Caste in India: Social Discrimination against the Dalit Community

The reporting of a horrific incident in South Mumbai alerts us to how the Dalits are treated in the country despite all our grand talk of treating them as equals. In this incident, a 22-year old Dalit woman was paraded semi-naked on street. The incident took place after a group of upper-caste men and women attacked her house and beat her, and later stripped her. The girl alleged caste-hatred behind the attack. Well, such incidents no longer shock us anymore because we have learned to accept that these incidents are prevalent in India. As educated citizens look at these incidents with disinterest, the issues pertaining to the practice of untouchability or social discrimination on the basis of caste will continue to increase.

Caste in India: Dalits are Treated Worse than Animals

Caste in India has oppressed the growth and development of the Dalits. In the Indian caste system, the Dalits fall under the category of ‘untouchables’ and now the community is classified as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST). According to the 2001 census, the Dalits constitute 16% of the total Indian population. As members of the lowest strata of the Indian society, the Dalits face social discrimination in various phases of life. In many homes, they are considered ‘unlucky’ and not allowed to enter. In schools, in offices and even in places of worship, the Dalits are treated worse than animals. Though considered as ‘untouchables,’ the Dalit women are sexually harassed, exploited and raped by men of other castes. Human rights violations take place everyday against the Dalits though the Constitution of India safeguards their rights. Now, the concept of caste has spread its roots far and wide, taking firm roots even in neighboring South Asian countries like Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Caste in India: Social Discrimination Against Dalits is a ‘Blot on Humanity’

Indian law does not permit the practice of caste system but even now, a majority of Indians believe that caste in India is essential when it comes to important decisions such as marriage. Under the Hindu caste system, individuals were said to belong to castes based on their job status in society. It was perhaps not a structure that was envisioned to bring chaos when implemented by these groups of people. However, like most principles that got twisted over time when practiced incorrectly, the caste system became misused and abused. Those who occupied higher status used it as a means to ill-treat and exploit others who were in the lower side. Traditionally, the Dalits were known as those who performed the ‘fithiest’ jobs in the society. However, in 1950, untouchability was declared illegal in India.

According to a report published in Times of India on 8 December, 2006, around 38% Dalits in urban areas and 36% Dalits in rural areas live below the poverty line. More than 45% of Dalits work as agricultural laborers. A report dated August 15, 2006, published in Hindustan Times states that the Dalits are denied access to water in 48% of villages. Believe it or not, another report by India Business Insight Database (IBID) states that the Dalits are prohibited to enter to 28% of police stations, and 73% villages do not allow Dalits to enter into non-Dalit homes and 33% public health workers do not visit Dalit homes at all.

In a speech made on December 27, 2006,  India’s Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh stated, “The Dalits have faced a unique discrimination in our society that is fundamentally different from the problems of minority groups in general. The only parallel to the practice of ‘untouchability’ was Apartheid. Untouchability is not just social discrimination. It is a blot on humanity.” Indeed, his words are true and unfortunate at the same time.