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Dalit
Dalit
In the Indian caste system, a Dalit, often called an untouchable, or an outcaste, is a person who according to traditional Hindu belief does not have any "varnas". Varna refers to the Hindu belief that most humans were created from different parts of the body of the divinity Purusha. The part from which a varna was created defines a person's social status with regards to issues such as who they can marry and which professions they could hold. Dalits fall outside the varnas system and have historically been prevented from doing any but the most menial jobs. Traditionally, they were treated as pariahs in South Asian society and isolated in their own communities, to the point that even their shadows were avoided by the upper castes.
Discrimination against Dalits still exists in rural areas in the private sphere, in ritual matters such as access to eating places and water sources. It has largely disappeared, however, it is still present in urban areas and in the public sphere. The earliest rejection of discrimination, at least in spiritual matters, was made as far back as the Bhagavada Gita, which says even they (along with women and despicable foreigners) are not barred from enlightenment.
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