Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the seeds of inequality planted in traditional Indian society and its ever-expanding roots that continue to haunt the conscience of the entirety of the sub-continent. In examining these differences and discriminations, the paper follows a timeline of the attempts made by the legislature to promote equality and emancipate Dalits ever since India got independent. In between, the paper attempts to examine reasons of why all these acts, articles, precedents, and laws legislated were necessary to protect the interests of marginalised communities in India. Then the paper proceeds bring out role of judiciary in protecting the rights of Dalits through historic judgements that have encouraged emancipation of Dalits. The overarching conclusion is that even after the discouragement and prohibition of various judicial decrees, such discriminatory practices exist because of the collective greed of the upper class and the ruling class, fought fiercely by an overburdened, yet righteous judiciary that continues to spread the principles of justice and equality.

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