The caste system in India is a centuries-old system dividing up people by profession and birth, but it's changed in recent times, with discrimination based on caste becoming illegal. That's in part thanks to Gandhi, who tells us in his autobiography The Story of My Experiments with Truth about prejudice against the untouchables, or members of a group considered below the four main castes.
The caste system is part of his religion of Hinduism, but Gandhi thinks his faith must be changed to abolish untouchability. These quotations depict what untouchability was like in Gandhi's day.
Questions About Society and Class
- To what other minority groups does Gandhi compare the untouchables? What other comparisons can you make? What differences might there be between the plight of the untouchables and that of the groups to whom you compare them?
- What steps does Gandhi take toward ending untouchability? To what extent is he successful? What other steps might someone take today?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Untouchability is part of Hinduism and Indian traditions and should continue to exist at least in some form.
Untouchability should be abolished.