Under the caste system, the Dalits have been little
more than slaves for 3,000 years. These men, women
and children are considered by the upper castes
to be a polluting influence on society. Many are
landless agricultural laborers enslaved by generations
of debts. Others work at degrading jobs such as
cleaning sewers or cremating the dead. And this cycle
continues for generation upon generation. According
to this system, “Untouchable” parents give birth to
“Untouchable” children—condemned as unclean
from their first breath.
