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DALITS (UNTOUCHABLES) : Facts "Untouchables" (Dalits) are generally defined as people belonging to castes that rank below the Sudra varna—the lowest of the four major castes (varnas): the Brahmins (priestly caste); Kshatriyas (warrior caste), the Vaisyas (farmer caste); and Sudras (laborers). Dalits have traditionally been regarded as having such low status they don't even register on the caste system. There are an estimated 200 million to 300 million of them, depending how different castes are counted, and they make up one sixth to one forth of India's population. [Source: Tom O’Neill, National Geographic, June 2003] Untouchables don't like the being called Untouchables. They prefer to be called Dalits, meaning “ground down” and "oppressed." Mahatma Gandhi called them "Harijans" which means "children of god." Many find this term patronizing. They and members of other lower castes are often described these days as ...