Domestic Violence against Dalit Women: A critical review

Abstract

Even after 67 years of Independence of India, the Dalit /Scheduled caste (SC) women are subjugated by patriarchal structures, both in the general community and within their own family. Violence and inhuman treatment, such as sexual assault, rape, and naked parading, serve as a social mechanism to maintain Dalit women’s subordinate position in society. They were bearing the triple burden of caste, class, and gender. Being positioned at the lowest social order of Indian society, Scheduled caste women suffer from many forms of discrimination, including lack of education, economic disadvantages, social disempowerment, domestic violence, political invisibility, and sexual oppression. The researcher found that .  Domestic Violence Act does not have the authority to end the marital relation. The power of social pressure is not enough to pressurize couples to work out their differences and special woman cells have been established to exercise a similar influence. Panchayats and social pressure was previous means to solve petty issues,.