Re: Why do India’s Dalits hate Gandhi?
Muslim society in India can also be separated into several caste-like groups. In contradiction to the teachings of Islam, descendants of indigenous lower-caste converts are discriminated against by “noble”, or “ashraf”,[37]](Dalit - Wikipedia) Muslims who can trace their descent to Arab, Iranian, or Central-Asian ancestors. There are several groups in India working to emancipate them from upper-caste Muslim discrimination.[38]](Dalit - Wikipedia)[39]](Dalit - Wikipedia)
The Dalit Muslims are referred to by the Ashraf and Ajlaf Muslims as Arzal or “ritually degraded”. They were first recorded in the 1901 census as those “with whom no other Muhammadan would associate, and who are forbidden to enter the mosque or to use the public burial ground”. They are relegated to “menial” professions such as scavenging and carrying night soil.
Ambedkar wrote about the Dalit Muslims and was extremely critical of their mistreatment by upper-caste Muslims, writing: “Within these groups there are castes with social precedence of exactly the same nature as one finds among the Hindus.”