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Changing Dalits:
Exploration Across Time
Judge places caste in a historic context in Religion, Caste and Communalism in Punjab and discusses how Islam and Sikhism being egalitarian religions managed to rupture the caste system. Mobility among the lower castes, efforts of the Bhakti movement, invasions, interaction between Islam and Hinduism and later emergence of Sikhism have all led to the caste system to become a dynamic phenomenon. He argues that "the caste hierarchies among the Hindus and the Sikhs were qualitatively distinct despite the existence of castes among the latter". He maintains that among the Sikhs there is difference among being an upper caste and a dominant caste. It is conversion of the Ramgarhias to Sikhism that has made them an upper caste, though it is the Jats who are the dominant caste. He believes that understanding of the past is important because "these distinct caste hierarchies became the basis of emergence of communalism in Punjab in the 20th century". The other argument worth pondering over is that of Dalit assertion. The Dalits have acquired legal rational authority and with increasing awareness, they demand what has been denied so far to them. At the societal level, the discrimination and the atrocities continue but economically and politically, the Dalits have been empowered. But again, there is caste hierarchy among the Dalits. Only a few castes have managed to benefit from the various schemes and the reservation policy floated by the government. This has led to the formation of an elite class among them who do not want others to reap the benefits. "In the already stratified Dalits, the uneven development has further led to the sharpening of differences among them. This hierarchical differentiation, which is marked by contradictions, is a major obstacle in the way of any Dalit unity for social equality and justice." In the essay Scheduled Castes Women’s Work Participation in Rural Punjab, he talks about the exploitation of women in two ways: they are exploited because they are paid less when employed at daily wages and at times, the Dalit women are molested by their employers. The author traces the attitude of the Punjabis who have settled abroad regarding the caste system. He finds that though the Punjabis have moved away from a system that perpetuates caste system and moved into a society that respects dignity of work, they carry their beliefs with them. It is not possible for the elders of the family to control the intermingling of their children with children of families hailing from different strata, but inter-caste marriage alliances are still not encouraged. The younger generation is taught about the caste system informally but firmly at home. After a generation or two, some children brought up in that environment stop believing in it and rebel if they find the right life partner irrespective of caste. Among the Ad-dharmis he traces the pattern of emigration to other countries. He sums it as "education, emigration and empowerment". He gives credit to the Green Revolution for improving the status of the Dalits, especially the Chamars who have emerged as the dominant caste among the Dalits. So, the better off among the scheduled castes have started dominating the political process. Judge explores different facets of the caste equation in these ten essays. Some of the commentaries have been published in renowned journals in the past and are even relevant today. However, data needs to be updated in some of the essays, though the commentary stands the test of time.
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PUNJAB
is under turmoil and faces the threat of the emergence of long-term
caste war." This grim prediction by Paramjit S. Judge about the
future of Punjab is a warning to set its house in order. In fact, it is
just not a warning for Punjab, rather for all the other states. Caste
divides us horribly, and that is why it has become a big vote bank. The
surprising fact is that its effect is not diminishing, even though
education is spreading.