Book Description

Time has shown institution of untouchability as a cencer in the body politic of Hinduism. The underdogs of the country had to struggle against various exploitative elements in the society. The ideological component of ther protest and its dynamics had, however, not been clarified in a comprehensive fashion as protests of lower classes are rarely recorded. In the present book, Dr. Joseph Mathew unflods the fascinating story of the awakening of Mahars in Maharashtra and pulayas of Kerala-which represents a landmark in the history of Scheduled Caste Movements in India. This indepth study by the author based on extensive field work analyses the cumulative disabilities of these caste categories in Maharashtra and Kerala at their levels. viz, socio-cultural, political and economic; traces the history of their various organisatiosn and role played by their leaders-particularly the role of Dr. Ambedkar, an exemplary figure of Modern India and the Saviour of Untouchables and his leading Mahars to conversion to Buddhism as a Protest; Mahatma Gandhi and Aiyyankali the millitant Dalit Panthers of Maharashtra: the Pulayas struggles and the attitude of the Caste Hindus towards these struggles.