Changing Social Status of Dalits in Doaba Region of Punjab

Since Independence, India has made impressive progress in terms of growth, education, caste system and untouchability etc. Caste and untouchability have been much studied subjects of Indian social setting. Dalits comprised a group of people traditionally regarded as untouchables. The position of Dalits in the state of Punjab is quite different from that of Dalits in other parts of India. One of the distinguishing features of Dalits in Punjab is their numerical strength (31.9%). Other distinguishing features are their high literacy rate, emigration and active political participation. The study had a specific objective to access change in the social status of Dalits. The study was conducted in Doaba region of Punjab. Two blocks from each of the four districts of Doaba region were selected randomly. Two villages from each block were further selected and then 10 Dalit respondents from each village were interviewed personally with the help of an interview schedule. Thus total sample size was comprised of 160 respondents. The study found the increase in the education level of respondents. They were deviating from traditional occupation of agricultural labour to government jobs and to other ventures. A small percentage had moved to the upper caste locality in the village. Emigration and political participation were emerged as important factors in better social status. They were no more dependent on upper caste for cash or kind. Overall development of the society has affected the conditions of Dalits, the affirmative action programmes of the government have contributed to the improvement of their conditions.