Caste-related violence in India

Caste-related violence in India has occurred and continues to occur in various forms.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch:"inhuman, and degrading treatment of over 165 million people in India has been justified on the basis of caste. Caste is descent-based and hereditary in nature. It is a characteristic determined by one's birth into a particular caste, irrespective of the faith practiced by the individual. Caste denotes a traditional system of rigid social stratification into ranked groups defined by descent and occupation. Caste divisions in India dominate in housing, marriage, employment, and general social interaction-divisions that are reinforced through the practice and threat of social ostracism, economic boycotts, and physical violence."

Quoting about the atrocities that are committed by land holding communities on Untouchables, Author Dr. C. P. Yadav states that, "Atrocities are committed on the 'Untouchables' in the villages and small towns and the incidents of such cases are showing an upward trend. Atrocities are committed by the members of land holding Upper castes like Vanniyars and Thevars in Tamil Nadu; by Reddys and Kammas in Andhra Pradesh; by Marathas and Kunbis in Maharashtra; by Bhumihars and Rajputs in Bihar, by Jats, Gujars, Ahir and Rajputs in Uttar Pradesh".