Backward classes & Dalit movements | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

The emergence of backward castes and classes as significant political entities has been a pivotal aspect of India's social and political landscape, spanning both colonial and postcolonial eras. This article delves into the historical context, the nature of backward class movements, and the evolution of the Dalit movement in India, offering a comprehensive sociological perspective.

Historical Background

• The term 'Backward Classes' has been in use in various regions of India since the late 19th century. It gained more widespread usage in different provinces and princely states over time. For example, it began to be used in the Madras Presidency around 1872, in the princely state of Mysore since 1918, and in the Bombay Presidency since 1925. During the 1920s, several organizations that focused on caste-related issues emerged across the country, uniting around the cause of Backward Classes. Some of these organizations included the United Provinces Hindu Backward Classes League, All India Backward Classes Federation, and All India Backward Classes League. By 1954, there were reportedly 88 organizations working for the Backward Classes.
• The increasing visibility and political representation of both Dalits (formerly known as untouchables) and other backward classes have led to a perception among some sections of the upper castes that they are being marginalized or given special treatment. This perception is rooted in the belief that the government prioritizes the interests of numerically significant groups, such as the Scheduled Castes (Dalits) and Scheduled Tribes. As sociologists, it is essential to acknowledge the existence of such perceptions and then critically examine whether they align with empirical facts. Additionally, it is important to explore why earlier generations from the upper castes did not perceive caste as a significant issue in modern India.
• While there has been progress in the condition of various social groups, including the lowest castes and tribes, since independence, questions remain about the extent of this improvement. Although there is a wider range of occupations and professions available to individuals from all caste groups in the early 21st century compared to the past, the overwhelming reality is that the majority of those in high-status occupations still come from the upper castes. Conversely, a significant proportion of those engaged in menial and low-status occupations belong to the lowest castes. This social hierarchy based on caste continues to persist in modern India, despite some positive changes over the years.

Backward class movements

Backward class movements began to emerge among oppressed castes and marginalized sections of society in different regions of India during the spread of the national movement. These movements differed from religious movements in that they encouraged their followers to seek solutions to their problems within the framework of Hinduism, rather than rejecting their religion.

Nature of Backward Class Movement

• Protests against various forms of discrimination.
• Seeking self-respect, honor, and higher social status.
• Movements for upward mobility in social status.
• Movements aimed at fostering unity among different castes.
• Welfare-oriented movements for caste-based communities.

Types of Status Mobility Movements

• Adaptive movements.
• Movements focused on cultural reforms.
• Counter-cultural movements.
• Backward castes faced relative deprivation in various aspects of life, including religion, education, economics, and politics. Several factors contributed to the awakening of these castes and their involvement in movements:
• Efforts by Christian Missionaries to uplift Scheduled Castes (formerly known as the 'depressed classes').
• The influence of the national movement, which advocated egalitarianism and supported social movements against discrimination.
• Reform movements initiated by upper castes that aimed to provide education and welfare to the backward or depressed classes.
• The introduction of an egalitarian legal system by the British, which allowed backward castes to protest against discrimination.

Ideologies Driving Backward Class Movements

• Claiming higher status within the Hindu fold, often by tracing ancestry to Kshatriya dynasties.
• Reinterpreting Hinduism to seek self-determination.
• Rejecting Brahminical Aryan religion and culture.
• Abandoning Hinduism and embracing another religion.
• Factors that contributed to the success of caste/caste groups in their mobility movements:
• They were not at the lowest rung of the caste hierarchy.
• They were economically relatively well-off within their regions.
• They had substantial numerical strength and the support of local rulers.
• They had diversified occupational roles.
• Exposure to education and urbanization.
• Charismatic leadership.
• While some castes achieved higher status within the Hindu fold, others chose to convert to Buddhism. Some castes developed counter-cultural movements to resist Brahminical dominance, while others built parallel cultures distinct from the mainstream culture.

Dravidian and Dalit Movements

• The Dravidian movement in South India went through two phases: anti-Brahmin and anti-North. It initially targeted Brahmins as outsiders (Aryans) and critiqued their practices, eventually evolving to oppose North Indian domination and advocate for a sovereign Dravidian state.
• The Dalit Panthers movement originated in urban Maharashtra and spread to other states, focusing on intellectual awakening and raising awareness among oppressed communities.
• Backward caste movements have partially achieved their goals but have set an example for other castes to form associations and mobilize for their rights. Meanwhile, forward caste associations have primarily focused on social reforms, such as opposing child marriage, promoting widow remarriage, women's education, occupational diversity, and breaking social barriers between castes.
• In the present situation, Backward castes have shifted towards political strategies to secure their interests and welfare. They aim to be recognized as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), extend the duration of reservations, and ensure the faithful implementation of government policies and programs. The Mandal Commission's recommendations in 1990 and the establishment of Minority Commissions in various states have prompted numerous castes to seek OBC recognition and reserved quota seats.

Dalit movement

The movement of Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, is a significant social phenomenon in India. Initially referred to as Harijans (children of God) by Mahatma Gandhi, they now prefer the term "dalit," which means the oppressed. Dalit movements, similar to other nationalist movements such as peasant and reform movements, emerged during the pre-Independence period.

Key Movements

• Non-Brahman Movements: Strong in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, these movements aimed to challenge Brahminical dominance. Prominent figures like Jyotiba Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and E.V. Ramaswami Periyar led these movements, addressing exploitation at all levels.
• Dalit Movements: Spread across India, these movements sought to address the issues faced by Dalits. Major Dalit movements include the Adi Dharma movement in Punjab, the Satnami movement in Uttar Pradesh, Narayan Guru movements in Kerala, and the Adi-Dravida movements in Tamil Nadu.

According to Ghanshyam Shah, there hasn't been a single, unified Dalit movement in India. Different movements have highlighted various issues related to Dalits, often with different ideologies. However, they all share a common quest for equality, self-dignity, and the eradication of untouchability. Some significant movements include:

• Satnami Movement: Led by the Chamars in eastern Madhya Pradesh, it aimed to uplift the marginalized Dalit community in the Chhattisgarh plains.
• Adi Dharma Movement: Originating in Punjab, this movement focused on asserting the rights and dignity of Dalits.
• Mahar Movement: Based in Maharashtra and guided by Dr. Ambedkar, this movement gained momentum during the 1930s and 1940s and had an impact on various local-level Dalit movements across India.

One of the most prominent figures in the Dalit movement is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Although the organizations he founded, such as the Scheduled Caste Federation and the Republican Party, did not attain an all-India status, they influenced local Dalit movements nationwide. These movements reflect an increasing self-consciousness among Dalits and their emergence as a distinct political group.

The Dalit Panther Movement, initiated by Dalits in Maharashtra in the early 1970s, expanded to other states. It denounced the dominant culture and aimed to articulate an alternative cultural identity for oppressed classes. This movement led to the emergence of Dalit literature, which challenged the intellectual traditions of upper-caste Hindus.

While these movements have partially improved the social conditions of Dalits compared to a decade ago, their social and economic position remains relatively lower due to the dominance of upper castes in economic systems. Dalit movements are complex and multifaceted, driven by factors beyond just economic exploitation or political oppression.

Characteristics of Dalit Movements

• A struggle for recognition as fellow human beings.
• A quest for self-confidence and self-determination.
• A fight against stigmatization and untouchability.
• A struggle to be treated equally and respectfully.

The term "Dalit" gained prominence in the early 1970s, used by neo-Buddhist activists, followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar. It signifies the poor and oppressed who have been systematically marginalized. Dalit literature plays a crucial role in these movements, emphasizing cultural and structural aspects of society, including economic dimensions. This literature is rooted in the experiences and perceptions of Dalits, offering a call for social and cultural revolt.