The Nature of Caste-based Society: Evidence from India and Bangladesh

Abstract

Although both constitutions of India and Bangladesh promise equal rights for their entire citizens, the Dalit community is treated as untouchables and is hated by society. Most of the people suffering from caste discrimination are Dalits in India and Bangladesh. They have fared worse than the upper caste groups regarding educational and occupational attainment, wages and consumption, and business ownership. The challenges to thoroughly enjoying fundamental human rights for Dalits in India and Bangladesh include lack of access to education, poverty, health and housing problems, and unequal access to employment. Dalits are still facing social problems owing to the stigma of untouchability and low caste, despite the constitutional provisions against caste-based discrimination. But, it is a ray of hope that caste discrimination has decreased over time in India and Bangladesh with considerable differences in practices in various states and regions. The paper is mainly based on secondary data, and content analysis has been applied as a method. It tries to assess the pattern of caste-based discrimination among the Dalit people of India and Bangladesh.