Time to bring change; Justice for Dalits By Gazal Gupta

Mahatma Gandhi said “if untouchability lives, humanity must die”. Every week 13 Dalits are murdered, 5 Dalit homes are burnt, 6 Dalit people are kidnapped and 21 Dalit women are raped. Dalits, yes the outcasts or let’s say the ones without whom our homes won’t function are those individuals who are broken down by higher-ups in a systematic and deliberate manner and are kept at the bottom of almost every parameter of social or economic wellbeing. Our unfortunate diversification has resulted into formation of castes, where the upper class violate the rights of the lower class.

Even our inalienable human rights can’t protect safety, equality or justice in this vicious circle of social division. Despite the fact that abolishment of untouchability took place in 1950’s,it still remains intact at various places today in 2019’s and there are still several types of discrimination taking place like not allowed to use same temples, same wells, can’t drink from same cup on tea stalls. Regardless of their extreme poverty they are given most menial tasks and our paid very less for the same. They are treated harshly, inhumanly and our given no support.

Our government has created numerous laws like social caste and social tribes act 1955, untouchability act 1955, protection of civil rights act 1955 but still can’t ensure the safety and security of the rights of aggrieved Dalits. They are still harmed, discriminated against and denied access. Even the special considerations granted by the government aren’t reaching Dalits and the reserves give very less benefit.  Apart from this our belief in police to help us attain equality isn’t very advantageous as they themselves violate the rights of Dalits by not filing their complaints and providing justice. For how long must the discrimination continue? For how long must the lower class lose their lives? Will they never get respect in our society?

These questions for now will remain unanswered but the abolishment of untouchability,not just in terms of law but in reality too is necessary for development of our country as a whole and for the accomplishment of the same, here are some recommendations through which our society can take one more step towards equality. There should be proper law enforcement of Dalits, mandatory provision should be issued regarding access in temples to all Dalits, providing speedy justice to all Dalits, improvement in police efficiency. Awareness is also a key to change, so people should be aware of their own rights, protection of others rights and legal provisions which are in compliance with it.

Although India has made progress in terms of providing protection to Dalits but there rights are still being infringed and they are still being transgressed with. Being a Dalit is like “getting punishment without committing a sin” and the brutality of which we can’t even imagine. Hence, It is high time now, lives should be saved of the “broken people” of India (Dalits) and the social hierarchy should be abolished. Lets voice our thoughts, lets save our owns because “if not now then when, if not us then who?”