Question

Write short notes on contributions of the following towards fighting the curse of untouchability : Periyar Ramaswami​

Answer 1

Answer:

Untouchability is a practice in which some lower caste people are kept at a distance, denied of social equality and made to suffer from some disabilities for their touch, is considered to be contaminating or polluting the higher caste people.

The word “untouchable” applies to the despised and degraded section of the Hindu Population.The untouchables occupy the bottom most place in the society and have been subjected to various social, cultural and other kinds of disabilities and exploitation for their very touch by the higher caste people.

Untouchability is an age-old practice in India. According to Mahatma Gandhi, “it is the hate fullest expression of caste”. According to Dr. D.N. Majumdar, “the untouchable castes are those who suffer from various social and political disabilities, many of which are traditionally prescribed and socially enforced by higher castes”.

In fact, Dr. Majumdar has used the term scheduled castes to refer mainly to the untouchable castes. The Government of India prepared a list of 429 untouchable castes consisting of a population over 5 crores in 1935, for providing special facilities to themUntouchability has often been termed as the inhuman Institution of Hindu Society. Mahatma Gandhi spoke of untouchability in terms of disabilities Imposed by the Hindus on the Harijan. The untouchables were called by different names in different times.

Untouchability

1. Untouchability leads to social discrimination.

2. It damages social harmony.

3. It has created wide social distance between the two groups, touchable and untouchables.

4. Untouchability perpetuates inequality.

5. It cannot support the development of healthy democratic tradition.

6. Untouchability has damaged the self-image and prestige of the scheduled castes.

 

7. it has developed a sense of inferiority among the scheduled castes.. The practice of untouchability has brought down the image of the Indians in the eyes of the foreigner