The Dalit among Dalits

Even after reservation policy, positive changes and a constant support of the political machinery in the country towards eradication of discrimination against the Dalits, it is still not easy being a Dalit. So the question that comes to one's mind is - if being a Dalit is so tough, how tough will it be to live a life of a Dalit woman? Women in any caste are considered lowly creatures. So how does a lowly creature among the alleged lowly creatures live?

The Dalits who constitute roughly 16.23 per cent of our population, since the Constitution of India "cast a special responsibility on the State to promote with special care the education, economic interest of the Scheduled Castes and promised to protect them from all forms of exploitation and social injustice (Article 46)."

Dalit women in India are considered the Dalits among Dalits and suffer from a three-fold oppression — 

1. On account of gender because of existing patriarchy,
2. On account of their caste 'the untouchable',
3. Finally, on account of their class - as they hail from the poorest and most marginalized communities.

Census shows that 80% of the SCs live in rural areas and are dependent on wage employment. They have to contend with high rates of under employment leading to greater incidence of poverty.