DALIT

Lifting the veil on the Indian Caste System

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Dalit

'Broken', 'downtrodden' or 'oppressed' a term the untouchables use to describe themselves. This term has a more defiant and universal meaning. The term Harijan, coined by Gandhi is frowned upon as it was also used to describe the illegitimate offspring of Devadasis or temple prostitutes.
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Rquotes

 

Criticism of pollution taboos - Echoing Guru Ravidas from North India:
 

Fools! Immersing yourselves in water You shout: Pollution! Pollution! This 'clean' body your temporary abode isn't it pollution? Your honeyed drink: pollution. Blossoms polluted by the bees. As soon as you touch the pure milk of a cow with your hand pollution!

Medieval Tamil Sidha Civavakkiyar

in The Siddha Quest for Immortality by Kamil V Zvelebil, Mandrake of Oxford, UK, 2003.

Picture by Mehrangarh Museum Trust