue of caste discrimination through his article, where he says that the untouchables in India are suffering the unjust hands of religion, and not given equal status anywhere. Well, it’s the second decade of the twenty first century and the smothering effects of caste

Though the fortunes of some Dalits have improved a lot to the point where there is now a ‘creamy layer’ among Dalits and also a discussion is going forth for abolishing the reservations. But that doesn’t mean India has resolved her caste discrimination issues, in fact she is far from achieving that goal. However, those Dalits who have benefited from the policies and globalization are extremely lean and a vast majority of Dalits continue to face discrimination in their socio-political

In 2010, a 70 year old woman Tara Chand and his physically challenged daughter were burnt to death in Haryana along with 18 other dalit homes. Fifteen people were convicted and 82 acquitted by a sessions court. Haryana has a high record on such crimes. But is it just Haryana? No, even Maharashtra, where the first Dalit reform movements started, still writhes under the smothering hands of caste discrimination. Three members of a Jadhav family were brutally murdered in Javkhade Khalsa village of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. We cannot help but remember the infamous Kherlanji massacre of 2006, where four members of the Mahar community were killed. This act was in retaliation for the victim family opposing the acquisition of land by the upper caste community. The dalits doesn’t have to depend upon upper castes anymore and often compete with them and even do better. In July 2014 T. C. Gehlot introduced the SC and ST amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. It adds a chapter on the rights of victims and witnesses, but still the atrocities against the dalits continue and authorities continue to neglect many of them as well. The implementation of these rules and laws will remain disregarded unless it is enforced by the police and nation- state authorities, because according to NCRB 2014 data, the