November 6, 2012
The Untouchables in India Today
This past week, I read an incredibly fascinating, and deeply disturbing article in National Geographic about the plight of the 'untouchables,' or 'dalits' in modern India. One of out every six Indians lives a life of poverty, shame, and hardship, simply because of an accident of birth. You see, for thousands of years, India has maintained a rigid system of social stratification. Priests, warriors, landowners, and peasants make up this system. Over time, hundreds of subdivisions within these castes have been created. Simply stated, the higher caste you are, the better your life will be. However, there is one group of people that is not even considered to be a caste. They are the untouchables. These are Indians who look no different then anyone else, and behave no differently then their neighbors. However, because of the rules of this strict system, they cannot associate with anyone else in a higher caste, live in their neighborhoods, eat their food, or do any work other than extremely menial jobs. They are attacked, their daughters and wives are raped and beaten, and they cannot do anything about it. After all, that's life. The untouchables are considered too impure and filthy to be considered real human beings. They are socially shunned, insulted, and spat on. Ever since India declared independence, caste discrimination has officially been banned, and is deemed unconstitutional. However, this is rarely enforced. Untouchable men have to do cheap, menial labor. They often have to cover themselves in feces in order to unclog sewers, sweep streets, dry cow dung for fuel, and work with leather, since all other Hindus refuse to work with cow skin. Untouchables routinely die from gas poisoning in the sewers.
But it's not all bad news. It seems that the most violent, and overt forms of caste discrimination have generally disappeared. Untouchables have made some real signs of progress. Before independence in 1947, untouchables were beaten even if their very shadow touched a higher caste person! India's constitution mandates that a certain number of seats in the Indian legislative body be reserved for untouchables. Gandhi, the famous Indian revolutionary and human-rights advocator took up the cause of the untouchables as his own. He renamed them harijan, or, 'people of God.' He also accepted untouchables to his ashram, or communal settlement. This was a huge step in changing deep-seated Indian and Hindu beliefs about how their society should function.
In many respects, the situations of women in China and untouchables in India are very similar. Although discrimination is not as extreme in China, in both cases, antiquated social systems and castes are still used to bar the 'other' from playing a part in society. The huge irony is that both China and India have so much potential for growth and success. They are pioneering new innovations in fields like medicine, engineering, and computer technology, as well as living modern lives. However, these two countries both demonize, shame, and bar others from being able to succeed. This is anathema to morality in every sense of the word. It greatly saddens me that people who call themselves religious would believe that God wants them to rape, throw acid, and spit on other human beings, as happens in India, and decreasingly in China.
Other countries, specifically western democracies, have been called on by some to help the untouchables gain the rights that they deserve in India. Other political commentators argue that we have enough domestic issues to worry about before solving other countries problems. This rings very true. However, as a human being, I feel that I have a moral imperative, and a religious obligation to help those that are suffering at the hands of other human beings. This kind of cruelty, intolerance, and small-mindedness cannot be tolerated in the 21st century. India needs to wake up, and start a new revolution. A revolution of acceptance, tolerance, and love.
Bibliography:
O'Neill, Tom. "Untouchable @ National Geographic Magazine." n.d.: 1-31. Untouchable @ National Geographic Magazine. National Geographic. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. <http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0306/feature1/>.
Michael-
ReplyDeleteAnother great post! Do you think it is the responsibility of the United States, the United Nations or some other country to help the Untouchables? Also, why do you think it is that two such forward-moving countries readily (and publicly) deny significant portions of their population basic rights?
The plight and tragic situations of the untouchables of India, and women of China are not unique to those places. The world over, there are minority groups that have suffered, and continue to suffer. Their suffering raises a very pertinent, and important philosophical question, namely, to what extent (if any at all) are we required to help others? The United States currently uses 1% of all government spending as foreign aid. India has gotten, in recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars from the U.S. Interestingly enough, just a few days ago, Britain announced that it will be significantly cutting its aid to India http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-to-cut-foreign-aid-to-india-as-part-of-new-approach-to-funding-poorer-countries-8281143.html. The Finance Minister of India said that foreign aid is 'a peanut in our total development expenditure”.
ReplyDeleteIndia has its own space program, is a haven for technology innovators, and also spends billions of dollars fighting poverty. However, they do next-to-nothing about the pain and suffering of 160 milllion of their own people.China is also in an unprecedented position of economic power, and confidence. The time is ripe for change. However, if things continue as they are, nothing will change, because overall, people in those countries are okay with the status quo, because of the way their society has functioned for many, many years.
All the money in the world cannot change the minds of people that have been brought up to hold discrimination as sacred. Unless the Indian government officially makes steps to include in their society those that are currently outcasted, it is absurd to continue sending them aid. It will not help, unless we have a real partnership.
What do you think it would take to create a "real partnership?"
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Michael. This was a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support Phillip! Feel free to take part in the discussions here any time.
ReplyDeleteTo Ms. Keller: What it will take is massive social change, and the complete abandonment of principles that the Chinese and Indians have held for thousands of years. They are often rooted in religious texts, or philosophies, such as the Vedas for Indians, and Confucius's teachings for the Chinese. Therefore, there is not much that we as outsiders can do to help them change their behavior. Real, lasting change must come from within.
Wow this article is just mind blowing. How in the world are we just allowing for acts like these to go on in our planet. People are not meant to be treated like this, no matter who they may be or who they may come from. This is a complete disgrace to all man kind.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great article michael. Really opens up the mind.
DAYUMM. Very well written, Michael. Keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeletehey guys thanks for commenting! Aaron, I totally agree with you. When people are suffering, it is the responsibility of all of us to stand up and act! Let's hope that one day soon, India will realize that the caste system must be done away with, because until then, 160 million untouchable Indians will continue to be humiliated, physically abused, and unable to live happily.
ReplyDeleteMichael, when you say it is our responsibility to stand up and act, in what way do you propose we can help? And are you referring to us helping individually or are you referring to the American Government stepping in?
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ReplyDeletePhillip-
ReplyDeleteYou pose a great question. Whose responsibility is it (if anyone's) to help the Untouchables and other people suffering injustices around the world?
I echo Ms. Keller's sentiments. As I said in my earlier comment, this is not just a question about the untouchables. It is a deep philosophical question about our moral obligation, or lack thereof, to help others, and decrease human suffering. Personally, as I wrote above,
ReplyDelete'All the money in the world cannot change the minds of people that have been brought up to hold discrimination as sacred. Unless the Indian government officially makes steps to include in their society those that are currently outcasted, it is absurd to continue sending them aid. It will not help, unless we have a real partnership.'
Thus, I feel like it is naive to think that we Americans can change an ingrained social caste system in India that has been mainstream for thousands of years. Real change must come from within. Therefore, while it is all fine and dandy to attend rallies, wave signs, and call up your local congressman to support increasing aid to India, I don't really think these measures will do anything, unless India takes the first baby steps to freedom for all.
It is the responsibility of India, a country with a space program, a rapidly growing economy, and home to many technological entrepreneurs to deal with this. We as outsiders cannot stop the mistreatment of 160 million Indians without help from those that see this suffering every day.
Sup Michael! All your articles are unbelievably written with great thoughts and insides on debatable issues. I couldn't agree more with you on this one. To say that this kind of problem to be dealt with is terrible. Every person in the world has equal rights. But the issue has not been dealt with, and America cannot possible just walk in an fix everything. But we can take steps to help them. Telling people to speak up. Speaking to people in India, and making sure they know that just because its been done for soooo many years does not mean that its the right thing, because if someone doesnt step up, many more people will just lives lives or injustice and discrimination, and that is not okay.
ReplyDeleteJordan-
DeleteWho should speak up? Us? The people in India? Who should we speak up to?
Michael before i comment i would just like to say that you are an incredible speaker and all of your posts and comments have been written at an incredibly high level, and im also amazed at how much you know about all of these topics. For this, onei totally agree with you. I think that even if the united nations were to try to step in nothing would happen. The Caste system has become a very essential part of indian culture. It fits into Hinduism very well, and since about four fifths of the people in india are Hindus, it makes it hard for things to change. I do agree also that the change must come from within, and that other countries should not serve as a police force to try to contain discrimination. In america african americans were discriminated for hundreds of years until recently where they gained their equal rights. I believe that india will realize what is happening in their country and do something about it. Michael as you said changes have already been made, and i believe given time they will continue
ReplyDeleteHey guys, thanks so much for your support, and for reading and commenting (even if it was homework)!! I really appreciate your thoughtful comments.
ReplyDeleteTo Jordan: I agree with everything you said. I also really like your idea of telling Indian people to speak up for themselves, and not speaking for them. That is a very creative solution to this problem of injustice and suffering.
To Razi: You are completely right in your assessment. The caste system is set in stone, and has been a key part of Indian/Hindu culture for thousands of years. The U.N. can do almost nothing to change that. On a side note, do you think African Americans have gained equal rights today? We have an African-American president, and there is no segregation, but do we really respect each other as equals? I'm not sure. What will it take to completely rid the U.S. of racism and intolerance, not just for African-Americans but towards other minorities as well, e.x. Latin Americans, Asians, etc?
Michael and Jordan-
DeleteAre you concerned that if the Untouchables speak up they might be silenced by force? Michael- I think you make a very interesting point (re minorities in America today). How equal are we? Thoughts?
Ms. Keller- I think you raise a great point about the physical safety of the Untouchables. Thus, they should not be the only ones speaking up. Others in India have to join them. The civil rights movement in America was so successful because of the many whites that picketed and rallied alongside blacks.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your second query, I am really unsure. Seeing as we've elected an African-American president twice, I'd like to think that racism has been eradicated, however, in certain parts of the U.S., racism is still highly prevalent. Stereotypes, such as that all Asians are smart, or all Mexicans do menial labor are also incredibly popular. This is still a real problem.
Michael! Yishar Koach on this amazing blog. It's really well written. Anyway, I agree that change must come from within, as it usually does. In most cases, people who are doing something blatantly wrong tend to have a skewed vision of what wrong and right are. (Ahh! So Subjectively Stated).It takes a truly strong individual (Mahatma Gandhi) to convince them otherwise. In any case, Change will eventually show her rarely seen and much awaited face.
ReplyDeleteI agree with jordan the americans cant just walk into india and start changing the balance of the country. I think the only way that things will change is if the untouchables speak up for them selves. America and other countries can have an influence, but not one great enough to change the caste system.
ReplyDeleteMichael this is very good. I don't think we can just go to India and ask them to change what they do. I think that we can talk to them and make suggestions, but they won't get the whole side. They may vow to change a little, but I feel that they would go back to their old ways pretty quickly. Now I got a question. You write that the situation with untouchables isn't as bad today, you say it goes on a little, but how much is a little? Wouldn't you think it is a lot more than we know because chances are these untouchables have Norway of communicating with the world?
ReplyDelete