How much discrimination does an untouchable face in modern India's casteless society - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages However, it is important to note that the country has reformed significantly, for example through the strictness of the government in implementing affirmative action, which has enabled members of the Dalit society to hold senior positions in the government including presidency and other political offices. The constitution also has prohibited discrimination against people considered as untouchables for example through the Protection of Civil rights Act, 1955, which the government has continued to implement (Scott, 2010). This means that the discrimination that is going on against this society is not government sanctioned but a societal construction, which may take a long time to change. Discrimination of Indian Untouchables The contemporary India is a casteless society by principle. However, reports indicate that the more than 100 million untouchables in the country live under constant exposure to discrimination and humiliation coupled with numerous cases of violence, which most of the times go unpunished (Narula, 2011). Civilians from perceived higher classes as well as the police are the major orchestrators of these atrocities and the government has failed to take necessary measures to ensure that the justice system punishes those guilty of committing such offenses. Indeed, it is ironic that Indian leadership has failed to acknowledge the significance of allowing the international community to intervene instead opting for internal mechanisms to solve the problem, which would not have been the case if the country was committed to solve the problem. The country has continued to oppose calls to allow caste discrimination be included as an international crime (Michael, 2007). The international community, through bodies such as the UN, is well structured and has the capacity to deal with cases of human rights violation, either diplomatically, through legal mechanisms or by force as long as the country in question is a signatory to the various treaties governed by international law. Allocating 15% of job opportunities to the Dalits is a step in the right direction as it will empower them to afford decent livelihood and representation, but without conducting vibrant social reforms to change the mindset and the attitude of the public makes it impossible to guarantee the security of these citizens. For example, the government should be at the forefront in promoting and supporting intermarriage between men and women from different castes. This in turn would result to a generation of free citizens born and brought up in surroundings that do not consider them as outcastes. Where there are no castes definitely there are no outcastes but the current situation is that conservative society has continued to punish Dalits who have sexual relations with those of the upper classes especially the rich. The unacceptability of such relationships has resulted to various cases of eloping by lovers sometimes subjecting the whole community to mob attacks especially on those Dalits suspected as having aided or supported the perceived illicit affairs (Narula, 2011). Honor killings in the country occur every now and then and in the full glare of the authorities, who seem to support arranged marriages or fail to take prompt action after taking bribes. The killings are a form of punishment ...Download file to see next pagesRead More