Caste

caste

India’s caste system is one of the world’s oldest forms of social stratification. Its most egregious manifestation is untouchability, which deems certain people “impure” and forces them into a life apart. Despite the fact that caste discrimination has been illegal in India since 1950, untouchability is still a part of modern Indian society.  

Since 2010, Video Volunteers has been documenting untouchability across the length and breadth of the country.  Correspondents have reported extensively on caste discrimination and caste violence There are reports on ‘manual scavenging,’ the inhumane caste-based occupation of cleaning and handling human excreta from dry latrines and sewers. There are testimonies of Dalit farmers whose crops or homes are burnt simply because of their caste; of tribal leaders killed for protesting their rights; young students forced to do maintenance jobs in schools because of their Dalit background.

These reports form the basis of a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court, filed by the Human Rights Law Network, which demands that the government take proactive steps to implement the constitutional prohibition of untouchability. VV’s reports are a unique record, in part because untouchability itself is often hidden from public view, and thus can only be captured by someone from the community.

The Woes of Musahar Community

 
/ October 11, 2022

This video shows a Musahar community of Bhadohi District, Uttar Pradesh. They were settled next to a forest, away from the town area, because of their ‘untouchable’ status. Community Correspondent Anil Kumar here reported a heart wrenching story of a young boy picked up by a wolf from the nearby...

Families in Bihar Living Under Extreme Stress of being Forcibly Evicted

 
/ May 9, 2022

In the Katihar district of Bihar state, 60 families are staying in shanties next to the State Highway. But they have to be relocated, because of the Highway expansion project, and that is the issue.

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Three labourers in Mumbai die after inhaling toxic fumes in a septic tank

 
/ May 1, 2022

The practice of manual scavenging violates Article 21 of the Indian Constitution which guarantees the ‘Right to live life with dignity.’

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“12 years of reporting on Caste and Untouchability”

 
/ April 14, 2022

“Over the last 12 years, Video Volunteers has produced more than 600 video reports on caste and untouchability, across India.

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“Working with VV to resolve community issues has given me a lot of respect.”

 
/ April 14, 2022

50-year-old Gayatri is an indefatigable force when it comes to breaking long-standing social bias in her life and that of her community members.

“A government official can suppress petitions but not a video”

 
/ April 11, 2022

Meet Anil Kumar Saroj, our Community Correspondent from Bhadoi district in Uttar Pradesh who has proved that one does not need to put on a mask, wear a bodysuit or take the law into their own hands to fight for the rights of neglected communities and give them their dues.

‘My parents gave me life but VV gave me hope & a way ahead in...

 
/ March 1, 2022

Meet Shambhulal Khatik, Video Volunteers Community Correspondent from Rajsamand district in Rajasthan.