Imagine sporting a fancy moustache and taking a walk with your girlfriend in the evening. But if you happen to be in Barwa village in Rajasthan, there’s a very good chance that you may be killed. That’s what happened to Jitendra Meghwal when he was ambushed by two men on motorcycles last year. His crime? Sporting facial hair as a lower caste Dalit. As India heads towards next year’s general election, caste prejudice has become a hot-button topic. The recent Bihar caste census shows the inequality faced by the lower caste, threatening Prime Minister Modi’s agenda.

In the 75th year since caste discrimination was outlawed in India, Insight examines why this issue continues to persist. 00:00 Introduction

04:04 The Hindu caste system and discrimination

10:24 Crimes against Dalits on the rise

14:31 Petty restrictions on Dalits

19:02 An army to champion lower caste rights

20:41 A killing over sweets

27:41 Caste discrimination in the workplace

32:57 Has education helped?

35:25 Attacked over a moustache

38:55 Vying for Dalit votes as election approaches

44:27 Can India achieve caste equality?