The caste-virus.. #2#.

Indian women seem to be on a roll these days. A lot of prominent positions are held by women: the president, ex-CM of Uttar Pradesh, Chanda Kochchar in ICICI Bank and many more…!!! But in spite of women participating this actively and leaving no stone unturned in keeping the flag flying, ever wondered why India’s ranking in gender development index is constantly dropping?

It is in the way India or rather the society, super-stereotypical society treats a woman! And “treating” doesn’t only mean etiquettes with rich and highly, but also with the women from middle and lower class of the society.

We have seen in the previous post that what all possible discriminations an SC/ST or Dalits face but have you ever thought from a Dalit woman’s point of view? What all she might be facing? If not, let me give you a small insight as to what all she probably faces.

“A Dalit among dalits”

Yes! A life full of unimaginable oppression… That’s exactly what a Dalit woman’s position is in the society!

From struggling for basic necessities such a water and food to submitting to sexual violence for the sake of employment, a woman’s life is nothing less than hell. They are vulnerable to serious health issues, sex trafficking, domestic violence and social, political and economic powerlessness.  And if this was not enough, lack of education, sanitation facility, early marriage and poverty come running to fill in the gaps.

My heart sank every time I read an article on the atrocities faced by Dalit women! I found it easier to die, than to live “that” life!

The Dalit families/women in rural areas are generally landless and depend on the upper caste for wage labor. In such places, every third girl/woman has at some point of time in her life been coerced or raped by the dominant class in the name of giving employment.

They have to walk miles and miles from their place of residence to the place where there’s well (which is exclusively for SC/STs) to collect that 1 bucket full of water. It is ok if she dies or faints on the way, but it is not acceptable if she thinks about approaching the nearby well. Why? Because it is for the upper class people and “sharing” water is not allowed!

Ehh… Really? In the 21st century?    

Unbelievable, but true. Government of India provides public transport that we assume is for all the citizens of India. But it looks like the SC/STs do not form part of this “public”! There have been cases where people were denied entry in buses and temples because they belonged to a particular caste!

The national crime statistics indicate an average of over 1000 “reported” rapes against Dalit women annually- the highest of any social group!!!  

Being a woman, I can totally understand what these women must be feeling and going through. That feeling when someone stares at you or tries to get physical without your permission is nothing but humiliating to the T! And just imagine the plight of these women, who have to live under constant fear of being raped by any tom, dick and harry at any point of the day or night and have no justice either!

This is too much! It’s time to move on! People, get over this thing of “I am kshatriya”… “I am shudra” and that “I cannot sit with him” and blah blah blah…! But having said this, I do not mean showing disrespect to our forefathers who made the caste system, but time has changed. And we too need to alter our mentality towards certain issues ASAP! Because if we don’t change… it will not be the Dalits who will be left out, it will be us who will be at the bottom of the pyramid.  

What’s your take?