Who are the " untouchables " in India ?

Question

I know they are poor people but not all poor people are "untouchables ". What determine their status , caste ? Is it true that they are not allowed to go to school or mixed around with the others and things which they have touched musn't be touched by the others ? Why are societies take away whatever little dignity they may have from them ? they do not chose to be born like that. It is sad that in modern India, this kind of discrimnation is still widely practiced

Answer 1

all above answers are correct for more info try these links:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_caste_system
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalit

Answer 2

heyya who so ever u may be,,, i just wanna point out,,,that when will people all around the world will start updating their knowledge about India and its old notions that are so scarce nowadays, but that are still being shown various imp channels like BBC in the way that makes them interesting showing them as if its the only thing practised. Well I m an Indian,,, and honestly i wont deny there are no untouchables any more, but seriously its only limited to a very very few places,,,where too people are being educated to give up such notions, as i have been a part of such a programme,,,, the thing which u r talking about is probably the India at the time of Gandhi..... Try to talk to some more indians, and they would give u a more clearer idea,,,,
good luck,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Answer 3

Once upon a time it was very much present in India. People of some specific profession (like - sweeper, leather workers etc) and also people from unknown (so called weaker) origin were considered untouchables.

Similarly black people were untouchables in USA and England (also some other countries).

As after so many days also skin COLOR discrimination is present in those developed countries - may be the extent is less but its not removed 100%. Its same in India too where discrimination is made depending on heriditary origin and profession.

Answer 4

Well, the "DALITS". Find that on Wikipedia, you'd get your answer to the exact details.

It is not officially practiced in modern day India, or the contemporary society in metropolitan cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai but still in a country as huge as more than 1 billion population, you can't avoid having a minority group of people who still believe in such tradition. Tell me about it, what about the KKK or the Rednecks huh? These are pathetic cases too.

Answer 5

I have no answer, but I know the Q that can give you the answer.

Q is:

What is CONRESS's role in Justice/Cost of Living/Edu/Eco/ Employ/Moral/Social..for INDIAN?
CONGRESS has ruled for almost 94% time in post independance INDIA.

What is it's contribution of CONGRESS to INDIAN in:
1)----Justice to all especially POOR.
2)----Education for capable (not based on cast or creed)
3)----Economic development of the country.
4)----Employment for all especially needy (not cast based)
5)----Socialism ( people think together, feel for other)
6)----Moral education for child / police / politicians
7)----Patriotism ie "SELF IS OVIOUS, BUT COUNTRY FIRST"
8)----COST OF LIVING ie Non and Consumable GOODS.
9)----Fairness of ELECTION, selection of TOP Jobs.
10)--Fainess in all offices like "JUSTICE FOR GOD or BAD, Opportunuty based on CAPABILITY not POLITICs".

Answer 6

India does have a very rigid caste system, so these people are like lepers, but India is not modern in any sense except possibly technology. Their culture has not advanced since the thirteenth century.

Answer 7

Yes. It is sad.
Here is a little more on the Dalits.

But there are similar situations (undercastes) around the world:
Japan, Korea, Yemen, etc.