Caste-based discrimination is one of the severest human rights concerns in India, prompting over a thousand human rights groups, locally and abroad, to address the issue. Caste is the ultimate denominator deciding human conduct and status in the country. While this centuries old practice has its roots deeply imbedded in India, its branches have spread across the region, influencing human conduct even in some East Asian countries. Royal ceremonies in Thailand for instance, continue to incorporate Brahmins.

Although members of the upper caste, such as the Brahmins, are a relative minority compared to the populous lower castes, they have historically enjoyed positions of power and privilege. Their association with the ruling elite has been used to exploit the lower caste.

India continues to practice brutal forms of caste-based discrimination, despite it being specifically prohibited under article 15 of the country’s constitution. In fact, caste is even the yardstick for receiving benefits through government sponsored welfare programmes. This makes a mockery of article 17 of the constitution which prohibits untouchability; article 19, which guarantees freedom of speech; article 23, which prohibits bonded labour; and article 46, which requires the government to promote educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other vulnerable groups. Under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, special courts and investigative and prosecutorial functions are outlined for dealing with crimes committed against members of scheduled castes or tribes. Nevertheless, individuals belonging to these communities continue to face severe discrimination throughout the country.

Hunger and starvation 

Over the past 10 years, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)’s work on caste-based discrimination has brought it in contact with several local and international human rights groups engaged in commendable work. Since 2006, the AHRC started receiving cases of starvation and malnutrition from Uttar Pradesh, through the People'''s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). The PVCHR, a local human rights group, became acquainted with the AHRC's work after one of their staff attended a meeting jointly held by the AHRC. The PVCHR subsequently began to send cases to be issued through the AHRC’s Urgent Appeals system.

Each time an appeal was issued, the PVCHR made a conscious attempt to publicize the case through its own network and encouraged the local media to report about the case, remarking that “the Hong Kong based human rights group is concerned about…”. For each case taken up, the PVCHR wrote letters calling for action from the state and central governments, underlining both groups’ commitment. The Urgent Appeals documentation also enabled the PVCHR to register the cases at the National Human Rights Commission, and have them reported through local and international media. 

Meanwhile, the AHRC began digging deeper to find the root cause for starvation and malnutrition in Uttar Pradesh: India, as a country rich in food supply and with a well drafted public food distribution system, should not have citizens facing starvation or malnutrition. Moreover, the country’s Supreme Court had already appointed 'right to food commissioners' to report on the compliance of the Court's 2001 order directing the government to guarantee the right to food as part of the right to life, guaranteed under article 21 of the Constitution.

In fact, it was established that it is the lower caste—known as Da