The discrimination and persecution suffered by India’s 65 million
‘untouchables’ was declared an abuse of human rights in 2011.
Ms Rajak and her family, including her father who is himself a Dhobi community
elder remain determined to defy the elders’ order and have defended her
right to make a living as best she can.
The first villager to obey the community or Samaj’s order was her violent
husband, she said, after the elders said he could no longer live with her
while she was working as a sweeper.
Her father, who owns a small bicycle repair shop and is himself an elder of
the Dhobi community told the Hindustan Times he was standing by his
daughter. “Instead of appreciating her efforts to find a job, the
community is punishing us,” Budhulal Rajak told the Hindustan Times.
Ms Rajak remains defiant and insists she will not give up her job however
great the ‘stigma.’ “No one can live without money. Why should the
caste system be tied to employment?” she asked.
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