CHAPTER 5

STATUS OF SCHEDULED CASTES IN PUNJAB:

SOME REALITIES
_____________________________________________________________________

The term ‘Social Status’ is the state of people in the broad perspective of
society. It is a relative state, not an absolute one, which cannot be quantified.1 Social
status is such an important concept that when we talk of it, we, as a matter of fact, talk
of ‘Status’ itself. It includes the social, economic, political, educational status. Social
status goes on changing, but sometimes it happens that though the economic status
steeply goes up yet social status does not move up at all or moves up insignificantly.2
This may be on account of the typical social set-up of the society, in which, due to
many kinds of deeply ingrained social benefits and customs, people’s attitude do not
undergo any change despite the fast-changing environment all round.3
In Indian social structure things become further complicated on account of the
role of the state. It has already been discussed in the previous chapter that the Indian
Constitution provides certain rights and privileges to the Scheduled Castes so as to
bring them up to the level of other traditionally privileged castes. The rights,
particularly the reservation, make the position of the Scheduled Castes equal in the
society. Through the reservation policy the Scheduled Castes reach a certain official
position. Whether the reservation really brings about substantial positive change in the
social status of Scheduled Castes or not? In this chapter the researcher is studying
about the implementation of the Constitutional provisions, awareness among the
scheduled castes about these provisions and to know the benefits of reservation have
really been reaped by all the beneficiaries or not in Punjab.
Punjab literally means five waters. It has derived its name from the five rivers
that flow through this region – the Sutlej, the Beas, the Ravi, the Jhelum and the
Chenab. Prior to Persian period this region was known by different names at different
times. After independence this region witnessed mass migration and distribution of
property. In 1947 when India was portioned, the larger half of Punjab went to

1
Dabendra Kr. Bezbaruah, “The Empirical study on Social Status of the Scheduled Castes-People
of Nalbari District”, IASSI Quarterly 40, Vol.22, No.1 (July-Sept 2003).
2
Shail Singh, Reservation Policy and Social Justice 143 (Y.K.Publishers, Agra, 2002).
3
Ibid.

Page | 144
Pakistan. In 1966 the Indian smaller half was further divided into three: Punjab,
Haryana and Himachal.

Area
• 50362 square kilometers
• Punjab occupies 1.54 % of the country’s total geographical area.

Density
• 484 persons per sp.km.

Languages
• Punjabi and Hindi
• Many people are fluent in English and Urbu

Population: 900914 (2001 census)

Total: 24.29 million
Rural: 16.04 million (66.05%)
Urban: 8.24 million (33.95%)

Sex Ratio

Total 876

Urban 849

Rural 890

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 Districts

(1) Amrtisar (2) Bathinda (3) Barnala

(4) Faridkot (5) Fatehgarh Sahib (6) Ferozepur

(7) Gurdaspur (8) Hoshiarpur (9) Jalandhar

(10) Kapurthala (11) Ludhiana (12) Mansa

(13) Moga (14) Muktsar (15) Nawanshahr

(16) Patiala (17) Rupnagar (18) Sangrur

(19) SAS Nagar (20) Tarn Taran

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5.1. DEMOGRAPHY OF SCHEDULED CASTES POPULATION
IN PUNJAB
The position of Scheduled Castes in Punjab is quite different from other parts
of India. Among all the Indian States, Punjab, with 28.854 percent of total population
belonging to the Scheduled Castes, stands out prominently. Punjab’s proportion of
Scheduled Castes population has been increasing consistently during the past 50 years
or so. It has increases from 22.3 percent in 1961 to 24.7 percent in 1971, to 26.8
percent in 1981, to 28.3 percent in 1991 to 28.85 percent in 2001.
Table No.1
Scheduled Castes population as percentage to total population according to
1991 and 2001 census

S.No. Punjab/Districts 1991 2001

1. Amritsar 28.01 27.34
2. Barnala - 30.08
3. Bathinda 29.27 29.97
4. Faridkot 34.08 36.17
5. Fatehgarh Sahib - 30.67
6. Ferozepur 21.80 22.82
7. Gurdaspur 24.70 24.75
8. Hoshiarpur 33.32 34.28
9. Jalandhar 39.08. 37.69
10. Kapurthala 29.46 29.92
11. Ludhiana 24.74 24.99
12. Mansa - 30.33
13. Moga - 31.84
14. Muktsar - 33.75
15. Patiala 23.60 23.07
16. Rupnagar 24.57 25.36
17. Sahibzada Ajit - 22.27

4
Director, Census Operation, Punjab.

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 Singh Nagar
(Mohali)
18. Sangrur 26.83 26.67
19. Shahid Bhagat - 40.46
Singh Nagar
(Nawashahar)
20. Tarn Taran - 32.09
Punjab 28.31 28.85

Source:Census of India 1991 and 2001.

The Census report reveals a remarkable trend of gradual increase in the
percentage of Scheduled Castes within 10 years, i.e., from 1991 to 2001, in the
Districts, like, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Ludhiana and
Rupnagar. But the Scheduled Castes population in districts like Amritsar, Jalandhar,
Patiala and Sangrur has decreased as shown in Table No.1. New districts have also
come into existence like Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Sahibzade
Ajit Singh Nagar, Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar and Tarn Taran. As the proportion of
population is increasing it is expected that the percentage of Scheduled Castes will
increase in next 10 years.

5.2. IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS

OF SCHEDULED CASTES IN PUNJAB
Since the Scheduled Castes suffered from the gross social injustice,
discrimination and disabilities and inhuman suppression and economic exploitation, to
which they have been subjected to over the centuries, the Constitution, incorporated
various provisions with the aim and objective of promoting and safeguarding their
social, political, economic and educational interests.5 This chapter discuss about the
systematic efforts undertaken by the government of India for the upliftment of the
Scheduled Castes. A detailed discussion for their upliftment is as follows
5.2.1. Political Safeguards
In the traditional society Scheduled Castes had no access to political power
and political activity throughout, not only because of the educational and occupational

5
Shail Singh, Reservation Policy and Social Justice 144 (Y.K.Publishers, Agra, 2002).

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backwardness but also due to their low status and complete dependence on the higher
caste Hindus6. Scheduled Castes were completely out of purview of political power.
After Independence and with the introduction of adult franchises, community
development programmed and Panchayat Raj, there was radical change in power
structure of Scheduled Castes. By introducing the Panchayati Raj system the
Government envisages the Democracy to reach the doorsteps of the rural people and
replacement of the age old leadership based on ascription. The availability of the
Constitutional provision under Article 243-D provides reservations for SC and STs in
case of seats in the Panchayats also. Due to this provision, the Scheduled Castes who
are living in substantial number in villages, a real chance to participate in the political
activity at local level is provided to the Scheduled Castes.
Besides this, in order to secure the political participation, reservations in the
political bodies are also made in the Constitution. Article 330 specifically provides
that the seats shall be reserved in the House of the People for the Scheduled Castes
and the number of the seats reserved in any state (or Union Territory) for the SCs
shall bear as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats
allotted to that State or Union Territory in the House of the people as the population
of the Scheduled Castes in the State (or U.T), as the case may be, in respect of the
seats are reserved, bears to the total population of the State. Similarly, Article 332
provides that the seats shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes in the Legislative
Assembly of every State and number of the seats for the SC shall bear, as nearly as
may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats in the Assembly as the
population of the SCs in the State in respect of which seats are so reserved bears to
the total population of the State.
The philosophy contained in Articles 330 and 332 is that the Scheduled Castes
must be enabled to share political power and to participate in the administration of the
country7 for the reason that without special safeguards they could not have competed
with the advanced sections of the society on the footing of equality. Thus, these two
Articles reflect a direct nexus between the political reservations and socio-economic
advancement of the Scheduled Castes.8 Representation of the Scheduled Castes in the

6
R. Vijaya Krishna Naidu, Empowerment of Scheduled Castes 141 (Kalpaz Publications, Delhi,
2004).
7
Report of Commissioner for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (July1978-March
1979), Chapter VII, Para 7.4(a), p.144.
8
Ibid, Para 7.4(a), p.144.

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Parliament and the State Legislature give them as sense of partnership in the
management of the country. Table No. 2 and 3 shows the participation of Scheduled
Castes in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly of Punjab.

Table No.2
Names of Lok Sabha Members elected from Punjab during the Election in May,
2009
NAME POLITICAL PARTY CONSTITUENCY
Shri Partap Singh Bajwa Indian National Congress Gurdaspur (Punjab)
Shri Navjot Singh Sidhu Bharatiya Janata Party Amritsar (Punjab)
Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala Shiromani Akali Dal Khadoor Sahib(Punjab)
Shri Mohinder Singh Kaypee Indian National Congress Jalandhar (SC) (Punjab)
Smt. Santosh Chowdhary Indian National Congress Hoshiarpur (SC) (Punjab)
Shri Ravneet Singh Indian National Congress Anandpur Sahib (Punjab)
Shri Manish Tewari Indian National Congress Ludhiana (Punjab)
Shri Sukhdev Singh Libra Indian National Congress Fategarh Sahib (SC) (Punjab)
Smt. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan Shiromani Akali Dal Faridkot (SC) (Punjab)
Shri Sher Singh Ghubaya Shiromani Akali Dal Ferozpur (Punjab)
Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal Shiromani Akali Dal Bathinda (Punjab)
Shri Vijay Inder Singla Indian National Congress Sangrur (Punjab)
Smt. Preneet Kaur Indian National Congress Patiala (Punjab)
Source: Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.

Table No.3
In Punjab Vidhan Sabha Elections Constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes,
Feb.2007
S.No. Constituencies Name of Elected
Members
1. Dinnanagar Sita Ram
2 Narot Mehra Bishamber Dass
3 Verka Dalbir Singh
4 Jandiala Malkiat Singh
5 Attari Gulzar Singh Ranike

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 6 Khadoor Sahib Manjit Singh Mianwind
7 Jalandhar (South) Chuni Lal Bhagat
8 Kartarpur Avinash Chander
9 Banga Mohan lal
10 Phillaur Swaran Singh
11 Phagwara Swarna Ram
12 Mahalpur Sohan Singh Thandal
13 Shamchurasi Mohinder kaur
14 Gardhiwala Desraj Dhugga
15 Dakha Darshan Singh Shivalik
16 Kum kalan Isher Singh
17 Khanna Bikram Jeet Singh
18 Chamkaur Sahib Charanjit Singh Channi
19 Shutrana Nirmal Singh
20 Amloh Sadhu Singh
21 Sherpur Harchand kaur
22 Bhdaur Balveer Singh Ghunas
23 Baluana Gurtej Singh
24 Dharamkot Seetal Singh
25 Nihal Singh Wala Ajit Singh
26 Panjgrain Joginder Singh
27 Malout Harpreet Singh
28 Pakka kalan Makhan Singh
29 Nathana Ajaib Singh Bhatti

Table No.3 shows that out of 117 seats in legislative assembly, 29 seats were
reserved, the name of those constituencies were given above. If there is no reservation
in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, then the representation of the Scheduled castes
will remain quite negligible. Therefore we can say that there is a need to continue the
political safeguards under Article 330 and 332 till they attain standard of living where
no special statutory provisions are necessary for them.
Article 243-D (1) provides for the reservation of seats in Panchayats for the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The number of seats so reserved shall bear as

Page | 151
nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by
direct election in that Panchayat as the population of the Scheduled Castes in that
Panchayat area and such seats may be allotted by the rotation to the different
constituencies in the Panchayats. Clause (2) of Article 243-D requires that there shall
be reservation for women belonging to Scheduled Castes or as the case may be, the
Scheduled Tribes, at least one-third of the total number of seats reserved for these
categories under the Clause (1). Out of total seats to be filled by direct election in
every Panchayats, not less than one-third (including the seats reserved for the SC and
STs women) seats shall be reserved for women. Such seats may be allotted by rotation
to different constituencies in a Panchayat.9
Clause (4) of Article 243-D lays down that the legislature of a states may, by
law, provide the manner for the reservation of the offices of the chairpersons in the
Panchayats at village or other level, for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and
women. However, it shall be in proportion to the population of each category.10 It is
clear from the data represented in Table No. 4 shows that the distributions of reserved
seats in different districts vary due to the fact that the population of the Scheduled
Castes also varies across districts.

Table No.4
District wise Distribution of Reserved Seats for Sarpanch’s Post as well as
members of the Panchayats in Punjab
Districts No. Of Election SC Sarpanch No. of SC
Panchayats completed in elected members
2008
Gurdaspur 1659 1658 290 1711
Amritsar 817 815 259 1646
Tarn Taran 543 541 121 673
Kapurthala 549 548 176 727
Jalandhar 886 886 314 2409
S.B.S Nagar 458 458 122 759
(Nawanshahar)
Hoshiarpur 1362 1305 483 2801

9
Clause (3) of Article 243-D.
10
First Proviso to Clause (4) of Article 243-D.

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Rupnagar 594 594 135 731
S.A.S.Nagar 376 371 91 588
(Mohali)
Ludhiana 908 866 216 1422
Ferozpur 1139 1114 156 1053
Faridkot 190 190 39 335
Muktsar 264 264 72 666
Moga 337 337 111 254
Bathinda 314 309 91 767
Mansa 244 244 48 380
Sangrur 585 585 177 1276
Barnala 157 157 48 273
Patiala 981 981 295 1651
Fatehgarh Sahib 431 431 109 757
Total 12794 12654 3353 20879

Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 2009.

Looking into the number from the table no. 4, one may conclude that through
rd
the 73 Amendment in the Constitution a considerable change has taken place
relating to the Scheduled Castes participation in local bodies. A few decades back it
was impossible to imagine their participation in the political field.
5.2.2. Educational safeguards
Education has long been identified as key to achieving the advancement of the
Scheduled Castes. In line with Article 15(4) of the Constitution, this empowers the
State to make special provisions for the educational development of Scheduled
Castes; the Indian Government allows the reservation of seats in universities and
colleges. State government observe different rates of reservation, based on the size of
their Scheduled Castes population.
Setting the context for the under-representation of the Scheduled Castes in all
aspects of university life-learning, teaching, administrating – has been an SC’s
literacy rate lagging behind that of the rest of the Indian population. According to the
2001 Census of Punjab, Scheduled Castes communities are among the least literate

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social groups in the country. Barely 56.22 percent of the population had acquired the
most elementary skills in reading and writing.11
The need of education, especially for the Scheduled Castes is quite obvious.
The studies made on the Scheduled Castes realized the importance of education in
improving their status. Many a reason prevented the Scheduled Castes from taking up
education. The major handicap in the way of educational development of the
Scheduled Castes is their economic backwardness on account of Untouchability and
poverty.
Literacy, as defined in Census operations, is the ability to read and write with
understanding in any language. A person who can merely read but cannot write is not
classified as literate. Any formal education or minimum educational standard is not
necessary to be considered literate. Now most of the nations of the world have also
accepted their obligation to provide at least free elementary education to their citizens.
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares:
“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at
least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary
education shall be compulsory. Technical and Professional
education shall be generally available and higher education shall
be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit”.12

Table No.5
Literacy rate of Total, General, Scheduled Castes Population, State/District: 2001
State/District Literacy Rate
Total General Scheduled
Castes
Punjab 69.7 74.9 56.2
Gurdaspur 73.8 76.9 64.0
Amritsar 67.3 75.1 46.8
Kapurthala 73.9 78.1 64.0
Jalandhar 78.0 82.5 70.5
Hoshiarpur 81.0 82.7 77.7
Nawanshahar 76.4 78.3 73.5

11
Directorate of Census Operation, Punjab, 2001.
12
Ibid.

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 Rupnagar 78.1 80.5 70.2
Fatehgarh Sahib 73.6 77.9 63.6
Ludhiana 76.5 80.2 65.1
Moga 63.5 72.9 42.2
Firozpur 60.7 66.5 40.1
Muktsar 58.2 69.7 38.1
Faridkot 62.0 72.5 42.2
Bathinda 61.2 69.2 41.5
Mansa 52.4 59.8 34.5
Sangrur 60.0 65.6 44.4
Patiala 69.8 74.5 53.5
Source: Directorate of Census Operation, Punjab.

Table No. 5 shows the percentage of literacy of the Scheduled Castes and
Non-Scheduled Castes. In the category of the non-scheduled castes, there is exclusion
of the Scheduled Castes from the total literates of every district. Therefore, it includes
not only the literates Hindus but also the Muslims and Christians literates etc. It
shows that literacy rate is low in case of Scheduled castes i.e 56.22 percent in
comparison to the general whose literacy rate is much higher i.e. 69.7. It also shows
that the maximum percentage of scheduled castes literates is in the Districts like
Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahar and Ludhiana. On the other hand the literacy rate of
Scheduled Castes is lower in districts like Mansa and Muktsar and Amritsar.
Table No.6
State/District Literacy gap
(General literacy rate-S.C.
literacy rate)
Punjab 18.7
Gurdaspur 12.9
Amritsar 28.3
Kapurthala 14.1
Jalandhar 12.0
Hoshiarpur 5.0
Nawanshahar 4.8

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 Rupnagar 10.3
Fatehgarh Sahib 14.3
Ludhiana 15.1
Moga 30.7
Firozpur 26.4
Muktsar 31.6
Faridkot 30.3
Bathinda 27.7
Mansa 25.3
Sangrur 21.2
Patiala 21.0

The above table No.6 shows that the literacy rate gap between the general and
scheduled caste is maximum in Muktsar i.e. 31.6 percent and minimum in
Nawanshahar i.e. 4.8 percent. The average gap in all the districts is 19.47 percent.
This shows that the Scheduled castes are still far behind the general population in
literacy. The above discussion on education of the SCs under study reveals that pace
of educational attainment while slow. So reservations should be continued in order to
uplift the social status of Scheduled Castes, so that they can be equal to general
population.
Table No. 7
Enrolment in Schools (As on 30th September)
(in lakh)
Age Total Students Non-S.C Scheduled Castes
Group/Year Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
6-11
2005 9.99 8.73 18.72 5.28 4.46 9.74 4.71 4.27 8.98
2006 10.19 8.94 19.13 5.46 4.58 10.04 4.73 4.36 9.09
2007 9.48 8.19 17.67 4.96 4.09 9.05 4.52 4.10 8.62
11-14
2005 5.71 4.93 10.64 3.59 3.08 6.67 2.12 1.85 3.97
2006 5.84 4.93 10.77 3.74 3.09 6.83 2.10 1.84 3.94
2007 5.89 4.91 10.80 3.64 2.97 6.61 2.25 1.94 4.19

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14-18
2005 4.69 3.94 8.63 3.47 2.95 6.42 1.22 0.99 2.21
2006 4.83 3.97 8.80 3.59 2.96 6.55 1.24 1.01 2.25
2007 4.55 3.85 8.40 3.18 2.74 5.92 1.37 1.11 2.48
Source: Director Public Instruction Schools (SE) Punjab
In table No.7 shows that the enrolment of SC students is low in comparison
with the Non SC. As the Age increases their enrolment decreases as it is depicted in
table that in 2007 the enrolment is 8.62 lakh from age group 6-11 which decreases to
4.19 lakh from age group 11-14 and in age group of 14-18 it further decreases to 2.48
lakh which shows it decreases to 75 percent as their age increases.

Table No.8
Dropout rate of Scheduled Castes Students
Class Total Scheduled castes
I–V 23.96% 29.20%
VI – VIII 33.67% 52.46%
I–X 44.06% 65.69%
Source: Directorate of Scheduled Castes Sub Plan 2010-11, Punjab
Table 8-A

Source: Directorate of Scheduled Castes Sub Plan 2010-11, Punjab

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 The above table No.8 shows that the dropout rate of the scheduled castes
children from 1st to 5th is 5.24 percent more than total dropout. This difference
increases to 18.79 percent from 6th to 8th and it further increases to 21.63 percent.
5.2.3. Safeguards in regard to Public Employments
The philosophy of reservation in public services is based on a general
principle that only economic upliftment will ultimately ensure perceptible
improvement in the life of the Scheduled Castes. The founding fathers thoughts it a
fundamental duty of the State to Endeavour special steps in the field of the public
employment to bring them up to general community.13 Therefore Article 16(4)
empowers the State to make any provision for the reservation of the appointment or
posts in favour of the backward class of citizens which in the opinion of the State, is
not adequately represented in the services under the State.
As Marc Galanter has observed, government employment in India is widely
considered prestigious and guarantor of security and advancement.14 Government jobs
still account for the majority of jobs in the economy’s organized sector. Public sector
jobs are divided into four levels, distinguished by income and selectivity: Class I (or
group A), Class II (or group B), Class III (or group C), Class IV (or group D). Class I,
the highest paid level, includes members of the elite Indian Administrative Services
(IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), the Indian Police Service (IPS) and
connected to central government services. In the next income bracket, class II
employees comprise officers of the state civil service cadre. Competitive exams and
interviews are usually used to fill these top two tiers, which require highly skilled and
well qualified candidates.
In contrast, the bottom two job categories, class III and class IV, include low-
skill, low qualification post such as primary school teachers, revenue inspectors.
Constables, peons, clerks, drivers, and sweepers. These are low income jobs and are
not subject to strict selection process. Additionally, selecting officials exercise a high
degree of discretion in filling posts. Influence plays a major role. This is particular
relevant given that class III and class IV jobs make up the bulk of public sector
employment in the organized economy.

13
See Report, August 8, 1947. Select Document II, 12(I). pp.416-17.
14
Marc Galanter; Competing Equalities: Law and the Backward Classes in India, Oxford
University Press, Delhi (1984), pp.84-85.

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 Table no.9
Representation of Scheduled Castes in Punjab Govt. Employees
Year Sanctioned Filled Posts Scheduled Percentage of
Posts Castes filled posts
Employees
1980 2,56,528 2,44,074 45,102 18.48
1990 3,29,471 3,07,953 64,392 20.91
2000 3,75,646 3,36,959 80,800 23.98
2006 3,82,665 3,17,628 73,473 23.13
2007 3,76,405 3,07,856 73,557 23.89
2008 (P) 3,73,586 2,97,986 74,970 25.16
2009 (P) 3,65,762 2,84,983 73,290 25.72
Source: Economic and Statistical Organisation, Punjab.
Table No.9 shows that the percentage of Scheduled Castes in Punjab has
increased from 1980 to 2009 to 7.24 percent only. This is a bitter truth of the Punjab
that in three decade the representation of Scheduled Castes in government job is
negligible. Even though Article 16 clause 4(B) enables the state to carry forward the
unfilled reserved vacancies to be filled in any succeeding years so as to remove the
backlog, notwithstanding the rule of 50% ceiling.
Table No.10
Representation of Scheduled Castes in total number of Semi Government
Employees working in Corporation/Boards/Municipal Committees
Corporation/Improvement Trust, Market Committies/ Zila parishads/Panchayat
Samities as on 31st March 2009 (P) in Punjab
Institutions Total no. of employees S.C. employees
Boards/Corporations 85276 16688
Municipal Committees/ 24504 14897
Corporation
Improvement Trust 786 161
Market Committees 3962 805
Zila Parishads 7802 1552
Panchayat Samities 4290 912

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 Table No.10-
A

The above table No.10 shows that the scheduled Castes are still under
represented in Semi government employment. In every field of semi government
organization the scheduled castes are below marked reservation in Punjab.
5.2.4. Social Safeguards
The Constitution of India has provided a programme for transformation and
reconstruction of Scheduled Castes society which is based on inequality into
egalitarian society. Article 14 which talk about the equality, is the key note of our
National Charter. The philosophy of equality is further adumbrated in Articles 15 and
16 every citizen of the country has been made to feel that he is a citizen of the country
as a whole. Article 17 has been forcefully drafted for materializing the Gandhi’s
dream of doing away with Untouchability. The Constitution of India solemnly
resolves among other things, to secure to all citizens of India “social justice” and
“equality of status” and also to provide to among them all “fraternity” assuring the
dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation. Scheduled Castes are now no
longer serfdom. Article 17 specially proclaims: “Untouchability is abolished and its
practice in any form is forbidden the enforcement of any disability arising out of
‘untouchability’ has been declared to be an offence punishable in accordance with
law”.
Page | 160
 In addition to the Constitutional provision, statutes like Untouchability
(Offences) Act, 1955 and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1976 were passed. The
chief weapon in the armory of the Hindus is the economic power which they possess
over the poor untouchables who are socially backward, psychologically and
economically weak, and numerically small15. The Untouchability (Offences) Act,
1955, protects people belonging to the Scheduled Castes category equally despite the
fact that they are designated differently on the basis of the caste, religion, races, tribes,
etc. the truth is that all these measures have been necessitated because of the fact that
there was prevailing miserable and appalling conditions of the Scheduled Castes who
had remained far behind segregated from national and social life and had continued to
be socially oppressed and economically exploited due to the various types of
disabilities. The government of India has shown keen interest in safeguarding the
Scheduled Castes against all kinds of atrocities of which they are generally the
victim’s in the society.
As per experience of the National Commission, Punjab ranks as the worst in
this regard, because the superior hierarchy of the organization tends to be extremely
protective of its members and even the interventions by the National Commission for
SCs and STs in extremely serious cases have failed to get any positive response.16
Table No 11 and 12 shows the number of cases registered under the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Protection of Civil
Rights Act
Table No.11
State-wise Number of Cases Registered under Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in India
(1998 to 2006)
States/UTs 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Punjab 17 19 34 56 60 56 66 139 184
India 27561 26285 30315 30022 27894 22603 23629 31387 32407

15
D.N.Saraf, Social Policy, Law and Protection of Weaker sections of society 157 (Easter Book
Company, Lucknow , 1989).
16
Report on Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes- Policy and Performance, (2004),
pp. 20-51, p.42.

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 Table No. 12

State-wise Number of Cases Registered (CR), Persons Arrested (PA), Persons

Chargesheeted (PC), Total Persons Tried (PT), Persons Convicted (PV)
and Persons Acquitted (PQ) under Hurt of Scheduled Castes ( SC) (In Conjunction with SC/ST (P)
of Atrocities Act) and PCR Act in India - 2005
Hurt PCR Act
State/Ut CR PA PC PT PV PQ CR PA PC PT PV PQ

Punjab 7 38 35 14 0 14 1 0 0 0 0 0

India 3847 7738 7328 6896 1907 4989 291 584 575 1013 223 790

Thus the less number of cases under the Protection of Civil Rights and
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 does not
represent a marked reduction in the practice of Untouchability. Rather, it is reflection
on the ineffectiveness of law – a conclusion which tallies with the view expressed by
National Commission for Scheduled Castes /Scheduled Tribes in the sixth report
also.17
It is surprising in the context that State Government have also not involved
Panchayati Raj institutions in the implementation of this Act. These institutions could
play a key role in eliminating Untouchability practices and providing necessary social
support in the enforcement of the Protection of Civil Rights Act.
To sum up, the review of the report and data reveals that government has
provided the provisions and trying best to remove the untouchability and encouraged
the Scheduled Castes people to join the mainstream of national life. But even after the
amendment in 1976, there is no effective enforcement of the Act. There is a gradual
decline in the practice of untouchability though the pace of change has been rather
slow.

5.3. CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS FOR SCHEDULED

CASTES: A CASE STUDY
The present study is conducted in order to examine the changing status of
Scheduled Castes in Punjab by taking into consideration four variables/aspects,
namely, education, employment, political empowerment and their social status in the
society. The Punjab is a land of farmers and a Sikh majority state. The Sikhs

17
Ibid, p.25.

Page | 162
constitute 63 percent of the State’s population at present. There are thirty nine
Scheduled Castes (Mahatam and Rai Sikh as added by Constitution Amendment Act,
2007) notified in the state of Punjab. All of them were enumerated at Census of 2001.
The Scheduled Castes population constitutes 28.9 percent of total population of the
State. The State has the highest proportion of Scheduled Castes population is in
Nawanshahar. Out of the thirty nine Castes Mazhabi, Chamars, Ad Dharmi, Balmikis
and Bazigar together constitute 86.8 percent of total Scheduled Castes population.
The State of Punjab has experienced a fast rate of socio-economic development
during five decades and is counted among the high income states of India. Therefore
it is worthwhile to examine the status of Scheduled Castes in this State.
• This study aims at examining and analyzing the various provisions relating to
the protection of the Scheduled Castes under the Constitution of India and the
effectiveness of these provisions in the state of Punjab.
• To know about the benefits of reservation have really been reaped by all the
beneficiaries on equal footing or have gone only to fraction of SC.
• To know the level of awareness of the Scheduled Castes regarding
Constitutional measures is also studied.
• In this study researcher know about their participation in political structure of
Punjab
• Whether the beneficiaries are aware about the policies and benefits given by
the state government and whether they are taking the benefits of these policies
are also studied.
• To know that whether the feeling of untouchability has withered away and has
generated a sense of equality is also studied.
5.3.1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ADOPTED FOR THE
TOPIC
The present study is both Doctrinal and Non-Doctrinal. The literature for the
study is collected from the various sources. These include various Reports of the
Census of Punjab, Books, Journals, Periodicals, Articles, Research Papers,
Newspapers and various other primary and secondary sources. Other than this, the
response of the respondents and various Reports of the Punjab government will be
analyzed and evaluated to have a clear picture of topic under study.

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5.3.1.1. Universe of Study
It was planned to make a descriptive and comparative study of the rural and
urban areas of two districts of Punjab. The study of researcher is divided into two
categories:
1. Implementation of Constitutional Safeguards of Scheduled Castes in the
context of the Punjab governmental data (as already discussed).
2. The second part lays emphasis on the field survey in which first hand
information is collected from the respondents (Scheduled Castes) in order to
assess the impact of Constitutional Safeguards in political, educational,
employment and social aspect. Since it was difficult to study the Scheduled
Castes of State of Punjab as a whole due to constraint of time and feasibility,
the researcher has confined its present study to two districts Amritsar and
Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahar). The following are the features of
these districts:
i. In the district Amritsar the number of population of Scheduled Caste is 589,
819 which is the highest in Majha region.
ii. The proportion of Scheduled Castes is 27.34 percent of the total population of
the Amritsar.
iii. The Amritsar has remained relatively ignored in respect of empirical studies
on the Scheduled Castes are concerned.
iv. Mazabis constitutes 31.6 percent of total SC population, followed by Chamars
(26.2 percent), Ad Dharmi (14.9 percent) and Balmikis (11.2 percent).
Together they constitute 83.9 percent of total SC population. The number of
Mazabis and Balmikis are highest in Amritsar and in Nawashahar the number
of population of Chamars and Ad Dharmis are highest. That’s why the
researcher has chosen these areas.
v. In the S.B.S Nagar the proportion of the Scheduled Castes is highest i.e. 40.46
percent which is the two-fifth of the districts total population.
For the purpose of this study it was decided to have a total sample of 400
respondents of the Scheduled Castes of which 200 respondents were studied in each
district. In the Amritsar each of the localities were inhabited by particular Scheduled
Castes.

Page | 164
 SAMPLING

Page | 165
 Main localities of Amritsar and Nawanshehar were selected randomly i.e.
Kutti Vehra, Sultan wind Road, Bhushan pura, Marji Mohala (Chamrang road), Ram
Talai, Godown Mohala, Ram Bagh, Gilwali gate, Lahori gate, Gowaal Mandi, Anj-
manj (Sharifpura) and Ravi Dass Nagar, Musapur road near railway station (bhanglan
wali abadi), Navin Abadi near Dana Mandi. As a result, 200 respondents were
randomly selected from these localities. Villages of Nawanshehar and Amritsar were
selected randomly i.e. Dosanjh, Dosanjh Khurd, Barnala Khurd, Amargarh, Bhangal
Khurd, Kariha, Tehang, Baddowaal, Chaati wind and Majihta.
For the purpose of this data collection the questionnaire method, the interview
method and observational method is used. A careful structured questionnaire was
prepared by researcher. This Questionnaire comprises of 74 questions with the view
to know the status of SC in Punjab. The main variables included in the questionnaire
were social, political, educational and employment of the respondents. Thus out of 74
questions, 19 questions have been constructed to assess the political participation and
awareness of the respondents, next 19 questions deals with the educational level, their
awareness relating to reservation and other policies of the Punjab government, 15
question were designed to know about their economic and employment aspect. Last
20 questions have been constructed to assess the impact of Constitutional safeguards
on their social life.

Page | 166
5.3.2. RESPOSE OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE
The empirical work of the researcher took approximately one year. The
questionnaires were served on respondents in person by doing door-to-door exercise.
During the empirical study of this research the researcher got surprising facts.
She observes that inspite of the reservation policy and other Punjab government
policies, the position of the Scheduled Castes in Punjab is pathetic. The following are
the findings of the empirical work and its comparison with the reports of the
government organization as discussed above.

5.3.2.1. Political Aspect

In the political aspect we will observe that whether the respondents are aware
of their right to vote. The purpose of the reservation in the political field is of two
fold; firstly, these representative will become their voice in legislature or law making
body and secondly their equal participation in nation building. As already discussed in
the Constitution the reservation in legislature is given and its adherence is being taken
by them. But some of the facts need to be unveiled. Our empirical study has opened
the new dimensions of the political aspect. Through these dimensions we observe that
the beneficiaries become representative of the Scheduled Castes and they become the
part of the legislature. The chart 1 shows that in the urban areas 60 percent of
respondents were connected with any regional/national political party and in rural
areas as shown in Chart No.1-A their connection with these parties was 94 percent.
This shows that the rural respondents are 34 percent more connected with the political
parties. In urban areas 99 percent of the respondents know about their right to vote
and 94 percent cast their votes. On the other hand rural respondents are cent percent
aware about this right and they cast their vote also. This shows they are active
participants.

Page | 167
 URBAN

RURAL

Page | 168
 When the researcher asked this question from the respondents that whether the
political parties’ candidates only come in election days in their localities/villages,
Chart No. 2 and Chart No. 2-A shows that 99 percent urban and 97 percent rural
respondents have stated that the political parties candidates only comes in their
localities/village during the election days.
URBAN

RURAL

Page | 169
 When through the questionnaire we asked this question from the respondents
that whether during the election time the candidates of the political parties offers
wine, money, clothes and meal etc. Chart no. 3 which is related to the urban
respondents answer in positive and 81 percent said they offer these things. On the
other hand rural respondents as shown in Chart No. 3-A stated that the political
parties do mal practices and their proportion was 97 percent.
URBAN

RURAL

Page | 170
 This question was also related to the earlier one. When the researcher asked
this question that whether you cast your vote to those who offer the above mentioned
things? In response to this, 38 percent of the urban respondents stated that they cast
their vote only to those who offered the above mentioned things. On the other hand as
depicted in Chart No. 4-A, 48 percent answer in positive.
URBAN

RURAL

Page | 171
 The 48 percent urban respondents admit this thing that their votes are purchased
(directly or indirectly) by the political parties’ candidates. On the other hand 91
percent of the rural respondents states that their votes are purchased by the political
parties. It shows that the rural respondents are more dominated by the political parties
as comparative to the urban respondents. Not only this, political parties exploit them
in order to get their votes and they violate the rules and regulations of the election
commission.
URBAN

RURAL

Page | 172
 Chart. 6 shows that 44 percent urban and 91 percent rural respondents replied that
the higher strata of the society pressurize them to cast their votes in favour of them.
The researcher observes that the respondent of the rural areas are still being
dominated by the upper castes and their votes does not represent their actual
representation.

URBAN

RURAL

Page | 173
 When we asked this question that whether the promises made by the political
parties’ candidates during the election days are fulfilled afterwards? The 94 percent
urban and 91 percent rural respondents stated that as depicted in Chart No. 7 and &-A
that the promises made by the political parties’ during the election time are not
fulfilled afterwards.
URBAN

RURAL

Page | 174
 As shown in Chart No. 8 and 8-A 93 percent urban and 82 percent rural
respondents are aware of their right of reservation in political structure but they are
not conscious about the utility of this right in right direction.

URBAN

RURAL

After comparing the census of Punjab, other government data and response of
the 400 urban and rural respondents the researcher observe that as per the proportion
of the population of Scheduled Castes in Punjab is 28.85 percent, in the local bodies
(as shown in Table No.4) out of 12794 panchayats, 12654 panchayats elections are

Page | 175
completed in 2008, 3353 Scheduled Castes sarpanch are elected and 20879 Scheduled
Castes members are elected. Article 243-D (1) provides for the reservation of seats in
Panchayats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the above data shows the
adherence of the Constitution mandate. It means that the seats which are reserved for
the scheduled castes in the local bodies like panchayats are filled. In Article 330 and
332 the seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes in House of People and
Legislative assemblies of State. Table No. 3 shown that out of 117 seats 29 seats are
reserved and they are filled also and in Table No. 2 shows that out of 13 seats 3 are
reserved and filled. This shows that the complete adherence of the Constitution
Mandate in the Political Structure.
Out of the 400 respondents in the urban and rural areas 93 percent urban and
82 percent rural respondents have the knowledge about the reservation in the political
structure (See Chart No. 8 and 8-A). As per Chart No.1 and 1-A 60 percent urban and
64 percent rural respondents are related to regional/National political party. Near
about cent percent cast their vote also. Inspite of this, 99 percent urban and 97 percent
rural respondents admits that the political party’s candidates come to their
town/village only during election days and 81 percent urban and 97 percent rural
respondents stated that political parties’ candidates by using mal practices try make
their vote bank strong. Out of 81 percent 38 percent urban get influenced from these
mal practices and in the rural areas out of 97 percent 48 percent get influenced and
they cast their vote who offer the things i.e. cash, wine, clothes, meals etc. Some of
the upper caste people pressurize them to cast their votes in favour of their own
candidate through these mal practices. The researcher observes that some of the
representatives of the Scheduled Castes in the political structure are not their real
representatives because their votes are being purchased by them. Therefore the
Constitution mandate completely adheres but the some of the elected members are not
elected neutrally the respondents.
While interviewing with the Scheduled Caste Sarpanch and member of
Panchayat, reinforced the point that caste continue to play an important role in rural
political power. Not only this, even where the posts are reserved, the dominant castes
often had a say in deciding who amongst the Scheduled Castes should contest.
Therefore, those who had the support of the dominant caste contest and win the
elections. Even after winning, their opinions were not respected in the Panchayat’s
meetings. This shows that they are just pupits in the hands of the dominants caste of
Page | 176
the villages. In a case of Nawanshaher district, local organizing committee did not
even care to invite the village sarpanch when the then Union Sports Minister,
Sukhdev Singh Dindsa visited the village for the sports meet.18 This above case shows
that the real power is still in the hand of dominant people.
According to the researcher the main reason is their illiteracy and poverty
which make them to be dependents on the higher strata of the society.
5.3.2.2. Educational Aspect
The modern Indian educational system is the secular one, in which no
discrimination is made on the basis of caste and religion, etc. The theory behind the
reservation in education is that the lower strata of society – especially Scheduled
Castes – are incompetent to get entry into the educational institutions through normal
19
process of recruitment. At the same time education is thought to be an important
factor to promote self-reliance – self-respect and independence – both psychological
and economic. Parathama writes in, “Ambedkar and after – education is the potential
factor in status improvement for the Scheduled Castes as it brings consciousness
about their socio-political plights.”20 Similarly, Pimpley writes education is the single
most important factor for the enhancement of status of Scheduled Castes.21
“Unlike Article 16(4) which specifically provided for reservation of jobs, there
was no provision which permitted reservation of seats in educational
institutions”.
But in pursuance to Directive embodied in Article 46 to promote with special
care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people,
various state governments started making reservations of seats in the technical and
medicals institutions. But such reservation was held as invalid and violative of Article
15(1) and 29(2).22 The court recognized the obligation of the state under Article 46 to
promote the welfare and interests of the weaker sections of the people but considered
the underlying object of Article 15 and 29(2) so sacrosanct that the promotion of the

18
Surinder S. Jodka, “Dissociation, Distancing and Autonomy: Caste and Untouchability in Rural
Punjab”, Harish K. Puri (ed.), Dalits in Regional Context 70 (Rawat Publication, Jaipur and New
Delhi, 2004).
19
Pimpley Sharma (ed.), Struggle for Status 180 (B.R.Publishing Corporation, Delhi, 1985).
20
C.Parathama, “The case for India’s Untouchables”, United Asia, Vol.20, No.5, 1968, pp.279-286.
21
P.M. Pimpley, Social characteristics of Scheduled Castes students in Punjab (Department of
Sociology, Punjab University, Chandigarh, 1976).
22
State of Madras v. Smt .Champakam Dorarirajan, AIR 1951 SC 226, wherein the Court struck
down the government order which allocated seats in proportion to the population they bore to the
total population of the state.

Page | 177
welfare of such classes was not to be by way of undermining it. To overcome such
difficulty, the constitution (first Amendment) Act, 1951 was passed which added a
new clause to Article 15. The clause reads as under:
Nothing in this Article or in Clause (2) of Article 29 shall prevent the state
from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and
educationally backward classes or for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes”.
The wording ‘any provision’ in Article 15(4) gives the state great leeway in
prescribing the method of operation of preferential treatment for the advancement of
the weaker sections of society. Therefore the governments have reserved seats in the
educational institutions for the weaker sections of the society. The reservation of seats
in educational institutions under Article 15(4) has received a uniform interpretation by
the courts.23
Under Article 46, the government of Punjab implementing number of schemes
for the upliftment of the educational status of the scheduled castes. Some of the
schemes are: 1) free books to the Scheduled Castes students from 6th to 10th class. 2)
Free computer education to 6th to 8th class Scheduled Castes students, 3) scholarship
to students: Rs.40/- per month to girls and Rs.30/-per month to boys form 6th to 8th
class, in 9th to 10th class Rs.75 per month to those SC Students who obtain 1st
Division, Rs.60/- per month to those who obtain 2nd division, Rs. 50/- per month who
obtain 3rd divison. In 10+1 and 10+2 Rs. 140/- per month to SC Students. These
scholarships are given in Punjab government schools. 3) Post-Matric Scholarship to
SC/ST students.
After observing the response of the 400 respondents of the rural and urban
areas the researcher observes that 93 percent urban and 66 percent rural respondents
are aware of this fact that in their area/ village there is a availability of government
senior secondary school. Secondly as Chart No. 9 and 9-A shows only 3 percent of
the urban respondents knows about the government colleges and professional colleges
in their areas and rural have no knowledge about that.

23
See M.R.Balaji v.State of Mysore, AIR 1963 SC 449; T.N. Tikku v. State of J& K, AIR 1967 SC
1283 and Chhotey Lal v. State, AIR 1979 All. 135.

Page | 178
 URBAN

RURAL

1. Pre-School
2. Primary school
3. Higher secondary
4. Senior secondary
5. Government college
6. Professional government college

Page | 179
 Chart No.10 and 10-A shows that out of the total respondents 38 percent in
urban areas and 52 percent in the rural areas are illiterate. Secondly, in the rural
respondents nobody was graduate, post graduate or doctorate, on the other hand in the
urban areas 1 percent was doctorate, 9 percent was post graduate and 8 percent was
graduate. This shows their educational qualification.

URBAN

RURAL

1. Upto 8th 2. Matric 3. 10+2 4.Graduate

5.Post Graduate 6. Doctorate 7.Illiterate

Page | 180
 Government of Punjab has started lots of schemes as discussed in Chapter - IV
for the Scheduled Castes students, when the researcher asked this question from the
respondents about their awareness, then 72 percent of the urban and 73 percent of the
rural respondents stated that they do not have the information regarding schemes
relating to free books, uniform, meals in the government school. Some of them who
know about these schemes stated that these things are available but they are not
available in well manner. They said sometimes their children get books but sometimes
they have to buy those books because in the schools these were out of stocks.
URBAN

RURAL

Page | 181
 Regarding the help in the shape of stipend or any scholarship as shown in
Chart No. 12 and 12-A 31 percent of the urban and 42 percent of the rural respondents
shows their awareness.

URBAN

RURAL

Page | 182
The 78 percent of the urban respondents said that all the benefits are not given by the
educational institutions to all the beneficiaries. On the other hand as shown in Chart
No. 13-A 97 percent stated that all the benefits are not given by the educational
institutions to all the beneficiaries.

URBAN

RURAL

Page | 183
 Regarding the question relating to financial hardships for sending their children
to schools, response is shown in Chart No. 14 and Chart No. 14-A. In this 85 percent
of the urban and 76 percent of rural respondents agree that they faced many financial
and social hardships in sending their children to the educational institutions for the
studies.
URBAN

RURAL

RURAL

Page | 184
 Chart No.15 and 15-A shows 67 percent urban and 91 percent of the rural
respondents’ children face degraded or insultive attitude by their classmate, seniors
and juniors who belong to upper caste in their school. This insultive attitude is more
in rural areas as comparative to the urban areas. Researcher observes that this
degraded and insultive attitude will going to enhance their inferiority complex and
will be the hurdle in their career also.

URBAN

RURAL

Page | 185
 Chart No.16 and 16-A shows that the 65 percent of the urban and 88 percent
of the rural respondents convinced that their children were degraded by upper castes
teachers and clerical staff also. This is one of the reasons responsible for the dropout
of the children. Children stop going to school just because their classmate and teacher
degrade them.

URBAN

RURAL

Page | 186
 Chart No. 17 and 17-A shows that 94 percent of the urban and rural
respondents admit that their intelligence is under estimated. They stated that just
because we belong to this Scheduled Caste category, the upper castes think that we
are not intelligent. In this response the percentage of the rural and urban respondents
is same. It means that either the scheduled caste is living in rural area or he is living in
urban area his intelligence is under estimated by dominate class.
URBAN

RURAL

Page | 187
 After comparing the Census of Punjab, other government data and response of
the 400 urban and rural respondents the researcher observes that literacy rate as per
the Census of Punjab Scheduled Castes is 56.2 percent (as shown in Table No. 5). It is
clear from the data that the literacy rate of the Scheduled Castes of Punjab is far from
the level of the satisfaction as it was only 41.09 percent in 1991 (as per the Census of
Punjab 1991) and in ten years it has increased to 56.22 which is not upto the level of
satisfaction as expected by the government. Table No.7 shows that the enrolment of
SC students is low in comparison with the Non Scheduled Castes. As the age
increases their enrolment decreases as it is depicted in table that in 2007 the enrolment
is 8.62 lakh from age group 6-11 which decreases to 4.19 lakh from age group 11-14
and in age group of 14-18 it further decreases to 2.48 lakh which shows it decreases to
75 percent as their age increases. The drop rate of Scheduled Castes students from I-X
is 65.69 percent. When the researcher asked from the respondents about the reasons
responsible for their children’s dropout, some of them tell that:
1) Inability to fulfill their children’s basic needs which are required for their
schooling.
2) Early marriages of the girls is also responsible for their dropout, reason being
that for illiterate parents their girls are their social liability and they want to get
free as soon as possible.
3) Some illiterate respondents in rural areas do not send their children to schools.
4) Due to financial hardship, the students are compelled to leave their studies and
work for livelihood.
5) Earlier in the centre of Amritsar city there was Saragarhi Memorial Secondary
School, Townhall. In order to promote the tourism of Amritsar, this school is
shifted outside the city and in that place Car parking is build by the
government. This adversely effected the school strength, as it become
expensive for the SC students to born the expenses of the travelling in order to
reach the school.
6) In Amritsar District there is not a single government college for the boys and
after the senior secondary these students discontinue their studies.
After discussing the report of government, it is important to present the data
on the educational characteristics of the respondents. It is evident from the Chart No.
9 and 9-A that in the urban areas 93 percent respondents are aware about this fact
there is a availability of government school in their area. On the other hand only 66
Page | 188
percent of the rural areas respondents are aware. The second important fact that
emerges from the empirical analysis is that the level of higher education is
comparatively low in rural areas. As shown in Chart No. 10 and 10-A, in the urban
areas only 22 percent respondents have completed their education till senior
secondary and in the rural areas this proportion is 6 percent which is too low. The 85
percent urban and 76 percent rural respondents as per Chart No.14 and 14-A admitted
that they faced financial hardship in sending their children in the schools.
While interviewing with the teacher of the government school in Amritsar, he
stated that the subject of the computer has become compulsory in the school and it is
difficult for the students to understand it also. Upto 8th class there is no fees for it but
after 8th the government has imposed fees on this subject also and it is difficult for the
parents of the children to arrange the fees for them. Not only this, as shown in Chart
No. 11, 72 percent urban and 73 percent rural respondents are not aware about this
fact that in the government schools books, uniform and meal is available and as
depicted in Chart No. 12, 69 percent of the urban and 58 percent has not taken the
benefit of scholarship and stipends given by government.
The researcher observes that in the government schools there are less parents –
teachers meetings. Even though some of the schools have these provisions, the parents
never went there. Reason is again the same the parents are daily wage earners, if they
will go to school then what they will eat in their meals? So the financial crises and the
adverse circumstances which are prevailing in their surrounding were responsible for
the drop out of their children in the schools. Recently the Punjab school education
board has started the semester system also which means that it will increase the
financial burden on the parents.
The response received from the respondents relating to the attitude of the
classmates/seniors and juniors in the school of their children 67 percent of the urban
and 91 percent of the rural respondents stated that their children faced the humiliated
attitude. On the other hand the scheduled castes children faced this degraded and
insultive attitude not only from their classmates but also from some of the upper caste
teacher and other staff of the school. This is also one of the reasons for their dropout.
The researcher observes that this attitude will not only create inferiority complex but
it will prove to be a big hurdle in the career. These things will affect them
psychologically and affect their confidence also. In order to verify this above reason
when in the questionnaire the researcher asked this question that whether the
Page | 189
intelligence of the respondents is under estimated. In response to this question 94
percent of the urban and rural responded respond in positive. Why their intelligence is
underestimated? According to researcher as already explained their lack of confidence
and the degraded attitude of the dominant class for them which they were facing from
the day they step into this caste ridden society.
Under the Sarva Shiska Abhiyaan, it is compulsory for all the teacher to
maintain the academic record of the students. Some of the teachers manipulate these
datas in order to give good result to the government. The government of Punjab is
more concerned with the enrolment of the students in the schools but they show least
interest in the retainment. But the need of the time is to increase the quality of the
education of the scheduled castes students so that they can compete with the other
students on equal footing. Recently legislation is made in which the primary
education is made compulsory and free for all the students studying in the government
schools. Punjab government is also trying best to implement this legislation, as this is
passed in 2009.
5.3.2.3. Employment Aspect
There is a strong and positive relationship between the education and the
employment. If the person is educated then only he will be able to get public
employment. In the Constitution the reservation is given in public employment. The
central government has provided for the reservation in the central government
employment for the scheduled Castes since 1943.24 Reservation include other special
provisions that include age concession, fee concession, reduction of the minimum
qualifying marks on examinations and the waiver of a passing mark on viva voce
examinations, etc.25
Certain posts are “exempted” from reservation. Under the current policy
reservations do not apply to cases of transfer or deputation; certain scientific and
technical posts; single post cadre; and ad hoc appointments arising out of stop gap
arrangements. Another factor under cutting the positive trends is the prevalence of
false castes certification. Non Scheduled Castes , whether out of the opportunism or
desperation , have been known to cause as SCs in order to take advantage of the
reserved government jobs , in addition to other benefits afforded to the Scheduled

24
Marc Galanter, Competing Equalities :Law and the Backward Classes in India 86 (Oxford
University Press, Delhi, 1984).
25
Ibid. p.88

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Castes , such as relaxation of the maximum age limits and waving of civil service
exams and fees.
As already mentioned the Punjab has the highest proportion of scheduled
castes. In the Punjab reservation of jobs for the scheduled castes is also more in
comparative to other states i.e., 25 percent. In Punjab there is system of quota within a
quota. The Act which has given this provision is Punjab Scheduled Castes and
Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006. According to Section 3 of the
Act, this Act is not applicable to employees of central government, private sector and
domestic services. According to Section 4 sub-section (5) Fifty percent of the
vacancies of the quota reserved for Scheduled Castes in direct recruitment, shall be
offered to Balmikis and Mazbhi Sikhs, if available, as a first preference from amongst
the Scheduled Castes.
While responding to the question whether the respondents are employed 21
percent of the urban respondents and 6 percent of the rural respondents stated that
they were government employees. On the other hand 7 percent of the urban
respondents stated that they are employees of semi government and 3 percent of the
rural responded were doing jobs in private sector. 34 percent of the urban respondents
were private scavengers and in the rural areas 49 percent were farm labour. This
shows that 28 percent (Government and semi government employees) of urban
respondents and 6 percent of the rural respondents are only employed. Rest of them
are doing labour work.

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URB
AN

URBAN

1. Govt. Employees 2. Semi Govt Employees 3.Pvt. Scavengers

4. Factory labour 5. Road and Building Labour
6. Farm Labour 7.Others.
RURAL

1. Government Employees 2. Pvt. Employees 3.Farm Labour

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 4. Factory Labour 5. Road and Building Labour
6. Animal Husbandary 7. Others.
Chart No. 19 shows that in the urban areas 9 percent of the respondents are
class I. On the other hand Chart No.19-A shows that the percentage of class I is nil.
Secondly, Chart No.19 also shows out of urban respondents who are government and
semi government employees, 13 percent are class II and 33 percent are class III and
45 percent are related to Class IV. Chart No. 19-A shows that 67 percent are class III
and 33 percent are class IV employees.
URBAN
URBAN

RURAL

1. Class I 2.Class II 3.Class III 4.Class IV

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 In response for the question that whether the respondents have taken any
benefit of reservation in government services. Chart No. 20 shows that 20 percent of
the urban respondents admit that they have taken the benefit of the reservation. Chart
No. 20-A shows that 9 percent of the rural respondents have answer in positive. Rest
of the respondents stated that they have not taken any benefit in reservation.

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RURAL

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 So far as bonded labour is concerned, 8 percent urban respondents admitted
that they have done the bonded labour as it is shown in Chart No.21. On the other
hand 24 percent of the rural respondents admitted that they have done bonded labour.

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RURAL

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 When from the respondents asked about this fact that whether their contractors
(who belong to the higher strata of the society) exploit you on behalf of your caste.
Chart No.22 shows that 72 percent respondents stated that their contractors do not
exploit them. On the other hand 17 admit it and 11 percent stated that sometimes their
contractor exploit them. On the other hand Chart No. 22-A shows that 24 percent
admit the exploitation and 28 percent stated that sometimes they exploit them.

URBAN
U
R
B
A
N

RURAL

1. No. 2.Yes 3.Sometimes.

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 For the response of the question that whether the way of life in the village/city has
undergone a change because of execution of reservation policy by government. In the
urban areas 46 respondents’ answer was positive as depicted in Chart No. 23 and in
the rural areas only 9 percent of the respondents admit this change. The difference
between the answer of urban and rural areas is too much.

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RURAL

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 After comparing the Census of Punjab, other government data and response of
the 400 urban and rural respondents the researcher observes that (as shown in Table
No.9) in 1980 the strength of Scheduled Castes in government employment was 18.48
percent. After two decades this percentage was increased to 23.98 percent but after 7
years i.e. in 2007 it decreases to 23.89 percent. In 2009 (provisional) this percentage
is increased to 25.72 percent. This shows that in Punjab even though after the 29 years
i.e. from 1980 to 2009 their percentage in the government services is increased to 7.24
percent only. Table No. 10 shows that approximately in semi-government employees
the representation of the Scheduled Castes is only 27.64 percent.
After discussing the report of government, it is important to compare the data
on the employment of the respondents. It is evident from the Chart No. 19 and 19-A
that the maximum proportion of the respondents in the government jobs belongs to
Class III and Class IV. The main reason is that lack of proper guidance. Maximum
proportions of the Scheduled Castes are not economically sound and the lack of
resources affects their performance. This is also the reason responsible for their non
clearance of entrance examination inspite of this fact that 25 percent seats are
reserved in Punjab and marks relaxation is also given to them. Secondly, they lack in
their confidence because as shown in Chart No.16 and 16-A that the 65 percent of the
urban and 88 percent of the rural respondents admitted that their children were
degraded by some upper castes teachers and clerical staff also.
5.3.2.4. Social Aspect
The social status is the state of class of people, how they are generally
regarded by the other people in their society and how they regard themselves in that
society.26 So whenever we discuss the social status of Scheduled Castes we have to
see how these peoples are respected by the upper strata of the society. The framers of
the Constitution were aware of the social disabilities prevalent in pre independence
period. In order to eliminate these social disabilities they included in the Constitution
Article 15 and 17 (as already Explained in Chapter 3). Inspite of these Constitutional
provisions and special enactments, the incidents of the atrocities and excesses against
the Scheduled Castes constitute the bunch of injustice. These atrocities are the child of
traditional dominated and discriminatory Hindu social structure.

26
Debebdra Kr. Bezbaruah. An Empirical Study on Social Status of the Scheduled Castes people of
Nalbari District, Indian Association of Social Science Institutions, July-Sept.2003, Vol.22, No.1,
2003.

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 Chart No.24 and 24-A shows that when the researcher asked from the
respondents then 30 percent of the Urban and 85 percent of the rural respondents
admit that the atrocities are being caused on them or any member of their family. Here
the proportion of rural respondents is 61 percent more than urban respondents’ reply.

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RURAL

The Chart No 25 shows that 53 percent of the urban respondents admitted that
the Scheduled Castes women are humiliated by the upper caste and men and 17
percents responds that sometimes they are being humiliated by them. On the other

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hand Chart No.25-A shows that 61 percent respondents stated that the Scheduled
Castes women are humiliated by the upper caste men and 39 percent stated that
sometimes not always. Therefore the percentage of humiliated is much more in rural
areas as comparative to Urban areas.

URBAN

1. No 2. Yes 3. Sometimes.

RURAL

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 As shown in Chart No. 26, 23 percent of the urban respondents stated that
police does not registered their case, 25 percent stated that police give excuses, 23
stated that police is not helpful and 29 percent stated that the police is helpful. As
shown in Chart No 26-A, 13 percent rural respondents stated that police does not
registered their case, 74 percent stated that police give excuses, 14 stated that police is
not helpful and only 3 percent stated that the police is helpful.

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 Chart No.27 shows that 36 percent of the urban respondents stated that police
is corrupt, 19 stated that under pressure of upper caste, 42 percent stated that due to
pressurization of political people police is not helpful in registering their cases. 3
percent also stated that they never confronted police for registering their case. Chart
No.27-A shows that 15 percent of the urban respondents stated that police is corrupt,
70 percent stated that under pressure of upper caste, 15 percent stated that due to
pressurization of political people police is not helpful in registering their cases.

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RURAL

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 When the question was asked to respondents about their knowledge, right to
move to court in case of violation of your fundamental rights. Chart No.28 and 28-A
shows that 61 percent urban and 45 percent rural respondents admit that they know
about this right.

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RURAL

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 Chart No. 29 and 29-A shows that 92 percent of the urban and 82 percent of
the rural respondents stated that they have knowledge about this law that
untouchability is an offence. But still 8 percent of the urban and 18 percent of the
rural are still unaware about this law.

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RURAL

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 Chart No. 30 and 30-A shows that 81 percent of the urban and cent percent
rural respondents stated that they have their own and separate temples/gurudawaras.
URBAN

RURAL

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 While responding to the question relating to separate cremation places as
shown in Chart No.31 and 31-A, 15 percent of the urban and cent percent of the rural
respondents admitted that they have their separate cremation places.

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RURAL

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 Chart No. 32 and 32-A shows that 69 percent of the urban and 97 percent of
the rural respondents states that their houses are separate and far from the houses of
upper castes
URBAN

RURAL

After comparing the Census of Punjab, other government data and response of
the 400 urban and rural respondents the researcher observes that reports of
government shows very less registering of cases under the PCR Act and SC/ST
(POA) Act in the Punjab as depicted in Table No. 11 and Table No. 12. But from the

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response of the respondents, it is observes that as shown in Chart No. 24 and 24 –A,
30 percent of the urban and 85 percent of the rural respondents face atrocities. They
have rather this impression that the police is harsh and generally refuse to help them
in registering their case against the people of upper caste. The respondents as per
Chart No. 25 also admitted that the scheduled caste women are still exploited by the
upper caste and in the rural areas this proportion is more than urban areas. Even
though as shown in Chart No. 28 and 28-A, 61 percent of the urban and 45 percent of
the rural respondents know about their right to approach to court in case their
fundamental rights are infringed but the registration of cases in Punjab is too less. The
researcher observe that the respondents have the impression that police as shown in
Chart No. 26, 23 percent does not registered their case, 25 percent give excuses, 23
stated that police is not helpful and 29 percent stated that the police is helpful. Chart
No 26-A, 13 percent rural respondents stated that police does not registered their case,
74 percent stated that police give excuses, 14 stated that police is not helpful. The
researcher observes that less registration shows that the some of the police officials
are not cooperative with the victims of atrocities, which leads to less registering of
cases.
After discussion and interviewing with the respondents it is revealed that
though cent percent respondents were never stopped from entering the
gurudawara/temples built but still cent percent rural and 81 percent urban
respondents’ stated that they have their separate gurudawaras/temples. While
surveying the temples of Amritsar and Nawanshahar it is observed that in temples of
the Hindus there is no idol of Saint Balmiki, Saint Ravidass, Saint Naamdev, Saint
Kabir. This is the main reason for the Scheduled Castes for building their own
gurudawaras/temples in order to worship their own religious guru.
Perhaps the most visible division between the upper castes and Scheduled
Castes of Punjab was with regard to cremation places. As shown in Chart no.31-A
cent percent rural respondents admit that they have their separate cremation places. It
seems that the caste segregation continued with regard to cremation places even after
the death of that Scheduled Castes.
As already discussed that 69 percent of the urban and 97 percent of the rural
respondents stated that they have their separate residential areas from the upper
castes. Directly or indirectly this shows that the traditional segregated society is still
have its roots in the urban and rural Punjab. Even though 31 percent of the urban and
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3 percent of the rural respondents stated that there houses are not separate from upper
castes, it shows that due to economic upgradation they are able to make their house in
upper caste areas but they are unable to get equal social status.
Findings of the empirical study points towards the fact that the reservation
policy given under the Constitution helping the Scheduled Castes to raise their social,
educational, political and public employment status. Reservation in Govt jobs helping
them to come at par with the upper caste people. But this pace is very slow because as
already discussed in this chapter the beneficiaries are still very less in number.
Therefore there is need to continue this so that it may reach at the grassroots level
properly. As rightly pointed by Marc galanter that the little done, the vast undone.

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