Despite the lack of written evidence, it is commonly accepted by several scholars that Dalits and tribals are the original people of India; totaling over 200 million, they are indeed, the largest indigenous population in the world. And the least privileged. In fact, they are routinely exploited, humiliated and oppressed in a centuries-old strategy of marginalisation by the ruling upper castes till today. In fact, little do we care to acknowledge – that what feeds the politics of exclusion is our indifference to it.

Sangambanda, Mahbubnagar, Andhra Pradesh – “Yes, we do keep separate glasses for the Harijans in my hotel. In fact, that is the case in all the tea shops and hotels in this area. How can we let them drink from the same glasses as us? That would not be proper.”