Caste System

Problem and Its Solution According to M.K. Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar’s Perspectives

Abstract

Caste system has been penetrated in Indian culture since Vedic era, and has been developed via different periods such as Brahmana and Upanishad through modern India in which caste struggle has been played important role, up to present time, caste system still exist in the deep thought.

                  In the period of study, in which India struggles for her independence from Britain, there are two important persons foresight the loophole of caste system, they are, M.K. Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Both of them have been devoted their lives to the practicum solution of the problems seriously. Gandhi as representative of Hinduism and essentialism, holds that Vannasarma or division of labor according to caste is right at the beginning, but was corrupted by Brahmin caste in the later time.  The solution to the problem is to turn back to its original meaning.  According to him, caste system should be reformed in order to get rid of the faked one. B. R. Ambedkar, on the other hand, as representative of Untouchable class, non-essentialist and Buddhist thought, hold on the contrary way, that caste system is wrong since the beginning. The solution is that caste system should be overthrown or revolted in order that human being can developed oneself without social limitation. Both of them used their own ideology and methods to be performed political activities in order to the same aim, that is, poor and underprivileged people which are majority, can be liberated from the confinement