Abstract

DEVELOPMENT OF DALIT WOMEN IN INDIA: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

T.Brahmanandam

Volume: 5 Issue: 4 2015

Abstract:

Traditionally, India is known for the caste-based social system and its foundations are from Hinduism. The hierarchal based social order has the foundations from Manu/ Manu Dharmshastra. While addressing the nature of the caste system J.H. Hunton observes that it is exclusively an Indian phenomenon and that no other society in the world can be compared to caste-ridden society of India (http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in /bitstream/ 10603 /8562 /8/ 08_chapter%203.pdf).This social structure is not just based on purity and pollution:it has also accorded other of aspects human life which iscoupled with landlessness, poverty and involvement in degrading occupations. Therefore it is an exploitative structure. The hierarchal system has implicated certain groups are untouchables by birth and made it hereditary and they were treated most inhuman way for centuries. Under this traditional scheme of caste system the untouchables who are at the bottom of the society facing vulnerability and discrimination in the most heinous way. The people identified with untouchability were never treated as human beings and denied basic human dignities like self-respect, freedom to live as human beings, freedom to speak, freedom to choose any occupation and freedom to develop their talents. They simply exist as objects of pleasure for the high caste or means for their welfare and luxury and they suffered from a stigma of ‘untouchability’ which is unique phenomena to these people or groups.

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