Visakhapatnam: Caste continues to impact every facet of human life and the centuries-old ‘apartheid’ is still the governing factor in building and strengthening the human relations, said Prof. K.S. Chalam. UPSC former member and chairman of the Institute for Economic and Social Justice.
He was speaking at the valedictory function of the two-day national seminar on 'Caste Rigidities and Social Protest in South India, organised by the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy of Andhra University.
Prof. Chalam said, “It was only due to Dr. Ambedkar's untiring efforts and crusade against the casteist oppressive practices, Dalits today are able to get benefits through constitutional and legal rights.”
Andhra University registrar Prof. V. Umamaheswara Rao stated caste was a major divisive force and was deeply rooted in society and some measure of social change in the caste-ridden society could be seen only after India attained Independence.
Executive Council member Prof. M. Prasada Rao said rigid social structures were responsible for several campaigns and protest movements against caste system in India in general and South India in particular.
Seminar convener and centre director Dr P. Subba Rao explained the theme-wise deliberations and thanked the participants from different parts of the country.
