A few weeks ago the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh became the first leader of his country to compare the position of low-caste Hindus to that of black South Africans under apartheid. “Even after 60 years of constitiutional and legal protection” he said, “there is still social discrimination against Dalits in many parts of the country.” One Dalit woman who has risen above her “untouchable” status is the campaigner Ruth Manorama, who won a human rights award last month for her work with Dalit people, especially women.
Martha talks to her about her background, how her family overcame their social position, and her three decades of campaigning. |
