The Dalit: Born into a life of discrimination and stigma

Dalit Oppression in India

Dalits are communities belonging to the lowest castes in India, who face discrimination, violence and exclusion based on their birth. They are often considered "untouchable" and less than human by the dominant castes, who control most of the land, resources and social power in the country. Dalits comprise about 25% of India's population and 4% of the world's population, making them one of the most oppressed groups in the world.

Causes of Dalit Oppression

Dalit oppression has its roots in the ancient caste system of India, which divided people into four hierarchical groups based on their occupation and purity. The Dalits were placed at the bottom of this system, and were assigned the most menial and degrading tasks, such as cleaning toilets, handling corpses and disposing of animal carcasses. They were also denied access to education, temples, wells and public spaces, and were subjected to various forms of humiliation and abuse by the upper castes.

The caste system was reinforced by religious texts, laws and customs that justified the unequal treatment of Dalits as part of their karma or divine order. The British colonial rule also exploited the caste system to divide and rule the Indian masses, and imposed policies that further marginalized the Dalits economically and politically.

Despite India's independence in 1947 and the adoption of a constitution that outlawed untouchability and discrimination based on caste, Dalit oppression continues to persist in various forms in modern India. Some of the factors that contribute to Dalit oppression are:

- Economic exploitation: Dalits are often forced to work as bonded laborers, agricultural workers, manual scavengers or domestic servants for meager wages or no wages at all. They are also denied access to land ownership, credit facilities, markets and fair prices for their products. They face discrimination in employment opportunities, wages and promotions in both public and private sectors. They are also disproportionately affected by poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and poor health conditions.

- Social exclusion: Dalits are still segregated from the rest of society in terms of housing, education, health care and public services. They are often denied entry into temples, schools, hospitals, restaurants and other public places. They are also subjected to social boycotts, ostracism and harassment by the dominant castes if they try to assert their rights or dignity. They are also vulnerable to sexual violence, especially Dalit women who face a "triple burden" of gender bias, caste discrimination and economic deprivation.

- Political marginalization: Dalits are underrepresented in the political sphere, both at the national and local levels. They face barriers in exercising their voting rights, such as intimidation, violence or manipulation by the dominant castes. They also face difficulties in accessing justice, as they are often denied legal aid, protection or fair trial by the police, judiciary and administration. They are also victims of false cases, arbitrary arrests and custodial torture by the state authorities.

Struggles Against Dalit Oppression

Dalits have been resisting their oppression for centuries through various forms of collective action, such as protests, movements, organizations and parties. Some of the prominent figures who have led or inspired Dalit struggles are:

- Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (1827-1890): He was a social reformer who challenged the Brahminical hegemony and advocated for the rights of Dalits and women. He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) in 1873 to promote education, inter-caste marriage and social equality among all castes.

- Dr B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956): He was a jurist, economist and politician who drafted the Indian constitution that granted equal rights to all citizens regardless of caste. He also led several campaigns against untouchability and discrimination against Dalits. He founded the All India Scheduled Caste Federation (AISCF) in 1942 to represent Dalit interests in politics. He also embraced Buddhism as a way of liberation from caste oppression.

- Babu Jagjivan Ram (1908-1986): He was a freedom fighter and politician who held several ministerial positions in independent India. He was instrumental in implementing land reforms, abolishing bonded labor and promoting welfare schemes for Dalits. He also founded the Congress for Democracy (CFD) in 1977 to oppose the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi.

- Kanshi Ram (1934-2006): He was a social activist and politician who founded the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 1984 to mobilize Dalits and other oppressed groups under the banner of "Bahujan", meaning the majority. He also coined the term "Dalit" to replace the derogatory term "untouchable". He advocated for a radical transformation of Indian society based on social justice and dignity for all.

- Mayawati (1956-present): She is a politician and the current president of the BSP. She has served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh four times, becoming the first Dalit woman to hold such a position in India. She has implemented several policies and programs to improve the socio-economic condition of Dalits and other marginalized groups. She has also erected statues and monuments of Dalit icons and leaders across the state.

Challenges and Prospects for Dalit Liberation

Dalit liberation is a long and ongoing struggle that faces many challenges and opportunities in contemporary India. Some of the challenges are:

- The rise of Hindutva: The ideology of Hindutva, or Hindu nationalism, promotes a homogenous and hierarchical vision of Indian society based on Brahminical values and norms. It seeks to erase the diversity and plurality of India's cultures, religions and castes, and to impose a uniform Hindu identity on all citizens. It also fosters communal hatred and violence against minorities, especially Muslims and Christians, who are seen as threats to Hindu supremacy. Hindutva poses a serious threat to Dalit rights and dignity, as it seeks to reinforce the caste system and undermine the secular and democratic principles of the Indian constitution.

- The neoliberal policies: The neoliberal policies of economic liberalization, privatization and globalization have resulted in the growth of inequality, unemployment and insecurity in India. They have also eroded the public sector, welfare state and affirmative action programs that provided some relief and opportunities for Dalits. They have also exposed Dalits to new forms of exploitation and exclusion in the market economy, such as contract labor, informal sector, digital divide and environmental degradation.

- The internal divisions: The Dalit community is not a monolithic or homogeneous group, but rather a diverse and complex one that comprises various sub-castes, regions, languages, religions and genders. There are also differences in terms of class, education, occupation and political affiliation among Dalits. These internal divisions often create conflicts and contradictions within the Dalit movement, weakening its unity and strength. They also prevent Dalits from forging alliances with other oppressed groups, such as Adivasis, Muslims, women and workers.

Some of the prospects are:

- The constitutional framework: The Indian constitution provides a strong legal framework for protecting and promoting Dalit rights and interests. It prohibits untouchability and discrimination based on caste, and guarantees equality, liberty, justice and fraternity to all citizens. It also provides for special provisions for the advancement of Dalits, such as reservations in education, employment and political representation. It also empowers the state to enact laws and policies to prevent atrocities against Dalits and ensure their welfare.

- The civil society activism: The civil society activism refers to the various forms of social action by non-state actors, such as NGOs, media, academia, artists, lawyers, human rights defenders and ordinary citizens. It plays a vital role in raising awareness, mobilizing support, providing services, monitoring violations and advocating for change on behalf of Dalits. It also creates spaces for dialogue, debate and dissent among different stakeholders on issues related to Dalit oppression.

- The global solidarity: The global solidarity refers to the international networks and movements that support Dalit struggles in India. It includes various actors such as UN agencies, foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, transnational NGOs, diaspora groups and individuals. It helps in exposing the human rights violations against Dalits in India to the global community, generating pressure on the Indian government to comply with its obligations under international law. It also provides resources, expertise, platforms and recognition to Dalit activists and organizations.

Conclusion

Dalit oppression is a grave injustice that affects millions of people in India and beyond. It is a product of a historical system of caste-based discrimination that has been perpetuated by various social, economic and political forces. It is also a challenge to the ideals of democracy, secularism and human rights that India claims to uphold.

Dalit liberation is a noble cause that deserves the support of all progressive forces in India and abroad. It is not only a matter of justice for Dalits, but also a matter of dignity for all humanity. It is not only a goal for Dalits, but also a means for transforming Indian society into a more inclusive, egalitarian and harmonious one.

Source: 

(1) Freedom from oppression and discrimination: the struggles of the Dalit .... https://panap.net/2017/06/freedom-from-oppression-and-discrimination-the-struggles-of-the-dalit-women-in-tamil-nadu/.

(2) Hathras case: Dalit women are among the most oppressed in the world - BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54418513.

(3) Understanding and tackling the causes of social oppression in India. https://www.lse.ac.uk/Research/research-impact-case-studies/2021/understanding-and-tackling-the-causes-of-social-oppression-in-india.

(4) The Struggle Against Dalit Oppression in India - International Viewpoint. https://internationalviewpoint.org/IMG/pdf/the-struggle-against-dalit-oppression-in-india_a6754.pdf.

(5) Condition of Dalits in India - iPleaders. https://blog.ipleaders.in/condition-dalits-india/.

FAQ's

What are the major issues of Dalits in India?

This system is maintained through the rigid enforcement of social ostracism in case of any deviations. Who are Dalits? Dalit women and multiple discrimination Dalit women in India live in both in a society divided along caste lines and a highly patriarchal society. ... Bonded labor. Forced prostitution.

What is the most oppressed caste in India?

Dalit (from Sanskrit: दलित, romanized: dalita meaning "broken/scattered"), also previously known as untouchable, is the lowest stratum of the castes in the Indian subcontinent. Dalits were excluded from the four-fold varna system of Hinduism and were seen as forming a fifth varna, also known by the name of Panchama.

What is the current situation of Dalits in India?

What is the current situation of Dalits in India?

In India there are approximately 240 million Dalits. This means that nearly 25% of the population is Dalit. It also means that in a country, where everybody is supposed to have equal rights and opportunities, 1 out of 5 persons is condemned to be untouchable.

Which is the biggest Dalit massacre in India?

As per Deep Halder — author of Blood Island: An Oral History of the Marichjhapi Massacre — 1,700 Dalits were killed on January 31, 1979. While different accounts give different numbers, all agree that this was a methodically planned massacre.