Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a prominent figure in Indian history, devoted his entire life to challenging the deeply entrenched caste system that has plagued Indian society for centuries. His unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of marginalised communities, particularly the Dalits, was a revolutionary stance that aimed to bring about social justice and equality. He helped unshackle the Dalit population by rejecting the condemnation of Hinduism and accepting liberation through Buddhism.
The caste system, with its intricate web of discrimination and hierarchy, is a multifaceted issue deeply ingrained in the very fabric of Indian society. Its origins can be traced back thousands of years to the institutionalisation of social stratification based on the Hindu concepts of Karma and Reincarnation. This system has perpetuated inequality, oppression, and injustice, creating a cycle of discrimination that has endured through generations.
This photograph was taken as part of a series about resilience. It captures the lives of a mother and child on the street of Mumbai, making an honest living with nothing but a bicycle cart and each other. The stark truth however, is that despite their hardships, this family continues to persevere, spending their days and nights on the streets, relying on meagre scraps for sustenance. This is not an isolated story. Dalits have had to endure oppression and discrimination in all walks of life.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s picture can be seen in the background, slightly blurred but unmistakably present, adding depth, nuance and historical significance to the photograph and the lives it aims to portray. When I exhibited this artefact (as part of the series), I found it necessary to emphasise the context mentioned earlier. the observation invited some unwanted criticism from dogmatic individuals who claimed that the need for this context was unnecessary and irrelevant, further mocking the work I had presented. Despite claims that the caste system has been eradicated, it remains deeply embedded in daily life, often surfacing in such conversations and interactions. These instances reveal the abundance of caste-based attitudes and language, reflecting how ingrained caste biases are in everyday social behaviour.
Growing up in a pragmatic household, I had the privilege of gaining context and awareness about complex and often taboo discussions surrounding belief. There is so much culture that blossoms from religion and faith; culture that has shaped my experiences and juvenescence. Being surrounded by the rich tapestry of cultural heritage that religion offers, I have had a certain sensitivity to people and their beliefs, regardless of my biases. However, my hesitation in accepting this path as my own has stemmed from a desire to explore beyond the ambivalences of blind faith. Bleak Experiences like the one I mentioned make me feel alienated from a community that not only tolerates, but condones prejudice and cruelty. The juxtaposition of religion and liberty, of faith and skepticism, has been a defining aspect of my personal growth, pushing me to reconcile the familiar with the unknown, and to find harmony in the diversity of human thought and expression.
As the famous adage goes, 'The picture speaks a thousand words', your picture is loaded with a story, a story of hope and love. The picture has also captured a very nuanced message from India's great son, Dr. Ambedkar through his picture in the background. His picture is suggestive of the hope (that he still instills into the downtrodden). But the blurriness of the very picture of the great man in your photo metaphorically captures the despair faced by the dalits and erstwhile untouchables (as they were called then) for whom equality and fraternity are still a distant dream in an unequal and unjust indian society.
The child in the photo is looking behind suggesting euphemistically his gaze backwards as the makeshift vehicle he is riding is ready to move forward. It shows that the emerging generation of the downtrodden castes are still bogged down by the past which halts their ride into the future that awaits them.