Analysis Of Dr. Gandi Views On Caste

VIII Views On Caste
Dr. Lohia opined, “ Caste restricts opportunity. Restricted opportunity constricts ability. Constricted ability further restricts opportunity. Where caste prevails, opportunity and ability are restricted to ever narrowing circles of people.”
Dr. Lohia did not believe in the caste system. He perceived caste as a huge stumbling block to India’s development. Overcoming inequality with respect to caste is also included in his Seven Revolutions. According to him, caste was the primary form of inequality in India. However, he didn’t include all other forms of social divisions under class. He saw ‘class’ and ‘gender’ as intersecting caste divisions.He said that making policies etc would be challenging as policy makers had to
Lohia, out of all the seven revolutions, the one of gender equality was the most critical for overall welfare of the state. Next to Gandhi, Lohia fought the most for women empowerment. He said all injustices which were happening was because of gender discrimination. The state of women in India does not paint a pretty picture. He said that the reason for women’s conditions in India were because of two reasons - male domination and the caste system. One of the big reasons for women’s conditions was their economic dependance on men.He encouraged women to take part in political activities and movements like the civil disobedience movement. Lohia said “The socialism system without active participation of women is like a wedding without a bride.” He identified four areas with respect to this issue that needed immediate attention
It simultaneously “de-westernises” the concept of class with respect to the Indian scene. He felt that there was no need to wait for growth in terms of numbers in order to attack the structures of oppression.
He created the discourse of intersectionality and the multifaceted nature of power and discrimination in Indian society. It brought into sync the injustices from the view point of discriminated groups of women, adivasis and depressed sections of Muslims and Christians. This view encouraged togetherness which in turn will make social transformations work. This will be be because of radical political will around an alternative agenda which favours preferential opportunities for the marginalised people.
Lohia made the issue of segregation of women a major issue. This was a very critical input. It put in place the challenges India faced post colonialism with respect to Indian women’s movements. His view of the english language as empowering the ruling class showed the section of politics of languages and vice versa was important to the linguistically marginalised of rural and small-town India. Lohia gave inspiration to writers in various languages and boosted their confidence by voicing their concerns about ‘mental slavery’ in the creative