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SMPLEASE WARCH TIL THE END AND READ @veganadjacent_by_ccpean The caste system in India is an ancient social hierarchy that divides people into rigid categories based on birth, occupation, and perceived purity. At the very bottom of this structure are the Dalits, historically referred to as “untouchables.” Dalits, often the darkest-skinned members of Indian society, have faced systemic exclusion, discrimination, and violence for centuries. They were traditionally denied access to temples, schools, and even clean water, and were forced to live on the margins of villages and towns.
One of the most dehumanizing roles imposed on Dalits has been manual scavenging—the cleaning and disposal of human excrement. Despite being outlawed by the Indian government, this practice persists in many regions. Dalit men and women are often forced to climb into sewage pipes, latrines, and septic tanks with little or no protective equipment, risking their health and lives daily. They clean toilets, carry waste in baskets, and deal directly with human feces as part of their “assigned” caste duty.
This labor is not only physically dangerous but also carries a heavy stigma, reinforcing social segregation. Dalits who engage in this work are treated as invisible, their humanity overshadowed by a system that ties their identity to degradation rather than dignity.
@smittyanddee
