They are considered "untouchable" due to the rigid social hierarchy in India, where Dalits are historically a marginalized and oppressed community. They have been historically subjected to discrimination, exclusion, and violence based on their caste. The belief in their ritual impurity and contagiousness stems from the caste system, which places them at the bottom rung of society. This deeply ingrained belief system has perpetuated the discrimination and social exclusion of Dalits for centuries.
