In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's ruling on subordination within reserved castes, numerous political parties have recently demanded a fresh Indian caste census. Caste in South Asia is akin to race in the U.S., class in Britain, and faction in Italy, deeply embedded in societal structures.
The last national caste census in India was conducted in 1931 during British rule.
Historical Evolution of Caste Movements:
19th Century Developments:
Caste gained significant prominence in the daily lives of Indians, defined by Brahminical notions of purity and pollution.
Lower castes began resisting these notions, challenging their constrained social status and lack of mobility.
Colonial Legislation:
Criminal Tribes Act, 1871:
Targeted communities were deemed criminal based on pre-existing biases, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
The Act was effective until 1949 and was replaced by the Habitual Offenders Act, 1952.
Caste communities were marginalized in colonial administration and military, reinforcing institutional biases.
Divide and Rule Policy:
Post-1857 Revolt: British policies aimed to diversify the Indian army and colonial administration, reducing the dominance of any single community.
Caste as a Criterion: Used to manage provincial education and employment, impeding nationalist movements and consolidating British rule.
Key Figures in Caste Movements:
Jyotiba Phule:
Founded the Satyashodhak Samaj, an early anti-caste organization.
Authored ‘Gulamgiri’(1873), criticizing caste-based oppression and introducing the term ‘Dalit.’
His work inspired later leaders, including B.R. Ambedkar.
M.C. Rajah:
Presided over the All India Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference (1926) at Nagpur.
Led to the formation of the All India Depressed Classes Association with Ambedkar as a vice president.
B.R. Ambedkar:
Mobilized Dalits with the slogan, ‘We must become a ruling community.’
Led the Mahad Satyagraha (1927) for the right of Dalits to access public water tanks.
Publicly burned the Manusmriti in 1927 to protest caste discrimination.
Founded the All India Depressed Classes Association (1930) and the Independent Labour Party (1936).
Advocated for separate electorates for Dalits and later for a more inclusive reservation system.
Periyar (Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy):
Founded the Self-Respect Movement in the Madras Presidency, challenging Brahminical dominance.
Became a significant leader of the Justice Party (1939).
Mahatma Gandhi:
Protested against separate electorates for Depressed Classes through a fast unto death.
Poona Pact (1932): Resulted in joint electorates and increased reservations for Depressed Classes.
Harijan Sevak Sangh: Founded in 1932 for the eradication of untouchability and caste upliftment.
In India, caste movements have played a significant role in the history of the nation, representing the efforts of marginalized groups against long-standing societal structures and discriminatory practices.
