Joothan: The Rise of an Untouchable

Untouchability and caste system in India, has led millions of people towards trials and tribulations as they either belong to a low caste or are untouchable. Valmiki in Joothan represents the plight of more than a 160 million people in India, and proves to them that how through dedication and education; one can break free from the shackles of untouchability and caste.

The caste system of India is divided into four categories or varnas- Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The Brahmans were the teachers and the priests, the Kshatriyas refer to the warriors, kings and law enforcers, Vaishyas are the traders and bankers and Shudras are the artisans and service providers. The untouchables fall under a fifth category which comprises of the people who are so low in the social strata that they can't even be touched. The untouchables and people belonging to low castes face discrimination in almost all aspects of life. They are denied education, work, and even face humiliation in the form of not being allowed to worship with people of higher castes, drink water from a communal well, or sometimes even wear shoes in the presence of the higher castes (Mayell). Many live in extreme poverty and the only work they get is extremely dangerous or unhygienic like cleaning washrooms, and farming in extreme conditions often without even receiving pay. They are subjected to inhumane treatment and are often beaten, raped, are publically humiliated and even forced to parade naked leading to more tensions between those of the upper and lower castes (Mayell). Even though untouchability was banned and made illegal in 1950, there were still plenty of cases prevailing where the untouchables would be forced to eat faeces, their water was polluted and were not given voting rights (Mayell). The number of these incidents became so high, that the government was forced to establish The Prevention of Atrocities Act in 1989, which specifically prohibited the ill-treatment of the untouchables (Mayell). Despite these efforts, discrimination still prevails and haunts the people affected who were born into their castes and are now bearing the brunt of it which is further spoken about in Valmiki's Joothan.

Joothan is the story of a young boy, who grows up facing discrimination from the upper class around him. This discrimination is so rooted in the system that no one wants to do anything about it or even challenge it for the fear of retaliation from the upper castes. Valmiki writes about how he belonging to a Chuhra caste, managed to gather the strength and courage to stand up to an evil that has been polluting the minds of Indians from centuries and become a symbol of determination to those around him. Valmiki begins his book by describing the common place for the villagers to meet and discuss their daily politics- the pond. These villagers meet at the pond while defecating in a communal manner which is described as being similar to a "round table conference" (Valmiki 1). Valmiki describes this as the environment he grew up in, which he claims if the people who call the caste system as an ideal social arrangement, had to live, they wouldn't be able to survive for more than a day or two (Valmiki 1). He further shows the extent of untouchability that prevailed by mentioning that everyone in the family had to do some work for the Tagas, and they still wouldn't be able to afford two meals a day. They were often compelled to work without pay or grain, but they did get sworn at in abundance (Valmiki 1). Valmiki also mentions that the upper class did not consider it polluting if they touched dogs, cats, cows or buffalos, but in case they touched an untouchable, they went through an extreme purification process. India had become independent of the British at that time, but Indians had not become free of the evils of caste system. Valmiki's account of his experience in school, studying alongside other "touchables" is a great insight as to how one may try to forget his roots and attempt to move on, but people around will always remind them of their identity and their origins. The children of the Tyagi's in Valmiki's school would bully him by calling him names like "Chuhre ka" meaning someone who belongs to a Chuhra lineage, beat him up and force him to sit on the floor without a mat (Valmiki 3). His teachers also did not leave any stone unturned in trying to force him out of school. They would beat him, punish him for no reason and call him names. The headmaster also forced him to make a broom out of twigs and sweep the entire school including the playground for three continuous days, without even having a sip of water, as it was his family's occupation (Valmiki 5). Apart from studying, Valmiki also worked