The term 'Social-Justice' consist by two words: one is social and second is justice The term

'social' is concern with all human beings who lives in society and term 'justice' is related
with liberty, equality and rights. Thus social justice is concerned with to ensure liberty,
provide equality and maintain individual rights to every human being of society. In other
words, to securing the highest possible development of the capabilities of all members of
the society may be called social justice. In this sense the core value of concept of justice is
human equality, equal distribution of welfare materials and discrimination less society.
Social justice means availability of equal social opportunities for the development of
personality to all the people in the society, without any discrimination on the basis of caste,
sex or race. No one should be deprived, because of these differences. The issue of social
justice is associated with social equality and social equality and social rights are dependent
on economic equality and rights. Social justice can be made available only in a social
system where the exploitation of man by man is absent, and where privileges of the few
are not built upon the miseries of the many. Social Justice implies that all benefits and
privileges in society should be shared by all its members. If any group in society has
suffered from structural inequalities inherent in the social system special care should be
taken to remove such structural inequalities.

Dalit community is regarded as a group of people who have been victims of exploitation
and traditionally considered as untouchables and socially considered an inferior class. They
have had physical labour as a means of livelihood and from religious point of view all the
principles and beliefs were laid down to humiliate and exploit them. Several Dalits have got
converted to Christianity, Buddhism and other religions as a consequence of caste system
and depicts exploitation and injustice. The main concern from a modern perspective is
towards social justice that demands social reform and improvement in the condition of the
depressed class to be able to lead a respectable life. Social disparity was prevalent in India
since ancient times. Hence, to attain social justice was not easy.

“Varna system”, was entrenched in the Indian society. There was distribution of labour. A
“Shudra” changed his/ her path if he/ she came in the way of a “Brahmin”. The entry of,
“Shudras”, in the temples was prohibited. This social system established by the “Brahmins”
had spread all across the Indian society like cancer. It was impossible to imagine about
social justice in such a situation. Social justice is based on equal distribution of means,
resources, materials, services, facilities, benefits, opportunities, power, duties and
responsibilities and social equality at large. Social inequality prevailed in India since
ancient times and this prevented social justice. The caste system in the Indian society
deprived the “Shudras” of social, economical and political rights. Mahatma Gautam
Buddha, Gurunanak, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda,
Sant Kabir, Ravidas, Mahatma Jyotibaphule, Mahatma Gandhi are some of the prominent
names known to promote social justice. One of the prominent personalities who devoted his
entire life for the upliftment of the socially deprived and whose name is written in golden
letters is, “Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar”. Dr. Ambedkar considered the struggle for
the cause of Dalits more important than the struggle for independence. Dr. Ambedkar
firmly believed that the ultimate solution to this problem lied in complete eradication of the
caste system and giving adequate participation to Dalits in governance. As an architect of
the Constitution of India, Dr. Ambedkar introduced a system of reservations for the
members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes. “Varna”, is the
term for the four broad castes into which traditional Hindu society is divided: the Brahmins
who were priests, teachers, preachers; the Kshatriyas who were kings, governors, warriors,
soldiers; the “Vaishyas who were cattle herders, agriculturists, artisans, businessmen,
merchants; the Shudras who were labourers and service providers and performed functions
of serving the other three varna. Dalits were exploited and convinced that in the eyes of
God, they were born as Dalits due to their bad karma. Dalit status was associated with
occupations regarded as ritually impure, such as, leatherwork, butchering or removal of
rubbish, animal carcasses and human waste. Dalits worked as manual labourers cleaning
streets, toilets and sewers. Dalits were physically segregated from the society and were
required to stay outside villages. They could not enter a temple or a school, they were not
allowed to draw water out of the community well, they could not come in the way of upper
caste people and other castes took elaborate precautions to prevent incidental contact with
Dalits as it was believed that merely touching them would lead to loss of sanctity; hence
known as untouchables. Unlike the other three upper castes, Shudras were completely
deprived of their fundamental rights. India was ruled by numerous rulers but no regime
could wipe out this social evil. Many social reformers emerged from time to time and
influenced the society with their preachings and efforts in the direction of overall social
upliftment.
Gautam Buddha believed in the philosophy of Karma and encouraged everyone to have
compassion for eachother. Guru Nanak spread the message of unity amongst people of
different religions. In “Khalsa Panth”, all individuals are considered equals. There are no
caste based divisions.He gave the slogan that God is one and all the individuals are one i.e.
united and have originated from the same creator. This message was important for the
redemption of Dalits. Sadguru Kabir asked the people to renounce caste and empty pride.
All humans originate from the same creator sharing the same flesh and blood. Humanity is
the true caste and one who attains consciousness, attains true knowledge.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy instead of the caste system believed only in single united society
and worked for the cause. Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Swami Vivekananda are
amongst the prominent social reformers who raised their voice to provide social justice to
Dalits and the weaker section. They emphasized on the need to educate Dalits. Swami
Dayanand Saraswati established the, “Aarya Samaj”, in 1875 and emphasized on building
up a society free of caste system. He was against untouchability.
Social reformists always tried to convey the message that the fundamental teachings of all
religions were based on principles of love, compassion, equality, justice, truth, kindness.
The medieval India witnessed unrestrained atrocities on Dalits. The feudalistic system
lead to the brutal exploitation and harassment of the lower class by the upper class and this
system in the society was being nurtured. Saints and social reformers like Kabir, Nanak,
Ravidas made constant efforts and condemned the immoral deeds and the atrocities of the
upper caste on the lower caste. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule is known to promote social justice.
He made a lot of effort towards the upliftment of the untouchables and initiated a number of
movements for their development. He gave the slogan that for all the human beings there is
one religion, one caste and one God. He made a lot of effort to provide social justice to the
weaker section.
Gandhiji proclaimed that without prohibiting untouchability independence has got no
meaning. Untouchability is a hollow concept and is in no way related to the intellectual or
moral development of the people. Gandhi ji addressed the untouchables as, “Harijans”, and
had a lot of affection for them. He used to stay amidst them and used to eat and drink with
them. He even wished that if he were to take birth again, he would like to be reborn as an
untouchable so that he could be a part of the pain, distress, agony, sufferings, hardships
and insults suffered by them and could liberate himself and others from this pitiable
condition. In order to prevent untouchability he emphasized on the need of entry of
Harijans into the temples. He believed that there could be no better solution than this in
order to generate the feeling of self respect in untouchables and changing the perceptions
of the upper castes. He advised the Hindus to adopt Harijan children and give them due
place in their families and nourish and nurture them like their own kids. Gandhiji preached
Harijans not to eat flesh, not to drink alcohol, not to gamble and stay away from criminal
and immoral practices and addictions, and not to accept the leftovers of others.

Since the ancient times, Dalits were deprived of all kinds of social, religious and
political rights. They were kept as slaves of the upper classes. But after centuries, now,
social, religious and political awareness and awakening has taken place and the credit goes
to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. The modern age education has brought revolutionary changes.
After India attained independence, Dalits also got the constitutional rights to live. Hence
they want to use their constitutional rights for the progress and upliftment of Dalit
community.
Social rights can only be promoted if dignity of all the human beings is accepted in
social life. Nobody should be considered superior or inferior based on gender, colour, caste,
religion, region etc. Everyone should receive equal opportunities for education and progress
and all human beings together should be able to avail the means and resources related to
literature, art, culture, technology etc.
Dr. Ambedkar emphasized on creating social, economic and political awareness amongst
the depressed class as they will not be able to defend their rights due to lack of awareness.
Dr. Ambedkar came from a humble background and had to struggle for his livelihood.
Despite the struggle, he gave more importance to his goal of eradicating the adversities and
injustice that prevailed in the society. As Dalits were the most distressed; to liberate them
from their sufferings became his prime objective .In 1924, Dr. Ambedkar formed an
organization named, “Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha”. The various objectives of the
organization included promoting education and culture amongst Dalits community,
providing hostels, running libraries etc. The organization took up the responsibility to
liberate the untouchables of their pitiable condition. Dr. Ambedkar paved way for the
upliftment of the social status of Dalits. He spread the message that self help is the best
form of help. It is this belief that can encourage the untouchables and Dalits follow the path
of progress. In this way the formation of , “Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha” marked the
beginning of an era of self support and self respect.