The Sri Nathji temple in the northwestern state of Rajasthan is normally out of bounds to members of lower castes.

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After the lower castes collect as much grain as they can carry away, the benefactors will "purify" the temple by washing it with milk.

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JD(U), which appeals mainly to middle and lower castes.

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The lower castes also lose out on generous benefits, such as transport allowances, company pensions, subsidised insurance and paid holiday (though regular workers have long been pressured not to use it, to show dedication to the company).

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Christian converts, most of whom are born as dalits at the bottom of the Hindu caste system, often hide their new faith for fear of losing their rights to state jobs and university places kept for the lower castes.

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No one is more worried than Mulayam Singh Yadav, chief of the 20-strong Samajwadi Party, which serves the sort of customers Congress goes after (Muslims and lower castes) in a state (Uttar Pradesh) where Congress is desperate to expand.

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He has got away with it, thanks largely to his rustic pugnacity, which he uses to needle the upper castes and charm the lower ones.

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