Dalits, also known as Harijans or untouchables, are the most oppressed community in India. As of the statistics of 2025, Dalits hold a population of roughly 16.6 percent of the total population, which is 201.4 million. Although India is a democratic nation, sadly, it holds a few loopholes and dark realities closely attached to this community.

The Varna system is the most criticized form that labels a human into 4 categories, and these Varnas are derived from the supreme lord's immortal body. History reminds us of the violence that Dalits have been through and are still stuck within the boundaries of a secluded section. History, according to the Asian Human Rights Commission, Bhimrao Ambedkar explained the Varna system. 

Chaturvarna are:

• Brahmins - The learned-class was placed at the top.
• Kshatriya - Warriors by karma were placed in the second position.
• Vaishya - Business class was placed below Kshatriya.
• Shudra - They were supposed to serve the above three classes, thus placed at the last. 

No interchange among these classes was possible, but these strict features of the Varna system were shattered with the arrival of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE, and this period was known as the period of revivalism of Hinduism. This was the time when low caste people denied the supremacy of Brahmins while the top class still wanted to be recognised as superior, and this tension between both classes led to the formation of “Untouchables”, even by the colonial officers of the British Empire. According to the census commission in 1911, Untouchables denied any mantras from Brahmins and weren't looked upon as the family priests, denied access to the temples, caused pollution by touch, or buried their dead bodies and ate beef. Cow being considered as mother among Hindus was a major setback for Untouchables, and this led them to be considered as total outcasts.

The Myth

We just read about how it all started, but should we blame the Varna system or the changing mentality of Brahmins? If we look towards the current scenario where civil services, which are equal to the king's position in terms of monarchy, are now held by so many SCs and STs, they are learned and ruling the districts provided to them. Are they not being respected or considered as the highest power? Let's head on to the divine sciences, Jyotish Shastra, which is a part of Vedanga and is being studied by all castes of people, so does it make them less respectable, or a reason to fuel the disturbance among the masses? No, rather, they are looked forward to with eyes of respect and patience. The Varna system was envisioned as a way to organize society based on skill and occupation, and not to discriminate or create tension among the masses. With time, it became rigidly hierarchical and acted as a boost to Brahmins, No matter who holds the power, it is in nature of the humans to develop a sense of superiority when they have the power in their hands Being born in a certain caste doesn't hold the right to value or defame anyone, I've seen Brahmins who shouldn't eat or indulge in wrong practices but they are on their way to bad karmas and not being respected by the society. I've seen people born in low castes but high on their soul level, they are connected to the divine and heading on to the right karmas, thus being looked upon with the eyes of respect. People don't brag over their caste but their Karma, but yes, we can't say that casteism has been abolished.

Case Study 

• April 2nd, 2024: According to the report of Mooknayak, On April 2nd, a minor Dalit student of class 6th was beaten up by his teacher Ravi Shankar Pandey in Murarpur primary school, Gorakhpur for not touching his feet as a matter of respect, the teacher has been alleged to use caste-related slurs while physically abusing the child. The case has been filed against the teacher in the Uruva police station of Gorakhpur district under the Scheduled caste-Tribe prevention of Atrocities Act and other related sections in the assault case.
• January 27, 2011: Another case is about a Dalit woman who was murdered due to a petrol bomb attack. It was on 3rd January, 2011 in Koolayanur village near Theni when Raju’s corpse was prohibited from cremation in the conventional cremation house by High class Hindus due to which a fight occurred between the two and on 27 January, 2011 around 10:30 pm, few people threw a petrol bomb on the house of a Dalit women Chinnayi leading to severe burns on her skin. FIR was registered by Veerapandi police under IPC section 147,148, 436, 307,302r/w 3(1) (10), 3(2)(5) SC/ST act, thus leading to the arresting of Damodaran, Singham, Markandan and Murugan Conclusion History books cry louder than words, yet wait for someone to make a change today. 

Dalits are being assaulted for being outcasts by the three classes, but the Varna system can’t be blamed, as it was prepared to run a smooth and organised functioning of the society. With time, people of higher classes developed a superego in their hearts and minds, leading to the exploitation of the lower caste. It's the mentality of people that should be blamed, it's the upbringing of kids by their parents that should be blamed. It's good to be attached to your roots unless it's harmful to someone else. If it harms someone mentally, emotionally, or physically, no, it isn't a religion. If we refer to Brahmins, history sings the songs of their harmony and love towards humanity, It's no less than a divide and rule policy if we target the entire community so it's better to change our minds because there's nothing wrong with scriptures, we as a human fails if we exploit each other over nonsensical issues It's never too late to change our mind so let's walk away from sins to meet solace.

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