Pariahs are people who are socially ostracized and excluded from society. The term 'PARIAH' is derived from the Tamil word 'paraiyar', which means 'DRUMMER'. LEPERS and OUTCASTS are two terms that are often used interchangeably with pariahs. LEPERS are people who suffer from leprosy, a contagious skin disease, while OUTCASTS are people who are rejected by society due to their beliefs or lifestyle. Both terms refer to individuals who are considered to be on the margins of society and are often treated as second-class citizens.