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KARUNA 08
- KARUNA 08
India today is booming, taking its place among the world's economic giants. But behind the facade of prosperous modernity there lurks an ancient and primitive social system that places every individual in a rigid social hierarchy - determining people’s livelihoods, marriage partners, educational opportunities and social position. Caste attitudes, sanctified by Hindu scriptures and underpinned by hundreds of years of fear, violence and superstition, still have a tremendous hold over people’s minds and lives.
Of 1.1 billion people in India, approximately 250 million are considered so low that they are outside the caste system. Once called 'untouchables', they are now known as Dalits - the Broken People. Many are confined in a prison of prejudice and poverty. With severely limited access to water, food, work, education, and basic services they are routinely discriminated against by the police, judiciary, teachers, and politicians, as well as their higher caste neighbours.
The symbol of hope for these people is the late Dr. Ambedkar. A tireless campaigner on their behalf, he taught that caste is an attitude of mind and that education will lead to liberation. The devotion of the Dalits to him and his ideas is total. His portrait sits on their shrines along with the Buddha, and hundreds of millions of people use his example to strive for dignity, respect and elevation for themselves and their children.
Karuna is a Buddhist-run charity which allows us to build connections with Dalit communities. We finance educational and cultural projects to help their struggle and those of other disadvantaged groups in South Asia, irrespective of caste or religion.
In this newsletter we show the harsh realities of caste and we highlight how Karuna supported projects are having profoundly transformative effects on people's lives and playing a significant part in helping many to free themselves.
Contents
The horrific murder of a Dalit family reveals the brutal extremes of the caste system.
Dalit activists train a new generation in the struggle against caste.
03 CREATING A CASTELESS SOCIETY
The lives of three women are transformed by communication.
At an educational hostel in the heart of India, sixty-five girls from low caste backgrounds find love, support and the opportunity to build a future.
A widow breaks free from the prison of caste and gender prejudiuce to become a role model for others.
A young man confronts old hatreds to become a leader for all castes.
Credits
Text: Peter Hunt
Photography: Pratap Rughani
Print Edition Design: Ian Waddell