Write a short note on Untouchables.

The term "Untouchables" historically referred to individuals belonging to the lowest strata of the caste system in South Asia, particularly in India. Also known as Dalits, Scheduled Castes, or Scheduled Tribes, these communities faced severe social discrimination, exclusion, and oppression based on their perceived impurity and low social status.

Untouchables were traditionally assigned occupations deemed polluting or ritually impure, such as manual scavenging, leatherwork, or cremation services. They were subjected to segregation, denied access to public spaces, and subjected to various forms of discrimination, including restrictions on inter-caste interactions and marriage.

Despite legal abolition of untouchability in independent India, Dalits continue to face caste-based discrimination and violence in various forms, including atrocities, social ostracism, and economic exploitation. Efforts to address the plight of Dalits have included affirmative action policies, legal protections, and social reform movements aimed at challenging caste-based inequalities and promoting social justice and equality for all.