U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Committee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing to study the terrible situation facing India’s 250 million Dalits and tribal peoples. The Dalits, better known as “untouchables,” and other tribal peoples are treated as virtual non-humans, and suffer pervasive discrimination and violation of their human rights. Smith, a champion of human rights causes since being elected to Congress, held the oversight hearing on Thursday afternoon. 

    “As the world’s largest democracy, India must radically improve this terrible situation,” said Smith. “This hearing is important because it provides the opportunity for leaders in the struggle for human rights for Indias’ Dalits and tribal peoples to describe the situation in India.”

    Earlier this year, the U.S. and India relations took a giant step forward after decades of estrangement during the Cold War, and have resolved to establish a “global partnership.” Most observers have focused on the nuclear proliferation implications of the agreements as potential stumbling blocks to a true strategic partnership. Another less discussed but just as important obstacle to any enduring partnership between the two nations is India’s serious human rights problems. These problems are documented in the three current State Department reports: the 2004 Human Rights Report on India, the 2005 Report on Trafficking in Persons, and the 2004 Report on Religious Freedom. All three are catalogues of human rights violations which the Government of India condones, ignores – and in some instances, has even promoted.

    India leads the world in its tolerance for sex-selection abortions and female infanticide. India forbids both, but there is virtually no enforcement of these laws. UNICEF has warned that unless steps are taken to address the problem, India will soon face unexpected social problems, not least increased trafficking of women. As more and more girls are aborted or murdered after birth, larger numbers of women and girls will be trafficked.

    In India, no group falls prey to India’s poor human rights record than its Dalits and tribal peoples. According to India’s caste system, Dalits are considered impure and therefore are discriminated against, denied access to land and forced to work in degrading conditions. Most Dalits continue to live in extreme poverty, without land or opportunities for better employment or education. Nearly 80 percent of the tribal population lives below the poverty level. Most cannot afford primary education, so their literacy rates remain very low and only a small minority can benefit from these quotas. 

    Dalits are routinely abused at the hands of the police and of higher-caste group that enjoy the state's protection. Despite constitutional safeguards, the rights of indigenous groups in the eastern parts of the country are often ignored. Mob violence, lynching, arson, and police atrocities against tribal persons are all too common.

    Smith noted that the Dalits and tribal peoples continue to suffer from the abhorrent practice human trafficking. Dalit girls have been forced to become temple prostitutes and are eventually sold into prostitution. Tens of thousands of tribal women have been forced into situations of economic and sexual exploitation. 

    Over the years, many Dalits and tribal groups have converted from Hinduism to other faiths to escape widespread discrimination and achieve higher social status. Converts to Christianity and Christian missionaries are particularly targeted, as violence against Christians often goes unpunished. Many states have also adopted anti-conversion laws, in violation of India’s constitutional protection for religious freedom.

“While India’s government has made strides to open its economy and improve the lives of its citizens, the best laws in the world are useless unless there is vigorous enforcement,” said Smith. “All too often, enforcement of laws protecting human rights has been weak or non-existent. This hearing will provide first hand information that we can use to help conquer these horrible human rights violations.”