AMBEDKAR: THE QUESTION OF CASTE AND CONVERSION

The paper aims to understand how a section of people known as 'Brahmanas' were labeled as 'elite' whereas, another was termed as 'Untouchables' due to division into four varnas as described in Manusmriti. Due to this caste division, we will analyze Ambedkar's conversion to Buddha dhamma and his views on the inclusion of socially excluded classes. The central theme of the paper revolves around the inquiry: does conversion result in the inclusion of the excluded classes? By going through incidents recorded in historical case studies, we will try to understand the gravity of the situation. Our motive through this paper is to figure out how the struggle for equality that began in pre-independent India continues.

 

Keywords: Caste, Untouchability, Religion, Conversion.


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