Joe Pitts: “earlier this week I hosted a screening of a documentary entitled, ``India's Hidden Slavery,'' a film about contemporary…”

“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.”