Untouchability in Rural India
- Ghanshyam Shah - Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Wassenaar
- Harsh Mander - Centre for Equity Studies, Delhi
- Sukhadeo Thorat - Chairman, Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, New Delhi
- Satish Deshpande - Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi, India
- Amita Baviskar - Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, India
– The ‘unclean’ occupations open to them
– The double burden of Dalit women, who suffer both gender and caste discrimination
– The upper-caste violence with which any Dalit self-assertion is met
The authors also describe Dalit efforts to overcome deeply entrenched caste hierarchies and assert their right to live with dignity. While the evidence presented here suggests that the more blatant and extreme forms of untouchability appear to have declined, discrimination continues and is most prevalent in the religious and personal spheres. The authors show that the notion of untouchability continues to pervade the public sphere, including a host of state institutions and the interactions that occur within them.
Untouchability in Rural India is a fascinating, lively and well-written book, which I would recommend those interested in class and cast to consult. It is a pleasure to read, the style is clear and concise without losing complex details, and the study is relevant for experienced researchers in this area as well as new students.
Practices of discrimination against people born into particular castes and legitimizes practices that are humiliating, exclusionary and exploitative…. “unclean occupations open to them; the double burden of Dalit women, who face both gender and caste discrimination; the upper caste violence with which any Dalit self-assertation is met.”…. forms of discriminations faced by women with several real life incidences…. The emerging emancipation of these women and how, many of them, despite all odds, have managed to achieve greater control over their lives.
The volume proves beyond doubt that the dalits have learnt the use of radical language in order to establish their right to dignity and equal concern.