Quest Journals Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science Volume 9 ~ Issue 8 (2021)pp: 46-54 ISSN(Online):2321-9467 www.questjournals.org *Corresponding Author: Dr. Seema Mathur 46 | Page Research Paper Caste Based Discrimination and Violence Against Dalit Women In India Dr. Seema Mathur Asst. Professor, Kalindi College, University Of Delhi ABSTRACT In a male dominated society like India, Social position of women makes them more vulnerable to a number of human rights violations, such as, physical and verbal abuse, forced labour and slavery, trafficking, abduction, naked parading, and sexual violence including rape and gang rape. The social laws like Manusmriti and other Vedic scriptures closed all economic, political, social, educational, and personal channels through which women could be uplifted. In this situation Dalit women suffer unimaginable oppression, not only gender based but caste based too from which there is no scope to escape. Dalit women are also subjected to discrimination based on specific social customs and religious practices, including the Devadasi, Jogini and Badi systems of forced prostitution. It is in this context, this study 1 is the result of empirical research done in Rajasthan with 200 study samples of Dalit Women who were the victims of caste based discrimination and violence. KEY WORDS: Dalit Women, Caste-based Discrimination, Violence, Atrocities Received 18 July, 2021; Revised: 01 August, 2021; Accepted 03 August, 2021 © The author(s) 2021. Published with open access at www.questjournals.org I. INTRODUCTION Violence is used by dominant castes as a social mechanism for humiliating entire Dalit communities. Dominant castes use violence against Dalit women to degrade their honour and self respect, control their bodies and sexuality, and demands women’s submission to supply labour for livelihood. In result violence converts into atrocity as it is the combinations of violence against Dalits by non-Dalits to teach them lessons. In most of the cases of atrocities Dalit women have been threatened by the perpetrators to remain silent about the incidents or withdraw police cases or pressurized for ‘compromises’ when cases have been registered. Often Dalit women responded to verbal abuse of the dominant castes with silence and walk away without replying in order to maintain their dignity. Atrocities prevent the overall development and enjoyment of human rights for Dalit women and their community as well. So the assertion of Dalit women for their rights to equallity, dignity and identity as human beings should be encouraged positvely. It is in this context, this study 2 is the result of empirical research done in Rajasthan with 200 study samples of Dalit Women who were the victims of caste based discrimination and violence. II. CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DALIT WOMEN The low social status attached to Dalit women by untouchability functions as an opportune reason for dominant castes to discriminate against the Dalit women and accordingly devalue their abilities as persons. Physical contact ‘touching’ with Dalit women is prohibited due to the stigma of impurity attached to them. Their dependency on dominant castes for their livelihood, maintains a culture of silence against untouchability and discrimination. The fear of indignity, humiliation and rape is always present. Untouchability practices are routed in economic and political equality based on a social norm of ‘graded inequality’. 1 Mathur, Seema.2013, Atrocities on Dalit Women in India: A Selected Study of Patterns and Forms. Gujarat: Eklavya Prakashan. 2 Mathur, Seema.2013, Atrocities on Dalit Women in India: A Selected Study of Patterns and Forms. Gujarat: Eklavya Prakashan.