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Dalit Rights, Dalit Culture, Dalit in India, Dalit Human Rights, Dalit Education and News |
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Dalit Rights
Dalit is a self-designation for a South Asian group of people traditionally
regarded as untouchables (outcastes) or of low caste. Dalits are a mixed
population of numerous caste groups all over South Asia and speak various
languages. It is impossible to differentiate between Dalits and the various c
aste groups on the basis of phenotypes or genetics alone. The caste system is a
social construct among South Asian people.
Dalit in India
While the caste system has been formally abolished under the Indian constitution,
there is still discrimination
and prejudice against Dalits in South Asia. Since independence, significant steps have been taken to provide
opportunities in jobs and education. Other governments in South Asia such as Nepal and Bangladesh have also
implemented policies to improve the living standards of their Dalit population. In the 21st century, Dalits have
begun to assert political control in populous northern states of India such as Uttar Pradesh.
Dalit Cultures
It is the most unfortunate and inhuman tradition of Indian culture that due to the predominance of the Hindu caste
system, the dalits (who are officially known as the Scheduled Castes or whom Gandhi used to call Harijans) always
operated outside the societal framework, leading a life of social segregation. The caste structure, as has already
been said, consisted of four castes and the dalits were not part of it. From the very birth, they were being
assigned to all sorts of menial jobs starting from scavenging to working as labourers in the lands of the dominant
landlords. This practice of confining the dalits to a particular profession, place of settlement and a degraded
social status amounted to a violation of human rights.
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Dalit Human Rights
At the same time, their exploitation by the dominant land
owning castes had the approval and sanction of the socio-cultural context in which they operated. Secondly, there
was no awareness among the dalits about their rights as human beings, on par with the other sections of society.
During the freedom struggle, the dalits came to realize their dignity, wealth and importance though not necessarily their rights. Gandhi was deeply aware of,
and very sensitive to, the question of untouchability and the suffering of the dalits. He sought to increase their social status by identifying himself with
them and addressing them as the children of God or Harijans. He almost carried a crusade against untouchability and the amelioration of the living conditions
of the dalits.
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