Reverse Casteism, as the name suggests, is a phenomenon where the so called ‘Upper Caster Hindus’ are being subjected to Discriminatory and Humiliation because of being belonging to upper caste. The reasons are obvious- The evils of caste system. Reverse Casteism is an outcome of the Caste System prevailing in our society.
Since we were talking about Reverse Casteism, let us look at the Historical References of Reverse Casteism, from the works of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.
In 1909, The Muslim Community under the leadership of H.H. Aga Khan, presented to the then Viceroy, Lord Minto, in which they asked for a separate and adequate representation for the Muslim community in the Legislation, Executive and the Public Services.
In the address, there occurs the following passage: -
The Mohamedans of India number, according to the census taken in the year 1901 over sixty two millions or between one-fifth and one fourth of the total population of his Majesty's Indian dominions, and if a reduction be made for the uncivilized portions of the community enumerated under the heads of the animist and other minor religions, as well as for those classes who are ordinarily classified as Hindus but properly speaking are not Hindus at all, the proportion of Mohamedans to the Hindu majority becomes much larger. We therefore desire to submit that under any system of representation extended or limited a community in itself more numerous than the entire population of any first-class European power except Russia may justly lay claim to adequate recognition as an important factor in the state.
It must be pointed out that the inquiries by the Census Commissioner were in a sense one sided. They showed that the Brahmins shunned the Untouchables. They did not bring to light the fact that the Untouchables also shunned the Brahmins.
Nonetheless, it is a fact. People are so much accustomed to thinking that the Brahmin is the superior of the untouchables and the untouchables accepts himself as his inferior; that this statement that the untouchables look upon the brahmin as an impure person is sure to come to them as a matter of great surprise.
The fact has however been noted by many writers who have observed been noted by many writers who have observed been noted by many writers who have observed and examined the social customs of the untouchables. To remove any doubt to the following extracts from their writings. The fact was noticed by Abbe Dubois (a French catholic missionary who came to India in 1792) who says, "Even to this day a pariah is not allowed to pass a brahman street in a village, though nobody can prevent, or prevents, his approaching or passing by a Brahmin's house in towns. The pariahs, on their part will under no circumstances, allow a Brahmin to pass through their paracherries(collection of pariah huts) as they firmly believe it will lead to their ruin"
Mr. Hemingway ,The Editor of the Gazetteer of the Tanjore District says:- "These Caste (Parayan and Pallam or Chakkiliyan, Castes of Tanjore District) strongly object to the entrance of a Brahmin into their quarters believing that harm will result to them therefrom."
Speaking of the Holeyas of the Hasan District of Mysore, Captain J.S.F. Mackenzie says: - "Every village has it's Holigiri as the quarters inhabited by the holidays, formerly agnostic serfs, is called outside the Village boundary hedge. This, I thought was because they were considered as impure race, whose touch Carrie's defilement with it."
Such is the reason generally given by the Brahmins who refuse to receive anything directly from the hands of a Holiar, and yet the brahmins consider great luck will wait upon them if they can manage to pass through the Holigiri without being molested. To this Holiars have strong objection, and, should a brahmin attempt to enter their quarters, they turn out in a body and slipper him, in former times, it is said to death.
Members of the other castes may come as far as the door, but they must not enter the house, for that would bring the Holiar bad luck. If, by chance, a person happens to get in, the owner takes care to tear the intruder's cloth, tie up some salt in one corner of it, and turn him out. This is supposed to neutralise all the good luck which might have accrued to the trespassers, and avert the evil which ought to have befallen the owner of the house.
The above excerpts were from the book "THE UNTOUCHABLES" written by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar is considered as the greatest champion of untouchability in India, so much so, that he is considered as god by many.
There can be many examples of reverse casteism found in our society.
In 2020, a Brahmin boy allegedly committed suicide after being thrashed by 3 lower caste teens. The former was forced to drink urine by the latter. (Sources: - New Indian Express). Again, in 2020 only, a woman belonging to thakur community was burned alive, after a fight had ensued between her and a Schedule caste family's son. The Victim was forced to by the latter's family to pay 10 lakhs or face the consequences of SC/ST act. (Sources: - Amar Ujaala)
There is no denial in the fact that casteism is deeply rooted in the society, but the outcome of this is bearded by the Hindus at the end. It is better that people start acknowledge the fact that in order to annihilate casteism, people have to first understand it to the core, from all the perspective, especially from Historic perspective. It is then, when it will be fruitful for the society as a whole.
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