Dalits in Himalayas Especially in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal Have Socially, Economically

International Conference on India’s Development Strategy: Discourses on Past, Present and Future 5-6 March, 2013 | Centre for Jawaharlal Nehru Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, New Delhi

MARGINALIZATION, RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF MOUNTAIN DALITS: CASE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

By Hasrat Arjjumend*1 and Chuni Lal2

1 Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend, Senior Fellow, Grassroots Institute, Banjar – 175 123 Distt. Kullu, HP (ndia) Tel: 01903-200202, 200201, 9910188948, 9868993710 Fax: +91-01903-222257, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.grassrootsinstitute.in

2 Mr. Chuni Lal, Head of Operations, Grassroots Institute, Banjar – 175 123 Distt. Kullu, HP (India) Tel: 01903-200202, 200201, 9418133427 Fax: +91-01903-222257 E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.grassrootsinstitute.in

*Corresponding Author

ABSTRACT

Mountain dalits especially in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have socially, economically and environmentally deprived for time immemorial. There is sheer discrimination against them manifested in forms of untouchability. Action research conducted by Grassroots Institute and associated NGOs revealed social, economic, environmental and cultural deprivation and marginalization of dalits in Himachal Pradesh. This paper concentrates on the forms, process and impacts of economic and environmental injustice perpetrated on dalits by upper castes. Findings of action research brought out that the villages or habitations of dalits do exist more on south-facing slopes (devoid of resources), on wastelands, or surrounded by scarce natural resources. On the contrary, upper castes villages mostly enjoy plenty of natural resources including water and biomass. Dalit families have scanty landholdings, compared to upper caste families. If dalits possess cultivable lands, they remain unirrigated. Many of the land improvement and development programmes benefit the upper castes only. Benefits of government resources from various departments are discriminately provided to the upper caste people, also in case of the schemes are exclusively meant for scheduled castes. For centuries, dalit community in mountains has silently accepted subjugation avoiding any violent inter-community conflict. Social deprivation is coupled with economic and environmental injustice. There is identified need to alter the power relations in the society, which is only possible through organizing and empowering the suffering community. Field experiences directed towards development action, though at small scale. The solutions identified were two fold: one, organizing the dalit women and youths (youths actually quickly realize their humiliation and subjugation and come forward to get organized) and empowering them socially; second, providing them with economic options so as to reduce their dependence on upper caste people. To change the power relations in society of mountains, the planned and strategic interventions were undertaken at local level in two gram panchayats of Kullu district. There were identified four areas of interventions: (i) organization and leadership, (ii) rights education, (iii) social empowerment, and (iv) improvement of economics of families. During the course of direct engagement with mountain dalit communities, it is also observed that the phenomenon of globalization can aid to the solution. Many dalit families (erstwhile suppressed/repressed) have changed their occupations and became entrepreneurs once market opportunities were available to them. They are now liberated from centuries-long slavery. In a way the new market opportunities and economic linkages would replace their drudgery with social recognition and justice. It has bearing that dalits may alter their environmental conditions too and can bargain with presently powerful segments, provided they link with economic opportunities.

Keywords:

Himachal Pradesh; Dalits; Economic Marginalization; Environmental Justice; Development;