Out of the 22 million population of the country it is estimated that the total population of Dalits is 20% (CERD !(1997) of which Dalit women occupy half of that population. Except for a few, the total segment of this population leads a miserable life. Dalit women have been active throughout history, though often this has not been recorded. They were actively involved in the anti-caste and anti-untouchability movements in the 1920s. Today they are the strongholds of the Dalit movements in thousands of Indian villages. They continue to play a critical role in the movements for women's rights. However, they are unable to put an end to the structural discrimination and exclusion. Violence and impunity are used to keep them in their place.