Dalit Women In Manusmriti

Dalit women are one of the most exploited and segregated groups in the world. They are a special category who because of their triple victimization cannot be considered either as women or as Dalits. Ruth Manorama, an active member of the National Alliance of women stated that in a male dominated society

“ Dalit women face a triple burden caste, class and gender. Dalit women in India are considered the Dalits among the Dalits, and suffer a threefold oppression - On account of gender because of existing patriarchy, On account of their caste, the untouchable, finally on account of their class – as they hail from the poorest and most marginalized communities ”(News Archives)

The Hindu religious texts like Manusmriti and the Vedas have only added to the burden of a Dalit woman. Hindu apologists consider the Manusmriti as the divine code of conduct both for men and women. But in most of the verses women are treated inferior to men and without respect. But defending Manusmriti’s representation of women apologists often quote the verse: “Yatre naryaasto pojyantay, Ramantay tatr.”

Where women are provided place of honour, gods are pleased and reside there in that house hold, but they knowingly forget those verses which are full of prejudices and discrimination against women. The laws in Manusmriti and other scriptures thus justified all the exploitation meted against women especially Dalit women. Even killing of an untouchable by an upper class was justified as a minor