Submitted by: Submitted by brinas10
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Category: Societal Issues
Date Submitted: 07/23/2012 08:59 AM
The origin lies in the Sanskrit word “dal”
The word ‘dalit’ comes from Marathi language where it means
‘ground’, ‘suppressed’, ‘crushed’ or ‘broken to pieces’.
The word as such was first used as far back as 1920’s in
journalistic writings. Dalit panther movement of Maharashtra
gave currency to the concept and the word dalit to highlight
the sufferings and struggles of the untouchables.
More recently the schedule castes(earlier called as
‘suppressed classes’ under the British and ‘Harijans’ by
Mahatma Gandhi) prefer calling themselves ‘Dalit’.
They are also known as perial, panchama, atishudra, antyaja
or namashudra.
The term ‘Dalit’ describes a condition of being
under privileged and deprived of basic rights and
refers to people who are suppressed on grounds of
lowly birth.
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (1826-1890),used it to
describe the outcastes and untouchables as the
oppressed and broken victims of our caste ridden
society.
Traditional theory of VARNA.
Brahmins(Priestly castes)
Kshatriyas(Warrior castes)
Vaishyas(Trading and artisan castes)
Shudras(Laboring and Servant class)
Dalit placed theoretically outside the Varna
System
Placed below “shudras”
Birth based occupational distribution.
Segregated from the mainstream society.
Could not share community well.
Banned entry into temples.
Forced to use earthenware's.
Shadow considered impure.
Severe punishment on violations.
◦ Bhakti Movement
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Teaching – All servants of god were brothers
Very popular during 17th and 18th century
Effect remained only on paper i.e. in devotional songs
Socio-economic positions remain untouched
NeoNeo-Vedantic Movement
Period – 19th Century
Reformers – Vivekananda, Dayanand, Gandhi
Untouchability not an essential part of Hinduism – Violation of
the basic spirit of religion
“Caste system as a political institution for the common good
of society and not a natural distinction” – Dayanand...