Geneva: UN Says India's Caste System a Human Rights Abuse


Geneva, Sep 29 (rediff): The United Nations Human Rights Council, meeting in Geneva, is expected to ratify draft principles which will recognize India's caste system as a human rights abuse.

The UN will condemn the persecution suffered by 65 million 'untouchables' or 'Dalits' who carry out the most menial and degrading work.

The UN draft, which has been opposed by India, pledges to work for the 'effective elimination of discrimination based on work and descent.'

The Indian government had lobbied heavily for the Human Rights Council to remove the word 'caste' from a draft earlier this year.

India's opposition was undermined however by Nepal, the former Hindu kingdom, which has supported the move. Its foreign minister Jeet Bahadur Darjee Gautam said Nepal welcomes UN and international support for its attempts to tackle caste discrimination.
The UN has now called on India to follow Nepal's example, but New Delhi remains opposed to international interference on the issue.

Navanethem Pillay, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, who is a South African Tamil, said Nepal's response marked a 'significant step by a country grappling with this problem itself' and urged other states to follow its lead.

The issue is sensitive in India where untouchables and other low-caste groups wield increasing political influence, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

According to The Telegraph, the caste divisions has become institutionalised by quotas for Dalits in government jobs and university places, which has in turn angered higher caste groups.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Nicholas, Bangalore

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Vishwa,USA I donot know who gave you entry to USA as there are only educated people who can differentiate between right & wrong. About burqa, Please go to Arabic countries & see for yourself. No women is forced to wear burqa like sathi where a wife of dead man if doesnot sit in the pyre is pushed into it & burnt live,Why donot the same thing apply for men.

    This is taking life of a person which you are comparing to burqa which is dressing properly without any force. Please think before comparing things. Abdulla Madumoole, Abu Dhabi, I think this is not your real name When you are born god never told you, you are from low caste, you must have freedom to proove your ability based on your intelligence. All which looks white is not milk same way all who are higher caste are brilliant

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  • Kishore, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    In every religion we have caste system.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    Ashok/Dubai, I am shocked to read your comments from a well educated guy like you. Have we not failed to accept the ground realities? When you dont treat a human being who is like you in all aspects, at par and euqal to you and ill treat him socially and humiliate because of his birth, conversion is bound to happen. To stop conversion, please call dalit and that they are equal to you , equal to any other human being, dine and dance together, open the doors of temple for them and see the change. No body would want to convert and will remain and die as a dalit but as equal to upper caste person. Pls put my advice in to practice and see the change.

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  • shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    Only education of masses and awareness will eradicate stigmas associated with caste system. However caste system in its entirity cant be abolished as it is deep rooted social system in India. However, there are many upper caste people along with some political parties are against the eradication of this social stigma. They are worried and afraid of losing the respect and powerful social position they used to enjoy.

    They are trying their best to revive the varna system and stay in focus. For eg., when Buddhism was founded and embraced by rulers, the vedic upper caste people were worried and they started a movement to drive Buddhism out of India and revived the manu culture. Same thing happened when Jainism came in.

    Today also what you see is that one group is very much favouring caste system. History repeats itself. Only education and awareness with ones social rights and responsibilities would eventually abolish the stigma. All human beings are born equal and only respect is earned by deeds and not by virtue of their birth.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Pradeep, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    Yes, the rich are getting richer and the poor is poor for ever. I do agree to have a caste system only in education where the deprived one's can get quality basic education. Otherwise, NO. Once the deprived one's have got their education, all the jobs, higher education and other facilities should be soley based on merit. Then only there will exist equality among people and India will be a great nation.

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  • ASHOK, Udupi/Dubai

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    Why they always pointing at India. Just to take the advantage of poor Hindus to convert them to other religion. Thier target is to convert all the dalits by 2020. All we know, Our Govt know & made so many changes in law to protect Dalits.

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  • vishwa, mangalore\usa

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    We all know that, irrespective of partyline every one opposed it, law is there to protect. Now caste system is there for only identity. We know child marriage is wrong, burning widow is wrong, untocuhablity is wrong. Our law has banned that. What about multiple marriages to same person? What about wearing burcha for women? are they not human right violation

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  • Abdulla Madumoole, Abu Dhabi

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    UN is acting mindless. Is the caste system in India is introduced by any state or central government ? Or is it introduced by any right, left or any other organization? It is a social system , true that there are problems with the system and those problems need to be addressed. It is atrocious to brand that the caste system is a human rights violation. The whole of India is fragmented into thousands of castes, then who is violating whose human right ?

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  • Leo Dmello, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    India' Caste System is the best in the world which differenciates between people giving them the status of high, medium and low births. We Indians are proud of our culture because of our religion and majority of hindus believe in the caste system even today.

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  • Abdulla Madumoole, Abu Dhabi

    Tue, Sep 29 2009

    UN is acting mindless. Is the caste system in India is introduced by any state or central government ? Or is it introduced by any right, left or any other organization? It is a social system , true that there are problems with the system and those problems need to be addressed. It is atrocious to brand that the caste system is a human rights violation. The whole of India is fragmented into thousands of castes, then who is violating whose human right ?

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Clifford Fernandes, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 29 2009

    Well the so called higher casts have exploited lower casts over the years so it is time the lower casts got their fair share of the wealth.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Mathew Singh, Beliz, Central America

    Tue, Sep 29 2009

    In the coming years Indian Caste system is disadvantages to High caste Hindus because it will make them minority and will take away their political power at elections and take away their benefits from educational institutions & Government jobs. Continuing with Caste system will make Low caste Hindus economically & politically strong and powerful. Enlightened Indian Citizens should give-up their caste system and bring equality among all its Citizens and prevent divisions with in its age old Grate religion and society

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