MAHAD SATYAGRAHA 23
Not only Untouchability and restrictions regarding intercaste-dining must be removed, but inter-marriages among the Hindus of various castes must be made common. This alone will lead to the establishment of true-equality. Even supposing that the stigma of Untouchability is wiped out, what will be the status of the present Untouchables. At the most they will be treated as ‘ Shudras ’ . And what are the rights of the ‘Shudras ’ ? The ‘ Smrities ’ treat them as mere zealots and the ‘Smrities ’ are the guides of the caste Hindus in the matter of gradations in the caste system. Are you willing to be treated as ‘ Shudras ’ ? . Are you willing to accept the position of zealots ? Are you prepared to leave your fate in the hands of the upper class ?
Self-Help
That the caste-system must be abolished if the Hindu Society is to be reconstructed on the basis of equality, goes without saying. Untouchability has its roots in the castesystem. They cannot expect the Brahmins to rise in revolt against the caste-system, because that system confers on them certain special privileges and they will not willingly give up their privileged position and the present supremacy in the hierarchy of Hinduism as based on Smrities. It would be too much to expect them to resign all their privileges as the ‘Samurais’ of Japan did. Also we cannot rely upon the Non-Brahmins and ask them to fight our battle. Many of them are still enamoured of the caste-system and are tools in the hands of the Brahmins, and most of these others who resent the supremacy of the Brahmins are more interested in levelling down the Brahmins than in levelling up the suppressed classes. They too want a class of people on whom they can look down and have the satisfaction of not being quite the under-dogs of the Society. This means that we ourselves must fight our battles, relying on ourselves. We are the most downtrodden classes in the country. Services in the army, police and public offices are practically closed to us. We are debarred from following a number of trades and professions and we have been reduced to utter economic helplessness. All this is due to the Untouchability and the lowest social position to which we have been relegated. Should we fail to assert our rights as human beings and citizens we shall have to remain fallen forever.