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Abstract
Historically Dalits have the lowest social status in Indian society. They were generally segregated and banned form participation in Hindu social life. This problem is the product of the caste system which is deep rooted in society. The Indian government has adopted measures to improve their conditions, only a small number of Dalits are able to make use of these opportunities. They face difficulties in rural areas where traditions are strong.
The Dalit issue poses different and multifaceted problems to Indian state and society. Hindu social system relegates social status to the lowest level of the Hindu society. Some Dalits have acquired reasonable positions in Indian society through hard work and having education or by raising their economic status. However, they do not enjoy higher political status. The mind set of Indian people does not accept them equal to the high caste Hindus even if the Dalits get high education and good jobs.
Key words: Dalits, India, high caste Hindus, caste system, Ambedkar.
Introduction
Higher castes intentionally avoid close contact with the Dalit. Dalit status has often been historically associated with occupations regarded as ritually impure involving leather work, butchering, sewers, latrines, removing of rubbish and animal carcasses Dalit work as manual labors cleaning streets. Dalit were commonly segregated and banned from full participation in Hindu social life. Some Dalits have successfully integrated into Indian society which is a consequence of the deep rooted caste system and Dalits are supposed to be suffering from the punishment for their deeds in previous lives. Another problem with Dalit is owing to their untouchable status. They hardly find any productive work.
The concept and feeling of un-touch ability is purely Indian value, it has been deep roots in the culture and philosophy of society in the spectrum social classification. This segment survives to serve the privileged upper Hindu caste as menial etc.
" Because of this the fate of the untouchables has become miserable and what is important to note that, it is being continued in one form or other through the ages" (Sarkar, 2006: 15).
These groups of people in the unprivileged class were identified as scheduled castes in 1935, under the government of India Act, prior to which they were termed as depressed classes....