Casteism is not merely a psychological mindset; it is fundamentally an economic structure. In India, the enforcement that specific castes must perform specific occupations, along with the stigmatization of those jobs as inferior, laid the groundwork for caste inequalities.
However, the transformation witnessed over the last 40 to 50 years in this caste structure—particularly in the lives of the Navithars (barbers/traditional healers) and Vannars (washermen)—is of paramount importance to Indian sociological research.
Despite a long lineage of icons from Buddha to the Siddhars, Vallalar, and Periyar continuously raising their voices against caste degradation, the foundational reason for this shift is not just a change of heart or rhetorical speeches; rather, it is the development of the means of production and the resulting shifts in production relations.
The Production of Castes: Manu's Deception and Historical Beginnings
We must examine the origin of castes and the allocation of their respective occupations through both historical and theoretical lenses. Laws of Manu (Manusmriti) proposes a highly deceptive theory regarding the production of castes. Manu classifies those born out of inter-varna mixtures (Sankara Jathis) into new categories of castes. For the new castes generated through this varna mixture, the Manu Dharma systematically prescribed exclusive occupations and assigned them an inferior position in the social hierarchy.
However, Manu Dharma deliberately conceals the fact that all these occupations naturally evolved in human history in tandem with the development of the tools of production.
The Origin of the Barber Profession: In primitive human history—before the discovery of iron and tools like knives—there was absolutely no possibility of shaving hair. During that era, humans must have roamed around with long beards and hair, much like animals. Only after the discovery of iron ore and the creation of production tools like knives did the profession of shaving, and the social need for it, emerge. Yet, Manu Dharma subverted this historically evolved technology into a caste-bound occupation based on the varna-mixture theory.
The Origin of the Washerman Profession: The garment industry shares a similar trajectory. Civilized clothing could have emerged only after humans discovered cotton yarn. Once garments appeared and humans began utilizing them, the necessity to bleach and wash them naturally arose within the community. In the earliest times, individuals must have washed and cleaned clothes on their own to fulfill their personal needs. However, isolating this as a degrading chore meant exclusively for a specific caste was the handiwork of varna-mixture-based oppression.
Thus, the Varna doctrine functioned by imposing historically evolved human technologies as permanent stigmas upon specific groups of people.
The Form of Servitude: The 'Free' Service System
As an extension of this caste doctrine framed by Manu, until about forty or fifty years ago, shaving and washing clothes in rural areas were not viewed as commercial occupations but as 'free services' owed to the dominant castes.
The wages for daily labor were never paid in cash. Women and men of these communities had to walk to the doorsteps of dominant caste households morning or evening, calling out, “Aegali vanthirukkamma” (The washerman has arrived, mother), only to collect leftover porridge (kali/koozh) or stale rice—a thoroughly degrading existence. The plight of the Navithars was no different.
For an entire year of labor, they were given a single bundle of harvested paddy (oru kattu nel) as charity during the harvest season. Because they were deemed "touchable" (unlike the untouchables), they were respected 'to a certain extent' by the dominant castes, but this was never genuine human dignity or recognition of labor; it was merely an extension of the master-slave relationship.
The Tools of Production as Catalysts for Change
Broader economic shifts, urbanization, and migration shattered this system of 'free' and 'bonded' feudal servitude. As people broke free from rural caste surveillance and migrated toward cities, 'service' transformed into 'commerce.' Barber shops (saloons) and laundries emerged as independent businesses. The dynamic of "the laborer waiting at the master's doorstep" was replaced by a new production relationship where the consumer seeks out the laborer's shop and pays cash for the service. This provided them with economic liberation and a measure of moral dignity.
The Role of Technology and the Remaining Contradiction
The development of the tools of production further mitigated the exploitation of their labor. Particularly in the washing sector, technological advancements—such as washing machines, electric iron boxes, modern detergents, and brushes—encouraged many to wash their clothes themselves. Consequently, the direct dependency of dominant castes on the Vannar community dwindled.
However, the barber profession (hairdressing) has not yet evolved to a point where it can be completely self-performed by everyone. It still indispensably requires human labor. Nonetheless, the arrival of modern tools and the proliferation of air-conditioned saloons have converted it into a modern grooming industry, significantly washing away the historical caste stigma associated with it.
This stands as concrete proof that the very occupation structured as a caste-trap by Manu has been refashioned into a source of income and self-respect by the development of the tools of production.
Conclusion
The fact that the caste stigma surrounding the Navithar and Vannar communities has reduced significantly today is primarily due to capitalist changes in production methods and technological growth.
While theoretical debates have their place, if we truly want to eradicate caste in practice, we must dismantle caste-based labor systems using technology. These social transformations forcefully remind us that until production relations and the tools of production are modernized and socialized, the caste hierarchy cannot be entirely broken.
P.Sekar
Advocate
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment