Question

Who among the following political thinkers said, "Virtue has become caste-ridden and morality has become caste-bound"?

• A. M. K. Gandhi
• B. B. R. Ambedkar
• C. V. D. Savarkar
• D. Pandita Ramabai

Hint:

For Ambedkar, the Caste System is the enemy of Fraternity and Universal Morality. He believed that as long as caste exists, true social reform is impossible.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a profound critic of the Hindu social order. His critique centered on how the caste system petrifies social ethics and prevents the development of a universal moral conscience.

Step 1: The Sociology of Caste.
Ambedkar argued that caste is not just a division of labor but a "division of laborers." In his view, the rigid boundaries of caste prevent individuals from feeling a sense of fraternity toward those outside their specific group. This leads to what he termed "asceticism of the soul," where one's concern is limited only to their own caste members.

Step 2: The Enclosure of Morality.
The quote in the question highlights his belief that in a caste-based society, "virtue" is not an abstract human quality but is defined by one's adherence to caste rules. If a person follows their caste duties (*Varna Dharma*), they are considered virtuous, even if those duties involve the oppression of others. Thus, morality becomes "caste-bound" rather than universal.

Step 3: Annihilation of Caste.
In his seminal work, *Annihilation of Caste*, Ambedkar explains that for a true democracy to exist, the caste system must be destroyed. He believed that only when morality is freed from the shackles of caste can a society achieve "Social Endosmosis"—the free flow of sympathy and shared experiences among all citizens.