[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 111 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H7661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 DALITS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I hosted a screening of a 
documentary entitled, ``India's Hidden Slavery,'' a film about 
contemporary slavery in India among the 250 million Dalits or 
untouchables.
  The caste system has at the top the Brahmin or priestly class, the 
ruling class. That includes politicians. At the very bottom, not even 
considered a caste because they're too low, the Dalits. Today, in the 
world's largest democracy, an unknown hidden system exists with people 
without basic human rights.
  In contrast to the economic progress in some sectors in Indian 
society, below the surface is a society still racked by caste, with 
millions suffering and held hostage to a social structure that 
reinforces segregation, poverty, injustice and slavery. Recently, 
village leaders just condemned to death a couple that married outside 
their caste.
  While the government of India has taken some small steps to outlaw 
the caste system, in reality, it permeates every aspect of life there.
  I commend India for its economic progress, but I urge government 
leaders to ensure that all people in India have basic human rights, and 
especially the 250 million Dalits.

                          ____________________