Viewing ‘Gendering Caste: Through a Feminist lens’ in
context of History and Culture
The notions of purity and impurity have been the centre
point of discussion for Caste debate for years and the manner this is shown is
through the ritualistic understandings of the same. This, despite being a
critical way to veiew the system is still seen as a Brahmanical notions since
it sidelines the experiences of Dalits, especially females. The beauty of Uma
Chakraborty’s argument is the manner she links class and caste division and
shows their sharp stance inflicting patriarchal power over women. A comparable reading
can be done with reference to the proposal by Ambedkar to abolish all inherited
land (which only recognised males as heirs), as he hoped that doing so would
free women who would eventually help overcome the caste structure.
Being barred
from knowledge and the control of woman sexuality by men even within these
structures (such as through endogamy) simply expands on how intersectionality is
all pervasive. Ideas of marriages and family are closely linked to this
understanding of ‘private’ that has the woman as the center and as something to
be protected as well as a a symbol of tradition and culture. Biographical
accounts of women from lower classes and castes and those from upper castes and
classes show a different picture when compared to the ancient texts like
Ramayan that portrays Sita (but still the victim of a ‘fire test’) to have constant
‘purity’ and devotion for her husband who has the ‘shakti’.
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