untouchability

Untouchability refers to a historic social practice in the Indian subcontinent that excludes certain people from mainstream society on the basis of caste. The practice has been most closely associated with the groups labeled as untouchables in the past. In contemporary usage, the term is considered pejorative, and many people prefer terms such as Dalits or excluded communities.

The roots of untouchability lie in ideas of ritual purity and pollution within the traditional caste system. Those labeled untouchable were restricted from entering temples, drawing water from common wells, using shared facilities, and participating fully in social, religious, and civic life. They were often confined to segregated living areas and assigned occupations considered polluting, such as leather dealing or sanitation work. Intermarriage and social interaction with higher castes were restricted, and social enforcement mechanisms varied by region.

Legally, India abolished untouchability with the Constitution, which prohibits the practice under Article 17 and directs the state to eliminate all forms of caste-based discrimination. Subsequent laws, such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989), provide specific remedies and enforcement mechanisms. Similar prohibitions exist in other parts of the region, though implementation and enforcement have varied.

In modern times, formal abolition has reduced the practice in many areas, but discrimination and social exclusion persist in some communities. Government policies, including affirmative action measures in education and public employment, aim to address historical disadvantages faced by Dalits. The subject remains a focus of human rights advocacy and social reform efforts, with ongoing debates about effectiveness and further reforms.