Caste and Exclusion: Dalits in Contemporary Pakistan

Abstract

This article examines the systemic caste discrimination of Dalits (untouchables) in Pakistan, an overlooked topic even when the country has a constitutional mandate of equality. Based on historical analysis and interviews with Dalit activists, it reveals entrenched barriers in education, healthcare, and political participation. Legislative initiatives, including the Sindh Hindus Marriage Act (2018), are present but fail because they are weakly enforced and institutionally ignored. In contrast to India-centric caste studies, the research provides an innovative angle through the study of caste in the context of Muslim-majority populations, combining religion and minority rights in the discourse. By taking a Dalit-centred approach, it draws attention to the gap between protection given by law and actual experience, advocating for land rights, gender equality, and social inclusion. The research expands human rights and social justice research, suggesting improved legal protections, specific socio-economic policies, and increased Dalit political representation. It calls for an enhanced examination of caste relations in Muslim societies, contending that confronting this exclusion is crucial to getting Pakistan’s law on the same page as its ideology of justice and equity. This paper emphasises the imperative of policy change and additional research to close the gap between promise and performance.