THE UNTOUCHABLES : THE IMPURE.. UNTOUCHABLES 367
From these texts drawn from the Dharma Sutras as well as Manu, the following points are clear :—
(1) That the pollution by the touch of the Chandala was observed by the Brahmin only.
(2) That the pollution was probably observed on ceremonial occasions only.
IV
If these conclusions are right then this is a case of Impurity as distinguished from Untouchability. The distinction between the Impure and the Untouchable is very clear. The Untouchable pollutes all while the Impure pollutes only the Brahmin. The touch of the Impure causes pollution only on a ceremonial occasion. The touch of the Untouchable causes pollution at all times.
There is another argument to which so far no reference has been made which completely disproves the theory that the communities mentioned in the Dharma Sutras were Untouchables. That argument emerges out of a comparison of the list of communities given in the Order-in-Council (which is reproduced in Chapter II) with the list given in this chapter prepared from the Smritis. What does the comparison show? As anyone can see, it shows :—
Firstly : The maximum number of communities mentioned in the Smritis is only 12, while the number of communities mentioned in the Order-in-Council comes to 429.
Secondly : There are communities which find a place in the Orderin-Council but which do not find a place in the Smritis. [1] Out of the total of 429 there are nearly 427 which are unknown to the Smritis.
Thirdly : There are communities mentioned in the Smritis which do not find a place in the Order-in-Council at all.
Fourthly : There is only one community which finds a place in both. It is the Charmakar community. [2]
Those who do not admit that the Impure are different from the Untouchables do not seem to be aware of these facts. But they will have to reckon with them. These facts are so significant and so telling that they cannot but force the conclusion that the two are different.
l. Out of the 429 communities mentioned in the Order-in-Council, there are only
3 which are to be found in the list given by the Smritis.
- There are also two other communities mentioned in both lists (1) Nata and
(2) Rajaka. But according to the Order-in-Council they are Untouchables in some parts of the country only. The Chamar is Untouchable throughout India.