Essay On Exploitation Of Dalit

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Exploitation of Dalits
Introduction:
Dalit- The term has been derived from Sanskrit word dal, meaning broken and downtrodden. It shows the exploitation and inequality in the hierarchical system of India. They have been considered as polluting and hence have been excluded from society since times immemorial. Dalit is a word which came into being recently. Earlier, they were classified as acchut, untouchable, chandals, harijans and many such terms.
‘The Mahan Kosh’ defines them as belonging to the Hini Jati or the low castes which have been oppressed by Unchi Jati or the upper castes [1]. Dalits constitue a total of 17% Indian population, yet they face discrimination due to their caste [2]. These are the people who do all kinds of menial works, …show more content…

Jotirao Phule one of the earlier Dalit writers, wrote in his book Slavery that, there were hardly two or three Dalit newspapers and therefore, any new ideology could not flourish as low castes were completely ignorant of it. Phule also wrote that, in Poona, Editors of all Marathi newspapers were Bhramins, so there was no point that they were going to write anything bad against their own caste [6].
Exploitation on religious Grounds:
Caste system is very much prevalent in Hindu religion and that is perhaps the reason why many people converted to other religions. In Karukku, generations elder to the narrator also converted to Christianity in order to escape the oppression laid by upper caste Hindus. They probably were unaware of the fact that even after conversion, they are going to face the same problem of caste division and humiliation.
Lower castes barely got themselves any fruits; nevertheless, they brought it always on the occasion of New Year and Christmas for the church offering. In return, the sign of cross was placed across their foreheads [7]. This offering was not out of devotion rather force. Paraiyar people hardly had money for two square meals a day but they had to give this

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