"Untouchability has often been termed as the inhuman institution of Indian Society". In this context, discuss the social problems of untouchability from different perspectives.

• Untouchability is dehumanising as it rejects generic equality of mankind. • In ritual sphere, untouchables are prevented temple entry. Eq a temple was 'purified' after Bihar CM from low caste visited. • Habitation segregation as the untouchables live in fringe areas and cannot use slipper to travel through villages.

• According to Walter Fernandes, despite political mobilisation and reservation in local Panchayats, Dalit woman panch was not allowed to hoist flag on Republic day celebration - These instances perpetuate hopelessness and inferiority in untouchables. • Karla Hoff & Priyanka Pandey in World Bank study [found] that though children from lower caste performed at par with others, but when they were made aware of their castes, [by] naming their performance dropped. • This prevents learning outcomes and education penetration • This deviance can also cause disgruntled lower castes to rebel and take up crimes & drugs.

• Segregation at Mid day Meals and refusal to eat food if cooked by lower castes socialises children in untouchability. • Neglect, Isolation and Exclusion perpetuates Economic Exploitation as majority [untouchables] are landless. • In Manual scavenging also Valmiki, Hadi, Ghasi castes are 98% which promotes occupational segregation. • It undermines the notions of harmony & co-existence as basic tenets of Hinduism & perpetuate its decay as Gandhiji argued.