Outcastes of India

Outcastes of India: Stigma, Statis and Change examines the Dalits, or Scheduled Castes, who remain the most discriminated and excluded group in India's caste hierarchy, relegated to occupations deemed 'impure' by society. Despite 78 years of independence and a progressive Constitution enacting measures to abolish caste discrimination and promote equality, many Dalit communities continue to experience deprivation linked directly to their caste status. This book explores the social history and marginalized status of Dalits and their sub-groups, focusing on critical areas including education, employment, and everyday life experiences. The chapters reveal how caste structures remain deeply entrenched in Indian society, demonstrating that even with educational and occupational mobility, shedding caste identity proves extraordinarily difficult. This persistent social stratification highlights the gap between constitutional ideals and lived realities, offering crucial insights into the ongoing challenges facing Dalit communities. This book will appeal to students and researchers in Sociology, Political Science, Dalit Studies, Discrimination Studies, Gender Studies, and Labour Studies. It will also serve as a valuable resource for government organizations, NGOs, and civil society members working within India and the Indian Diaspora to address caste-based discrimination and social justice.