Caste and Its Consequences: Understanding Violence in Contemporary India in the Context of Meena Kandasamy’s “One-Eyed” Abstract

Assignment 202-Caste and Its Consequences: Understanding Violence in Contemporary India in the Context of Meena Kandasamy’s “One-Eyed” This blog is part of an assignment for paper 202-Indian English Literature – Post-Independence

Personal Information:

Name: Nirali Vaghela 

Batch: M.A. sem 3 (2024-2026)

Enrollment number:5108240036

Email address : niralivaghela9270@gmail.com 

Roll number:18

Assignment Details :

Topic:Caste and Its Consequences: Understanding Violence in Contemporary India in the Context of Meena Kandasamy’s “One-Eyed”

Paper & subject code: 202- Indian English Literature – Post-Independence

Submitted to: Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Date of submission:7/11/2025

Caste and Its Consequences: Understanding Violence in Contemporary India in the Context of Meena Kandasamy’s “One-Eyed”

Abstract

Meena Kandasamy’s “One-Eyed” reflects caste-based oppression and violence in contemporary India. Using metaphors like “glaring eyes” and “blind streets,” the poem highlights physical, psychological, and structural hardships faced by Dalits while also asserting resistance and collective voice.

Keywords

Caste, Dalit oppression, violence, social exclusion, psychological trauma, resistance, Meena Kandasamy, One-Eyed, structural inequality

Introduction

Caste remains a powerful determinant of social and economic life in India, with Dalits facing exclusion, discrimination, and violence despite legal safeguards. Kandasamy’s “One-Eyed” portrays these realities through vivid imagery, showing both oppression and the resilience of marginalized communities.

“One-Eyed” as a Metaphor for Oppression

The title of Kandasamy’s poem, “One-Eyed”, immediately signals a restricted and partial perspective, representing both the lived reality of Dalits and the deliberate blindness of dominant castes. The “one-eyed” vision symbolizes the constrained agency of those at the bottom of the caste hierarchy, forced to navigate a world that constantly surveils, limits, and marginalizes them. Simultaneously, it reflects societal refusal to acknowledge injustice, capturing the ways caste oppression operates invisibly yet pervasively. This metaphor is crucial for understanding contemporary caste violence, which persists despite legal and constitutional safeguards.

“Glaring Eyes” and the Fear of Violence

The poem repeatedly evokes imagery of watching and being watched, symbolized through “glaring eyes.” This represents the constant threat Dalits face from upper-caste society and the pervasive fear that structures daily life. The “glaring eyes” metaphor extends to both physical and symbolic violence, encompassing attacks, humiliation, and intimidation. In contemporary India, this mirrors real incidents of caste-based aggression, including mob violence, honor killings, and harassment, highlighting that violence is systemic, normalized, and deeply tied to caste hierarchies.

“Blind Streets” and Social Exclusion

Kandasamy’s reference to “blind streets” underscores the social and spatial exclusion imposed on Dalits. These are spaces where societal neglect, indifference, and discrimination prevent access to education, employment, and public life. The poem critiques urban and rural landscapes alike, emphasizing that caste violence is not limited to isolated events but permeates the everyday environment. Modern India reflects this through the persistent denial of opportunities, social ostracism, and restricted mobility, making the metaphor of “blind streets” a powerful symbol of structural inequality.

“The One Who Watches” and Psychological Trauma

The poem also focuses on the internal experience of oppression through the figure of “the one who watches.” This image highlights hyper-awareness and constant vigilance, reflecting the psychological impact of caste discrimination. Dalits must navigate a society where a single misstep can invite humiliation or violence. The poem portrays fear, anxiety, and the internalized oppression that shapes identity and social interactions. Contemporary parallels include the trauma Dalits face from repeated exposure to discrimination, harassment, or casteist violence, illustrating that oppression is both physical and psychological.

“Silent Screams” as Resistance

Despite depicting violence and oppression, “One-Eyed” also communicates resistance through the metaphor of “silent screams.” Kandasamy transforms personal suffering into a collective assertion of dignity, anger, and visibility. These “screams” are not merely expressions of pain but political acts demanding recognition, justice, and social reform. Contemporary Dalit activism and literature echo this same sentiment, using voice, narrative, and art to confront entrenched hierarchies and assert rights. The poem, therefore, serves as both a testimony and a tool of empowerment.

“Fractured Reflections” and Structural Critique

Kandasamy’s imagery of “fractured reflections” highlights the systemic and structural dimensions of caste oppression. Violence is not only the result of individual prejudice but is embedded in societal institutions—law enforcement, judiciary, and education—which often fail to protect the marginalized. The poem invites readers to consider caste violence as a historical and structural phenomenon, sustained over centuries. In contemporary India, legal frameworks such as the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act exist, yet enforcement gaps, societal bias, and institutional apathy often undermine their effectiveness, making structural critique central to understanding caste oppression.

Caste and Its Consequences: Understanding Violence in Contemporary India

Caste in India remains a deep-rooted social hierarchy, placing Dalits and marginalized communities at the bottom. Historical oppression, social exclusion, and denial of resources have fostered systemic inequalities. Despite legal protections like the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, weak enforcement and societal biases allow caste-based violence to persist. This violence manifests as physical attacks, social boycotts, and economic discrimination. Literature, including Meena Kandasamy’s One-eyed, reflects these realities, highlighting the psychological and cultural impact of caste oppression. Understanding caste-linked violence requires examining historical marginalization, structural discrimination, and contemporary social tensions to work toward equity.

Caste and Legal Protections in India:

After independence, the Indian Constitution laid a strong foundation for dismantling caste-based inequalities. Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on caste, while Article 17 specifically outlaws untouchability. Furthermore, affirmative action policies, commonly known as reservation policies, were introduced to promote educational and employment opportunities for SCs and STs.

Several laws were enacted to prevent discrimination and violence. The Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955) aimed to eliminate caste-based restrictions in public spaces. Later, due to the growing realization that discrimination had assumed new and violent forms, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989), or PoA Act, was introduced. This act recognized specific caste atrocities and mandated special courts for speedy trials.

However, despite such frameworks, enforcement remains weak. Pal emphasizes that the slow judicial process, low conviction rates, and insensitivity of local authorities undermine the effectiveness of these protections. Thus, while laws exist on paper, caste-based violence continues in practice.

Changing Patterns of Caste-Based Violence:

According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crimes against SCs have risen steadily. Between 1995 and 2015, registered crimes increased from around 33,000 to 45,000 annually. Among these, atrocities booked under the PoA Act also saw a sharp increase. These include severe forms of violence such as murder, rape, arson, physical assault, and social boycotts.

However, the actual situation is much worse than statistics show. Many crimes are not reported due to:

Fear of retaliation by dominant castes

Social stigma attached to victimhood

Intimidation and pressure to settle the matter privately

Non-cooperation by police officials

Lack of legal awareness among Dalits

Thus, the recorded data represents only a partial picture of the violence experienced by marginalized communities.

Causes Behind Persistent Caste Violence:

Several factors contribute to the continuation of caste violence:

 Control over Economic Resources

Caste-based violence is often linked to disputes over wages, land ownership, access to water, and livelihood. When Dalits attempt to claim rights over land or fair wages, dominant castes respond with violence to maintain power.

 Assertion of Identity

Empowerment through education, political representation, and social awareness encourages Dalits to challenge caste hierarchy. However, this assertion is perceived as a threat by dominant groups, leading to retaliation.

Social Attitudes and Cultural Conditioning

Caste has shaped people’s beliefs for centuries. Even in modern society, discriminatory attitudes persist. Social behavior, marriage norms, and religious practices reflect caste consciousness.

Weak Implementation of Laws

Although protective laws exist, poor enforcement allows perpetrators to escape punishment. Low conviction rates foster a sense of impunity among dominant castes

The consequences of caste violence have deep and lasting impacts:

Social Consequences

Victims and their families often face social exclusion, forced displacement, and public humiliation. Their participation in community life becomes limited, reducing their sense of belonging.

Economic Consequences

Violence can destroy homes, fields, and livelihoods, forcing families into poverty. Court cases and medical expenses add financial burdens, weakening economic stability.

Psychological Consequences

Violence causes trauma, fear, self-doubt, and loss of dignity. Many victims experience long-term emotional suffering, affecting their confidence and ability to participate in society.

Moral and Democratic Consequences

Violence undermines the promise of democracy based on equality and justice. When one section of society lives in fear and insecurity, democratic values lose meaning.

Conclusion

Meena Kandasamy’s “One-Eyed” provides a vivid, metaphor-rich exploration of caste-based violence and oppression in contemporary India. Through images such as “glaring eyes,” “blind streets,” “the one who watches,” “silent screams,” and “fractured reflections,” the poem conveys the physical, psychological, and structural consequences of caste. At the same time, it embodies resistance, giving voice to marginalized communities and demanding recognition and justice. By connecting personal suffering to collective experience, Kandasamy’s poem remains a crucial text for understanding the enduring impact of caste hierarchies, making it a powerful lens for examining social inequality and violence in modern India.

Reference:

Pal, G. C. “Caste and Consequences: Looking through the Lens of Violence.” CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion, vol. 1, no. 1, 2020, pp. 95–110. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48644566. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

Akhtar, Zia. “Scheduled Castes, Dalits and Criminalisation by ‘Descent.’” State Crime Journal, vol. 9, no. 1, 2020, pp. 71–99. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.13169/statecrime.9.1.0071. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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