UNTOUCHABILITY IN RURAL INDIA

Book Details

• Author: Ghanshyam Shah, Harsh Mander, Sukhadeo Thorat, Satish Deshpande, Amita Baviskar

• Language: English

• Edition: 2023

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• ISBN: 9788131613375

• Pages: 216

• Cover: Hardcover

• Release Date: 07-08-2023

About the Book

This book presents a focused and systematic investigation into the continued existence of untouchability in India. Drawing on the findings of a comprehensive survey conducted between 2001 and 2002 across 565 villages in 11 Indian states, the study reveals a startling reality—untouchability is still practiced in nearly 80% of villages, albeit in varied forms. The volume combines quantitative field data with qualitative insights into the lived experiences of Dalits, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of caste-based discrimination.

Among the critical issues highlighted are the degrading occupations traditionally forced upon Dalits, the compounded oppression faced by Dalit women through both caste and gender, and the violence meted out to those who assert their rights and dignity. The authors examine not only the socio-economic dimensions of discrimination but also its persistence in the religious, cultural, and institutional domains.

Importantly, the book also chronicles the growing resistance and resilience within Dalit communities—showcasing their collective efforts to challenge caste hierarchies and advocate for equality, dignity, and justice. While overt forms of untouchability may have lessened, the subtle and deeply ingrained prejudices remain a pressing concern, particularly in the personal and religious spheres.

This work is an essential read for students and scholars of sociology, social anthropology, political science, and human rights. It offers crucial insights for anyone committed to understanding and addressing the enduring caste inequalities that shape modern Indian society.

Contents:

1. Introduction: Caste, Untouchability and Dalits in Rural India

2. Rural Untouchability Today: Forms and Sites

3. 'Unclean' Occupations: Savaged by Tradition

4. Dalit Women and the Practice of Untouchability

5. Violence against Dalits

6. Demanding Rights, Equality and Dignity

7. Conclusion

About the Authors

• Ghanshyam Shah – Former Professor, Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, JNU, New Delhi; Former Director, Centre for Social Studies, Surat.

• Harsh Mander – Chairperson, Centre for Equity Studies; Director, Aman Biradari Trust; Convenor, Karwan e Mohabbat.

• Sukhadeo Thorat – Former Chairman, University Grants Commission; Professor Emeritus, CSRD, JNU, New Delhi.

• Satish Deshpande – Former Professor, Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics.

• Amita Baviskar – Professor of Sociology-Anthropology, Ashoka University.