Written by Mahima Kapoor
Dr Gail Omvedt was an American-born Indian sociologist and a human rights activist. She was a prominent writer and has published various books on different subjects like the anti-caste movement, Dalit politics and women’s struggle in India.
Remembering her, a special discussion was held by the Center for Human Dignity and Development (CHDD), Impact, and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI). The discussion was organised under the #WebPolicyTalk series #InMemoriam: Remembering Dr Gail Omvedt: Taking a Perspective of ‘Land, Caste, Class & Gender’ to the Global Audience.
The discussion had an esteemed panel of eminent professors and scholars:
- Prof Vibhuti Patel, Eminent Gender Economist and Feminist, Former Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, acting as a moderator for the session.
- Dr Bharat Patankar, Leading Activist, Shramik Mukti Dal, Peasant Movement, South Maharashtra, Architect, Equitable Water Distribution Movement, Maharashtra.
- Prof Manisha Desai, Department Head, Sociology; Professor of Sociology and Asian and Asian American Studies, University of Connecticut, U.S.A.
- Prof Surinder S Jodhka, Professor of Sociology, Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
- Prof Arvinder A Ansari, Professor, Department of Sociology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
- Prof R Indira, Scholar-in-Residence, Centre for Women’s Studies, Bangalore University, Bengaluru, Former Professor of Sociology, University of Mysore.
- Dr Ajay Gudavarthy, Associate Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
- Dr Umakant, Independent Scholar, New Delhi.
Dr Gail Omvedt’s Background
Prof Vibhuti Patel started the discussion by expressing her personal experience while working with Dr Omvedt on various subjects like the exploitation of women in households and the rights of workers. She also appreciated her scholarly way, her joyful way of living, and the importance of discipline in her life.
She talked about her contribution to the fields of women’s rights and way of living. Further, she elucidated her academic interests and her success in the same field.
Motivations And Goals
Then the stage was taken by Dr Bharat Patankar, who was not only her companion in life but also in her goals and work. He started his talk with the description of her first book, her PhD. The thesis was deeply influenced by Jyotiba Phule.
He highlighted her inspiration and explained her way of working in the field of land and agriculture. He then showcased her determination toward “social democracy and the abolition of caste exploitation and its annihilation”.
He highlighted her opinion on women’s exploitation and her goal of eradicating it from every aspect of the life of a woman. Eradicating it would be a step towards a more favourable and equal society. He proposed his thoughts on the discussion and said that the topic should also include water in it as it impacts lives on various basics.
At last, he expressed his experiences as an activist and a practical theorist. She was very enthusiastic about going to difficult areas, where living without basic life amenities would have been exceedingly difficult, but she was so determined she never spoke a word about the discomfort.
Her Influence
Prof Manisha Desai expressed her condolences and talked about her first encounter with Dr Omvedt after reading her work on the condition of women in western India. She further talked about her global impact on various subjects like transnational feminism and how the brilliant works of Dr Omvedt influenced it as an academic discourse.
Rather than the impact of the works of Dr Omvedt on academicians, her works lit the fire of various intellectual questions in their minds, which led to the development of different theories and ideas.
She also talked about the similarity in the works of Dr Omvedt compared with the significant works on the subject of “Black Feminism”. Similar ideas and influences were found, according to her.
She talked about subaltern feminism and the ideas which Dr Omvedt brought to the subject were incomparable; how she brought conceptions of land and caste or various ecological issues.
Early Experience
Prof Surinder Jodhka expressed his joy at Dr Omvedt being celebrated on various platforms and went ahead and put his opinion of being more alive in a different manner. He talked about the conception of India that is being created today, which is in the minds of everyone.
He went beyond Dr Omvedt’s experience in India and spoke about her youth, her experiences as an activist during the 70s and how they influenced her way of life.
He brought the method of her arguments and works, which are not only significant but notable changes, in the preview of understanding caste in the nation. He presented his opinion on her works as a sociologist and acknowledged her fluency in the subject matter.
He talked about some of the essentials for a peaceful and equal utopian society in which she worked.
Dr Omvedt’s Work
Sociologist, academician, anti-caste activist Gail Omvedt wrote about the social movements against caste, workers’ and peasant movements, religion and co-founded the Shramik Mukti Dal. She passed away yesterday at the age of 80. #gailomvedt #activist #tribute #anticaste pic.twitter.com/9FRYFSIvNi
— Youth Ki Awaaz (@YouthKiAwaaz) August 26, 2021
Prof Arvinder Ansari talked about Jyotiba Phule and his analysis of caste existence and exploitation and talked about Dr Omvedt’s idea of creating a utopian city of Begumpura, the city without sorrow, caste, class, an existing urban structure.
She highlighted her ability of in bringing essential questions for creating a fair society. Her ability to question the status quo was something that made her brilliant in academia.
Not only this, her ability to bring the different conceptions from the thin threads of society which are hidden in the private most of the time, was brought to light by her.
She highlighted how she has a profound influence on the women of India and how it has not only strengthened their opinion and enlightened them but also worked and became their idol.
Dr Omvedt’s Approach to Life
Prof Indira firstly spoke about the experience of meeting Dr Omvedt in person. She was not only a talented writer but also a passionate academician. She initiated various theories on the subject and also highlighted them and brought them to life by working for their better.
She treated her writings not only as theories but as a way of life. She goes on to suggest that the way she led her life is the ultimate way for a social scientist to live. The questions that she brought are not only relevant for Dalit or women-based movements but every start of every movement.
She talked about her love for the local language and how it bridges a connection between the actual stakeholders; it doesn’t detach them.
At last, she suggested a simple and humane approach to living life and working for the better, just like she did and liked, rather than contesting the fear of activism that has been created in the nation.
Her Work From A Political Scientist’s Perspective
Dr Ajay Gudavarthy brought his observation as a political scientist regarding the works of Dr Omvedt. As a political theorist, she was imminent; not only did she propose various ideas but also proved them right in real life through her experiences.
He highlighted that her opinions on Ambedkar are very much right, and her works have been, to a certain extent, influenced by Marx.
He emphasised that she was an exceptionally good political theorist and talked more about reconstruction, unlike any theorist. She also pointed out the difference in the ideas of Marxists about the global south.
He talked about the support of the Bahujan community towards Dr Omvedt. He believes her theories stand out because they were based on her experiences, which were not from a global perspective but at a local level. She has done a tremendous job while bridging the gap between theory and real life.
Involvement With The Bahujan Community
Dr Umakant, answering the first question, mentioned how and why Dr Omvedt was so popular among the Bahujan community. It was how she was connected; she was so reachable and accessible, which made her one of the favourites of the Bahujan community.
He went on and underscored her work as a facilitator of the Bahujan community and the great legacy which was established, being out of the Bahujan community.
According to him, she views every theory or idea with a Bahujan lens. She presents a different opinion about caste, which was different from various famous perspectives. He explained her as a person who has no difference between words and deeds.
He was impressed by the multi-subject level approach in her works and presented it from a different, comprehensive perspective.
After each speaker comprehensively presented their perspective, the floor was open to a discussion where Prof Jodhka concluded his perspective and recommended continuing this discussion.
At last, Prof Nagmani Rao talked about her experience working with Dr Omvedt at remarkably close levels. She highlights the debates on several topics with her. She talked about her day-to-day experience being an activist, the difficulties they faced and the joys they achieved, all along with Dr Omvedt.
The discussion ended with a general vote of thanks while remembering Dr Gail Omvedt.
Acknowledgement: Ayush Aggarwal is a Research Intern at IMPRI.