Articles on the Godhra incident and its aftermath, and 'the Hindutva laboratory'.

A detailed account by Human Rights Watch of the extent and means of discrimination against lower castes.

An explanation of the caste system in history, and modern practice.

Swami Vivekananda, with a partial justification of the caste system. Denies that the system is a product of religion, and ascribes it to other social factors.

A short and simple justification and explanation for the caste system, with an emphasis on Nepal.

A brief account of how the system developed in Bengal, with some notes on the differences from the rest of India.

Read about the caste system prevailing in modern India.

An overview of the caste system, and additional notes on history, its place in modern India, and its relevance to untouchables and non-Hindus.

Population figures for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes of the country, by state.

Collection of articles, comments and analyses on the issues.

India Together website - news and articles regarding Dalits.

First of a set of articles by P. Sainath on the position of Dalits in the country in the 1990's.

An academic assessment of these issues, with statistics by age and literacy.

Dr. Subhash C. Sharma on the natural evolution of various professions in ancient India, explaining that the original Hindu vocations were not based on heredity or birth.

Account of the emergence of the hierarchical caste system by Sudheer Birodkar, with parallels drawn with class systems in other regions.

Reports on the activities, constitution and membership of this group, and reports produced by it recently.

Discussions on caste, religious and communal issues at the Punjabi Talk website.

Account of the place of caste in Indian society today, from a site promoting Christian Methodism.

On the political issues around the existence of subcastes among Dalits and scheduled castes.

A basic introduction to the caste system, including an account of its religious justification.

Article on the 'Criminal Tribes Act' and its legacy in the form of communities that continue to be considered inherently criminal by the authorities.

Kevin Hobson on the British role in building the modern caste system. Also discusses how the parallels between the caste system and the British class system led to mutual support and reinforcement of each during the 19th century.

Extols the virtues of Islam against shortcomings of Hinduism. Describes violence and repression by caste Hindus and the Indian state against Muslims, Christians, and others, from an anti-Hindu and anti-Indian perspective.

Reports of recent communal clashes are put into a historical and social perspective by Time Magazine.