WAITING FOR A VISA

The book is divided into six episodes each recounting incidents of social humiliation and exclusion that Ambedkar and others endured due to their caste. In the opening episodes Ambedkar narrates childhood experiences including his family’s struggle to access basic services such as water and transportation. He vividly describes an incident where he was denied water on a journey emphasizing the dehumanizing treatment meted out to Dalits. Later episodes extend beyond personal anecdotes to illustrate the pervasive nature of caste-based discrimination in public life. Ambedkar recounts incidents from his adulthood including the difficulty he faced renting accommodation despite his academic achievements. He also documents cases of caste violence and atrocities experienced by other Dalits showcasing the systemic and violent enforcement of untouchability in rural and urban India. Ambedkar uses these stories to make a compelling argument for social reform and legal safeguards to eradicate caste discrimination. He stresses the importance of education equality and constitutional measures in ensuring the dignity and rights of Dalits. Waiting for a Visa remains a poignant and vital text shedding light on the lived realities of caste oppression and serving as a call to action for justice and equality.