The Indian Constitution provides for equality for all Indians. The Preamble, which forms the introduction of the Constitution, states that the framers' objectives were to provide justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all Indians. Let us learn about caste discrimination in India.

Fundamental Rights which are guaranteed to all Indians, abolish untouchability and forbid its practice in any form. The Constitution also states that no person can be discriminated against based on caste, color, language, or religion.

All people are equal in the eyes of the law. Through these provisions, the Constitution aims to fulfill the dreams of the freedom fighters who led the struggle for the freedom of our country. Unfortunately, even after 65 years of our independence, we still find discrimination in various forms in certain parts of the country.

Caste discrimination in India is still prevalent. Now as the future of this country, it is the responsibility of each one of us to stop this racial practice and take steps to embrace diversity for a peaceful path to progress

Caste Discrimination In India

As you all know from earlier modules, the INDIAN society was divided into four main castes. This division of society into four groups was strictly done on the basis of occupations.

The first three castes were supposed to be the high-born castes because of the functions they performed. The members of the fourth caste were poor and served the other three castes.

They performed menial tasks. A person born in a particular caste could not change his job. As time went on, this division of the society based on the caste system became more rigid. The lower castes called the Dalits were treated as untouchables and had to live separately.

They were assigned menial tasks to perform and used to suffer much humiliation by the upper castes. These people were considered outcasts. They were denied opportunities in education and work.

They could not use the same public facilities (such as a school, or a well) frequented by the upper caste people. They were even not allowed to live inside the villages, their homes were generally on the outskirts of the village

They had to work in inhuman and degrading conditions. Today people who belong to this caste are known as Scheduled Castes. This practice of caste discrimination in India has jolted the unity fabric. Division in society has started taking place as a result of this practice.

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