Form Policies D and Its Implementation by the State and on the Other an Appraisal of the Role D L
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Rekiindlliing Hope ? RekindlingRekindling Access, Retention and Development of LAND R R Hope A Dalit Perspective. Hope e e ?? Access, Retention and Development of LAND k This second report from AP Social Watch is a collaborative venture by k individual researchers and mass organizations. It takes a close look at distant A Dalit Perspective i history and the immediate present to understand why the dalits have remained i n without access and secure tenure to land despite being the daughters and sons of n the soil. The study is on the one hand an inquiry into the land reform policies d and its implementation by the state and on the other an appraisal of the role d l played by dominant sections of society with respect to Dalits' access to land. l i i n We hope this report becomes an advocacy tool for those who work with the n marginalized to help them access, retain and develop land and a handy resource g book for the activists in the field. g Andhra Pradesh Social Watch (AP Social Watch) is a broad based platform of H NGOs, Community Based Organizations, Academics and other Individuals H Editor committed to the cause of building a more humane society where the rights and o entitlements of every one especially those of the marginalized are protected o Fr.Thomas Pallithanam Sdb and promoted and where no one is excluded from the processes and benefits of 4 p p 0 development. More particularly the AP Social Watch is committed to 6 0 6 e monitoring and ensuring that there is convergence of stated policies and e 0 8 implementation of the same by the government. 4 8 9 - ? ? m o c Andhra Pradesh Social Watch . n g Hyderabad i s e d n e e Report 2007 r g e d a F j r . T h o m a s P a l l i t h a n a m S d b Andhra Pradesh Social Watch Report 2007 Chapter I Rekindling Hope ? Access, Retention and Development of LAND A Dalit Perspective Editor Fr. Thomas Pallithanam Sdb Andhra Pradesh Social Watch Report 2007 Rekindling Hope? Access, Retention and Development of LAND A Dalit Perspective Edited by : Fr.Thomas Pallithanam © 2007 Andhra Pradesh Social Watch, Hyderabad Any part of this report can be reproduced for non-commercial purpose without prior permission. However, the source should be clearly acknowledged and a copy of the published document should be sent to Andhra Pradesh Social Watch. Published by : Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union Andhra Pradesh Social Watch Door No. 1-4-879/87/1, 942 Bakaram, Road No. 7, Gandhi Nagar, Hyderabad - 500 080. Andhra Pradesh, INDIA Phone : 040 27535492 Fax : 040 27533657 Email : [email protected] For Private Circulation Requested Contribution : Rs. 150/- or US $15 Conceptulization, Layout and Printed by: Jade Green Design Powerhouse # 109, B-Block, Archana Enclave, East Marredpally, Secunderabad-26. Mobile : 98480 60604 E-mail : [email protected] CONTENTS Acknowledgements i Preface iii Authors iv Foreword v Introduction 1 1. LAND ENTITLEMENTS – HISTORICAL EVOLUTION 11 - B.D.A. Satya Babu Bose 1.1. ORIGINS OF INDIA (Introduction) 1.2. EARLY PERIOD 1.2.1. The Dravidians 1.2.2. The Aryans 1.2.3. Origin of Varna and Caste 1.3. Brief Overview of the Agrarian Systems under Buddhist and Hindu rulers in North and South India upto the End of First Millennium BC 1.3.1. In Buddhist Literature 1.4. Land Revenue Systems in the Sultanates and the Mughal Period 1.4.1. Jagirdars 1.4.2. Todar Mall’s Land Reforms 1.4.3. Revenue collection 1.4.4 Woeful State of the Farmers 1.5. Land Ownership before British Period 1.5.1 Absence of ownership concept 1.5.2 Land not saleable 1.6. Land Revenue Systems in the Early British Period (Rule of East India Company) 1.6.1. Transfer of Right to Land 1.6.2. Permanent Settlement 1.6.3. Disastrous consequences 1.6.4. Zamindars come into being 1.6.5. Feudalism at Top – Serfdom at Bottom 1.6.6. New Agrarian relations 1.6.7. Rise of Moneylenders as class 1.6.8. Land Revenue 1.6.9. Poverty and Indebtedness 1.7. The Peasants’ Unrest 1.8. Peasants and Farmers Organisations and Movements 1.8.1. Kisan Sabha Movement 1.8.2. Oudh Kisan Sabha 1.8.3. Outbreak of Violence and Aftermath 1.8.4 Kisan Sabhas in Other Regions 1.8.5 Land Rights for Dalits – An Agenda Beyond the Pale National Consciousness 1.8.6 The Limitations of the Leftists 1.8.7 Peasants Struggles – Indian National Congress 1.9. Assignment Of Land To Dalits (Panchamas)In Madras Presidency 1.9.1 Right over Land Restored 1.9.2 Lands acquired for assignment 1.10. The Land Issue And The Dalit Movements 1.10.1 Independent Labour Party 1.10.2 Basic Thrust of Dalit Movements 1.11. Scenario Of Agricultural Labourers Population 1.12. Conclusion References 2. LAND REFORMS - PROMISING MUCH, DELIVERING LITTLE 35 - Kodanda Ram, M. Lakshmaiah 2.1. Tenancy Laws 2.2. Andhra Area 2.3. Ceiling on Agricultural Holding 2.4. Land Reforms Act 1973 3. DALITS ENTITLEMENT TO LAND 53 - AN AGENDA THAT NEVER WAS! - Estharla Krishna Rao 3.1. Objectives of the Study 3.2. Methodology and Data Sources 3.3. Land and Castes in Colonial Andhra 3.4. The Dalits 3.5. Land Struggles in pre and initial period of Independence in Andhra 3.6. The Impact of the Communist led Land Struggle on Dalits access to land 3.6.1. Significant Struggles in Coastal Andhra 3.6.2. Significant Struggles in Telengana Region 3.7. Post Independent Land Reforms 3.8. Land Legislations in Post Independence Andhra Pradesh – An Overview 3.9. Benefits from struggle / Benefits from Land Reforms 3.10. Analysis of data available on land holding patterns - with special reference to Dalits. 3.11. Much can still be done 3.12. Conclusion References 4 DALITS’S STRUGGLE FOR LAND RIGHTS - RECLAIMING 85 HUMAN PERSONALITY - N. Paul Divakar, M. David Sudhakar 4.1 Introduction 4.2. The struggle for land – a Journey in the Reclamation of Human Personality 4.3. Triangulation Strategy 4.3.1. Ideological Orientation 4.3.2. Investigation into the nature of land issues 4.3.2.1. Land for which Pattas have been given to Dalits but dominant caste members deny physical possession. 4.3.2.2. Lands in physical possession of Dalits but not having valid document 4.3.2.3 Dalit lands illegally occupied by landlords 4.3.2.4. Government lands in illegal possession of ineligible dominant caste occupiers 4.3.2.5. Government lands in illegal possession of ineligible dominant caste occupiers who have also fraudulently obtained pattas (title deeds) 4.3.2.6. Lands in possession of ineligible non-Dalit person under benami names. 4.3.2.7. Lands concealed from the purview land ceiling act 4.3.2.8. Tenancy 4.3.2.9. Incorrect entries in land records 4.3.2.10. Police favour dominant caste Landlords 4.3.2.11. Dalits and Adivasis are prevented from access to allotted forest lands 4. 3.3. Mobilising the Community 4. 3.4. Legal Intervention through Executive and if necessary Judicial Courts 4. 3.5. Direct Action 4. 3.6. Recapacitation of skills and knowledge 4. 3.7. Advocacy Strategy 4. 4. Paying the price in the struggle to reclaim human personality 4. 5. Framework for Action – Capitalizing on Experiences 4.5.1. A concerted Dalit Land Rights Campaign Across the country 4.5.2. Direct action of ‘Dalit land rights appropriation’ 4.5.3. Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Land (Protection and Development) Act 4.5.4. Lobby for policies concerning Agricultural Workers 4.5.5. Not Market Viability but Livelihood Rights of Dalits 4.5.6. Tackle Impunity - Accountability of the Government Functionaries 4.6. Specific suggestions References 5 PEOPLES INITIATIVES FOR ACCESS TO LAND 109 - Estharla Krishna Rao 5.1. Land Struggle In Vengamukkalapalem Village 5.1.1. Land appropriation by dalits 5.1.2. Grant of Provisional Pattas 5.1.3. Initial Attempts to displace the Dalits 5.1.4. Seeking legal intervention – Favourable order from the High Court? 5.1.5. Indifference of revenue department to court orders 5.1.6. Direct action to reclaim land 5.1.7. Other significant developments in the struggle 5.1.7.1.Response of State SC/ST Commission 5.1.7.2.Commission Recommendations 5.2. Land Struggle In Kedarlanka, Kapileswaram Mandal 5.3. Land Struggles In Kappapahad Village 5.4. Thaiyur Land Issue – Chittoor District 5.4.1. Reddy landlords lay claim Govt. lands assigned to Dalits 5.4.2. Dalits did not figure in the court procedures 5.4.3. Court rules in favour of the landlords 5.4.4. Dalits decide to implead in the case 5.4.5. 2001 to 2007 5.4.6. To Conclude 5.5. Land Struggle In Meerkhanpet Village 5.6. Land Struggle In Tadiparti Village 5.7. Land Struggle In Avulapalli Village 5.8. Land Struggle In Marellamadaka Village 5.9. Land Struggle In Moravapalli Village 5.9.1. Case-I 5.9.2. Case-II 5.9.3. Case-III 5.9.4. Case-IV 5.9.5. Case-V Annexure - I - Assembly proceedings regarding Vengamukkalapalem Annexure - II - Andhra Pradesh Assigned lands (PoA) ammendment Annexure - III - High Court interm order on Assigned lands 6 ASSIGNED LANDS DEVELOPMENT IS POSSIBLE 163 - B.D.A. Satya Babu Bose 6.1. Introduction 6.2.