PROBLEMS OF UNDERPRIVILEGED

INDIAN SOCIAL PROBLEMS

PROBLEMS OF THE UNDER PRIVILEGED

SCHEDULED CASTE

•     The term scheduled caste refers to the “untouchable castes”. The untouchable caste are those who suffer from various social and political disabilities many of which are traditionally prescribed and socially enforced by higher castes  [D.N. Majumdar]

•     Those economically, socially, educationally, and politically backward castes which are kept at a distance by the other castes as ‘untouchables’.

•     Mahatma Gandhi first time used the word Harijan for untouchables meaning “the people of God”

PROBLEMS OF THE SCHEDULED CASTE

The scheduled caste or the Harijans suffered from centuries from a number of social disabilities among which the following may be noted.

1.Lowest status in the hierarchy 

             In the caste hierarchy the scheduled castes are awarded the lowest status. They are considered to be unholy, inferior, and low and low and are hated by the other castes. They have suffered from the stigma of untouchability. Their image is considered to be polluting for the upper castes. Hence they have been treated as the servants of the other castes.

 

2. Education disabilities

         The harijans were prevented from taking up education during the early days. Sanskrit education was not meant for them . Schools and other educational institutions were closed for them. Even today many of them are illiterate and ignorant.

3. Civic disabilities , Prevention from the use of public places

              For a long time scheduled castes were not allowed to use public places and avail of civic facilities such as village wells and ponds, temples, hostels , hotels, schools, hospitals, lecture halls, dharmashalas. They were forced to live in the outskirts of the towns and villages during the early days.

SCHEDULED TRIBES

 

•     A tribe is a collection of families bearing a common name, speaking a common dialect, occupying or professing to occupy a common territory and is not usually endogamous though originally it might have been so.

                                              - Imperial Gazetteer of India

•     A scheduled tribe refers to “a collection of families or group of families, bearing a common name, members of which occupy the same territory, speak the same language and observe certain taboos regarding marriage, profession or occupation and have developed as well as assessed system of reciprocity and mutuality of obligations. ”  

                                             - Dr. D.N. Majumdar

 

TRIBAL PROBLEMS

1. Geographic separation

               The tribals of India are geographically separated from the rest of population as they live in unapproachable physical areas like deep valleys, dense forests, hills, etc. It is difficult for them to develop relations, and hence , socially they are away from the civilized world.

 

2. Cultural problems

             The tribal culture is entirely different from civilized people. The tribal people fail to mingle with the civilized people, their customs and practices, beliefs and attitudes are different. They are suspicious towards the civilized people. They cling strongly to their customs and traditions

3. Social problems

             The tribals too have their own social problems. They are very traditional and custom-bound, as a result they become the victims of superstitious beliefs, outmoded and absured practices and habits. Child marriage, infanticide, animal sacrifice, exchange of wives, black magic and other harmful practices are still found along them. They believe in ghosts and spirits

4. Economic problems

      Tribal people are the economically poorest people. Majority of them live below the poverty line. Some of the economic problems are

aa)               Exploitation : The innocences, illiteracy and helplessness of the tribals are exploited by outsiders.

  b)     Unprofitable agriculture: About 90% of the tribals are engaged in cultivation and many of them are landless and engaged in shifting cultivation. A very small percentage takes up occupational activities.

 

c)   Land ownership problems: A huge portion of the tribal land has been legally transferred to non-tribals. The tribals who have a feeling of deprivation of their rights to the land and forest have reacted sharply to the restrictions imposed by the government on their traditional rights.

d)   Problems of banking facility: The number of banks in the tribal areas are not sufficient to meet the demand of tribal population. As a result tribal people have to mainly depend on moneylenders.

5. Educational problems

             Education is the major problem of the tribals . More than 80% of them are illiterate. They have no faith in formal educational organization. Majority of tribal people are engaged in agriculture, their children also engaged in it. The illiterate parents do not give primary importance to education of their children.

6. Health and sanitation problems

         Due to illiteracy and ignorance the tribal people are not able to develop modern health and sanitation practice. They have their own belief systems which results in failure to available modern facilities.

7. Problem of separatism       

a)       Tribal revolts and uprising : Numerous revolts and tribal clashes have taken place in many tribal areas in recent times. Latest example is ethnic violence in Assam in 2012. During these uprisings the Nagas, Mizos, and Bodos have been very active and have created serious law and other problem in the region.     

b)       Smuggling ,infiltration and drug addiction: Boders of India (tribal belt) serve as an infiltration channel from Bangladesh, Pakisthan, Burma, and China. Tribals being innocent people , become a victim of smuggling activities. Prohibited drugs and unlicenced weapons are smuggled in the country through these people. As a result they become victim of drug addiction and trafficking activities.

 

BACKWARD CLASSES

Backward classes can be defined as a social category which consists of all the socially, educationally, and politically backward groups , castes and tribes.

       Those social groups , classes or castes which are characterized by illiteracy and lack of education, poverty, exploitation of labour and non-representation in services and untouchability.

PROBLEMS OF BACKWARD CLASS

•     Low social position in caste hierarchy oh Hindu society.

•     Inadequate or no representation in government services.

•     Inadequate representation in the field of trade, commerce and industry.

•     Lack of general advancement among the major sections of a caste or community.