What is Untouchability?
Untouchability is a social practice that historically existed in India and Nepal, in which certain castes or groups of people were considered to be "untouchable" and were treated as outcasts by the rest of society.
These people were typically involved in jobs that were considered "polluting" or "unclean", such as working with dead animals, cleaning latrines, or handling leather. They were not allowed to enter temples, use public wells, or even walk on the same roads as upper-caste people. They were also often subjected to discrimination, abuse, and violence.
Untouchability has been officially abolished by the Indian government in the 1950s, but the practice continues to this day in various forms, and many people from untouchable castes still face discrimination and marginalization in Indian society.
Where is untouchability defined?
Untouchability is not defined in any particular legal document or international convention. It is a social practice that has historically existed in India and Nepal. The term "untouchable" is used to describe certain castes or groups of people who were considered to be outside the caste system and were treated as outcasts by the rest of society.
They were not allowed to enter temples, use public wells, or even walk on the same roads as upper-caste people and were subjected to discrimination, abuse, and violence.
The Indian government officially abolished the practice of untouchability in the Constitution of India in 1950. The Indian constitution also prohibits discrimination on the grounds of caste, and it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their caste in India.
The United Nations also condemned the practice of untouchability and stated that it is incompatible with human rights principles. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted by the General Assembly in 1965, also addresses discrimination based on descent or national origin, which is related to the caste system and untouchability.
What is called untouchable?
In India and Nepal, people who belonged to certain castes or groups were traditionally considered "untouchable" and were treated as outcasts by the rest of society. These people were typically involved in jobs that were considered "polluting" or "unclean", such as working with dead animals, cleaning latrines, or handling leather.
They were not allowed to enter temples, use public wells, or even walk on the same roads as upper-caste people. They were also often subjected to discrimination, abuse, and violence. The term used to describe these people varies depending on the region and language, but some commonly used terms include Dalit, Harijan, and Scheduled Caste.
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The term "Dalit," meaning "oppressed" or "broken," has been adopted by many people from these castes as self-descriptor. "Harijan" is a term used by Mahatma Gandhi to describe people from these castes, meaning "children of God." And "Scheduled Caste" is a term used in India's constitution to describe the castes that were traditionally considered "untouchable".
It's important to note that these terms are often considered derogatory or pejorative, and many people from these castes prefer to be called simply by their name or by a term that they have chosen themselves, rather than by a term that was imposed upon them by others.
'Untouchability' according to the caste system means
According to the caste system, "untouchability" refers to the social practice of excluding certain castes or groups of people from the rest of society and treating them as outcasts. These people were considered to be of a lower caste or outside of the caste system and were typically involved in jobs that were considered "polluting" or "unclean," such as working with dead animals, cleaning latrines, or handling leather.
They were not allowed to enter temples, use public wells, or even walk on the same roads as upper-caste people. They were also often subjected to discrimination, abuse, and violence.
The caste system is a complex and hierarchical social system that has traditionally existed in India and Nepal, in which people were divided into different castes based on their occupation, birth, and social status.
The people considered as "untouchable" were considered to be at the bottom of this hierarchy and were not allowed to participate in many aspects of society. They were also usually not allowed to marry people from higher castes, use common facilities and were confined to live in specific areas.
It's important to note that the caste system is a discriminatory and oppressive practice, and it has been officially abolished by the Indian government in the 1950s, but the practice continues to this day in various forms, and many people from lower castes still face discrimination and marginalization in Indian society.
Write a note on untouchability
Untouchability is a social practice that has traditionally existed in India and Nepal, in which certain castes or groups of people were considered to be "untouchable" and were treated as outcasts by the rest of society.
These people were typically involved in jobs that were considered "polluting" or "unclean," such as working with dead animals, cleaning latrines, or handling leather. They were not allowed to enter temples, use public wells, or even walk on the same roads as upper-caste people. They were also often subjected to discrimination, abuse, and violence.
The caste system is a complex and hierarchical social system that has traditionally existed in India and Nepal, in which people were divided into different castes based on their occupation, birth, and social status.
The people considered "untouchable" were considered to be at the bottom of this hierarchy and were not allowed to participate in many aspects of society. They were also usually not allowed to marry people from higher castes, use common facilities and were confined to live in specific areas.
Untouchability has been officially abolished by the Indian government in the 1950s, but the practice continues to this day in various forms, and many people from lower castes still face discrimination and marginalization in Indian society. This is a serious human rights violation and it's important for society to work towards eradicating this discrimination and creating an inclusive society for all.
