Film Screening: Breaking the Caste

Has globalization led to an increase against the already downtrodden? Join the Duke Human Rights Center at the Kenan Institute for Ethics Oct. 12 for a screening and discussion of the film, "Breaking the Caste," a documentary that highlights the struggle of India's "untouchable" population.

"Dalit" is a self-designation of people treated as the lowest group in India's caste system. The vast majority of the Dalit people are Hindu, but many are also Christians. Dalits number around 300 million people, over 16 percent of India's population and live under apartheid-like discrimination.

In the film, viewers hear from N. Fatima Burnad, the founder and executive director of the Society for Rural Education and Development, who has been working among the Dalit community in Tamil Nadu, India for 37 years. Following the showing, a panel discussion will be held with:

Vasant Kaiwar, Visiting Associate Professor, Duke Department of History
Anusha Hariharan, Ph.D. student, UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Anthropology
Moderated by Sucheta Mazumdar, Associate Professor, Duke Department of History

Light refreshments will be provided.