In South Asia's caste system, an untouchable, dalit, or achuta is a person outside of the four castes, and considered below them. Untouchables include such people as leather-workers. There are various subcastes or jati within untouchable, the lowest ranking generally considered to be the Bhangis. At the 1991 census, Dalits constituted more than 16% of India's population, [1] (http://www.censusindia.net/scst.html) with the greatest numbers living in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar. Nepal and in Pakistan (http://www.pakdalits.tk), more than 60% of total Hindus is Dalit population.
Harijan was the polite form for untouchable coined by Mahatma Gandhi which means "Children of God" (Hari is another name for Vishnu, a Hindu God). Untouchables generally consider this term to be condescending and prefer the name dalit, variously translated as "crushed", "stepped on" or "oppressed". The term scheduled castes/scheduled tribes (SC/ST) is also used in the Indian legal system to refer to this group along with other non-caste tribes.
Mari Marcel Thekaekara. 1999. Endless Filth: The Saga of the Bhangis. London: Zed Books. ISBN 184277266X.
Subrata K. Mitra and V.B. Singh. 1999. Democracy and Social Change in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Electorate. New Delhi: Sage Publications. ISBN 817036809X (India HB) ISBN 0761993444 (U.S. HB).
External links
Untouchable @ National Geographic Magazine (http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0306/feature1/index.html)
Dalit (http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/India/Society_and_Culture/Communities/Dalit/) - links at Open Directory Project
Root Of Hindu Untouchability (http://www.ambedkar.org/ambcd/)
Scheduled Castes Federation of Pakistan (http://www.pakdalits.tk)
Harijan are a tight knit group of talented musicians that work well together in an eclectic mix of styles to form something starkly original.
Harijan were the first band I had any interest in seeing as I had some downloads and wanted to see them for quite some time, apparently down a guitarist with the lead singer taking over guitar duty as well as singing the set was enjoyable.
Harijan have been down at least one member every time I’ve seen them, today they lack a guitarist and a sax player leaving a 4 piece to play their first gig outside of the Manchester area.
Harijans (hâr'ĭjănz') [children of God], in India, individuals who are at the bottom of or outside the Hindu caste system.
Until the Indian constitution of 1949, Harijans, who constitute 15% to 20% of India's population, were subject to discrimination and social restrictions because of their “polluting” effect on those with whom they came into contact.
Under the constitution, the Harijans were recognized as scheduled castes and tribes entitled to educational and vocational opportunities, as well as representation in parliament; however, widespread discrimination still exists.
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