Dependence on the State creates complacency
All the movements that talk of the betterment of Dalits centre around the demand for land for the community. This is because the lower caste, who has no land holdings, has to work as labourers on the landlord’s farmland. The wages that he gets in the form of foodgrains is enough to feed the family for the entire year.
A cow or a buffalo takes care of other needs like milk, curd and ghee. With these dairy products, the children and other members of the family get the much needed nutrition. The extra produce is sold in the market. The cash helps the family to buy soap, hair oil and other necessities. If a Dalit family has a couple of goats or pigs, it brings in the extra few thousands that goes into paying for children’s education and medical bills.
On the face of it, this kind of self-sufficient system in villages looks like it is doing wonders. The idealistic approach that appeared to be working had its impact on State policies. Empowerment through land pattas that were few hundred square metres in size became public policy during the 1970s. loan subsidy to buy pigs, goats, sheep and poultry still dominates a Government’s agenda in empowering Dalits and Adivasis.
But what happens nextIJ What are the implications of this self-sufficiency in villagesIJ According to my observation, households that have the means of livelihood in villages prefer to stay where their fathers and grandfathers have lived. And while this works for them, it is the younger generation that finds the system stifling. Though most Dalits in villages have a BA or an MA degree, they are unable to get Government jobs.
The problem gets compounded because the youth with their degrees find it difficult to lean on the self-sufficiency system that has worked for his father. There are many young people in Punjab who own huge land holdings but still call themselves unemployed. For them, money earned from agriculture is not considered gainful employment. So is the case with dairy and poultry farming.
Another problem with these degree holders is that they don’t want to do menial work. After all, they are graduates. They don’t want to work in factories or even take a job as a driver. The end result — they are completely lost — not knowing what to do. So, thousands of youth head towards Army and police recruitment centres for better opportunities.
It is the boy whose family doesn’t have any land or cattle that migrates to cities and towns to better their lot. Hunger forces most of the children to leave their studies. To feed their families, they have no inhibitions in becoming vegetable vendors or grocers. Not only this, changing lifestyles in villages has opened up new occupations. Money means that the kuccha houses are turning into two-floor pucca houses. Villages in the last few years have seen a spurt in construction. Jobs for masons, plumbers and even carpenters are on the rise. Mechanised farming means there is need for mechanics. A youth who has no land doesn’t mind working at a construction site or even as a mechanic.
In villages, occupations like masonry, vegetable vendor or even driving are looked down upon. Similarly, in cities, those working in factories are looked down upon too. But unlike the unemployed youth with degrees, factory workers don’t see themselves as unemployed. Despite living in slums, their children go to schools. Go to any slum area in the Capital and you will get to hear many success stories of how a child from their bylane has made it big in life.
During my visits to villages, I have noticed that it is the families with no land holdings who have prospered. Meanwhile, the unemployed youth keep trying for Government jobs. Only a few succeed. Panicking that their child will not get married, the boys are married off — with no job of course.
Still unemployed, they father children. The problems compound. Now, the parents (turned grandparents) have to worry about their grandchildren.
What is the lesson learnt hereIJ What should the Dalits living in villages doIJ
The families must leave the villages immediately — the sooner the better. For the poor, no power can be greater than the power of migration. Migration to cities is the answer to poverty. The jobs that cities offer don’t have any stigma attached to them and the wages are good as well. Workers are paid in cash, not kind. Cash allows workers the freedom to buy what they want.
Freedom of choice is one of the greatest freedoms a human can have. Families who take advantage of the self-sufficient system are least likely to enjoy the fruit of this freedom the most.