The word “Dalit” comes from the Sanskrit root dal and means broken, down trodden or oppressed. These preciously known as untouchables, depressed classed. Dalit means: “A member of the lowest class in traditional Indian society, falling altogether outside the Hindu caste categories and subject to extensive social restrictions”. In Hindu caste system, dalit status is associated with occupation regarded as ritually impure such as leather work, butchering, removal of rubbish animal carcasses and human waste. Dalits were commonly banned from full participation in Indian social life. Other castes took elaborate precautions to prevent incidental contract with dalits. Thus they face discrimination almost every sphere of life. But over the last three decades, India has experienced a strong wave of dalit assertion for their identity. Dalit though their social and political activities have constructed new identity and challenged structures of inequality and hierarchy. Inspired by the life, work and eminence of the great Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, today belonging to this section of society, his or her identity as dalit is now a badge of honour. This research paper attempts to study in the light of selective review of literature, relevant laws, the contemporary issues and challenges of dalit in India.
Scheduled Caste's Emerging identity, Constitutional awareness
