In his paper, Batharan argued that the broad categorization of 'Dalits' fails to address specific issues related to hygiene and socio-economic disparities.
Digital Desk: On August 1, the Supreme Court delivered a ruling on the sub-categorization of reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). While the decision received mixed reactions, it also drew attention to an individual named Ravichandran Batharan, whose work has contributed to the ongoing debate.
Batharan, a researcher from Kotagiri in Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu, authored a notable paper titled "The Many Omissions of a Concept: Discrimination Among Scheduled Castes," which was cited in the Supreme Court’s decision. His academic journey includes a PhD from EFLU (English and Foreign Languages University), Hyderabad, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Southampton, South Africa. Although he has previously served as an assistant professor, Batharan now runs a septic tank cleaning company.
Why Start a Septic Tank Cleaning Company?
Batharan’s decision to start this company stemmed from his experiences and observations about the exploitation of the Arunthathiyar community, to which he belongs. This community has historically been assigned the task of cleaning toilets due to the caste system. Batharan, motivated by the exploitation faced by his community, decided to address this issue directly.
He initially aimed to use machines for the task but found that no suitable technology existed. As a result, he chose to personally handle the work, ensuring that his employees would not have to enter the tanks. Batharan, now known as 'Septic Tank Bhai,' also changed his name to Raees Mohammad after converting to Islam in 2022. His company provides fair wages, medical insurance, and improved working conditions for his staff.
Impact of the Supreme Court Decision
Batharan, or Raees Mohammad, views the Supreme Court’s ruling on sub-categorization as a positive step for the Arunthathiyar community. He believes that this decision will allow members of his community to benefit from reservation policies beyond Tamil Nadu and raise awareness about the severe issues faced by the most marginalized within the SC category.
In his paper, Batharan argued that the broad categorization of 'Dalits' fails to address specific issues related to hygiene and socio-economic disparities. He hopes the new sub-categorization will prompt discussions about the oppression of the most disadvantaged castes, marking a historic and revolutionary change in the discourse on caste-based discrimination.
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