The Indian Government Bans Discrimination Against Untouchables
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Human Rights Series
- Categories: Government and Politics, Social Issues, Reform, and Protest
- Subcategories: Civil Rights, Minority Rights, Minorities, Laws, Acts, Legislation, Human Rights, Poverty, Poor People, Discrimination, Prejudice
- Curriculum: Asian History
- Geographical Location: South Asia, India
- Date: 1948
Article abstract: The Fundamental Rights section of the Indian constitution made the end of discrimination against untouchables a matter of national policy.
Summary of Event
Two hierarchies inform the conduct of social life in India. The first is based on notions of purity and pollution. The second is founded on distinctions of wealth and power. The people called “untouchables” usually have the lowest ranks in both of these hierarchical systems. In the first, traditional occupations such as removing human waste, tending cremation grounds, or...
[The entire page is 2483 words long]
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