What do Hindus here think of Dalits??

Question

(chura, bhangi, neech, kanjjar, mirasi)

Is it right that they are treated as outcasts?

'copy and paste', thanks for your answer. Why do you say it has 'largely' disappeared? When by all reports I have read it is rampant?

http://www.dalitnetwork.org/go?/dfn/news

Caste-motivated killings, rape and other abuses are a daily occurrence in India, says the report. Between 2001 and 2002, close to 58,000 cases were registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act -- legislation that criminalises particularly heinous forms of abuse against dalits and tribals.

A 2005 government report states that a crime is committed against a dalit every 20 minutes. Though staggering, this figure represents only a fraction of actual incidents since many dalits do not register cases for fear of retaliation by the police and upper-caste individuals.

http://www.infochangeindia.org/bookandreportsst116.jsp

I find it telling that you would deny this? And what is with the lower case 'o' in outcast that you define? An outcast is an outcast?

Answer 1

In earlier days they were treated as Outcasts. Tyey are now more treated as outcasts. It has largely disappeared, and they are participating in all social activities along with the Higher caste people. Even now a days intercaste marriages are taking place. The earliest rejection of discrimination, at least in spiritual matters, was made as far back as the Bhagavada Gita, which says even they (along with women and despicable foreigners) are not barred from enlightenment. Now there is no such difference and they are all part of Hindus. -

Answer 2

Firstly I suggest that you do some research on Hinduism first. The caste system and especially caste based discrimination has NOTHING to do with the hindu religion itself but was a product of Indian society and did not start untill thousands of years after Hinduism was flourishing in India. There are people in every religion that abuse the religion and practice it wrongly, Just like muslim suicide bombers and Christians, who were the ones that justified slavery, colonialism and the burning of thousands of women using the pretext of religion. Although there may be some nutty hindus, it doesn't imply that the religion is at fault, but only the people.

Secondly, in response to your question, I LOVE dalits as fellow Hindu and fellow Indian brethren. I make absolutely NO DISTINCTION on the basis of caste and creed. To me ALL HINDUS are brothers.