Dalits' struggles for dignity continues in India

The justifiable fear of India's religious minorities for a resurgence of a reactionary, xenophobic and militant strand of Hinduism is shared by many Hindus, especially those from the 'lower castes', such as the dalits who, in spite of the constitutional proscriptions of all forms of social discrimination, are frequently treated in everyday life like sub-humans, if not beasts, by reactionary co-religionists from the 'higher castes'. Although some dalits have accepted their sufferings and also those of their children and grandchildren as being 'divinely planned' or 'fated', many have also been attempting to break out from the human predicaments by converting to other beliefs such as Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity which offer egalitarianism and brotherhood. There are also rural dalits who have chosen to form armed groups to actively struggle against injustices and end dehumanisation on earth.

MPs outside Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi