SERICUL TURE AND THE PROCESS OF CHANGE - Institute for ...

With a new wave of constitutional protection and privileges, a powerful
change has been underway among the lower castes themselves, realising
their loss of identity in the course of their centuries old oppression.
Sanskritisation has been one form of this emerging consciousness (See
for e.g., Dube 1955; Gough 1970; Srinivas 1962). Nevertheless, while
the changes are more in terms of visible alternatives the inner attitude
,
and invisible prohibitions still continue to have their way in the rural
scenario (e.g., Mencher 1970).
Seripura is not an exception to these processes. The
discrimination of the lower castes had been practised till there was a
visible protest about twenty years ago. Today, all visible discrimination
has been given a go-by. However, some of the traditional services are
still continued, though with better terms and conditions and with less
frequency and amidst protest from the younger generation. The SCs are
still forbidden from entering the living houses of upper castes, though
the space of restriction is dwindling over the years. Pollution is
continued to be observed as regards drinking water, dining, etc. This is
true even among the different SC communities themselves.
Do the sericulture families show any difference? Though the
lower castes have been in agricultural operation for years, their
involvement in sericulture has necessitated an atmosphere of closer
proximity and interaction. This has led to new equations and
relationship. In some cases the terms of labour relations have even
transformed into friendly interactions as evidenced in K K Pura. The
SCs are still kept out of the living premises. If the rearing is within the
living premises, they are kept out of the rearing places also. This is
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