Debt slaves

Many of India’s lowest caste, the Untouchables, work as debt slaves for members of higher castes. These are people who have in the past borrowed a sum of money, for instance to pay for a wedding or a funeral, that they have no realistic hope of ever paying back - many find it impossible even to find out how much they owe. They are doomed to work unpaid for the lender in perpetuity. This film looks at the injustice of the system and the work of activists to liberate the victims from their slavery.

The lowest of the castes in Indian society are the “untouchables”. Many untouchables work as “debt slaves” for masters from whom they have in the past borrowed money. In some cases, the debt was inherited from a parent. The practice persists despite having been made illegal. It is estimated that there are 300,000 debt slaves, of whom 97% are from the “untouchables” caste.

This programme looks at the lives of debt slaves and seeks the perspective of the master of one of them. It goes on to look at the work of a group that works to free slaves from their debts. It appears to be a straightforward process, but many are afraid of the reaction of the community and the master from whom they seek release.

National curriculum links:

Citizenship KS3: 1f, 2a, 3a

Citizenship KS4: 1f, 2a, 3a