Caste and Race Are Lapidary Ideas, Inscribed On the Granite of Humanity
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
15 April 2025
"Caste is not a physical object like a wall of bricks or a line of barbed wire which prevents the Hindus from co-mingling and which has, therefore, to be pulled down. Caste is a notion; it is a state of the mind."
Dr B R Ambedkar offers a deeper analysis of the concept of caste. He emphasizes that caste is not something tangible, like a physical barrier that can be dismantled or destroyed. Instead, he clarifies that caste is a notion, an idea deeply ingrained in the minds of individuals.
April 14 is Dr B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary.
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Ambedkar suggests that change must start by unravelling this deeply rooted mind-set, challenging the prejudices and divisions that caste creates. By recognizing caste as a state of mind, Ambedkar highlights the need for introspection and a transformation of thought processes to truly overcome the injustices perpetuated by the caste system.
In summary, the caste system is a deeply rooted social hierarchy that has created significant inequalities and discrimination in India. While there are legal and social efforts to address the problem, its legacy continues to influence Indian society, highlighting the need for continued efforts to dismantle the system and achieve true equality. Whether it's the abominable caste system of India, false notion of racial supremacy in the western world or South Africa's erstwhile Apartheid Policy, any kind of disparity or discrimination stems from the deep-seated prejudices that have plagued mankind since time immemorial.
Legal systems in all the 'civilised' countries may ostensibly disapprove of all these instances and types of discrimination, collective and age-old thinking cannot be changed so easily. What's ingrained and inveterate will remain there forever because ramparts may be demolished, remnants and ramifications remain till the end. The very thinking needs a revamp. Afro-Americans are still looked down upon by the majority of white Americans. The highly disparaging terms like 'Negro' and 'Untouchable' (Asprishya in Sanskrit) may have been legally abolished, they still remain in the collective mind-set. Caste and race are lapidary ideas, inscribed on the granite of humanity. While Dr Ambedkar's Herculean efforts to ameliorate the destiny of Dalits yielded some positive results, we still have a long way to go to completely eradicate even the vestiges of casteism from our psyche. Shadows still loom large.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URl: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/caste-race-lapidary-ideas-humanity/d/135166
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