What is the plight of Dalits in India today?

 

What is the plight of Dalits in India today?

SR Darapuri, National President, All India Peoples Front

The situation of Dalits in India today is a story of progress intertwined with persistent challenges. Dalits, historically known as "untouchables" and officially categorized as Scheduled Castes (SCs), make up about 16.6% of India’s population—roughly 200 million people, per the 2011 Census. Despite constitutional safeguards, affirmative action, and socio-economic gains, they continue to face systemic discrimination, violence, and inequality, rooted in the caste system’s enduring legacy. The current date being April 07, 2025, allows us to draw from recent trends and developments.

 Constitutional and Legal Framework

India’s Constitution abolished untouchability under Article 17 and provides protections against discrimination (Article 15) while mandating affirmative action through reservations in education, employment, and politics (Articles 15(4) and 16(4)). The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (amended in 2015), aims to curb caste-based violence and discrimination, offering stringent penalties for offenders. These measures have enabled significant upward mobility: Dalits like Ram Nath Kovind (President, 2017–2022) and Jagjivan Ram (former Deputy Prime Minister) exemplify political success, while reservation policies have boosted literacy rates (from 21.4% in 1961 to 66.1% in 2011) and access to government jobs.

Socio-Economic Progress

Economically, Dalits have made strides. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–2021) shows improvements in health indicators like infant mortality and access to sanitation, though gaps with upper castes persist. A 2023 study by the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies noted that Dalit entrepreneurship has grown, with over 10% of MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) in states like Tamil Nadu and Punjab now owned by SC individuals, aided by schemes like the Stand-Up India initiative. Urbanization has also weakened caste barriers in some contexts, with Dalits increasingly visible in white-collar professions.

Yet, disparities remain stark. The 2021 Periodic Labour Force Survey indicated that SCs earn about 20–30% less than upper castes for similar work, and their land ownership is disproportionately low (less than 10% of total agricultural land despite being a significant rural population). Poverty rates among Dalits are higher—around 30% compared to the national average of 21% (World Bank, 2022)—and access to quality education and healthcare lags in rural areas.

 Violence and Discrimination

Violence against Dalits remains a pressing concern. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 50,291 crimes against SCs in 2022, a 1.2% increase from 2021, including murders, rapes, and assaults. High-profile cases—like the 2020 Hathras gang rape and murder of a Dalit girl in Uttar Pradesh, or the 2024 killing of a Dalit man in Tamil Nadu for marrying an upper-caste woman—highlight the brutality still meted out to assert caste dominance. In rural areas, "honor crimes" and social boycotts persist, often triggered by inter-caste relationships or perceived transgressions.

Discrimination is subtler but pervasive in urban settings. Studies, such as a 2023 survey by Oxfam India, found that 27% of Dalits faced workplace bias, and rental discrimination in cities like Delhi and Mumbai remains common, with landlords refusing Dalit tenants. Manual scavenging—a dehumanizing practice officially banned—continues to employ over 50,000 people, mostly Dalits, despite government claims of eradication, as per a 2024 Safai Karmachari Andolan report.

 Political and Social Mobilization

Politically, Dalits are a formidable force. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), led by Mayawati, and leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad of the Bhim Army amplify their voice, though the BSP’s influence has waned since its 2007 Uttar Pradesh victory. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw 84 reserved SC constituencies, ensuring representation, yet critics argue that mainstream parties often tokenize Dalit leaders without addressing structural issues.

Socially, Dalit assertion is growing. Movements inspired by B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution and a Dalit icon, fuel activism through literature, protests, and digital platforms. On X, hashtags like #DalitLivesMatter trend during incidents of violence, reflecting global solidarity and local outrage. However, this assertion sometimes provokes backlash from upper-caste groups, as seen in clashes over Ambedkar statues or temple entry disputes.

 Regional Variations

The Dalit experience varies widely. In Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, strong anti-caste movements (e.g., Dravidian politics and Ambedkarite Buddhism) have fostered relative empowerment, though atrocities persist. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, feudal structures sustain caste oppression, with Dalits often trapped in bonded labor or targeted by dominant castes like Yadavs or Rajputs. Kerala stands out with higher social indicators for Dalits, thanks to decades of communist-led reforms.

 Current Challenges and Government Response

The BJP-led government since 2014 has emphasized schemes like Skill India and Swachh Bharat, claiming benefits for marginalized groups, including Dalits. In March 2025, Union Minister Anurag Thakur cited increased budgetary allocations for SC welfare (₹1.59 lakh crore in 2024–25) as evidence of commitment. Yet, critics, including the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), argue that implementation is weak, and the rise of Hindu nationalism has emboldened upper-caste impunity. The dilution of the SC/ST Act in 2018 (later reversed due to protests) and delays in atrocity case convictions (conviction rate below 30%, per NCRB 2022) fuel distrust.

 Conclusion

The plight of Dalits in India today is one of resilience amid adversity. Legal protections and affirmative action have spurred progress, lifting millions into education, employment, and political power. Yet, systemic violence, economic inequality, and everyday discrimination reveal the caste system’s stubborn grip, particularly in rural and northern states. While Dalits are no longer the voiceless outcasts of history, their security and dignity remain contingent on region, enforcement of laws, and society’s willingness to confront its casteist undercurrents. The trajectory is upward but uneven, with full equality still a distant goal.

Courtesy: grok.com

The Socio-Economic and Political Status of Dalits of Uttar Pradesh

 

    The Socio-Economic and Political Status of Dalits of Uttar Pradesh

-        -  SR Darapuri, National President, All India Peoples Front

The socio-economic and political situation of Dalits in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, is complex, marked by persistent challenges rooted in historical marginalization, evolving political dynamics, and uneven progress in socio-economic conditions. Below is a detailed overview based on recent reports and analyses:

 Socio-Economic Situation

1. Economic Marginalization:

   - Poverty and Landlessness: Around 80% of Dalits in India live in rural areas, and in UP, approximately 42% of Dalit families are landless, relying on manual labour for survival. Economic exploitation remains a significant issue, with Dalits often working as marginal farmers or landless labourers. A 2012 study noted that Dalit workers earned 17% less than non-Dalit workers on average.

   - Poverty Rates: Over 50% of Dalits in UP, both Hindu and Muslim, live below the poverty line, compared to 20% or less for upper-caste groups. Wealth inequality is stark, with sub-caste disparities further complicating economic mobility.

   - Education and Employment: There has been a 51% increase in education and employment levels among Dalits, contributing to growing assertiveness. However, access to quality education remains limited, particularly in UP’s overcrowded and under-resourced systems, exacerbating socio-economic gaps.

2. Social Challenges:

   - Caste-Based Discrimination: Despite legal protections, caste-based violence and discrimination persist. Recent incidents in UP, such as attacks on Dalit families for hosting weddings in marriage halls or processions, highlight ongoing social exclusion.

   - Untouchability and Social Norms: While some political movements claim to oppose untouchability, the caste system itself remains deeply entrenched, limiting Dalits’ social mobility and access to resources.

 Political Situation

1. Shifting Political Allegiances:

   - Decline of BSP: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), historically a stronghold for Dalit voters under Mayawati, has seen a decline in influence. Dalit votes are now fragmented among the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and newer players like Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party, making Dalit politics more contested.

   - Shift Toward BJP: Some Dalit sub-groups, particularly non-Jatav Dalits (around 11% of UP’s electorate), have shifted support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), driven by Hindutva appeals and dissatisfaction with BSP’s stagnation. However, this shift often aligns with demands for equality rather than full endorsement of the caste system)

   - Emerging Dalit Leadership: Leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad are gaining traction, signalling a post-BSP phase with new forms of Dalit assertiveness. This reflects growing political awareness, particularly in electoral politics. In Uttar Pradesh itself, the All India People's Front (AIPF) has also been working among the Dalits and tribals for a long time and has also established its base in Purvanchal.

2. Caste-Based Political Tensions:

   - In rural UP, conflicts between landless Dalit castes and land-rich upper castes are often political rather than purely economic, with caste identities shaping power dynamics.

   - Political rhetoric around Dalit rights remains prominent. For instance, Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi have emphasized caste-based disparities in budget participation, advocating for a caste census to address underrepresentation.

3. Dalit Movements:

   - Dalit consciousness movements in UP have evolved, transitioning from traditional protests to more organized political and legal advocacy. Educated Dalits are increasingly mobilizing against upper-caste dominance, leveraging education and employment gains.

   - However, policies like mandating nameplates on food shops along the Kanwar route have sparked concerns about caste-based exploitation, disproportionately affecting Dalit/Muslim vendors.

 Regional Context: Uttar Pradesh

- Demographic Weight: UP has a significant Dalit population, with Auriya district noted for having the second-highest Scheduled Caste population in the state. This demographic weight makes UP a critical battleground for Dalit politics.

- Health and  Dalit Movements: Studies in UP show that economic and social status significantly influence Dalit health outcomes, with persistent disparities compared to upper-caste groups.

- Land Issues: Landlessness remains a critical issue, with only 2.93% of Dalits in UP owning significant land, limiting economic independence

 Conclusion

Dalits in Uttar Pradesh face entrenched socio-economic challenges, including poverty, landlessness, and discrimination, despite gains in education and employment. Politically, the landscape is shifting, with the decline of BSP’s dominance and the fragmentation of Dalit votes among SP, BJP, and emerging leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad. While Dalit assertiveness is growing, supported by education and new political movements, systemic caste-based barriers and sporadic violence continue to hinder progress. For a deeper understanding, ongoing research into sub-caste dynamics and local policies is essential.

Courtesy: grok.com

What is the Impact of Neoliberal Economic Policy on Dalits in India?

 

What is the Impact of Neoliberal Economic Policy on Dalits in India?

The impact of neoliberal economic policies on Dalits in India is a complex and multifaceted issue, reflecting both opportunities and challenges. Neoliberalism, introduced in India prominently through the 1991 economic reforms (Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization, or LPG), shifted the economy toward market-orientation, reduced state intervention, and opened up to global trade and investment. For Dalits—historically marginalized due to the caste system—these policies have had both positive and negative consequences, shaped by their socio-economic position and the persistence of caste-based discrimination.

 Positive Impacts

1. Economic Opportunities and Mobility

   - Neoliberal policies have spurred growth in sectors like IT, services, and manufacturing, creating new job opportunities. For some Dalits, particularly those with access to education, this has enabled upward mobility. The rise of Dalit entrepreneurs, supported by organizations like the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), reflects this shift. For instance, figures like Milind Kamble have highlighted a move from "job-seekers" to "job-givers," signalling newfound economic agency.

   - Urbanization and industrialization have weakened traditional caste-based occupations (e.g., manual scavenging or bonded labour), allowing some Dalits to enter modern workforce sectors less bound by caste norms.

2. Education and Skill Development

   - Increased private sector investment and globalization have expanded access to education and vocational training, albeit unevenly. Government programs, combined with market-driven demand for skilled labour, have enabled some Dalits to acquire qualifications and compete in a liberalized economy.

   - Reservation policies in education and jobs, though pre-dating neoliberalism, have gained additional relevance as private institutions proliferate, offering more avenues for Dalit inclusion.

3. Market as a Secular Space

   - The market economy, in theory, operates on merit and profit rather than caste hierarchy. This has provided Dalits with opportunities to participate in a system where caste identity is less overtly a barrier compared to traditional agrarian setups dominated by upper castes.

 Negative Impacts

1. Widening Inequality

   - Neoliberal policies have disproportionately benefited the upper castes and classes, exacerbating income and wealth disparities. Studies, such as those from the World Inequality Database, show that post-1991 reforms, the top 1% of India’s population saw their wealth share rise sharply, while the bottom 50%—where Dalits are overrepresented—saw stagnation or decline. Dalits, often starting with little capital or land, have been less able to capitalize on market opportunities.

   - The informal sector, where most Dalits work (e.g., as labourers or small vendors), has faced increased precarity due to reduced labour protections and competition from multinational corporations.

2. Erosion of Welfare and Public Services

   - The retreat of the state under neoliberalism has weakened the welfare mechanisms that Dalits historically relied upon, such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and subsidized healthcare. Privatization has made essential services less accessible to those without economic means, disproportionately affecting Dalits who remain among India’s poorest.

   - For example, cuts in public sector jobs—once a key avenue for Dalit employment through reservations—have limited secure livelihood options.

3. Land and Agricultural Challenges

   - Dalits, who own just 2.2% of India’s land compared to a national average of 17.9%, have been further marginalized by neoliberal agricultural policies. The shift toward cash crops, corporate farming, and land acquisition for industrial projects has displaced many Dalit farmers and labourers, reducing their economic security.

   - The 2020 farm laws, seen as an extension of neoliberal reforms, sparked concerns among Dalit labour unions about the phasing out of PDS and loss of livelihoods for workers like *palledaars* (sack lifters), as stockholding limits on essentials were relaxed.

4. Persistent Discrimination

   - Despite the market’s secular promise, caste-based discrimination persists in hiring, wages, and access to resources. Dalits face bullying and exclusion in workplaces, even in modern sectors, limiting the benefits of economic liberalization. Studies highlight that neoliberalism has not dismantled social hierarchies but rather layered economic inequality atop them.

5. Vulnerability to Economic Shocks

   - The liberalization of India’s economy has increased its exposure to global market fluctuations, as seen during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dalits, concentrated in low-wage, unstable jobs, bore the brunt of these shocks. The pandemic, for instance, led to massive job losses in the informal sector, pushing many Dalit families into deeper poverty and hunger.

 Broader Socio-Political Context

- Political Empowerment vs. Economic Precarity: While Dalits have gained political representation through parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and reservation policies, neoliberalism has often undermined these gains by prioritizing corporate interests over social justice. The decline of the welfare state has left Dalit political power less effective in securing economic equity.

- Resistance and Adaptation: Dalit movements have responded to neoliberal challenges by advocating for land rights, labour protections, and equitable development. The rise of Dalit entrepreneurship is a form of adaptation, though it remains limited to a small, educated elite.

Conclusion

The neoliberal economic policy has offered Dalits in India a mixed bag: it has opened doors to economic participation and mobility for some, particularly in urban and educated segments, but it has also deepened inequality, eroded welfare support, and left the majority vulnerable to market forces and persistent caste discrimination. The promise of a rising tide lifting all boats has not fully materialized for Dalits, as structural barriers—landlessness, lack of capital, and social exclusion—continue to limit their ability to benefit equally. Addressing these disparities requires targeted state intervention, stronger labour protections, and policies that prioritize inclusive growth alongside market liberalization.

Courtesy: Grok3