Democracy and freedom?

The following report should be an interesting reminder of that even democracy does not neceassrily mean much to personal freedom and equality between persons.

I heard in the past that there were different classes of people in India, but have thought those were probably past. But some things in India still appear odd.

Are they part of the human rights that many western politicians talk about?

ABS report: "Indian farmers sell wives to pay debts", 10/09/2009, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/10/2681503.htm?section=justin