Published Paper Details:

Abstract: This paper focuses on prevalence and practice of untouchability in urban India even after seven decades of Independence. In contemporary Indian society, there exists a sense of belonging to a superior or inferior caste, into which individual are born by chance, not by choice. The present study seeks to probe empirically into how scheduled caste students perceive and respond to the practice of untouchability. Data were gathered from 50 post graduate scheduled caste students studying at Bangalore University who having been exposed to higher education, could be representing an enlightened and empowered section of scheduled castes. Education is acknowledged as a means of creating awareness about self and the society at large. Hence, the educated among the scheduled castes, are expected to be conscious of their rights and tend to oppose any discriminative practices against them by resorting to all the legitimate means at their disposal. However, the findings seem to suggest that educated sections of scheduled castes are still subjected to the practice of untouchability, persisting in diverse forms, manifestations and ramifications indicating that the Scheduled caste people have not been able to take advantage of the Constitutional provisions meant to safeguard their interests in a caste ridden society.