Across India, experiments to forge the ‘Hindu national community’ are predicated on the breakage of minoritised Muslims and Christians, and Adivasis and Dalits. What’s happening in Manipur is part of a plan operationalised by the Hindu Right decades ago.
Many people know Dalits by the name “untouchables” but Dalits is the preferred nomenclature.
Untouchability used to be practised systemically against Dalits, and is unfortunately making a comeback. If the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act were implemented in spirit and in letter by the police and the justice system, the dehumanising practise would stamp out.