Depressed Classes: The True Unmarriageables Within the Hindu Social Order

Abstract

To dispel all the needless interpretations and confusions about the caste and to compel all the scholars, academicians, legislators, politicians and even the masses not to deviate themselves from the precise definition of caste in the matters of annihilation of caste, emancipation of Depressed Classes, reservation, etc. is what this article aims to achieve. The concept of ‘unmarriageability’ and the nomenclature of ‘unmarriageables’ introduced in this article is merely an extended reinterpretation of Dr Ambedkar’s finding in his Doctoral Thesis that caste is nothing but the mechanism of endogamy. Hence, it became inevitable to quote the writings of Dr Ambedkar for the better understanding about caste and untouchability—the premises based on which the entire article is constructed. The article justifies why the concept of ‘unmarriageability’ should be specifically considered in the context of Dalits. While a careless interpretation would make each caste unmarriageable to the rest, it is established that the Depressed Classes (Dalits) are the true unmarriageables within the Hindu social order. Also, the term ‘unmarriageables’ for the Depressed Classes is introduced in this article.