Extent of Untouchability and Pattern of Discrimination

Scheduled Castes’ suffering and deprivation attracted the attention of Mahatma Gndhi and several other social reformers of the country. Their uplift became one of the major objectives of India’s Freedom Struggle. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar took up their cause and throughout his life, he fought for them. All these efforts resulted in formulating policies to ensure them freedom and social justice after India became Independent. No doubt, there has been some change in practice of untouchability in public places but there does not seem to have been major change in the general attitude of privileged classes. Organised efforts backed by legislative and executive action, and education expansion may hopefully mitigate the evil practice of untouchability – a practice which is a blot on our secular principles. This book has effectively dealt with these vexed problems of our social life.

Dr. Sheo Kuma Lal (b. 1930) did his M.A, in Economics in 1956 and in Sociology in 1962 after which he started teaching in the University of Gorakhpur. In 1969, he got his Doctorate from the University of Jodhpur. He joined the University of Jodhpur as a Lecturer in 1963 and is at present Professor and Head, Department of Sociology. Besides books the Urban Elite: Higher Education: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with Dr. Umed Raj Nahar as its co-author, Dr. Lal has been editor of nearly a dozen outstanding publications.Dr. Lal is Life-Member of Indian Sociological Society and President of Rajasthan Sociological Association. He is the Chief Editor of the Journal of Sociological Studies. –(1943) did jos M.A. Dr. Umed Raj Nahar (b. 1943) did his M.A. in Sociology in 1966 in First Division with First Position. in 1973, he got his doctorate from the University of Jodhpur and started teaching in his own alam mater, the University of Jodhpur. He is at present Associate Professor in Sociology. Dr. Nahar is the General Secretary of Rajasthan Sociological Association. He is one of the editors of the Journal of Sociological Studies. He has published a book in Hindi also entitled Samajik Anusandhan. He has directed several research projects sponsored by the University Grants Commission, Home Ministry of Government of India. His special area of interest is Rural Sociology, Research Methodology and Statistics.