‘Social change needed to eradicate untouchability’

The book was the Tamil translation of the English work ‘Obamas of America and Dalits of India’ by the same author.

Social change is the need of the hour for eradicating untouchability, which continues to play havoc with the country , said speakers at a function to release the Tamil book titled ‘Amerikkavin Obamakkalum and Indiavin Dalithukalum’ written by senior Left leader and author D.Gnaniah.

The function was brought up by the Tiruchi-based Samooga Sinthanai Uyirpiyakkam in the city on Thursday.

T

he book was the Tamil translation of the English work ‘Obamas of America and Dalits of India’ by the same author.

The book was a comparison of heinous practices of slavery in America and untouchability on the basis of caste system in India.

Untouchability has been plaguing our society for many years. While slavery in America was an offshoot of an exploitative economic order, the caste system in India has social and religious dimensions .

The unrelenting battles launched and sacrifices made by leaders and social reformers like Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Malcolm X, against slavery and racial discrimination for decades together paved way for Obama to become the first black President of the United States.

The caste system and discrimination in the name of caste has taken deep roots in the country and could not be done away with despite leaders like Ambedkar, Periyar, Singaravelar waging a grim battle.

In both the countries, the fight against caste oppression was waged through peaceful, constitutional and democratic means, the book explained.

M.Selvaraj, convener of the Samooga Sinthanai Uyirpiyakkam, who released the book, said that he did not agree with the author that cultural revolution will be able to put an end to caste oppression in Indian society. 

Only a class struggle-an integrated struggle combining political, ideological and economical aspects-will bring about change.

People should have social outlook to check issues like honour killing, Mr.Selvaraj added.

Ravikumar, former MLA and general secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, who received the first copy, said that all right thinking individuals should take along Marx and Ambedkar together while dealing with social issues.

He regretted that Ambedkar has not been accepted in full and there is an urgent need for the Left and Dalits to come together.

Mr.Gnaniah in his acceptance speech regretted that every issue, whether a minor or a major, is viewed in a casteist perspective and this should be done away with.

The government should enact a law preventing marriage within the same caste as this will go a long way in checking this trend, he added.

S.Kamaraj presided over the function.