Karma doctrine casts Untouchables as serving a self-imposed prison sentence

Evidence

As if the dharma of varnashrama were not enough, there is also the burden of karma. Those born into the subordinated castes are supposedly being punished for the bad deeds they have done in their past lives. In effect, they are living out a prison sentence. Acts of insubordination could lead to an enhanced sentence, which would mean another cycle of rebirth as an Untouchable or as a Shudra. So it’s best to behave. — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 46

Categorization

• XREF: The ‘prison sentence’ framing of karma resonates with the reader’s interest in how belief systems rationalize and police hierarchy.