43 pages • 1 hour read
B. R. AmbedkarA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
The key to the abolition of caste is to begin with the social order and not directly with caste itself. Caste flows out of the social order downwards, so the suggestion that the abolitionist movement should begin at the bottom with destroying sub-castes is wrong. The abolition of sub-castes will only strengthen the more encompassing majority groups.
Another plan of action taken up by the abolitionist movement is to establish inter-caste dining. This too, however, is not sufficient; the only real remedy is going to be inter-caste marriage, Ambedkar argues—”where society is cut asunder, marriage as a binding force becomes a matter of urgent necessity” (50), which will serve to blur the lines between castes as well as to create true loyalty to family.
Even this will not completely serve the ends of the abolitionists, though, and the only true answer is putting an end to the esteem in which the Shastras are held. Caste is a deeply religious custom and observance, and the conduct of the population will not change unless the religious convictions change first. There must be a courageous act of speaking out against the false religious notions held by the Hindu people.
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