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Who are the Untouchables in India?

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The Untouchable caste in India is a general name for those who did not enter the main castes in India , such as: Brahmins , Kshatriyas , Vaishyas and Shudras . Another accepted name for untouchables is Dalits. Translated from Hindi, it means “oppressed”.

History and Facts

It is not known for sure who was singled out as untouchables, however, there is an opinion that they came from local people who did not fall into the society of conquerors of India. Historically, untouchables engaged in “dirty” (in the opinion of Hindus) work - leatherwork, work with clay, sewage. Members of these oppressed castes lived at a maximum distance from “clean” people, for example, on the outskirts of the city. At present, untouchables in India make up about 20-25% of the population. Untouchables were credited with the ability to “contaminate” “clean” people. Members of these castes, as the name implies, could not be touched, even the presence of Dalits was considered to bring dirt into the room. In the civilized world, they especially like to spread such an interesting point about the untouchable caste:

it is believed that even the shadow of a Dalit should not fall on a “clean” person, otherwise the latter will be “contaminated”.
Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Faxian, who visited India at the beginning of the fifth century, wrote that members of Chandala, one of the untouchable castes, entering the city, tapped on a piece of wood to indicate their presence. Thus, “clean” people heard and avoided these untouchables.

Prohibitions

The list of prohibitions can go on and on, so let’s only indicate the main ones:

  • it is forbidden to enter temples;
  • it is impossible to participate in religious rituals;
  • Dalits can only drink from their own, specially created, cups, there is no question of sharing food with them from one dish;
  • the groom cannot arrive at his wedding on horseback (an ancient custom in India);
  • it is impossible to drink water from the same well with representatives of higher castes;
  • it is impossible to care for representatives of other castes.

Modern Situation

Photo 2

The following was found out for 2014-2015.

  • According to the results of a survey, healthcare workers do not visit 65% of untouchable settlements.
  • Dalits are not allowed into some stores.
  • It is believed that there is discrimination in the education system.
  • The police receive reports that Dalits are often forced (as a form of bullying) to drink urine and eat feces. In March 2015, a seventeen-year-old untouchable girl was set on fire allegedly for getting a place in an educational institution. In September 2015, a naked 45-year-old Dalit woman was forced to eat feces. One of the messages states that a Dalit was forced to drink urine at the police station by the law enforcement officers themselves.
  • At least 27% of Indians recognize the phenomenon of untouchability, that is, they single out Dalits into a separate social stratum.
  • It is difficult for a member of the lower caste to rent land.
  • Despite the improvement of the situation in large cities, where it is difficult to determine their origin, in rural areas, untouchables are still subjected to oppression.

The Struggle for Equal Rights

The struggle for equal rights began in the twentieth century, and it was actively supported by Gandhi. In the 1930s and 1940s, B.R. Ambedkar joined the struggle. He achieved the allocation of jobs for the lower castes, places in higher education institutions and even legislative bodies. Also, thanks to him, a ban on the practice of “untouchability” was written into the constitution, caste discrimination became a criminal offense. Fighting for their rights was not easy. Dalits were very often subjected to violence.

According to statistics, two Dalits were beaten every hour, three untouchable women were raped every day.
The most modest attempts of untouchables to lead a normal life could provoke brutal violence. Many Dalits had to abandon their religion, Hinduism, and convert to Buddhism, Christianity or Islam - being a representative of one of these religions in India, it is slightly easier for a Dalit to live, although they remain with the stigma of “untouchability” for life.

Untouchable castes exist to this day, but the struggle continues.

  • Untouchables break “Dalit” dishes in tableware shops.
  • Illegally go to temples.
  • In 2008, an “untouchable” groom rode a horse under strict police guard.
  • In 2015, a number of laws were revised, the reform was aimed at better protecting Dalits from violence, and violence meant not only physical harm, but also sexual violence and humiliation.
  • Back in the 1990s and 2000s, the formation of Dalit political parties began. The unification of untouchables with other oppressed people made it possible to create an influential social bloc. Soon, Mayawati, a Dalit, became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, a state in India. Mayawati was elected to this position three times, despite the fact that she was a leatherworker (one of the most oppressed strata even among Dalits).
  • In 2008, an untouchable became a judge of the Supreme Court of India for the first time.
  • The most striking victory so far can be considered the fact that in 1997, K.R. Narayanan, a Dalit, became the president of India, although he did not hold the post for long - until 2002.
In short, the problem of the oppression of untouchables still exists, but their situation is gradually improving. Perhaps one day there will be complete equality in India.

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Comments

This thing hasn't been around for so many centuries for nothing. Isn't it a matter of resources and distribution, that is, banal survival, there are as many people as in China. It's one thing if the superstructure gradually drags the basis along, but if you just take and wrest these rights, then it's the end of this India of yours

. In India, Dalits are at their low level. Hindus believe that whoever occupies what level, it's for life. Buddhist philosophy assumes separateness. A sick person lying on the street, but not drunk, will lie there. To the question why not take him to the hospital, you will be answered, it is the karma of a Dalit, he will remain lying there. This is not untouchable there.

Thank you for such an informative article! I didn't know that the caste system still exists in India. It's terrible(( In our age of progress and technology, such treatment of people seems like some kind of savagery. I hope that someday these poor people will achieve equal rights with everyone else and will be able to lead a normal life.

I don't think there will ever be equality in India. This applies not only to India but to the whole world, and to this country in the first place. Despite all the religious hierarchy, it will always be the case that a person strives for something more, especially in the age of information. People begin to question the ideology of their ancestors. Being an outcast is unacceptable. It is gratifying that people who are considered outcasts by everyone are becoming presidents! The human spirit is higher.