The Hindu Social System & Human Rights Of Dalits

About the Author

Sukhdeo Thorat is professor of Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University since 1981. His research work is mainly on Agricultural Development, Rural Poverty, Institution and Economic Growth, Problems of Marginalised Groups such as SC/ST, Economics of Caste System, Human Rights Issues, Thought of Ambedkar, Urban Slum etc. Professor Thorat is the Founder Director of Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, New Delhi.

Extracts from Hindu Social System.& Human Rights of Dalits

“The religious and philosophical principles of Hinduism provide support and justification for the Hindu social order. The religious, philosophical and ritual elements in Hinduism are thus equally important in perpetuating the caste system…..Untouchability is not just a social and cultural phenomenon but is closely related with the material condition, division of labour, economic status and occupation and therfore, economic interest and privilege (as much as the social and religious interest) of the higher castes. …Conflict has grown because the Hindu traditional system with its built-in structural inequalities is being challenged by the imposition of secular universal values.”