Abhijay Srekanth-Week 7


From Icon to Convict- Anti-caste Resistance 


In light of Teltumbde's arrest, ironically enough on Ambedkar Jayanti, the attitudes of the State towards Lower caste emancipatory movements must be re-examined. The conflation of the Brahmanical Hindu ideology with the "Indian" consciousness has led to increasingly violent state reactions to anti-caste movements and leaders.

A bare reading of Teltumbde's letter is a painful visual of the extents to which the Hindu Right is willing to go to, to get rid of those that disturb existing power-structures. A protest that celebrates Lower-caste emancipation from their upper-caste oppressors is targetted by violent elements with a view of painting its organisers and members as violent "anti-nationals",- the evidence for which is a copy of the Communist Manifesto, an image of Ambedkar and trumped-up charges of Maoist links. When the interested party loose power in Maharashtra, the investigation is transferred back into their hands through the NIA act- an almost laughably transparent abuse of power.

Yet through all of this, it is incredible to think of a time where Ambedkar could openly challenge Hindu scriptures- burn them even, without a slew of FIRs lodged for hurting religious sentiments. The upper-castes have refused to accept any change that threatens their power holdings. Ambedkar's attempts to loosen the hold of brahmin patriarchy over women was strongly resisted by the Constituent assembly. Marriage is a sacrament that cannot be broken say the upper -castes- it is against Hindu principles while ignoring the fact that their interpretation of Hindu principles doesn't hold true for the lower-caste majority.  Yet the civil code failed to pass.

Hegemony now brazenly institutionalized has empowered the upper caste to destroy any form of anti-caste and anti-Hindu resistance. Prof Sameena's closing statement acts as a perfect closing question- Would Ambedkar too be in prison today?

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