Part - II. TOWARDS FREEDOM (of the book - Outcaste : A Memoir)

In part - II titled "Towards Freedom", Sonu and Damu embark on a challenging journey as they escape from Ozar, navigating a landscape of fear and uncertainty. Their path is fraught with social constraints and physical hardships, emphasizing the struggles faced by marginalized individuals in their society. Damu's refusal to participate in the traditional Yeskar duty, inspired by the teachings of Babasaheb Ambedkar, marks a turning point in their lives. The incident that catalyzes their escape occurs when Damu is beaten for rejecting the obligation to remove a corpse from a well, showcasing the brutal realities of caste discrimination. As they flee, Sonu reflects on her arranged marriage and the initial struggles she faces in adjusting to married life in Mumbai.

In her recollections, Sonu reminisces about their life in Mumbai, which is characterized by poverty, joblessness, and the heavy burden of Yeskar duties. She recalls Damu’s growing frustration with the caste system and his unwavering determination to fight for dignity against an oppressive framework. Sonu also expresses her longing to visit her parents and the desperation that permeates their lives in the bustling city, reinforcing the emotional toll of their circumstances.

Damu’s memories further illuminate his resolve. He reflects on his initiation into Babasaheb Ambedkar's movement, which profoundly impacts him, empowering him to challenge caste-based traditions. His vivid memories of the Mahad Satyagraha, a crucial event wherein the untouchables assert their right to access water, underline the sacrifices made in the face of backlash from upper castes. These experiences fortify Damu’s commitment to stand against injustice and reclaim his dignity.

From Sonu's perspective, she also grapples with the complexities of her arranged marriage. Initially filled with fear and shyness, she faces numerous challenges in adapting to married life in Mumbai. She vividly recounts her first night with Damu, navigating the cultural expectations surrounding marriage and intimacy. As she reflects on their early days together, including a visit to Lord Khandoba, Sonu begins to appreciate Damu’s tenderness and strength, deepening her emotional connection to him.

Damu also shares insights into his childhood in Ozar, marred by poverty, hunger, and the harsh realities of caste discrimination. He narrates the struggles faced by his family and the communal duties imposed on the Mahar caste, revealing the internal hierarchies that exist within the untouchable communities. His recollections of famine, disease, and the loss of loved ones further highlight the resilience and resourcefulness of his people amid dire circumstances.

As Damu and Sonu continue their journey, they share stories and experiences that shape their understanding of caste and discrimination. Damu recounts a childhood incident where he was denied water due to his caste, an event that ignites his awareness of social inequality. Similarly, Sonu reflects on her experiences of being treated as an outcaste, recalling moments of humiliation and exclusion that resonate deeply with her.

The narrative also delves into the vibrant atmosphere of the jatra, a significant village festival filled with celebrations, sacrifices, and community gatherings. Highlights of this festive event include cockfighting, folk dances, and the election of a caste tribunal to address community issues. Elders play a vital role, sharing local matters while distributing peanuts to the children, capturing the simple joys and close-knit nature of their community.

Towards the end of the chapter, there is a shift in focus as Damu and Sonu reflect on their experiences, particularly the challenges they encountered, including the incident involving Tulsirambaba and their eventual departure from the village to Mumbai. Leaving Ozar represents a pivotal change for them, spurred by a scandal involving Madhav and accusations related to a high-caste woman. Damu finds himself questioning Sonu’s choice to marry him, acknowledging the differences between them and hinting at deeper emotional complexities that underpin their relationship.

Summary of "Outcaste: A Memoir" by Narendra Jadhav. Part I

Outcaste: A Memoir is a memoir written by Narendra Jadhav which records the struggles of Jadhav family against caste oppression in Maharashtra. The narrative features his father’s unbending spirit to survive caste discrimination, glimpses of dalit cultural life, the inspiration of Ambedkarite thought in articulating dalit resistance and the journey of the family towards success. The book is divided into four parts; Part I - Up Against the Bondage, Part II- Towards Freedom, Part III- The Struggle and Part IV- The Making of the Second Generation. 

Part I - UP AGAINST THE BONDAGE

The memoir "Outcaste" follows Damu, a young man in his twenties, as he undertakes his Yeskar duty in his village, a role that involves announcing the arrival of a senior revenue official, the Mamledar. Damu runs barefoot, out of breath, singing praises of the Mamledar to alert the villagers of the official's visit. After escorting the Mamledar back, Damu feels tired and hungry, looking forward to having hot tea and bhakris at home.

However, his day takes a grim turn when a policeman approaches him and informs him that a dead body has been discovered in a broken well. He orders Damu to guard the corpse until the police inspector, the Fauzdar, arrives. The constable threatens Damu, emphasizing the serious consequences if anything happens to the corpse, leaving Damu anxious but obliged to comply.

As Damu stands guard, he hesitantly approaches the well only to be horrified by the sight of the disfigured body of a woman in white garb, previously a widow. As darkness falls and the stars emerge, Damu grapples with his hunger and the desire to go home but ultimately decides to stay vigilant. The constable returns and further chastises Damu, calling him a “lowly outcaste” and dismissing his pleas to inform his wife about his absence.

Dawn breaks, and villagers arrive, gossiping about the dead woman and speculating on the causes of her death. Damu listens to their speculative gossip, which ranges from thoughts of suicide to the character of the deceased. Meanwhile, he struggles with hunger while waiting for Fauzdar, hoping the police will soon take action and allow him to return home.

At last, one of Damu’s cousins, Namya, arrives with bhakris sent by Damu’s wife, Sonu. However, as Damu prepares to eat, the constables return and violently disrupt his moment, scattering the food on the ground. Damu feels a deep sense of injustice, angering at the dispassionate cruelty of the police. Although he wishes to eat openly, he fears the backlash. Namya encourages him to hide while eating, but Damu challenges this notion, asserting his humanity against systemic oppression.

When the Fauzdar arrives, he acts with arrogance, demanding Damu retrieve the body from the well, which Damu declares would be sacrilege, as the deceased woman belongs to a high caste. The Fauzdar responds with threats and aggression, humiliating Damu further and compelling him to act against his moral compass. As tension escalates, Damu stands his ground, proclaiming his dignity and resistance to being treated as less than human.

The situation erupts into chaos as Damu defiantly calls out against the Fauzdar's abuse. This catches the attention of the onlookers, and Damu finds himself facing a violent beating from the constables. Despite the physical punishment, he vows not to bow down to their authority, demanding recognition of his plight as a Mahar.

Eventually, a village headman, Patil, intervenes, shocked at Damu's condition. He insists Damu be taken home and tries to soothe the outrage sparked by the beating. However, the injustice felt by Damu remains potent, and as he leaves, Patil calls out to the deceased woman’s family, noting their apparent shame in acknowledging her death.

The part I of the memoir concludes with Damu and his wife, Sonu, planning to escape the oppressive environment of the village due to the trauma and humiliation faced. Damu's determination to leave represents both a refusal to accept his societal position and a yearning for liberation from the pervasive injustice he has endured. Together, they set out toward an uncertain but hopeful future, seeking freedom from the systemic oppression inherent in their lives.

"HOUSE OF A THOUSAND DOORS" by Meena Alexander

HOUSE OF A THOUSAND DOORS

by Meena Alexander

This house has a thousand doors 

the sills are cut in bronze 

three feet high 

to keep out snakes, 

toads, water rats 

that shimmer in the bald reeds 

at twilight 

as the sun burns down to the Kerala coast. 

The roof is tiled in red 

pitched with a silver lightning rod, 

a prow, set out from land's end 

bound nowhere. 

In dreams 

waves lilt, a silken fan 

in grandmother's hands 

shell coloured, utterly bare 

as the light takes her. 

She kneels at each 

of the thousand doors in turn 

paying her dues. 

Her debt is endless. 

I hear the flute played in darkness, 

a bride's music. 

A poor forked thing, 

I watch her kneel in all my lifetime 

imploring the household gods 

who will not let her in.

IDENTITY CARD (Poem) by S Joseph

IDENTITY CARD by S Joseph

Translated by K. Satchidanandan

In my student days

a girl came laughing

Our hands met mixing

her rice and fish curry

On a bench we became 

a Hindu-Christian family

I whiled away my time

reading Neruda’s poetry;

and meanwhile I misplaced 

my Identity Card.

She said,

returning my card: 

'the account of your stipend

is entered there in red’

These days I never look at 

a boy and a girl lost in themselves. 

They will part after a while.

I won't be surprised even if they unite. 

Their Identity Cards

won't have markings in red.