Question

What are the major problems encountered by scheduled castes in India 250 words

Answer 1

The high-caste Hindus maintained a social distance from them. They were denied many basic amenities of life which were accorded to the high-caste Hindus. They were dependent on the tradition of Hindus for items of food and drink.

2. Religious Problems:

These pertained to the denial of the right of entering temples which were exclusively served by the high-caste Brahmins. The untouchables were neither allowed to enter the temples nor served by the Brahmins. They had no right to worship the Gods and Goddesses in the temple.

3. Economic Problems:


They suffered from many economic problems. They had to face many economic hardships and they were not given proper reward for their service. Traditionally, untouchables were deprived of landed property of their own. They were not allowed to carry on any business. They were not permitted to engage themselves in the professions which were being carried out by the people of other castes.

The untouchables were not free to choose any occupation according to their own ability they had to clean the streets, remove dead cattle and to undertake heavy agricultural work. Mostly they were landless labourers. They worked in the fields of high- caste Hindus as labourers.

4. Public Disabilities:

Harijans had to face many public indignities because they were denied the right to use the services of public utilities like wells, public transport as well as educational institutions.

5. Educational Problems:

Traditionally the untouchables were deprived of getting education. They were not allowed to use public educational institutions. Even today most of the illiterates are untouchables.

Answer 2

Lowest Status in the Hierarchy:

In the Caste bureaucracy, the Scheduled Castes are ascribed the inferior status. They are considered to be ‘unholy’, ‘inferior’ and ‘low’ and are identified plumes against by the separate castes. They have been undergoing from the stigma of ‘untouchability’. Their touch is contemplated to be fouling for the higher caste people.

Education Disabilities:

The Harijans were prevented from taking up to training during the early days. Sanskrit writing was refused for them. Public institutions and other institutional institu­tions were decided for them. Even today majority of them are ignorant and uneducated.

Religious Disabilities:

The Harijans also suffer from functioning injustices even today. They are not sanctioned to open offices in various places. The brahmins who offer their diplomatic support to some lower castes are not restricted to control in the gatherings of the ‘untouchable’ castes. They do not even bend down to the celebrations of these ‘forbidden’ castes.