Mala (caste) - Current Conditions

Current Conditions

Malas still live in segregated settlements in rural Andhra,but in urban areas it is not so. Several pioneering members have taken to education after tackling great discrimination and jeering : many farsighted forward caste Hindus as well as Christian missionaries gave them a boost—but the Malas put in the required effort. Overall the community today clearly understands education is the key. Maaku sakti ledu saar—we can't afford it (referring to children's education) is the refrain heard over and over again especially in rural areas. However the womenfolk are showing great determination, utilizing all avenues. The unskilled farm laborers are gradually migrating to the towns and picking up technical subjects as best as they can, and joining the service workers and industrial workers. Some save up money to buy small farms but these are a very small number. The affirmative action programs mandatory on the Government have also helped a very large number to "rise" especially the educational programs. Some members have benefited by joining the various bureaucracies.

The Malas are said to be followers of the Reddis and by extension the Congress Party. This has its roots in the landholdings of the Reddis, where Malas are said to be traditionally employed. Mala Christians, are the result of conversions that had their origin in early 19th century, when missionaries like Father Heyer evangelized parts of Andhra Pradesh. These missionaries, later eatablished educational and cultural institutions of great significance, across the erstwhile state of Madras. Places like Guntur, Kurnool and Rajamundry, received a voluminous boost in terms of education for the masses. This had led to a mass upheaval in the cultural orientation of caste Hindus, as well as converted Malas. Henceforth, a large chunk of the Mala population embraced a biblical culture interspersed with traditional characteristics from Hindu culture. Many theological colleges were established across the state. These Christians from Andhra, found gainful employment in mission schools and colleges, significantly elevating their social position. They now form part of the upper middle class sections of society. The Telugu land has seen umpteen men and women of excellence, in various fields, from the Mala community. Overall, at least in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the Mala-Mahar are forging ahead very rapidly. They are very deeply attached to the works of Dr. Ambedkar. The Mala quarters in villages generally have a statue of Dr.B. R. Ambedkar.