Socio-economic Overview of Dalits in India
Manish
Kumar Rao
Keywords-
Dalits,
also known as ‘untouchables’ in India have been a topic of concern and
criticism for many years. Despite India’s independence from British rule in
1947, Dalits still face discrimination and poverty in their daily lives. This
article will examine the situation of Dalits in India after independence,
highlighting the challenges they continue to face and the efforts made to
address these issues.
Dalits, who
make up approximately 16% of India’s population, have a long history of social
and economic marginalization. In 1950, the Indian government passed the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which
prohibited discrimination against Dalits in the workplace and ensured equal pay
for equal work. Despite this legislation, the majority of Dalits continue to
work in low-paying, manual labor jobs and face wage discrimination. The poverty
rate among Dalits is 31.1% compared to the national average of 21.2% (National
Sample Survey Office, 2019). In 2012, a study by the National Sample Survey
Office found that the average wage of Dalit workers was 17% lower than that of
non-Dalit workers. The lack of access to education and job skills training also
contributes to the poor economic situation of Dalits. Furthermore, caste-based
discrimination and prejudice in schools and educational institutions prevent
many Dalits from pursuing education. This exclusion also affects their social and
economic mobility, making it difficult for them to rise out of poverty. The
literacy rate among Dalits is 73.5%, which is lower than the national average
of 80.9% (Census of India, 2020). Illiteracy among Dalits in India is a result
of several factors including poverty, caste-based discrimination, and lack of
access to education. Dalits have been historically marginalized and excluded
from the mainstream education system due to their low caste status. Many Dalits
are forced to work as manual laborers and do not have the financial resources
to afford education. In 2016, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
reported that only 42% of Dalit households had at least one literate member,
compared to 68% of non-Dalit households. The lack of educational opportunities
for Dalits perpetuates the cycle of poverty, discrimination, and illiteracy,
perpetuating their marginalization. One of the main reasons for the continued
poverty and economic marginalization of Dalits is the persistent discrimination
they face in their daily lives. In 2019, the unemployment rate among Dalits was
8.3%, which was higher than the national average of 6.7% (National Sample
Survey Office, 2019). Dalits are often subject to violence and abuse, and face
difficulties in accessing basic services such as education and healthcare. This
discrimination has a significant impact on their ability to access employment
and improve their livelihoods.
According
to the (2011) census, the average per capita income of Dalits was INR
47,124, which was lower than the national average of INR 74,000. The lack of
education and job skills training limits their employment opportunities,
keeping them trapped in low-paying manual labor jobs. Dalits are also more
likely to work in informal and seasonal jobs, which provide little security or
stability. Dalits are heavily underrepresented in formal sector employment,
accounting for only 6.5% of the total formal sector workforce in
India (National Sample Survey Office, 2015) and only 6.6% of Dalits held
professional or managerial positions, compared to the national average of 15.6%
(Census of India, 2020). Dalits also face discrimination in accessing credit
and other financial services. Only 10.7% of Dalit households had access to bank
loans, compared to the national average of 21.6% (National Sample Survey
Office, 2019). As a result, many Dalits are forced to rely on informal sources
of credit, such as moneylenders, who charge high interest rates and put them
into a vicious cycle of debt. According to a 2018 study by the Reserve Bank of
India, only 18% of Dalit households had access to formal credit, compared to
33% of non-Dalit households. This lack of access to credit hinders their
ability to start businesses and improve their economic situation. Land
ownership is a critical factor for the economic empowerment and upliftment in
India. However, due to decades of discrimination and exclusion, Dalits have
limited access to land, which has been a major factor in their persistent
poverty and marginalization. The land ownership rate among Dalits is only 2.2%,
compared to the national average of 17.9%. This limits their ability to engage
in agriculture, which is a critical source of income and livelihood for rural
communities. Addressing the issue of land ownership and access is critical for
improving the economic status of Dalits and breaking the cycle of poverty and
exclusion.
The Indian
government’s reservation policy has enabled Dalits to increase their
representation in elected bodies, including parliament and state legislative
assemblies. Despite these gains, Dalits continue to face significant challenges
in the political arena. Their representation in elected bodies remains limited,
and they are often marginalized within political parties. Only 3.5% of Dalits
held political office, compared to the national average of 6.3% (India,
2020). Additionally, Dalits who hold political office are often subject to
violence and intimidation, making it difficult for them to effectively
represent their constituents. The majority of Dalits continue to live in
segregated communities and face a lack of access to the basic services such as
clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. It leads to poor health and hygiene
conditions; this increases their vulnerability to disease and illness, and can
result in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Dalits accounted for 56% of
all manual scavengers in India (National Commission for Safai Karamcharis,
2020). The extreme poverty and lack of access to education force them into this
hazardous and stigmatized work. The Indian government has launched various
schemes to eradicate manual scavenging, but their implementation remains
inadequate, and more needs to be done to empower and uplift the Dalit community
and end this practice once and for all.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Dalits in India. Dalits, who
are among the most economically vulnerable communities, have been hit
particularly hard by the pandemic. The sudden and widespread loss of jobs and
income has resulted in increased poverty, hunger, and homelessness among
Dalits. The closure of schools and the suspension of non-essential services has
also disrupted access to education and healthcare for many Dalits.
Additionally, the pandemic has intensified existing social and economic
inequalities, with Dalits being disproportionately affected due to their low
socio-economic status. Furthermore, the lack of access to information and
healthcare facilities has made it difficult for Dalits to protect themselves
from the virus. The government’s response to the pandemic has also been
criticized for not adequately addressing the specific needs of Dalits, leaving
many of them without support and assistance. In conclusion, the COVID-19
pandemic has highlighted the persistent economic and social disparities faced
by Dalits and the urgent need for inclusive and equitable policies to address
their needs.
The
government has implemented various programs aimed at providing job skills
training and credit to Dalits, as well as building infrastructure in Dalit
communities. For example, the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development
Corporation was established in 1989 to provide credit to Dalits for
income-generating activities. The Indian government has also implemented
reservations in government jobs and educational institutions for Dalits and
other marginalized communities. This has helped to improve their access to
employment and educational opportunities. In addition, the Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment implements various programs aimed at improving the
educational and employment opportunities of Dalits. Moreover, the Indian
government has implemented various economic upliftment programs aimed at
improving the economic conditions of Dalits, such as the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the National Rural
Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). These programs provide employment opportunities and
access to credit for Dalits in rural areas. Another initiative is the
establishment of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes in 2004, which
was tasked with monitoring the implementation of policies and programs aimed at
improving the status of Dalits. This commission has been instrumental in
highlighting the issues faced by Dalits and advocating for their rights.
Despite efforts by the Indian government to improve the economic situation of
Dalits, their living conditions have not improved significantly since
independence.
In
conclusion, Dalits have faced immense economic challenges in India even after
independence in 1947. Despite various efforts by the government to improve the
economic condition of Dalits, including affirmative action policies and
reservation in education and government jobs, the socio-economic status of
Dalits remains low in comparison to other communities in India. They still face
discrimination in accessing employment, education, and credit facilities. The
majority of Dalits are still engaged in low-paying manual labor, and their
average income and wealth are significantly lower than the national average.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated their economic
hardship, leading to job losses and wage reductions. To address the persistent
economic disparities faced by Dalits, a multi-pronged approach is needed that
focuses on addressing both the root causes of poverty and discrimination as
well as providing immediate relief and support. This can include measures such
as increasing access to education and job training programs, improving credit
facilities, and enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace.
In sum, the economic empowerment of Dalits is essential for the overall
development of India and achieving a more equitable society.
References
(2011).
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India,
Census of
India. (2020). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,
Development,
M. o. (2016). Government of India,
India, E.
C. (2020)., Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India,
National
Commission for Safai Karamcharis. (2020). Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, Government of India,
National
Sample Survey Office. (2015). Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation, Government of India,
National
Sample Survey Office. (2019). Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation, Government of India.
Manish
Kumar Rao is a B.Tech from MMMUT, Gorakhpur, and
works as a Data Analyst at an investment securities firm.
Courtesy:
Round Table India
