The Peaceful Revolution > Caste and 'untouchablitity'

India's caste system is the longest surviving system of hereditary inequality in the world, with those at the bottom considered so inherently inferior as to pollute others. Called 'untouchables' they were denied the dignity and freedom to live a truly human life, often being treated worse than animals. Traditionally they could only do the filthiest, most menial jobs and were barred from any education. In 1950 'untouchability' was declared illegal in the newly independent India. However, it continues to haunt millions of Scheduled Castes (who were previously called untouchables) daily. The result is that the vast majority of the more than170 million Scheduled Castes still lack proper housing, medical care, education, and employment.

“Some 160 million people in India live a precarious existence shunned by much of society because of their rank as 'untouchables' or Dalits-literally meaning 'broken' people- at the bottom of India’s caste system. Dalits are discriminated against, denied access to land, forced to work in degrading conditions, and routinely abused, even killed, at the hands of the police and of higher-caste groups that enjoy the state’s protection. Dalit women are frequent victims of sexual abuse. In what has been called India’s “hidden apartheid,” entire villages in many Indian states remain completely segregated by caste. National legislation and constitutional protections serve only to mask the social realities of discrimination and violence faced by those living below the “pollution line” .

(From Broken People: Caste violence against India’s “untouchables: Human Rights Watch, NY, 1999)

The Peaceful Revolution

• Caste and 'untouchablitity'
• Dr. Ambedkar and Buddhism
• Since the Conversion
• Sangharakshita
• Dhamma Centres
• Dhamma work
• Social Work
• The Jambudvipa Trust