What is a Dalit?
In the Indian caste system, a dalit is someone who is without caste. There are several other terms for dalits, including untouchables, outcastes, kanjjar, bhangi, harijan, and chura. “Dalit” is the more socially acceptable term, adopted to express the systemic impression which people without caste have endured over thousands of years of Indian culture. Numerous organizations have lobbied to change the way that dalits are treated in Indian society, and a number of laws have been passed in attempts to outlaw discrimination. The Indian caste system is quite complex, and based in the Hindu religion although people of all religions are divided into castes in India, along with several other nations. For thousands of years, caste was a crucial determining factor in where someone fit into society, and the rigid system did not have room for social climbing or efforts against discrimination. There are four castes in India, also known as varnas; people who do not fall into any caste are considere
” My friend, who is an MBA from an Ivy League college but also cocooned as far as caste distinctions go, mumbled something inadequate about “untouchables” and backward class discrimination. His daughter look puzzled and retorted, “So are they OBCs?” The reason I have reconstructed part of their conversation is to highlight two very amazing, contradictory and disturbing points: 1) The youth of today are extremely conscious of societal distinctions. 2) The children of Generation X and previous are seemingly not so. This incident got me wondering why the people who grew up without any distinction or discrimination have children who seem to be overtly aware of their social strata. Is it the fanaticism? Is it the political bartering? Is it the erasure of tolerance and acceptance? Is it the psychosis of fear? Is it the media? I remember when I was in school it was all a seamless transition from singing hymns in the morning assembly to learning yoga (pretending to fall asleep actually) in the
