Touchable? Dalit inter-marriage on the rise

The highly stratified Indian society is experiencing a revolution as marriages between castes previously unable to interact are on the increase. In the period 2008-09, 4,750 inter-caste marriages involving Dalits took place, showing an upswing in 2007-8 figures of 4,205 in 2007-08. In 2006-07, this figure was recorded as 3,945, showing a steady increase in the trend.

Dalits otherwise known as the Untouchables or outcasts are considered the lowest of the social castes in India. Although the age-old practice has been abolished by the Indian national constitution in 1950, the practice of untouchability remains deeply entrenched in Indian culture and society. Figures for 2010 are awaited but estimates already suggest that the figure could top 5000 at 5862, showing that the upward trend has not slackened. This is a significant development showing changes in individual perceptions and choices relating to Dalits, given how entrenched caste prejudice is in Indian society and a culture in which marriage still remains a largely class-structured institution.  In 2004, a young couple who had an inter-caste marriage was kidnapped by the girl’s relatives and the Dalit community to which the husband belonged was attacked by 200 upper-caste people and forced to leave the village. All the property of the Dalit families in the community was destroyed and robbed by upper caste people and forced them into exile in a different community under miserable conditions.

The Untouchable label has been deeply rooted in the South Asian culture and caste system for generations. The caste system ascribes unequal social status based on birth, dividing South Asian societies into two parts—touchables (upper castes) and untouchables (Dalits/lower castes). The system often referred to as ‘hidden apartheid’ practices distinction, exclusion and restrictions which deny the Dalits of economic, social, political, cultural and religious rights. The Dalits have been exposed to all forms of violence in society. For example, they are segregated into communities, denied access to public drinking water, have restricted movements not allowed to go to restaurants and places of worship, and are restricted to marriage within their own caste. Dalits attempting to take any action or showing signs to assert their rights face extreme violence such as the burning or destruction of their homes and properties, social boycotts, rape or gang rape of Dalit women, and murder by dominant caste people or even by the police. The perpetrators have committed such brutal crimes against Dalits with impunity and connivance by society and the State. The story of the Dalits is highly reminiscent of the experience of the black community in Apartheid South Africa.
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