CHAMAAR TAB AUR AB

Passi The name "Passi" refers to two distinct communities in India. The spelling can sometimes cause confusion, as it can be an alternate spelling for the Pasi caste or denote a clan of Khatri in Punjab. FeaturePasi (also spelled Passi)Passi (Khatri Clan)Geographic Location Predominantly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Primarily in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. Caste Classification A Scheduled Caste (SC) community in most north Indian states. A Khatri clan, which is generally considered an upper-caste community in the traditional caste hierarchy. Traditional Occupation Historically, toddy tapping, pig-rearing, and agriculture. Traditionally involved in trading, land lease businesses, and commerce. Political & Social Status The second-largest Dalit community in UP with a history of social assertion and political representation. Described as a highly prominent and respectable clan in Punjab, with a historical association with land ownership and business. 📖 The P...

Hela The term "Hela" in India refers primarily to a specific community that has historically faced significant social and economic marginalization. 💡 Who are the Hela People? The Hela community is primarily found in North India, with significant populations in states like Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan, and West Bengal . They are categorized as a Scheduled Caste (SC) and are widely regarded as a Dalit community . Here is a summary of key information about the Hela community:  Hela Mehtar or simply Mehtar . Population Estimated at around 53,000, though this may be an undercount . Religion Predominantly Hindu, though a distinct Muslim subgroup called the Hela Mehtar exists in Rajasthan . Traditional Occupation Historically associated with manual scavenging, sweeping, and sanitation work. They are also known for mat-weaving and basket-making . Socioeconomic Status A historically marginalized and landless community that has faced discrimination and untouchabi...

Chandal The history of the term "Chandal" in India is complex, describing both a specific community and a deeply ingrained social concept of untouchability. It's not a simple, single answer. 📜 The "Chandal" in Ancient Texts: The Archetype of Untouchability In ancient Hindu scriptures like the Manusmriti (dated roughly to the 2nd century AD), the Chandal was defined as the "lowest of mortals" and an "outcaste" existing outside the traditional four-fold varna system . This was a theoretical concept representing the very bottom of the social hierarchy. Origins and Restrictions: According to these texts, a Chandal was born from a "pratiloma" (against the natural order) union between a Shudra man and a Brahmin woman . They were subjected to extreme social and physical segregation, including: Being forced to live outside the village . Wearing the clothes of the dead and eating from broken dishes . Having their touch be considered polluti...

Paraiyar Samaaj The Paraiyar community is one of the largest and most historically significant Dalit communities in Tamil Nadu and across South India . Their story is central to understanding caste dynamics, social movements, and political change in the region. 📜 Identity and Origins The name Paraiyar has been a subject of much scholarly debate and carries deep historical weight. Etymology: The name is most widely believed to be derived from the Tamil word parai, meaning a drum . This connection is ancient, with references to the Paraiyar and their drumming found in the Sangam literature, such as the Purananuru from the early centuries CE . This early association framed them as drummers who performed at events, made royal announcements, and played a role in warfare . A Broader History: However, historians like Karthikeyan Damodaran challenge the narrow view that they were only drum beaters. They note that the Paraiyar were a large and diverse community engaged in agriculture, weaving,...

Dalit identity in urban Pokhara, Nepal Author links open overlay panel BishnuPariyar Jon C.Lovet t https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.07.006 Abstract Urban migration by Nepalese Dalits has not only provided them with social, economic and educational opportunities, but also the possibility of escaping traditional caste-based discrimination. However, despite making the most of opportunities provided by the city, Dalits have not been able to pursue their political agenda to the extent of other ethnic communities. This study in the city of Pokhara, Nepal, explored Dalit identity using two rounds of focus group discussions involving a total of 23 individuals drawn from a range of Dalit caste groups with a variety of livelihoods. The results describe the caste-based discrimination experienced by the participants and the different strategies they employ to either reinvent themselves by changing names; or embracing their caste-heritage and taking advantage of affirmative action programmes...