Jul
22
Capitalism’s Assault on the Indian Caste System: How Economic Liberalization Spawned Low-caste Dalit Millionaires
ByDalits—once called untouchables—constitute one-sixth of India’s population. They traditionally occupied the bottom of the caste hierarchy, in the filthiest occupations—cleaning toilets, cremating the dead, and handling dead animals. These jobs ensured rampant disease and early death. Touching the dalits was taboo for the upper castes.
When India became independent in 1947, its liberal constitution banned caste discrimination and reserved seats for dalits in the legislatures, government services, and some educational institutions. These reservations created a thin upper crust of dalits in politics and government services. But caste discrimination remained wide spread and savage, especially in rural India…
