By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
Waltham, Massachusetts: Two-day symposium on the Annihilation of Caste: The Unfinished Legacy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar concluded here on Sunday. The symposium was organized by the Center for Global Development and Sustainability in Brandeis University.
Symposium saw participation by a number of Indian and American academicians and Dalit activists and sympathizers with Dalit cause.
Sunday began with Professor Rajesh Sampath talking about the political and philosophical root of Ambedkar’s “Annihilation of Caste.” Andreas Teuber, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Brandeis University gave his presentation of influence that Ambedkar teacher John Dewey had on Ambedkar. “Prof. John Dewey is key to understanding Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste,” said Teuber.
Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat in his presentation said that focus of Ambedkar in his book “Annihilation of Caste” was to find a solution to the discrimination of the caste system. Ambedkar took on both Gandhi and Marxists on the issue of the caste system.
Ambedkar wanted economic equality through democratic means. He believed that work of economic quality has to be ensured through the government. Ambedkar said the foundation of caste system is economic.
Replying to a question whether there can be a reform movement that can come from within the Hindu traditions, Prof. Thorat said that Hindu philosophy is based on inequality therefore you cannot fight caste using Hindu ideals. The closest Indian tradition that can be used is Buddhism. “Inequality and untouchability is the basic principle of Hindu philosophy. Therefore Hinduism has limited impact in generating consciousness against the caste system.”
In the afternoon session, William A. Darity, Jr. of Duke University gave very interesting lecture comparing African-American Civil Rights and the Anti-Caste movement in India.
Amit Thorat on untouchability in India
“Religion seems to play an important but antithetical role in both movements,” said Dr. Darity.
He said that Dalit Panthers modeled after the Black panthers and the question was debated whether the purpose of taking arms- self-defense or liberation. “I am not aware of any significant movement to use of arms to force oppressors to change their ways,” argued Dr. Darity.
“Neither movement has dealt with wealth and inequality … wealth differential is staggering” for both blacks and Dalits.
Laurence Simon of Brandeis University gave a comparative perspective of Brazilian philosopher Paulo Freire and B.R. Ambedkar. He said that unlike Freire Ambedkar chose a more radical path to break the barriers of isolation.
In “the Challenge Ahead” section Doctoral Candidate Tanoj Meshram argued that intellectual class of Dalits, minorities, and tribals need to take the leadership of the movement for social justice. Gary Tartakov, Professor Emeritus at Iowa State University said that he has a collection of arts produced by Dalit artists and he hopes to put them in an exhibition soon.
Amit Thorat of National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) presented data from his ground-breaking report that documents self-reported untouchability behavior that cuts across regions and religions in India.
Untouchability by religious groups in India
According to his data 30% of Hindu households, 18% of Muslims, 5% Christians, 23% Sikhs, 1% Budhists, 35% Jains and 5% tribals reported that they practice some forms of untouchability.
In his concluding remakr Prof. Laurence Simon said that he hope to see this as an annual event.
Related:
Despite improvements, gaps between Dalits and upper castes persists: Prof. Thorat