Contemporary Issues and Concerns of Scheduled-Castes in Punjab | Sewa Lal

Despite of more than one-third of the total population (Singh, 2021), Scheduled Castes (Dalits) of Punjab are feeling unrepresented in the contemporary politics of Punjab. They are divided among 39 major and minor sub-caste groups. Among the major ones, Mazhabi Sikhs, Balmikies and Ramdassias constituted larger part of the SC population in the state and are benefiting most with current reservation policy. Other 36 sub-caste groups of SCs are the most marginals. It may be due to the lack of unity, uniformity and consolidation among SC sub-caste groups by which they are unable to raise issues and concerns that they are facing. The present article presents an overview of contemporary challenges which has been seeking redressal since long and looking for immediate actions.

One of the important aspects which needs special attention regarding SCs in Punjab their lowest literacy rate as compare to other caste groups. However, it is rapidly increased among them between 1971 to 2011 (Lal, 2020), but there is still a significant part which is more than 35 percent SCs are suffering with illiteracy. None of the body is highlighting this issue properly whether it is constitutional or extra-constitutional. There is persistent gap in literacy patterns among SCs and non-SCs in Punjab. It should be minimised and need immediate intervention of state and society for inclusive development of the people in the state.

SCs students of Punjab are often facing issue of mismanagement in scholarship disbursements. They are unable to getting dignified and respectful education and also facing discrimination in the prestigious educational institutions due to non-payment of dues of scholarships to them (Vasudeva, 2022; Kumar, 2024). Consequently, institutions have been withheld degrees of SC students due to non-payment of dues in the period of 2017 to 2020 (Kumar, 2024). It accelerated drop out ratio of SC students from the educational institutes. Dalits students are not only suffering with inconstancies in scholarship disbursements but also struggling with