Writer Perumal Murugan’s son’s inter-caste wedding involving Brahminical rituals has been defended as a necessary compromise and a matter of individual choice.
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Phules, Ambedkar and Du Bois: For a just world without caste or race
Manipulation of truth continues to incite division, violence, and oppression. As ever, the voices of Phule, Du Bois and Ambedkar ring true. Their intellectual arguments, political positioning, activism, bold and uncompromising stand on securing human rights for all people remain relevant for the transformation of societies everywhere, writes P. Dayanandan
Casteism in India and racism in the USA are a disgrace to human dignity and impediment to progress. Both are products of twisted minds justifying every form of oppression and violence to seek and sustain power and wealth. Great men and women of vision and compassion fought against such prejudice, empowered the weak, and showed humanity a path of hope. Two such anti-caste icons of India, Mahatma Jotirao Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar, appreciated the struggles of antiracism leaders of America. Ambedkar corresponded with W.E.B. Du Bois. How their attitudes and work ran parallel, built on each other, and even crossed paths across time and place is a fascinating history. Bridging the complexities of their contexts, distinct threads can be traced. Their stories provide historical depth to the struggle today, when racism is raising its hideous head and casteism continues unabated, promoted vigorously by renewed religious and political bigotry.
Updated Dec 31, 2020 | 20:53 IST
Savitribai Phule did not just preach the importance of education and equality. She lived it. The Phules nearly died at the hands of attackers who despised their pioneering work. But they soldiered on. Savitribai and Jyotiba Phule
Savitribai Phule, the spouse and partner in every campaign of Jyotiba Phule, was born 190 years ago. Yet, Savitribai is naturally relevant to mankind today.
Born on 3 January 1831 in Naigaon taluka of Satara district, this woman leader from rural Maharashtra who fought against huge odds for the rights of the oppressed and women’s empowerment remains an icon.
Wearing many hats of a social reformer, a pioneer in education, and poet - Savitribai lived the revolution she preached. She was the first woman teacher of the first women’s school in India and a pioneer in modern Marathi poetry.