Observing Anti-Untouchability Week: Fighting Caste Bias in India

This work has been verified by our teacher: 30.01.2026 at 15:00

Type of homework: Essay Writing

Added: 28.01.2026 at 7:35

Summary:

Explore the significance of Anti-Untouchability Week in fighting caste bias in India and learn how social reformers shaped the fight for equality and dignity.

Anti-Untouchability Week: Shedding Light on a Persistent Social Evil in India

Untouchability, a term etched into the conscience of Indian society, refers to a deeply entrenched social practice where certain castes, predominantly the Dalits, are considered ‘impure’ and are consequently subjected to exclusion, humiliation, and discrimination. This social malady finds its roots in the rigid caste system that shaped Indian life for centuries. Although our national constitution, framers like Babasaheb Ambedkar, and countless reformers have sought to uproot this evil, it continues to haunt the present day, surfacing in new forms even as India boasts of progress and modernity. In light of this, Anti-Untouchability Week becomes not merely an observance, but a vital reminder and rallying cry for justice, equality, and human dignity. The week is not just about remembrance or symbolism—it is a call for reflection, engagement, and collective action to create an India that lives up to its constitutional ideals.

Untouchability in Indian History: Roots and Realities

The origins of untouchability in India are intertwined with the ancient Varna system—a social stratification that gradually ossified into the rigid caste (jati) system. Varna, as described in the Purusha Sukta of the Rigveda, was ostensibly a division of labour, but with time, it became a basis for hereditary entitlement and exclusion. Those relegated to perform tasks considered ‘polluting’—such as sanitation, leatherwork, or dealing with the dead—were systematically ostracised, and excluded from temples, schools, and even village wells. Temples like the famed Kalaram Mandir in Nashik denied entry to Dalits until well into the 20th century, a prejudice famously challenged by Ambedkar himself.

The impact of untouchability was not limited to spiritual deprivation; it bred poverty, denied education, and shattered self-esteem. Dalit children were made to sit separately in classrooms, and adults were refused jobs, land rights, or even a cup of tea in many rural tea stalls—a practice, unfortunately, still reported in states like Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The pain, indignity, and psychological scars of untouchability have found powerful depictions in Indian literature too, such as in Mulk Raj Anand’s novel “Untouchable” and in Marathi Dalit writers like Namdeo Dhasal.

Social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, who founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in the 19th century, questioned the very legitimacy of caste and advocated for education among the Bahujans. Mahatma Gandhi, although himself from the Vaishya community, became a powerful voice against untouchability, referring to Dalits as ‘Harijans’ (children of God) and launching multiple campaigns like the Harijan Sevak Sangh. Ambedkar, a Dalit himself, championed not only legal abolition of untouchability but also social and educational upliftment. The Indian Constitution, through Article 17, abolished untouchability in all forms. Subsequent legislations like the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, later strengthened as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, sought to further clamp down on discrimination. However, laws alone could not transform centuries-old mindsets, often bumping against the brick walls of tradition and inertia.

Anti-Untouchability Week: Origin, Purpose, and Significance

The genesis of Anti-Untouchability Week can be traced to concerted efforts by Dalit activists, people’s movements, and civil society actors who recognised that mere legal tools were insufficient. Awareness had to permeate every corner of Indian society. Most commonly observed from 2nd October—Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary—the week simultaneously invokes the Gandhian legacy of compassion and non-violence, and Ambedkar’s legacy of assertive resistance and constitutional rights.

The primary objectives are manifold: to educate the masses about the invisible chains of caste, generate dialogue across urban and rural divides, and push for stricter enforcement of existing laws. It is also an opportunity for communities to own up to prejudices, for youth to question inherited biases, and for institutions—schools, panchayats, government offices—to introspect and act.

A week-long focus, rather than a one-day affair, allows for deeper engagements—workshops, street plays (‘nukkad natak’), poster campaigns, and community events can take place in tandem. Anti-Untouchability Week thus becomes more than a ceremony: it becomes an ongoing campaign. The government, through the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), state departments, and education boards, allocates resources and promotes participation. NGOs like the National Dalit Movement for Justice and student organisations such as the Ambedkar Students’ Association play critical roles in mobilising people and sustaining the conversation.

Activities and Campaigns: Focused and Diverse Interventions

During the observance, a plethora of activities cut across media and communities. Public service announcements run on Doordarshan and All India Radio in both urban and local languages. Leading newspapers publish editorials and testimonials from Dalit leaders and survivors of caste discrimination.

Schools and universities organise debates with thought-provoking themes: “Is Caste Dead in Modern India?”, “The Relevance of Ambedkar Today”, or “Inter-Caste Marriages: Hope for the Future”. Poster-writing, poetry recitation, and essay competitions bring to fore fresh perspectives. At the grassroots, cultural groups stage Bharatnatyam or street theatre performances depicting the struggles and resistance of Dalits. In my own city of Nagpur, such street plays in busy chowks during the week often draw large, curious crowds.

Workshops are held not only for children but also for police personnel, government officials, and local panchayat leaders—groups crucial for law enforcement and policy implementation. Students and youth volunteers form human chains, march in rallies, and participate in clean-up drives in Dalit bastis as a show of solidarity. Hashtags like #BreakTheCaste or #JaiBhim trend on social media, connecting activists from Lucknow to Chennai and from villages in Chhattisgarh to metros like Mumbai.

Alarmingly, cases of caste atrocities still surface regularly—in the form of manual scavenging deaths, Dalit student suicides, and physical assaults. Hence, legal aid camps and helpline drives are set up during Anti-Untouchability Week, offering support and information about rights and remedies.

The Continuing Challenge of Untouchability in Contemporary India

Despite sustained efforts, untouchability is far from over. Reports by the National Crime Records Bureau indicate that crimes against Dalits have, in some places, increased. In states like UP and Bihar, Dalit households continue to be denied temple entry or forced to use separate cremation grounds. In Karnataka, as recently as 2023, a Dalit boy was assaulted for touching a water pot meant for the ‘upper’ castes.

The consequences are multi-layered. Dalit literacy levels, as per the 2011 Census, lag several points behind the national average. Economic exclusion persists through landlessness, wage inequality, and lack of access to credit. The intersection of untouchability with gender often makes Dalit women doubly vulnerable, as seen in events reported in Haryana and Andhra Pradesh. Urbanisation and migration have not erased prejudice; instead, exclusion often morphs into covert workplace biases or residential segregation.

Why does untouchability persist? The roots run deep: socialisation from childhood, silence in the upper castes, inadequate or delayed law enforcement, and sometimes, political calculations that exploit caste cleavages. Changing laws is easier than changing hearts—a fact every social reformer of India has lamented.

The Importance of Anti-Untouchability Week Today

Amidst these ongoing challenges, Anti-Untouchability Week acts as a critical catalyst. It creates platforms for inter-caste dialogue, gives visibility to stories usually hushed up, and launches much-needed reflection. It is through the persistent commemoration of such weeks that society can remind itself of its unfinished promises.

The younger generation, exposed to tales of discrimination during school assemblies, is more likely to raise uncomfortable questions at home and participate in change-making. Such observances strengthen our democracy by pushing for better law enforcement, improved budgets for Dalit welfare, and transparent policy implementation. They foster leadership among Dalit youth, enabling them to envision—and demand—a new social order.

Just as the celebration of Republic Day is not merely about parades but about remembering sacrifices and recommitting to the constitution, Anti-Untouchability Week is about ensuring that no Indian is left behind in the march of progress.

Strengthening the Observance: The Way Forward

To make Anti-Untouchability Week even more impactful, several measures are necessary. Firstly, education must play a transformative role. Textbooks should include honest accounts of Dalit struggles, as seen in states like Maharashtra where the ‘Samajika Nyaya’ (Social Justice) modules have made headway.

Media outlets must go beyond mere statistics; they should share stories of Dalit entrepreneurs, scientists, and artists who have broken barriers, like Dr. Tessy Thomas ("Missile Woman of India", from a marginalized background) or poet Meena Kandasamy. Community radio can spread awareness even in remote villages.

Volunteers and students could be incentivised to participate through internships and certificates. Regular coordination meetings between government, NGOs, and the private sector will ensure sustained action beyond the week. Inclusive policies to open up workplaces, schools, and public spaces—such as reservation in private educational institutions or anti-discrimination cells—should be enforced.

Public monitoring through social audits, as piloted in Andhra Pradesh under NREGS, can be extended to track progress against untouchability. Grassroots initiatives—such as feeding programmes where everyone shares a meal (‘Samuhik Bhojan’)—can challenge social taboos.

Conclusion

Untouchability, though constitutionally abolished, continues to cast a long shadow, hurting millions of Indians with its invisible wounds. Anti-Untouchability Week is not merely a date on the calendar, but an urgent reminder and an opportunity for introspection and change. By remembering the struggles of figures like Phule, Ambedkar, and Gandhi—and learning from countless everyday Dalit heroes—we fortify our collective conscience.

As students, teachers, policymakers, and ordinary citizens, it is our shared responsibility to uproot this unjust tradition. Together, let us dream of and strive for an India where every person, regardless of birth, can hold their head high and claim their place in the sun—where untouchability is not just illegal, but unthinkable. Only then will Bharat truly shine as a beacon of equality and justice for the world.

Sample questions

The answers have been prepared by our teacher

What is the significance of observing Anti-Untouchability Week in India?

Anti-Untouchability Week highlights the need for justice, equality, and human dignity by raising awareness about caste discrimination and promoting collective action against it.

Why is Anti-Untouchability Week important for fighting caste bias in India?

This week is vital for challenging ingrained caste biases, encouraging societal reflection, and advocating for strict implementation of anti-discrimination laws.

How does Anti-Untouchability Week help combat untouchability in Indian society?

Anti-Untouchability Week educates people, sparks dialogue, and motivates community involvement to break caste barriers and reduce untouchability practices.

When is Anti-Untouchability Week observed and why is this date chosen?

It is commonly observed from 2nd October, aligning with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary to honor his efforts against untouchability and promote non-violence.

What is the connection between Anti-Untouchability Week and the Indian Constitution?

The week reinforces Article 17, which abolishes untouchability, and emphasizes the need for societal change beyond constitutional provisions.

Write my essay for me

Tagi:#socialjustice #castebias #essay