The universal belief that educational institutions are a gateway to emancipation, equality and social mobility looks farcical with some of the contemporary images around us. In reality, they are located in a system that is structurally oppressive so they reflect the same disparity. Progressive intellectuals argue that the education system’s role is to maintain this existing dominance and hegemony in societies. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s seminal work Gulamgiri (Slavery, 1873) is a sound criticism which provides a chronological and historical context of Brahmanical hegemony prevalent at powerful and dominant institutions in India. He talks about the systematic invasion and occupation of the Brahmins in the bureaucracy, judiciary and the education system. The early revolutionary attempts made by Mahatma Phule and Savitri Bai in the 19th century against the Brahmanical tyranny hold great relevance in addressing the growing hypocrisy of academia even today.
It should come as no surprise that powerful leadership and authoritative positions, such as those in departmental faculty, administration, and key decision-making committees, are overwhelmingly occupied by dominant upper castes and oppressor castes. Control over the syllabus and curriculum are always in the hands of Brahmin-Savarna academicians, which they use to sustain and consolidate their Brahmanical propaganda.
Another evident manifestation of the Brahmanical regime lies in the politics of the knowledge production system. Dalit-Bahujan and Adivasi knowledge systems have consistently been erased, appropriated and pushed to the periphery of mainstream academia.
by Apeksha Yadav
22/08/2024