Dalit Hindus
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 200 millions[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India | 18 millions |
 Bangladesh | 5.5-6.5 millions[2] |
 Nepal | 3.5 millions[3] |
 Pakistan | 3.1 millions[4] |
| Religion | |
| Majority Hinduism Minority Ravidassia, Adi Dharm | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Dalit Christian, Dalit Muslim | |
Dalit Hindus, or Lower Class Hindus are Dalit community whose are adherent to Hinduism and are at the lowest rank of Varna system, who are either considered as Shudra or Avarna. They are mostly present in South Asian countries, mainly in India, Nepal,[5] Pakistan[6] and Bangladesh.[7]
Origins
The Dalits (formerly Untouchables) were considered as the lowest people in the Hindu varna who do low-class jobs. Though after there have been several sects among them such as Balmikism, Ramnami, Ravidassia, Kabir panth taking inspiration from the Dalit saints. The Bhakti movement has also resulted in their upliftment in the society.
Conversion
There has been a significant conversion of Dalits to Islam and Christianity during the Muslim rule and Company rule in India. Though there has also been conversion to Buddhism, after the B. R. Ambedkar conversion to Navayana.
Buddhism
The conversion of Dalits from Hinduism to Buddhism started after the conversion of B. R. Ambedkar and the movement is continued in modern-India mainly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.[8] There have been numerous incidents where Dalits have converted from Hinduism to Buddhism, due to Caste-related violence.[9]
Christianity
The first conversion to Christianity in India was by the Dalits of South India, though during the Company rule there was also a massive conversion of Hindus, mainly Dalits to Christianity.[10] Even in modern times, there is a conversion of Dalit Hindus to Christianity in India, Pakistan and Nepal.[11]
Islam
Re-conversion
Many Hindu organisations such as Arya Samaj and Vishva Hindu Parishad have worked extensively for bringing Dalits back to Hinduism in the form of Gharwapsi movement from Islam and Christianity.[12][13] There has also been a demand of caste-less Hindu society and has been integrating Dalits in the movement of Hindutva.[14][15]
See also
References
- ^ "Dalits still feel in bottom caste ladder". NBC News.
- ^ Pasic, Damir. "Bangladesh". International Dalit Solidarity Network. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
- ^ "Dalits in Nepal: Story of Discrimination | ヒューライツ大阪". www.hurights.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-02-23.
- ^ Patel, Shaista Abdul Aziz. "It is time to talk about caste in Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
- ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Nepal: Deadly caste-based attacks spur outcry over social discrimination | DW | 16.06.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Mehdi, Tahir. "In Pakistan, Dalits' dreams have turned into a nightmare". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ "Oppressed Dalits of Bangladesh fight for their future". The Independent. 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Shetty, V. T. Rajshekar (1983). Ambedkar & His Conversion. Dalit Sahitya Akademy.
- ^ Varagur, Krithika (2018-04-11). "Converting to Buddhism as a Form of Political Protest". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Bauman, Chad M. (2008-10-07). Christian Identity and Dalit Religion in Hindu India, 1868-1947. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8028-6276-1.
- ^ Yadav, Bhupendra (2010-11-02). "What drives the Dalits to Christianity?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2021-08-03). Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-22309-4.
- ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2010). Religion, Caste, and Politics in India. Primus Books. ISBN 978-93-80607-04-7.
- ^ Menezes, Dale Luis; Kanekar, Amita (2015-03-13). "'Ghar Wapsi': Owner of the house or servant?". Round Table India. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ "The Dalit-Hindutva paradox". The Hindu. 2016-10-18. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
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