Human security does not consist only of military defence, but rather focuses on the protection and wellbeing of human life and dignity. India's performance on the human security index has been dismal on various socioeconomic and political fronts. Successive governments have failed to provide human security to its citizens especially the dalits, the marginalised and the poor—the soft targets of Indian society. Caste discrimination, the violation of dalit rights and violence against them has become customary and organised in the country. This paper examines the context of human security in India in general and with regard to dalits in particular. It also questions India's credibility as a potential superpower given its poor performance on social indicators.
