Memorandum submitted by Dalit Solidarity
Network (UK)
INTRODUCTION
The Dalit Solidarity Network was set up in 1998,
in response to increasing concern about the effects of caste discrimination
in India, Nepal and the other countries of South Asia. The International
Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) was set up in March 2000, it operates
from an office in Copenhagen with two staff and "Dalit Solidarity
Networks" in ten countries. The DSN (UK) has a part-time
Co-ordinator. It is the DSN's strongly held view that any attempt
to affect poverty in India needs to ensure that caste discrimination
is addressed. Clear evidence for this can be found in the Papers
published by DFID India in June 2003 "Social Exclusion and
Poverty in India", in the paper on "Caste, Economic
Exclusion and Poverty" by Professor S.K. Thorat. This demonstrates
the crucial influence of caste on maintaining the poverty of the
17% Dalit and 8% tribal peoples throughout India. Unless development
programmes address caste they will make insufficient impact on
poverty in India, and render impossible attainment of the MDGs.
The paragraph numbers below correspond with
the numbering set out in the Terms of Reference for this inquiry.
THE CASE
FOR AID
TO INDIA
1/2. There is a strong rationale for aid
to India. Although there is considerable wealth in the country,
it also needs actively to be encouraged towards a fairer distribution
of wealth. DSN believes the present size of resource transfer
is about right. It should however increase if the political and
economic circumstances change. It is good to focus in the four
priority States, but our development programme could and should
expand beyond these in the right circumstances.
PARTNERSHIPS, ETC
4. DFIDI is becoming more focused on the
most marginalised groups, although we would argue this should
be done more quickly. It is important to engage with civil society,
but also to challenge state and government authorities over caste
discrimination. It should encourage the Indian Government to fully
implement the Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989) and the related
Rules (1995).
5. DSN believes that the greatest threat
to the success of the CAP is caste discrimination. Gender is a
major concern also, but caste is an important dimension of gender.
Dalit women are the most discriminated against. It is important
to tackle HIV/AIDS, but caste is again a factor as a disproportionate
number of those affected are Dalits. This is due to the ongoing
practice of devadasi and "jogini" women (or temple prostitutes).
This practice, and that of "manual scavenging"—cleaning
out the dry toilets and sewers—undertaken by millions of
Dalits, should be challenged at every opportunity.
AID INSTRUMENTS/GOVERNANCE
AND POLITICAL
WILL
12. Clearly DFIDI has to tread a careful
line between acknowledgement of the central role of the state
and government authorities in India and the need to address structures
of discrimination, including caste. There may need to be a greater
political willingness to address the Government of India (and
the governments of the other South Asian countries) on caste discrimination.
This can be done in the context of "the UK also has problems
of discrimination, which we are trying to address, why do we not
work together on dealing with structures of discrimination"?
The new Government just elected in India is likely to be more
sympathetic to addressing caste discrimination than the previous
administration.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
13. Present forms of economic development
in India are in great danger of bypassing the poorest. The processes
of privatisation are decreasing the importance of the Reservation
system, which does at least give job opportunities for some Dalits.
Economic growth is hindered by the deep-rooted discrimination
that exists in India in terms of caste. Professor Thorat of the
International Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) is producing a
Paper on this topic, DSN will submit this to the Committee when
it becomes available.
14. Trading Partners and Foreign Investors
can play a very important role both in developing the economy
and in tackling discrimination, by gender or caste. The DSN is
engaging with businesses based in the UK which are investing in
India, and with interested Trades Unions, to develop "Employment
Principles for Foreign Investors" in India and other countries
of South Asia. These would be based on the kind of employment
principles evolved to tackle racial discrimination in South Africa,
the US and indeed the UK.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. DFID should ensure that challenging caste
discrimination is an integral part of all aspects of its aid programme
to India.
2. DFID should take every opportunity to
raise the issue of caste with the Indian authorities, recognising
it is a deep-rooted problem and the UK has problems of discrimination,
and encourage the Indian authorities to maximise the use of laws
against atrocities, manual scavenging, devadasis and other shameful
practices.
3. DFID should play a role through its own
employment policies and those of British companies investing in
India to ensure non-discriminatory employment principles are adopted
by all those engaged in employment in India.
Dalit Solidarity Network submitted several
background documents. Not printed. Placed in the Library.
May 2004
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