It is only after Independence that the Indians were able to break free from the rigidities of caste and get some benefits of development, Andhra University Incharge Vice Chancellor E.A. Narayana said.
He recalled the contribution of BR Ambedkar to the making of Indian Constitution and to social change in the caste-ridden society.
He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural of the two-day national seminar on ‘Caste Rigidities and Social Protest in South India’ organised by the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy of Andhra University here on Thursday. Indian society is a reflection of social and economic inequalities and it is only because of protective safeguards enshrined in the Constitution, that the weaker sections, especially Dalits who suffered the indignities associated with caste system, could get some policy benefits.
Basic roots of social exclusion in India lies in caste system, Principal Andhra University College of Arts and Commerce M. Sundara Rao said tracing the genesis of the caste system and its associated rigidities.
The weaker sections suffered oppression and have been marginalised in India in the ancient, medieval and modern periods, former professor of History B Kesavanarayana said and explained that feeling the need to document the oppressive tendencies in a systematized manner he wrote the book ‘Social Protest and Social Movements in Andhra Pradesh (1874-1947)’. Director, CSSEIP P.Subba Rao, staff of the Centre, faculty of other departments spoke.
