The Untouchables Who Were They and Why They Became Untouchables ?

by B.R. Ambedkar

The basis adopted by the Census Commissioner for separation is to be found in the circular issued by the Census Commissioner in which he laid down certain tests for the purpose of distinguishing these two classes. Among those who were not hundred percent Hindus were included castes and tribes which :- (1) (1) Deny the supremacy of the Brahmins. (2) (2) Do not receive the Mantra from a Brahmin or other recognized Hindu Guru. (3) (3) Deny the authority of the Vedas. (4) (4) Do not worship the Hindu gods. (5) (5) Are not served by good Brahmins as family priests. (6) (6) Have no Brahmin priests at all. (7) (7) Are denied access to the interior of the Hindu temples. (8) (8) Cause pollution (a) by touch, or (b) within a certain distance. (9) (9) Bury their dead. (10) (10) Eat beef and do no reverence to the cow. Out of these ten tests some divide the Hindus from the Animists and the Tribal. The rest divide the Hindus from the Untouchables. Those that divide the Untouchables from the Hindus are (2), (5), (6), (7), and (10). It is with them that we are chiefly concerned.