Caste Rigidity and Socio-economic Condition of Dalits in India

Abstract

The Indian caste system is a hierarchal social order of four Varnas. Hereditary caste hierarchy is so rigid that it restricts social mobility by the forceful imposition of several irrational socio-cultural and religious laws and practices. The Indian social order is characterized by social exclusion, caste discrimination, and obtrusive inequalities systematized in hierarchical caste relations forming the basic foundation of Indian society. As per the order of social hierarchy, Dalits/Untouchables suffer at the bottom strata where socio-economic deprivation and impurity arse imposed on them. This is well reflected in the existing socio-economic conditions of Dalits in India. They are deprived in almost all spheres of social and personal life compared to the rest of society. Moreover, their lives become more pathetic when they face various kinds of inhuman caste atrocities, discrimination and social exclusion in the different spheres of the society. This runs against several constitutional provisions and measures that have been implemented by the government of India since Independence in 1947 aimed at protecting and uplifting the socio-economic condition of Dalits and empowering them.KeywordsCaste atrocityCaste rigidityCaste systemDalitsDiscriminationIndiaSocial hierarchyUntouchability