Scheduled castes in India: issues and challenges in 21st century

a seminar report

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DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND

COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

GUIDED BY – SUBMITTED BY-

Mr. MARENDRA VISHWAKARMA HIMANSHU CHAOUHAN 0802EC1110

INTRODUCTION

Dalits- officially known as ‘Scheduled Castes’ (SCs) – constitute 16.23% of India’s population. They have historically occupied the lowest status in the Indian society. A central feature of caste discrimination is the concept of ‘untouchability’ based on the notion that certain caste groups are considered ‘impure’ and ‘polluting’ to other caste groups, leading to social ostracism, economic exploitation and denial of human dignity. Article 17 of the Constitution outlaws the practice of ‘untouchability’. However, despite legal and constitutional provisions as well as affirmative action schemes, SCs continue to face many forms of

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untouchability practices as well as social, economic and institutional deprivations.The Indian Constitution vide Article 15 lays down that no citizen shall be subjected to any disability or restriction on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. It also guarantees that every citizen shall have equality of status and opportunity.

The Planning Commission highlighted the fact that nowhere else in the world “has any particular section (of society) been devoid of basic human rights, dignity of labour and social equality on the basis of classification that finds its root in religious writings.” The Commission added: “Since the caste system attains its sanctity in religious writings, emancipation from the rigid classification has been difficult to achieve. The consequences of these traditional restrictions in the past are to be seen, even today.”

Objectives of the Paper : To describe the present situation of discrimination

against scheduled caste To describe the present statues of atrocities against

scheduled caste

Methodology:

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The descriptive nature of this paper ; basically uses published secondary data related to study topic also takes reference of useful website links.

Discrimination Against Scheduled Castes:

About the study of “Untouchability in Rural India” which survey was conducted in 565 Villages of 11 states in 2006 by Ghanshyam Shah, Harsh Mander, Sukhadeo Thorat, Satish Deshpande and Amita Baviskar, As per this study More than 50% of villages: More than 50% of villages: Denied entry into non-Dalit housesDenied entry into non-Dalit housesProhibitions against food sharing Prohibitions against food sharing Denied entry into places of worshipDenied entry into places of worshipIll-treatment of women by other womenIll-treatment of women by other women45-50% of villages:45-50% of villages:Denied cremation and burial groundsDenied access to water facilitiesBan on marriage processionsNot allowed to sell milk to cooperatives Denied barber services Denied laundry servicesIll-treatment of women by non-SC men

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30-40% of villages : 30-40% of villages : Schools-separate eating Payment of wages: no contract Denied entry in to village shops Denied work as agricultural labour Cannot sell things in local markets Denied visits by health workers Separate seating in hotels Separate utensils in hotels Discriminatory treatment in police stations 25-30% of villages :25-30% of villages : Separate seating in Panchayats Separate seating in schools Not employed in house building Denied entry into police stations Denied entry in to PDS shops Forced to stand before upper-caste men

20-25% of villages:

20-25% of villages:20-25% of villages: Paid lower wage rates for same work Ban on festival processions on roads Segregated seating in schools Denied entry into private health clinics Separate drinking water in the schools 15-20% of villages :15-20% of villages : Cannot wear new/bright clothes Denied access to public roads/passages

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Denied entry in to Primary Health Centers Discriminatory relationship by non-SC teachers towards

SC students Discriminatory relationship by non-SC teachers towards

SC teachers 10-15% of villages: 10-15% of villages: Denied entry in to Panchayat offices Schools: SC teacher and non-SC student Separate lines at polling booth Discriminatory treatment in Primary Health Centers Less than 10% of villages:Less than 10% of villages: Denied access/entry to public transport Cannot use cycles on public roads Denied entry/seating in cinema halls Compulsion to seek blessing in marriages

The following cases of discrimination against known public figures illustrate the gravity of the problem.

In November 2011, a Justice of the Madras High Court stated that he had been humiliated by fellow judges due to his caste since 2001.(9)

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In June 2011, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes – himself a Dalit –was denied entry into a Hindu Temple in Puri, Odisha.(10)

In July 2011, a Dalit Member of the Legislative Assembly in Odisha, was allegedly not allowed to eat food along with his colleagues at an official meeting.(11)

Paid lower wage rates for same work Ban on festival processions on roads Segregated seating in schools Denied entry into private health clinics Separate drinking water in the schools 15-20% of villages : Cannot wear new/bright clothes Denied access to public roads/passages Denied entry in to Primary Health Centers Discriminatory relationship by non-SC teachers towards SC students Discriminatory relationship by non-SC teachers towards SC teachers

Violence and Atrocities againstViolence and Atrocities against Scheduled Castes :Scheduled Castes :

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SCs face persistent discrimination and serious crimes are committed against them ranging from abuse on caste name, murders, rapes, arson, social and economic boycotts, naked parading of SC women, force to drink urine and eat human excreta.(18)

“As per Crime Statistics of India, every 18 minutes a crime is committed against SCs; every day 27 atrocities against them, (3 rapes, 11 assaults and 13 murders); every week 5 of their homes or possessions burnt and 6 persons kidnapped or abducted”.(21)

The UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women noted that Dalit women “face targeted violence, even rape and death, from state actors and powerful members of dominant castes who employ these methods to inflict political lessons and crush dissent within the community”.(23)

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs Compendium-2011 report the registered cases under SC/ST(Prevention of Atrocities) Act , against Scheduled Castes in 2007-9819, 2008-11602, 2009-11143, 2010-10513 and in 2011-

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11342 . A total of 11,342 cases were reported under this Act during the year 2011 as compared to 10,513 in the year 2010 thereby reporting as increase of 7.9%(25)

It is taking place in 21st century when science guides theIt is taking place in 21st century when science guides the minds, entire human race has accepted the fundamentalminds, entire human race has accepted the fundamental principles of equality of all humans, human rights andprinciples of equality of all humans, human rights and justice to all without discrimination of any kind. But injustice to all without discrimination of any kind. But in our society even educated people have irrational casteour society even educated people have irrational caste oriented minds. It appears the casteism is not a socialoriented minds. It appears the casteism is not a social problem but a chronic malaise or genetic disorder weproblem but a chronic malaise or genetic disorder we suffer from.suffer from.(26)(26) Atrocities against Scheduled Caste is Atrocities against Scheduled Caste is deeply rooted in the caste system. Yet, Dalit are facingdeeply rooted in the caste system. Yet, Dalit are facing different forms of discrimination in day to day life indifferent forms of discrimination in day to day life in republic of India. If India wants to be the super power inrepublic of India. If India wants to be the super power in near future, there is much to be said and done regardingnear future, there is much to be said and done regarding effective constitutional provisions and the fruitfuleffective constitutional provisions and the fruitful attainment of cultural and socio economic equality ofattainment of cultural and socio economic equality of scheduled castes in our secular country. scheduled castes in our secular country.

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