Dalit

The term Dalit refers to a group of people in the Indian subcontinent. Historically, these communities faced extreme social exclusion and unfair treatment. In the traditional Hindu caste hierarchy, society was organized into four main groups called Varnas. Dalits were excluded from this fourfold system entirely. Because they sat outside these groups, they were often viewed as a fifth Varna, known as Panchama.

This exclusion led to the practice of untouchability, a system of severe social discrimination. Many scholars compare the history of Dalits to other marginalized groups, such as the Burakumin in Japan or the Baekjeong in Korea. Today, while many Dalits follow Hinduism, significant populations also practice Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam.

The word "Dalit" has deep linguistic roots in the Sanskrit language. In Classical Sanskrit, the word *dalita* means "divided, split, broken, or scattered." This meaning reflects the social reality of people who were broken apart from the rest of society. In the late 1880s, the social reformer Jyotirao Phule used this Marathi word to describe oppressed outcasts. Later, the economist and reformer B. R. Ambedkar popularized the term. Ambedkar used "Dalit" to create a unified identity for all oppressed people, regardless of their specific caste.

This term became a powerful political tool for demanding rights and dignity.

Different terms have been used to describe these communities throughout history. In the 15th century, the poet-saint Narsinh Mehta used the term "Harijan," meaning "children of God." In 1933, Mahatma Gandhi used this word to identify Dalits. However, Ambedkar and many Dalits disliked this term. They felt it was patronizing and treated them as part of a larger Hindu nation rather than an independent community. In Southern India, some groups use names like Adi Dravida, which means "First Dravidians." These leaders used these names in 1917 to claim they were the original inhabitants of the region.

The history of the Dalit movement is shaped by many dedicated leaders. Gopal Baba Walangkar is often called a pioneer for seeking a society without discrimination. Another leader, Harichand Thakur, organized the Matua movement for the Namasudra community. A major turning point occurred in 1932 with the Poona Pact. This was a significant agreement between B. R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. The pact resulted in the Government of India Act of 1935. This act replaced the term "Depressed Classes" with the official term "Scheduled Castes."

After India gained independence in 1947, the government took steps to protect Dalit rights. The 1950 Constitution of India officially outlawed the practice of untouchability. It also established a system called "reservation," which is a form of affirmative action. This system reserves a specific percentage of seats in legislatures, government jobs, and educational institutions for Scheduled Castes. These laws aim to improve the socio-economic conditions of these communities. In 1995, the government passed the Prevention of Atrocities Act to protect these groups from harassment and discrimination.

Despite these legal protections, social and economic gaps remain. By 1995, Dalits held 27.2 percent of Class IV government jobs, but only 1 percent of the most senior positions. However, there has been significant progress in political representation. In 1997, K. R. Narayanan became the first Dalit to serve as President of India. While discrimination has declined in large cities, it can still be found in rural areas. The term "Scheduled Castes" remains the official legal designation in India. However, many people prefer the term "Dalit" because it carries a sense of political identity and strength.

Demographically, Dalits represent a large portion of the population in the Indian subcontinent. In India, Scheduled Castes make up approximately 16.6 percent of the total population. Some states have much higher concentrations, such as Punjab, where they comprise about 32 percent of the people. In Pakistan, about 70 to 75 percent of the Hindu population is Dalit. Similar communities are found in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Because of migration, the Dalit diaspora also lives in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States.