Matang Community Of Maharashtra: Re-Examining Inequality From Within
By Swapnil Dhanraj
16 April, 2014
Countercurrents.org
The Dalits of Maharashtra, marginalized in various spheres will be celebrating 123rd birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar on 14th April. Ambedkar, who was highly educated of his times, dedicated his entire life for the cause of social reform. When he drafted the Indian constitution, he made it sure that he gives representation and social justice to the people who were at the margin of the society and oppressed for several decades. After independence the glint of reservation Dalits could make their way out to reach to the inaccessible fields of education which led them to see social and political reform as an ultimate goal of their lives.
However, certain things go unnoticed when we look at Dalits in Maharashtra as a homogenous category. There are subgroups within the Dalits which are yet to get proper representation from the constitutional safeguards. There are three major groups of Dalits in Maharashtra which are namely, Mahar, Mang/ Matang, and Chambhar (Cobbler). The first two communities Mahar and Mang are in majority and spread across the state under various nomenclatures. The two communities which are vibrant in their efforts to bring social change within their respective communities face certain challenges, especially the latter. Mang (Matang in sophisticated way) is the largest community after Mahars. This community which has socio-cultural and economic importance in its past is neglected in socio-political and educational spheres. They are fretful because of the fact that the constitutional opportunities are largely ripped by the Mahar community which creates certain issues of equal representation in Maharashtra. It is in this context this article will be reflecting upon the internal differences and demands of representation of the Matang community.
There is a big dichotomy between these two communities when it comes to education and development. The Mahars who accessed the employment and education opportunities were pushed out of their traditional jobs before the independence. This community was engaged in un-skilled occupations and employed in the military, in dockyards and factories in various urban parts of Maharashtra. Later, by adopting the way of education they were also employed in various government sectors. The Mang community which was still engaged in the ‘Balutedar’ system in the village could not make its way out of the oppressive village caste system. After independence also they could not sufficiently get a dignified place within the Dalit community and in society at large. The demands of ‘quota within quota’ have flourished over the period of time since this community has gained social consciousness of their status in the society.
There is a myth that the Matangs were against the Ambedkarite movement. The Matang community foresees the possibility of accepting Annabhau Sathe as a Dalit icon who contributed to the agenda of annihilation of caste through his seminal literature. The contribution of Annabhau Sathe remains largely neglected due to his initial association with the communist movement. However, his image is upheld by the community as their leader which inspires them to fight against inequality and or social justice. His writings have helped to strengthen the assertion of this community. Though the Matang community celebrates Annabhau Sathe as its leader, they harmoniously follow Ambedkar as an icon of the Dalit movement.
In conclusion, the need to bring this community in the mainstream is the need of the hour. There is also a need these two communities to come together along with others to develop a vision of equality. Moreover, to empower this community the provision of separate reservation in education, and employment spheres becomes ineluctable. To bring this community on one platform with other communities will only fulfill the vision of Ambedkar for Equality, Liberty and Fraternity.
Swapnil Dhanraj is a Ph.D Scholar at Center for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
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