Dalit

American  

[dah-lit] / ˈdɑˌlɪt /

Sometimes dalit

noun

Sometimes Offensive.

• Dalits,
  plural
• Dalit
  plural

1. a member of the Scheduled Castes in India, sometimes also considered to include a member of the Scheduled Tribes.

2. a member of any of India’s oppressed peoples.

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Dalit British  

/ ˈdɑːlɪt /

noun

1. Formerly called: untouchable. offensive a member of the lowest class in India, whom those of the four main castes were formerly forbidden to touch

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Usage

The term Dalit, which has replaced untouchable, can have negative connotations: its literal meaning is “oppressed; broken.” The Indian courts and government instead use the terms Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. But Dalit is used in the media and has been adopted by politically active group members as a positive term of self-reference. It generally represents a sense of solidarity and identity and holds political significance for members of this community.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Dalit
  plural
• Dalits
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Dalit

First recorded in 1945–50; from Hindi dalit, from Neo-Sanskrit dalita, specific use of Sanskrit dalita “broken,” from root dal- “to break, burst, split”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Dalit Dalits

"We used to come and see each other, eat together. There were lots of activities here, also holidays to celebrate," remembers Dalit Ram Aharon, who is showing me around with her husband, Achi.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Dalit and Achi are determined to return too.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Dalit pauses to show me a tree planted long ago by her parents, who were co-founders of the kibbutz, known for its farming and peace activists.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Dipke is a Dalit, from a community once considered untouchable and placed at the bottom of India's rigid caste hierarchy.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Kabir Maan, an educator and trans man from India's marginalised Dalit community, voiced similar concerns.

From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026

At independence, India adopted a modest 12.5% quota for the “scheduled castes,” or Dalits, widely acknowledged as the most-disadvantaged victims of caste discrimination.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

"I started educating myself about Ambedkar's teachings and caste politics, slowly I found a whole community of like-minded Dalits online," she told me.

From BBC ● May 30, 2024

Singh also represents Ravidassia community, many of whom are Dalits with roots in Punjab, India.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2023

State Department raised concerns over treatment of Muslims, Hindu Dalits, Christians and other religious minorities in India while also criticizing a crackdown on journalists and dissidents.

From Reuters ● Jun. 23, 2023

Several Dalits have also spoken against it, saying they do not wish to be burdened with a caste identity that they feel is irrelevant in this country.

From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2023