This introductory chapter examines the situation of Dalits within the Indian social structure and how it has been impacting Dalit human rights for millennia. It also attempts to understand the overall situation of Dalit human rights in India before shifting its focus to Bihar, which is the main concern of this book. This chapter highlights violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, along with caste-based untouchability and atrocities, and provides an overall situational analysis of Dalit human rights.