For 3,000 years, I have been oppressed
This boy represents the 250 million Dalits (doll-leets) , formerly called Untouchable, who have been told by the upper castes of India that they are less than human. If even a Dalit’s shadow falls on an upper caste person, that person is polluted according to caste rules. The Dalit Freedom Network partners with the Dalits in their quest for religious freedom, social justice, and human rights by mobilizing human, information, and financial resources. Take a moment and learn about the most oppressed people of all humankind.
How the Dalit Freedom Network is Involved
EDUCATION
Dalits want an English-based education for their children, recognizing the great benefits available for those educated in English. DFN's Dalit Education Centers are transforming the future for thousands of Dalit children. Read more
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A key way to empower Dalits is to help them gain marketable skills and build a personal credit history. DFN's micro-loan and vocational training programs are helping Dalits take their first steps toward self-sufficiency. Read more
HEALTHCARE
Dalits have little access to medical care, their children receive no vaccinations and preventable infectious diseases spread rapidly. We provide public health awareness, vaccinations and medical interventions. Read more
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Dalits suffer at the hands of authorities and high-caste leaders across India. We work with the government of India to pass new policies that protect Dalits, to ensure those laws and existing laws are enforced, and to protect the religious freedom of all people in India by combating anti-conversion legislation. Read more
IN THE NEWS
A 6 year old girl thrown on fire for being 'lowest class'
A man, incensed that a 6-year-old girl chose to walk through a path reserved for upper caste villagers, pushed her into burning embers, police in north India said Wednesday. She was seriously burned.
Dalit groom asserts his rights
In a rare instance of self-assertion, Dalits in a remote and dusty village of Rajasthan challenged the centuries-old dominance of higher castes and flouted the prohibition against public celebration of their weddings over the weekend. They took recourse to the law and order machinery for protection of their rights.
OPINIONS
View Video about the Dalits and DFN
View Video About the Dalits and DFN. Click here to watch the video:
Racism blindness, cricket, and the Untouchables
On January 8, 2008, CNN/IBN’s ‘Face the Nation’ broadcast focused on racism within India. It was not surprising that, during a call-in survey, 83% of their audience agreed that India has its own racism. The caste system is at the core of this social illness.
State of Terror
It was a near midnight telephone call from colleague and trusted friend John Dayal. The panic in his voice carried over the telephone lines: “Do something, we cannot get through to anyone, the people are surrounded in Orissa, they are going to do another Gujarat.” He had slammed down the receiver before one could respond. Do what John? Call whom? Who is going to listen? No one cares. Oh yes, after the violence is over they will all emerge, clucking their tongues, announcing compensation, denouncing violence, but that will all be after the event. Images of Ahsan Jafri, the veteran Congress leader, calling everyone from Gujarat to Delhi for help as the mobs gathered outside his house, flashed by. He was brutally butchered.
SPONSOR A DALIT CHILD
Sponsor a child now to transform a life now and forever. Thousands of children are waiting for you to share your love. Learn more about sponsoring a child!
The Untouchable Kids of India
Watch the Nick News Special “The Untouchable Kids of India” Video.
DO YOU HAVE A CLAY CUP?
DFN has chosen the clay cup™ to be the symbol of the oppression of the Dalits. For years, throughout India, Dalits were forced to drink out of clay cups which are then destroyed......
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE BLOG
Visit Joseph D’Souza’s International Justice Blog
DEFINITIONS
Learn more about India and the Caste System
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