book(journal) review-dalits the oppressed people in India

Dalits, the “Oppressed People” of India: How are Their Social, Economic, and Human Rights Addressed?*

Sesha Kethineni, Ph.D.

Illinois State University

Gail Diane Humiston

Illinois State University

Abstract

This paper describes the historical and current plight of Dalits in India, including the social and economic challenges they face. It provides specific examples of violations against the Dalits of India. Next, it reviews economic, social, and cultural rights in general and how they are applicable to Dalits. Fourth, it looks at India’s efforts to fulfill its commitment to human rights. Fifth, it examines India’s implementation and enforcement of Dalits’ rights. Finally, it discusses various recommendations made by human rights organizations and scholars.∗

introduction

The dalits are the deprived class in the Indian society who were not given basic human rights to live.They were referred as harijans(children of god). They still face economic, social, cultural, and political discrimination in the name of caste.Gandhi recognized the importance of dalits in Indian national movement,later led by Dr.B.R.Ambedhkar .wen he became the minister he incorporated many reforms into the constitution regarding the dalits for their upliftment.The author goes back to the history .There were 4 castes in earlier Indian society namely kshtriyas,Brahmins,vaishyas,shudras.Though not mentioned the fifth and the most degraded were the dalits ,the untouchables. The term “broken” has meant oppression for many radical Dalits who have used the term in their struggle for liberation. Gandhian liberals referred them as Harijans (children of god) and the Government of India officially calls them “Scheduled Castes.” “Scheduled” means they are on a government schedule that entitles them to certain protections and affirmative actions (Prashad, 2001).

For centuries, Dalits were not treated as part of the mainstream Indian society, and they were traditionally assigned menial and degrading jobs (NCDHR, n.d.‐a., p. 3). Some traditional roles, such as removing dead animals or playing drums at religious ceremonies, are expected to be carried out without compensation. Despite protections in the Indian Constitution (see Articles 39, 41, and 16 [sections 2 and 4]), attempts by Dalits to be treated fairly in the workplace are often countered by violence and social or economic boycotts by the other castes (Human Rights Watch, 2003).

Though laws were passed to abolish untouchability it still prevailed after independence.

Dalits are not allowed to fetch water from the same wells used by higher castes, visit the same temples, drink from the same cup at local tea shops, or claim land that is legally theirs. Dalit children who attend school must sit in the back of the classrooms. Moreover, the villages where Dalits live have limited or no access to public transportation, health care, or educational, political, or legal institutions

Existing Conditions of Dalits

Dalits make up approximately 170 million of India’s billion people (Minority Rights Group International, 2006). Many are agricultural laborers. They have a limited share in India’s agricultural holdings and an even more limited share in its irrigated land holdings. “Most of them are merely agrestic (rural) slaves or serfs . . . or crop‐sharing tenants‐at‐will” who were not placed on official records until recently.

They were given opportunity to live in the society.The government tried to provide facilities in education,jobs,politics,but they were abused i n all the fields they went into Specific Instances of Abuse

Neelima (2002) has listed four primary causes of atrocities against Dalits: Land disputes, lack of civic facilities,. untouchability‐related crimes, and self‐assertion. Of these, land is the most important

The dalits were the most effected like land disputes where they were forced to give away their lands under the name of development.The place were they lived lacked basic civic facilities. For example, in central state of Madhya Pradesh an entire village was set on fire by a mob of 300 people, resulting in the death of 3 Dalits. This incident was provok The Dalit Rights Movement.

In response to India’s failure to provide economic and social rights, young Dalits in the late 1960s took inspiration from the Black Panther movement in the United States and the resurgent militant left‐wing uprising in India. By 1972, the Dalit Panthers emerged as a militant political organization whose demands included land distribution, increased wages, free education, and an end to economic corruption. ed by the installation of a new hand‐pump for a water‐starved Dalit village.

Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

Dalits claim that their economic, social, and cultural (ESC) rights, as well as their civil and political rights, have been violated by the government and its entities for centuries. They argue that the government should recognize and enforce ESC rights.Later many rights were implemented for the benefit of dalits.

India’s Efforts to Fulfill Its Commitment to Human Rights

To overcome historical discrimination of Dalits, India has taken several steps to prohibit the practice of untouchability. These steps include constitutional guarantees, legislative enactments, and policy measures.

Legislative Enactments

To fulfill the constitutional provisions pertaining to Scheduled Castes, India has passed various laws to protect their rights. These include the Protection of Civil Rights (Anti‐Untouchability) Act (1955); the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act (1976); the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989) and Rules (1995); the Employment of Manual Scavenger and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act (1993); and various land‐reform laws to redistribute community land to the landless. Finally, to monitor enforcement of some of these laws, the Central (i.e., federal) Government established the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the National Human Rights Commission in the early 1990s

Though many rights were implemented a lot has to be done to raise their standard of living.

Reservation policies must be effectively enforced .