It is said that the roots of Ambedkar’s philosophy were not in politics but religion, mainly Hindu religion, which laid the foundation of the caste system. His socio-political thought began with his criticism of the Hindu religion because of its evil practices of the caste system and seeking (or presenting) solutions for untouchables to be free from these evil spirits.
As a thinker and writer,
Ambedkar gave us a rational and logical understanding of India’s caste system.
He contended the caste system in graded inequalities. The four varnas are not
only different but also unequal in status – one stands above the other, and
accordingly, the distribution of social benefits is unequal. The occupants of
higher status get more benefits than the lower status occupants, and the lowest
– the untouchable get nothing.
Secondly, the occupation
of a person is prescribed for a caste is graded from highest to the lowest. The
priestly occupation is the highest assigned to the Brahmins and the menial and
the filthiest and degrading occupation to the lowest that is to the Shudras and
the untouchables.
Thirdly, restriction on inter-dinning between and among the caste is designed to keep the higher caste exclusive to its group and avoid intermixing with the lower castes.
On Varna Theory
Ambedkar viewed the Varna system as a class hierarchy. People are not treated according to their merit, but according to their class, such as Brahmins, Shudras, Dalits, etc., even in a family, as a man or woman. So, it was a great injustice to the merit of an individual. So, he questioned.
“Does the Hindu Social order recognize equality?”
The Genesis of Caste System
Ambedkar refutes all theories of caste origin
proposed by different thinkers when it comes to the genesis of the caste
system. Depending on his perspective, the caste system either has been imposed
upon the docile population of India by a divine decree or has evolved according
to the laws of economic growth. He argued that the superposition of Endogamy on
Exogamy is the creation of caste. Ambedkar said that it was not easy to impose
endogamy on society. Perhaps through the customs like Sati, Enforced Widowhood,
Girl Child marriage was enforced to maintain endogamy within the caste.
Caste and Division of Labour
Ambedkar argues that the caste system assigns tasks
to individuals based on the social status of their parents, not on their
abilities or merit. It is predestined by birth; and unchangeable. This is
against the principle of division of labor. Basically, this is a device for
keeping some people in service of others. Therefore, Ambedkar wanted the
Annihilation of the Caste system. The caste system divides men into separate
groups, placing those groups in a graded order. A caste with a high ranking has
many members who adhere to a religion and hold social rights. This is not only
inequality but also injustice.
Having analyzed the
exploitative nature of the Hindu social order born out of varnas, caste, and
sub-caste, Ambedkar gave his vision of an ideal social order that guarantees
rights and equality to all Indians in social life.
