Untouchability: meaning, definitions and examples

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untouchability

[ ʌntʌˈtʃəbɪlɪti ]

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social issue

Untouchability refers to the practice in India where certain groups of people are considered so impure that they are not allowed to touch or be touched by members of higher castes. This system of discrimination is based on the belief in the inherent superiority of some and the inferiority of others.

Synonyms

Examples of usage

Untouchability has been officially abolished in India, but the practice still persists in some rural areas.
The Dalits, formerly known as 'untouchables', have been fighting to end untouchability and caste discrimination for decades.

Translations

Translations of the word "untouchability" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intocabilidade

🇮🇳 अछूतता

🇩🇪 Unberührbarkeit

🇮🇩 ketidaktersentuhan

🇺🇦 недоторканність

🇵🇱 nietykalność

🇯🇵 不可接触性

🇫🇷 intouchabilité

🇪🇸 intocabilidad

🇹🇷 dokunulmazlık

🇰🇷 불가접촉성

🇸🇦 عدم المساس

🇨🇿 nedotknutelnost

🇸🇰 nedotknuteľnosť

🇨🇳 不可接触性

🇸🇮 nedotakljivost

🇮🇸 ósnertanleiki

🇰🇿 тиіспеушілік

🇬🇪 დაუკავშირებული

🇦🇿 toxunulmazlıq

🇲🇽 intocabilidad

Word origin

The practice of untouchability has its roots in the ancient Indian caste system, where people were divided into four main social classes or castes. Those considered 'untouchable' were placed at the lowest rung of society and faced severe social discrimination. The concept of untouchability has been a subject of debate and activism in India for many years, leading to legal reforms and social movements aimed at eradicating this discriminatory practice.