“Eradication of Untouchability” (A Case Study of Post Independent Karnataka) Dr. Vijaykumar H. Salimani FIRST EDITION LAXMI BOOK PUBLICATION 258/34, Raviwar Peth, Solapur-413005 Cell: +91 9595359435 1 Rs: 995 /- “Eradication of Untouchability” (A Case Study of Post Independent Karnataka) Dr. Vijaykumar H. Salimani © 2013 by Laxmi Book Publication, Solapur All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN- 978-1-304-70515-0 Published by, Laxmi Book Publication, 258/34, Raviwar Peth, Solapur, Maharashtra, India Contact No. : +91 9595 359 435 Website : http://www.isrj.net Email ID : [email protected] 2 Dedicated To Smt. Radhabai and Dr. Mallikarjun Kharge Hon’ble Minister for Railways Government of India 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Success is a sweet fruit which everyone strives to taste To achieve one’s goal one should put lot of physical and mental efforts . In this process one has to take help from all the encouraging and helping people . As such, it gives me an opportunity to express my gratitude to my beloved teachers, relatives and friends who have extended their co-operation in one way, or another during the present work . At the very outset, I would like to record my deep sense of gratitude and everlasting indebtedness, I wish to express special thanks to Sri. Priyank M. Kharge, Hon’ble MLA, Chittapur Constituency, Gulbarga and Shri. Radhakrishna Doddamani, Industrialist, Bangalore for their inspiring encouragement and indebted to all their help. Similarly, I am grateful to Dr. E.T. Puttaiah, Vice-Chancellor, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, Prof. Chandrakant M. Yatanoor, Registrar, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga and Dr. S.V. Halse, Registrar (Evaluation), Gulbarga University, Gulbarga for their moral support. Further, I would like to express my special thanks to Prof. S.A. Palekar, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga and Dr (Smt). Manjula B. Chincholi, Professor and Chairperson, Department of History, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga for their encouragement and kind support. I gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and unreserved support from my well wishers, especially, Sri. Kalyanrao Biradar, Member, APMC, Gulbarga, Sri. Chidanand Kadaganchi, Sri. Mapanna Ganjagiri, Sri. R. K. Begar, Retd. Assistant Commissioner, Sri. Chadram Mugali, Sri. Bheemarao TT, Sri. Mahadevappa Yakkapur, Sri. Ashok Kollur, Dr. 4 Arunkumar Naronkar and all friends. Similarly, I am thankful to all the teaching and non-teaching staff of Government First Grade College, Chittapur. My gratitude also to my family members especially my mother Smt. Kamalabai and father Sri. Hanamanth Salimani, brothers Sri. Ashok Salimani & Sri. Arunkumar Salimani and Sisters-in-law Smt. Sunita Salimani & Smt. Sharanamma Salimani, who took pride in all my achievements and blessed me with strength and endurance that stood me in good stead in all my academic endeavours. I am ever grateful to them for their blessings. I also wish to express my special thanks to my beloved wife Dr (Smt). Kavita Salimani for all kinds of co- operation and support. I am also thankful to kids of my family especially, Keerthi, Shruti and Harsha for their co-operation. Dr. Vijayakumar H. Salimani 5 FOREWORD It is self-evident fact that untouchability, a most venomous evil of Hindu society has dehumanized a sizeable section of humanity, called untouchables. The victims of untouchability suffered a lot due to the stigma of untouchability. This unholy system of untouchability had serious adverse effect on the Indian society in general and untouchables in particular; it has been vehemently opposed by many sensible persons including saints, social reformers and political leaders in the past. Eventually, the founding fathers of the constitution of India, who visualized a society based on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity stood for the abolition of untouchability in the constitution which came into force on 26th January, 1950. It is stated categorically in the constitution under Article 1 7 that “untouchability” is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law. Besides, some efforts have been made to improve the socio-economic condition of the untouchables. It is pertinent to enquiry whether the untouchables were benefited by all these efforts? So far as the matter of reservation is concerned, it is regrettable to know that expect political sphere, reservations in the educational and employment spheres remained unfulfilled. Their economic condition has not marked any significant improvement irrespective of several efforts in that direction. Of 6 course, one cannot over look the efforts made by the government in ameliorating the socio-economic condition of untouchables, but all the efforts made by the government are insignificant compared to the magnitude of the problem. Therefore, it requires a thorough investigation periodically into the implementation of all the laws, policies and programmes of the government and enlighten the public about the problems of the untouchables. Therefore, the present study is most relevant. The author has taken pains in writing this book after in-depth study relevant to the subject. In this work, he has reflected the meaning, origin, growth, nature and characteristics of untouchability, Dalit movement in Karnataka, Dr, B.R. Ambedkar and Gandhi's role in the eradication of untouchability, constitutional and legal provisions with reference to abolition of untouchability, eradication of untouchability in post¬independent Karnataka and suggestions. In the present context through which the mankind is passing, reading of book will open the inner eye of every reader. I congratulate and wish Dr. Vijaykumar. H.Salimani, young author all well and wish him to write many more such useful books for the good of humanity as a whole. Prof. S.A. Palekar Dean Faculty of Social Science Gulbarga University, Gulbarga Karnataka 7 About the Book: Many of the social practices exploited and discriminated groups of populations since ancient times. Untouchability is such evil practice which discriminated Dalits in India since immemorial days. ”Untouchables”, as a name generally applied to persons in the lowest classes of Hindu society, is of relatively recent origin. Untouchability means pollution by the touch of persons born in a particular caste or family. Caste system divides the Hindu society, originally in four Varnas, and later on into thousand of castes and sub-castes: 8 whereas ―untouchability divides the Hindu society into ‘touchable’ and ‘Untouchables’ or caste Hindus and Scheduled Castes. Untouchability is described as a sin, blot, curse and stain imposed on a group of people by another group of people. It has sustained a number of jolts, but it is unimpaired. It is deeply rooted in the minds of the caste Hindus that untouchability is but a religious act. It is their misconceived belief in the pollution or defilement by the touch of untouchables that does not permit them to discard the ―custom of untouchability, without looking into its rationality. The untouchables were treated like animals during the ancient days. Certain features such as slavery, alienation from villages and towns, impurity, etc were associated with untouchability. As such, the untouchables were characterized by illiteracy, poverty, negligence, etc. Due to the social stigma, the untouchables were deprived from education, employment, development, etc. In this way, these classes are still deprived or depressed classes in the society. The present book entitled “Eradication of Untouchability” by Dr. Vijayakumar. H. Salimani is analyzed the different facets of untouchability since ancient days. At the national level, many of the movements against the untouchability and its eradication were organized by many leaders such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhiji. After independence, many of the constitutional and legal provisions were made for abolition of untouchability. Further, many of the social reform movements were also organized by many of the leaders. In Karnataka, many of such movements were organized. They include land settlements, education reforms, Movement of 9 Bheem Sena, the Boosa Controversy, rise of Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, etc. The book explored the practice of untouchability in India and critically analyzed the movements against untouchability that were organized by many leaders at the national level and in Karnataka. As the author written exhaustively, the book is of worth to read on the historical movements on eradication of untouchability and Dalit empowerment. Dr (Smt). Manjula B. Chincholi Professor & Chairperson Department of History Gulbarga University Gulbarga: 585 106 Karnataka. CONTENTS Sr. Title Pg. No No 1 The Meaning, Origin, Growth, Nature and 1 Characteristics of Untouchability 2. Dalit Movement in Karnataka 30 3. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Gandhiji’s Role in the 69 Eradication of Untouchability 4. Constitutional and Legal Provisions with reference 93 to Abolition of Untouchability 5. Eradication of Untouchability in Post-independent 119 Karnataka 10 6. Conclusion and Suggestions 158 Bibliography 167 11 Chapter -1 The Meaning, Origin, Growth, Nature And Characteristics Of Untouchability 1.1 INTRODUCTION The institution of Untouchability being an offshoot of the caste system in India on the one hand and the tributary of it on the other