Discrimination Against Harijans and Dowry Deaths: Examples of Ongoing Victimization in India (From The Victimology Handbook: Research Findings, Treatment, and Public Policy, P 197-216, 1990, Emilio Viano, ed. -- See NCJ-126951)

• NCJ Number: 126965
• Author(s): B Pandya
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: Garland Publishing, Inc.
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines two major forms of victimization in India that have existed for centuries and still persist despite laws to counter them: discrimination against Harijans and dowry deaths.

Abstract

Discrimination against Harijans (the poor in India) stems from antiquated notions of the divine origin of caste hierarchy in Hindu Indian society. Under this system, members of the lowest rung of the social ladder are viewed as "untouchables" by the higher castes. Harijans must live in separate settlements away from the main villages. Discrimination often consists of unmerited or excessive punishment in juristic and administrative procedures; extra-legal actions against Harijans include lynching, murder, rape, and arson. Various economic injustices are also perpetrated against them. Such discrimination persists in spite of a constitution and legislation that outlaws it. Dowry deaths are based in the ancient custom of having a bride's family pay a dowry of valuable items and sometimes cash to the bridegroom for selecting the bride as his wife. This custom fosters two forms of family homicide: the murder of female infants by their parents because they cannot bear the expense of a future dowry and the murder of wives by their husbands after they have obtained the dowry.