Joothan is about the life a person from a backward community (an untouchable caste) from north India getting an education. The question he asks in the end that why does he have to be discriminated against because he was born in to an dalit family is poignant. He also asks why the hindus who love animals and nature do not like dalits.
The question we ask is do hindus in general love nature? The ones who do do not hate dalits either. All through the book we see kind and good hindus along with the bad ones. But surely, the religion is always better than the ones that claim to practice it. Compelling reading about how the spirit triumphs all evil. Caste system was slavery in its worst form. I am glad people have written about it and I can read it because of English translations.
The jewish people seek justice against Nazis but never asked for the wrongs they faced for centuries in Europe before holocaust. Can there be justice? Similarly I wonder whether the dalits of India will ever get justice for the wrongs they faced for centuries.
The book also discusses the dilemma the author faces about keeping his name and the loss of perks associated with the name. But changing your name and hiding your history is playing in to the hands of the upper castes who want to claim that all
thinkers, philosophers, and decent people can only be among them.
The hatred society feels towards the dalits is not so much about the people but the work they do. More dignity of labor will change perspective and we will thank the janitor who keeps us all safe and healthy instead of loathing him.
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