THE UNTOUCHABLES

Summary

The video script discusses the enduring caste system in India, highlighting the rigid social hierarchy that has persisted for over 3,000 years. It describes the four main castes, emphasizing the plight of the 'dalits' or 'untouchables' who are marginalized and assigned the most menial tasks. The script also touches on the stark social divisions, the lack of dignity for the lowest caste, and the significant number of atrocities committed against them. It uses the town of Chakra as an example, where even access to a lake was once restricted based on caste.

Takeaways

• 📚 Hinduism has a caste system that has been in place for over 3,000 years, significantly influencing Indian society.
• 🔝 Brahmins are considered the highest caste, while the Shudra are at the lower end of the caste hierarchy.
• 🏰 The caste system dictates the lives and occupations of individuals, even in contemporary times.
• 🛡 The Kshatriya caste, or warriors, are the second most important caste in Indian society.
• 👥 The Vaishya caste serves as merchants and traders, while the Shudra caste performs labor and service roles.
• 🚫 The 'Untouchables' or Dalits are considered impure and outcast, often relegated to the most menial and stigmatized jobs.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Children from lower castes are often treated unequally in educational settings, such as being seated separately from others.
• 🏠 Dalits are often denied property rights and are subject to social and economic discrimination.
• 👥 The Dalit population in India is estimated to be around 300 million people who live with the fear of public humiliation.
• 📉 The caste system divides society into four main sectors, with the Dalits being the most marginalized and without rights to dignity.
• 🚨 Between 1991 and 2001, approximately 250,000 cases of untouchability and atrocities were reported to the police, indicating widespread violence and discrimination.

Q & A

What is the caste system in Hinduism?

The caste system in Hinduism is a social stratification system that divides society into different levels or 'casts', with Brahmins being the highest and the 'Untouchables' or 'Dalits' being the lowest. It has been in existence for over 3,000 years and continues to influence the lives and behaviors of Indians today.

Which caste is considered the highest in the Hindu caste system?

The Brahmin caste is considered the highest in the Hindu caste system, traditionally associated with priests and scholars.

What is the role of the Kshatriya caste in Indian society?

The Kshatriya caste, the second most important caste, is traditionally associated with warriors and rulers in Indian society.

What is the status of the Shudra caste in the caste system?

The Shudra caste is considered the lowest in the traditional caste hierarchy, often serving as laborers and artisans in Indian society.

Who are referred to as the 'Untouchables' or 'Dalits' in the script?

The 'Untouchables' or 'Dalits' are the lowest caste in the Hindu caste system, historically performing the most menial and 'impure' tasks, such as cleaning excrement.

What kind of work are the 'Untouchables' or 'Dalits' traditionally expected to do?

The 'Untouchables' or 'Dalits' are traditionally expected to perform the dirtiest and most demeaning work, such as cleaning excrement of humans and animals.

What challenges do the 'Dalits' face in terms of education and social integration?

The 'Dalits' often face challenges such as being seated separately in the back rows of schools, indicating a lack of social integration and equality.

How does the caste system affect the 'Dalits' in terms of property rights?

The 'Dalits' are often denied property rights and are considered to be the lowest of the low, with few opportunities to escape their social status.

What is the estimated population of the 'Dalits' in India?

The estimated population of the 'Dalits' in India is about 300 million people.

What kind of violence and atrocities are 'Dalits' subjected to according to the script?

The 'Dalits' are subjected to various forms of violence and atrocities, including murder, arson, looting, and other extreme forms of violence committed by higher castes.

What is the situation described in Chakara regarding the lake and temple?

In Chakara, a town in Rajasthan, the lake with an old Hindu temple was a jewel of the town, but until recently, its clean area in front of the temple was reserved exclusively for the upper castes, while the 'Dalits' were treated as outcasts.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Caste System in India

This paragraph delves into the intricacies of the caste system in Hinduism, which has been a part of Indian society for over 3,000 years. It outlines the hierarchical structure, with Brahmins at the top and the Shudra at the bottom, and discusses how this system continues to influence the lives and professions of individuals. The paragraph also touches on the 'Untouchables' or the 'Dalits,' who are marginalized and assigned the most menial tasks, such as cleaning excrement. The script highlights the societal divisions and the challenges faced by those at the bottom of this caste hierarchy.

05:16

😔 The Plight of the 'Untouchables'

The second paragraph focuses on the harsh realities faced by the 'Untouchables' or the 'Dalits' in India. Born into a life of impurity and subhuman status, they are destined to perform the dirtiest work and are denied basic rights such as property and equal education. The paragraph provides statistics on the number of people affected and the atrocities committed against them, including public humiliation, violence, and murder. It also discusses the societal segregation, exemplified by the division of a town's lake into areas for upper castes and a dump for the 'Dalits.' The narrative paints a bleak picture of the struggle for dignity and equality in the face of deep-rooted social discrimination.

Keywords

💡Caste System

The caste system is a social stratification system that has been historically prevalent in India, dividing society into different levels based on one's birth. It is central to the video's theme, illustrating the rigid social structure that has persisted for over 3,000 years. The script mentions 'brahans' as the highest caste and 'shudra' as the lowest, emphasizing the hierarchy and its impact on individuals' lives.

💡Brahans

Brahans, also known as Brahmins, are considered the highest caste in the Hindu caste system. They are traditionally priests and scholars. In the script, 'brahans' are mentioned as having a privileged status, which sets the stage for the discussion on social inequality and the challenges faced by lower castes.

💡Shudra

Shudras are the lowest caste in the traditional Hindu caste system, often tasked with manual labor and service roles. The script refers to 'shudra' to highlight the social and occupational restrictions placed on individuals based on their caste, which is a key aspect of the video's exploration of social stratification.

💡Untouchables

The term 'Untouchables' refers to the Dalits, those outside the traditional four-fold caste system, who are considered impure and are often subjected to discrimination and exclusion. The script describes them as 'the impure, the outcasts,' emphasizing the extreme marginalization they face in Indian society.

💡Dalits

Dalits, also known as 'Untouchables,' are the most disadvantaged group in the caste system. The script uses the term to describe individuals who are marked as 'impure and subhuman' from birth, facing severe social stigma and limited opportunities for social mobility.

💡Kshatriyas

Kshatriyas are the second caste in the traditional Hindu caste hierarchy, typically associated with warriors and rulers. The script mentions 'landlord belongs to the Warriors cast,' indicating their position of power and influence in the social structure.

💡Vaishyas

Vaishyas, the third caste, are traditionally merchants and farmers. The script does not explicitly mention 'Vaishyas,' but they are implied as part of the caste system's hierarchy, contributing to the overall context of social division.

💡Dignity

Dignity, in the context of the video, refers to the inherent worth and respect that every individual deserves. The script notes that the Dalits 'have no right to dignity,' highlighting the systemic denial of basic human rights due to their caste.

💡Atrocities

Atrocities in the script refer to the acts of violence and discrimination committed against the Dalits. The video mentions 'about 250,000 cases of untouchability and atrocities,' illustrating the severe social injustices faced by this marginalized group.

💡Chakara

Chakara is a town in Rajasthan mentioned in the script, which serves as a microcosm of the caste system's impact on daily life. The town's lake, with its clean area reserved for upper castes and a dump for the Dalits, exemplifies the physical manifestation of social segregation.

💡Public Humiliation

Public humiliation is a form of social punishment faced by the Dalits, as mentioned in the script. It refers to the fear and reality of being openly shamed or ostracized in public, which is a direct result of the caste system's deep-rooted prejudices.

Highlights

Hinduism divides Indian society into castes with Brahmins as the highest and Shudra as the lowest.

The caste system has existed for over 3,000 years and still controls the lives and behavior of Indians today.

Castes dictate the professions that individuals must practice.

Kshatriyas are the second most important caste, belonging to the warriors.

Vaishyas and Shudra are the servants and workers in Indian society.

The 'Untouchables' are considered impure outcasts, performing the dirtiest work.

Dalits are marked as impure and subhuman from birth, with few able to escape this status.

Dalits are denied property rights and face educational discrimination.

Society is divided into four sectors with Dalits at the bottom, lacking dignity.

Around 300 million Dalits live in fear of public humiliation in India.

Between 1991 and 2001, over 250,000 cases of untouchability and atrocities were registered by the police.

Atrocities include murder, arson, loot, and various forms of violence committed by higher castes.

Chakara, a town in Rajasthan, had a caste-based division of access to its lake and temple area.

The clean area in front of the temple was reserved for upper castes, while Dalits were marginalized.

The caste system perpetuates inequality and extreme forms of violence against the lower castes.

The transcript highlights the ongoing struggle for dignity and rights among the Dalit community in India.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Music]

go

[Music]

land you have

[Music]

[Music]

yeah Hinduism divides Indians Society

into

casts brahans are the highest cast

shudra are the

[Music]

lowest for casts have existed for over

3,000

years it's the older system of social

ranking which is still

active the casts even today control the

lives and behavior of Indians even the

profession they must

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

practice

[Music]

[Music]

for

the landlord belongs to the Warriors

cast the second most important cast of

Indian

Society

muu Sandos and my head

are the Servants of gender's household

they are The Untouchables the impure the

outcasts that's why they do the work

predestined by their cast they clean

excrement human and

[Music]

animal

[Music]

for

[Applause]

bar

[Music]

[Music]

fore

[Applause]

Manu like the rest of the dallot was

marked since birth as impure and

subhuman they are the lowest of the low

according to their religion and this is

predestined their lives from which very

few have

escaped they do the dirtiest work there

is they will never have any property

their children if they go to school will

sit in the back rows separate from the

rest unequal

means they have divided the society in

four sectors four sector soal they are

the

lowest they have no right to dignity

claim they cannot claim dignity in India

about 300 million people 300 million

people the dalls live with a fear of

public

humiliation even walking through an

[Music]

uppercornerhockey of the upper

casts between 1991 to 200000 in a 10year

period about

250,000 cases of untouchability and

atrocities were registered by the

Untouchable with the

police this is murder this is arson Loot

and all kind of violence that you find

so you can imagine any extreme form of

of atrocity and you will find that

atrocity being committed by by the high

cast

[Music]

Ro

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

chakara is a town of 4,000 inhabitants

in the province of

rajastan at the center there is a

beautiful lake with an old Hindu temple

built by the

shore the lake is the town's Jewel but

until recently its water was not for

everybody the clean area in front of the

temple was reserved exclusively for the

upper casts the dump for the dalls

fore