The India’s Prime Minister recently commemorated the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Ayyankali, a social reformer who spearheaded change for the lower castes and Dalits in India. Born in Kerala in 1863, Ayyankali led a life dedicated to uplifting these marginalized communities and implementing key social reforms in Indian society.
Mahatma Ayyankali: A Champion of Social Reform
Ayyankali devoted his life to the cause of Dalits, lobbying for life-changing reforms such as access to public roads and education for Dalit children. One of his significant contributions was forming the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham (SJPS), an organization focused on advocating for the rights and welfare of lower-castes.
Ayyankali was one of several forward-thinking social reformers who started the movement to organize and uplift “depressed classes” in India during the latter half of the 19th century. Alongside him were such notable figures as Mahatma Jotiba Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sri Narayana Guru, Iyothee Das, and Periyar (E.V. Ramaswamy Naickar).
Indian Constitution and Legal Measures Against Discrimination of Dalits
The Indian Constitution has several provisions designed to suppress caste-based discrimination and protect the rights of Dalits.
Social safeguards include Article 17, which abolishes “untouchability”, and Article 21 that guarantees the right to life, liberty, dignity, and legal aid. These stipulations, coupled with other articles such as Article 23 and Article 24, work together to prohibit degrading treatment, forced labor, and minor employment in risky environments.
Economic Safeguards and Political Safeguards
Furthermore, economic safeguards have been established under Articles 15(4) and 16(4), empowering the state to make special provisions for the advancement of backward classes, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Political safeguards are also in place to ensure adequate representation of marginalized communities in political institutions. Notably, Article 330 provides reservations for SC and ST in the Lok Sabha (the House of the People), while Article 338 establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
Directive Principles of State Policy
In addition to these constitutional provisions, several Directive Principles of State Policy aim to promote the welfare of marginalized communities. These include Article 43, which calls upon the state to secure a living wage for all workers; Article 45, which charges the state with providing free education for all children until they reach six; and Article 46, which obligates the state to guard the educational and economic interests of weaker sections, particularly SC and ST.
Finally, the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018 serves as a legal safety net against social injustice and exploitation of these communities. This comprehensive legislation, along with the aforementioned constitutional provisions and principles, form the bedrock of India’s fight against caste-based discrimination and social inequality.
(Source: PIB)
