BACKWARD CLASSES

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09415777229, 094055338

E-mail- [e-mail];[e-mail]

 

 

 

BACKWARD CLASSES

 

 

 Our woes are numerous. We have suppressed classes and we have also backward classes. The distinction between the two is that the suppressed classes as a rule include only the so-called “untouchables”, whereas, the backward classes refer to those who are mentally and morally behind the other classes. I have made the acquaintance of one such class in Mysore. They are the Lambanis. Since the Belgaum Congress one of them who have received a fair education has been exerting himself for their uplift. They had even a Conference last year and the State contributed a small sum towards its expenses. These appear originally to have come from Gujarat. They are otherwise recognized as gypsies. Their dialect corresponds to Gujarati. The address which they gave me whilst I was passing Arsikere on my way to Hassan was written in Devanagari. The majority of the words in it were Gujarati. The curious student will see the specimens from the address reproduced in Navajivan. He will not fail to notice even the Gujarati grammar in the language of the address. The customs of these people I find described as follows in the address of the President of the Conference: I understand that workers in their midst are now carrying on propaganda to combat the evil customs. Like all backward classes the Lambanis womenfolk are heavily laden with cheap and tawdry ornaments devoid of all art. Like the Raniparaj, the reform amongst these people has gone side by side with the introduction of the spinning-wheel. The yarn which they presented to me of their own spinning was fairly good and fine. These Lambanis number roughly 45,740 in Mysore State alone, and there are many also in British Karnatak. There is work here for many a reformer.