ABOUT THE BOOK

Caste has been a major defining characteristic of Indian society. It has its origins in early India and finds mention in Hindu scriptures. There have been efforts by the likes of Gautam Budhha, Kabir, Ambedkar who have challenged and opposed this social system. Despite the change in the patterns of society the caste rigidities have not been done away with till today. This is a system of structural hierarchy which needs to be annihilated. During freedom movement the foundation of an equal society were laid. The freedom of the country gave a big hope that the Indian Constitution and its norms will ensure the eradication of this system, but it persists in newer forms.

There have been social streams which have been preserving the graded structure of our society. The book is compilation of essays and articles which highlight the salient features of the caste system, the ideology which aims to preserve it and the struggles which are going on to eradicate the same. The book traces the principles and forms of the campaigns/movements aiming at society with Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ram Puniyani, former Professor IIT Bombay is currently engaged with issues of democratic and human rights. Has been associated with various initiatives for promotion of plural values and defence of pr inciples of Indian Constitution. Is currently Chairman of Centre of Study of Society and Secularism. Conducts workshops on issues of threats to Indian Democracy and National integration. Has been part of peoples tribunals on issues of communal violence and arrest of innocents in the name of terrorist violence.

Has written several books, Communal Politics: Facts Versus Myths (Sage, 2003), Deconstructing Terrorist Violence (Sage 2015), Indian Nationalism versus Hindu Nationalism (Pharos 2014), Contours of Hindu Rashtra (Kalpaz), Communal Threat to Secular Democracy (Kalpaz) Edited: Religion, Power and Violence (SAGE, 2005), Mumbai: Post 26/11 (with Shabnam Hashmi): (Sage, 2009), Secularism in India (with Uday Mehta) (Kalpaz) among others. Has worked on the comic books, Explained Series (Communalism, Terrorism, Godmen) along with Sharad Sharma.

Recipient of Indira Gandhi National Integration Award (2006), National Communal Harmony Award (2007) and Mukundan C. Menon Human Rights award (2015) among others

CONTENTS

1. Dalits at Crossroads ................................................................ 9
• Term Dalit • Dalits Today • Caste Discrimination • Anti-Dalit Violence • Violence against dalit women • Khairlanji • Rohith Vemula • Una Incident • The Economics of Discrimination • References.

SECTION - I
HINDUISM: BUDDHISM

2. Caste in Indian Society ......................................................... 27
Annihilation of Caste • Origin of Caste • References.

3. Hinduism: Brahmanic and Shramanic Traditions ............. 35
References.

4. Brahminism and Buddhism ................................................. 39
References.

5. Untouchability ....................................................................... 45
References.

6. Did Ashoka’s Embracing Buddhism, Promoting Ahimsa Weaken India? ......................................................... 53
• References.

7. Adi Shankaracharya: Brahmanic Philosophy .................... 57
• Shankar’s ideology • Charvak • Buddha and Kabir • RSS-BJP and Hindu Nationalism • References.

SECTION - II
FREEDOM MOVEMENT AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

8. Mahatma Jotiba Phule: Struggle for Social Transformation ..................................................................... 65
• References.

9. Striving for Social Justice: Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar ....... 71
• Ambedkar: Life Extraordinary • Struggles and Values • Ideological Opponents • Drafting of Indian Constitution • E. Conversion to Buddhism
• Ambedkar and Muslims • On Hinduism • Ambedkar and Dalit Movement • Important Writings of Ambedkar • References.

10. Upholding Self Respect: E.V. Ramasamy Periyar ............. 89
• References.

SECTION - III
OBSTACLES TO SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

11. Hinduism and Hindutva ....................................................... 97
• References.

12. Hindu Nation, Hindu State and Hindutva ........................ 101
• References.

13. Ambedkar’s Thoughts on Hindutva .................................. 107
• References.

14. RSS Agenda and Dalits ........................................................113
• References.

SECTION - IV
AMBEDKAR, CASTE AND HINDUTVA

15. The Politics behind Attempt to Review Constitution ....... 121
• Making of Indian Constitution • Aim to Restrict the Franchise • Presidential Model of Govt • Western Influence • Indian Constitution:
anti-Hindu • Indian Constitution has failed us! • Hidden agenda behind this review • References.

16. Caste Transformation and Hindutva Politics: Gujarat ... 131
• Gujarat: Happenings • The backdrop-Gujarat in 70s and 80s • Cultural Onslaught of Hindutva • Future Directions • References.

17. Adivasis: A Cultural Cooption ........................................... 141
• The Fallout of Shabri Kumbh in Gujarat • References.

18. Hidden Agenda of Samajik Samrasta ............................... 147
• References.

SECTION - V
DEMOCRACY AND CASTE EXPRESSIONS

19. Modi’s Caste and Hindutva Political Strategies ............... 153
• References.

20. Ambedkar and Contemporary Threats to Indian Constitution ......................................................................... 157
• Making of Indian Constitution • Indian Constitution: Core Values • [Quoted in 12] • Contemporary Politics: Blatant Violation of Constitution’s
values • References.

21. Challenges to Plural and Secular India Diversity: Casteism Today .................................................................... 165
• Introduction • India as an Inclusive Idea • Indian Constitution: A Landmark • Debating Secularism • Secularism: Western or Modern? • Can a Religion be Secular? • Hindu Nationalism and Dalit Question Today • Beef, Cow and Caste • Ambedkar, Caste, Hindu Nationalism • Indian Nationalism-Secular Foundations • Whither Pluralism-Secularism? • References.

22. New ICHR Chief is a Communal Ideologue ..................... 179
• References.

SECTION - VI
MANIFESTATIONS OF HIERARCHY

23. Lord, May I Come in? ........................................................ 185
• References.

24. Khap Panchayats Asserting Caste-Gender Hierarchy .... 189
• References.

25. Manual Scavenging: Must be Eradicated Right away .... 193
• References.

26. Rohit Vemula: Hindutva Politics and the Dalit Question ............................................................................... 197
• References.

27. Cow-Beef, Religious Minorities-Dalits and Political Games ................................................................................... 201
• References.
28. Dalits Embracing Buddhism, Islam to Escape Caste Atrocities .............................................................................. 207
• References.

29. Ambedkar’s Ideology: Religion, Nationalism and Indian Constitution ..............................................................211
• References.

SECTION - VII
WORLD, STATE AND CASTE ERADICATION

30. UN Anti-Caste Charter: Annihilation of Caste ................ 219
• References.

SECTION - VIII
POST INDEPENDENCE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

31. Dr Ambedkar and Dilemmas of Contemporary Dalit-Bahujan Politics? ....................................................... 225

32. Whither Social Justice ........................................................ 229

33. Post Independence Dalit Movement .................................. 233
• Panthers and after • References.

34. Struggle for Social Justice .................................................. 237
• Summing Up.

SECTION - IX
POST SCRIPT

35. Rational Thought in Indian Tradition............................... 245
• Religion in social space • Indian Traditions • Faith or Reason • Brahmanism and others • Lokayat-Charvak Tradition of Rational Thought • Conclusions • References.

Appendix A .......................................................................... 255
• Affirmative action, Reservation or Appeasement.

Appendix B .......................................................................... 261
• Bhopal Declaration on Dalit Rights. • 21-Point Action Agenda for the 21st Century.

Bibliography ........................................................................ 269

Index .................................................................................... 271