CHAPTER – V PROFILE OF THE TWO DISTRICTS...
Transcript of CHAPTER – V PROFILE OF THE TWO DISTRICTS...
CHAPTER – V
PROFILE OF THE TWO DISTRICTS AND OF THE RESPONDENTS
History, geographical position, demography, socio-economic
background of a community considerably influences the attitudes,
values and perceptions of the individuals composing it. So for the
proper analysis of the role of social factors to political participation,
a brief account of socio-economic profile of Patiala and
Nawanshehar districts in general and socio-economic profile of the
Dalit respondents in particular is presented in the following pages.
PROFILE OF PATIALA
Patiala, an erstwhile princely state, capital of PEPSU (Patiala
and East Punjab States Union) and a district headquarter of
Punjab is situated in the Malwa region of Punjab. Although Patiala
is not old – it may well be called one of youngest towns of the
re-organized Punjab. It is, however, believed to be built on an
ancient site where flourished a settlement named 'PRASTHALA' in
the vedic age.30
The city is said to have been founded by Baba Ala Singh and
derives its name as such from two words, Pati-meaning share and
Ala the name of the Raja i.e. was designated as Patiala.
After the death of Baba Ala Singh, Amar Singh, Maharaj
Karam Singh, Narinder Singh, Mohinder Singh, Rajinder Singh
successively ruled the state. The last ruler was Maharaja
Yadwinder Singh.30
Patiala is situated on the railway line Bathinda-Ambala and is
connected by roads with all the big and small towns of Punjab.
Patiala is situated at the national Highway at a distance of 70
kilometers from the capital of Punjab and union territory
Chandigarh. Through roads, it is connected with developing
industrial town Rajpura and market centres like Patran, Sangrur,
Nabha, Sirhind etc. Patiala has been the headquarter of the PEPSU
state. It is the headquarters of Punjab Public Service Commission,
P.S.E.B. (Punjab State Electricity Board), Public Health and State
Bank of Patiala.
It is one of the first centres of education being the seat of
Punjabi university and one of the old medical colleges and Thapar
engineering college. However the Premier Institution of Thapar has
now become a full fledged Technical University. In addition a
number of colleges in Arts, Science and Professional streams are
there.
Patiala city is also famous for royal palace, forts and Gardens.
It is rightly called the city of gardens on the account of its Baradari
Garden and can said to be the city beautiful with its old 'fountain
chowk' which stands at the end of the mall which is the pride of
Patiala. Gurdwara Shri Dukhnawaran Sahib Gurdwara, Moti Bagh
and Gurdwara at Bahadurgarh are three important historical
Gurdwaras In addition the old Kali Devi temple is an important
centre of pilgrimage. It is home town of the former Chief Minister
Capt. Amrinder Singh.
Table 5.1 Area and population of Patiala District
Population Urban Population Rural Population Sr. No.
Area Density sq. km. Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female
1 3625 507 1839056 986466 852590 643333 344406 298927 1195723 642060 553663
Table 5.2
Tehsil, Sub-Tehsil and Blocks of Patiala District
Sr. No
Teh/Sub Division
Sub Tehsil Blocks Village
Town Panchayat Municipal Committees and
Corporations 1 Patiala Dudhan Sadha Patiala 1084 14 1074 11
2 Rajpura Ghanour Bhunerhari
3 Nabha Patran Rajpura
4 Samana Bhadson Ghanaur
5 Dera
Bassi*
Sanaur
Samana
Patran
Nabha
Dera Bassi
Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 2009 * Sub-division has been Shifted to SAS Nagar, Mohali District.
According to 2001 census, the geographical areas of Patiala is
3625 square kilometers and total population is 1839056. Rural
population is 64.99 per cent and urban population is 35.01 per
cent.
Table 5.3 Tehsil wise Rural and Urban Population by Sex
Tehsil Rural Population
Total Male Female
Urban Population
Total Male Female
Total Population
Percentage of Rural
Population to the total Population
Percentage of Urban Population to the total Population
Patiala 330283 176014 154269 351365 188561 162804 681648
(37.06%)
17.96% 19.10%
Rajpura 285936 153063 132873 103310 54771 48539 389246
(21.16%)
15.54% 5.61%
Samana 229829 123083 106746 76891 40493 36398 306720
(16.68)
12.49% 4.18%
Nabha 188938 101752 87186 61953 32994 38959 250891
(13.65%)
10.27% 3.36%
Dera
Bassi*
160739 88148 72589 49814 27587 22227 210551
(11.45%)
8.74% 2.70%
Total 1195723 642060 553663 643333 344406 298927 1839056
(100%) 64.99% 35.01%
Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab – 2009 * Sub-division has been Shifted to SAS Nagar, Mohali District.
Patiala district is divided into five tehsils i.e. Patiala, Nabha,
Rajpura, Samana and Dera Bassi. In Patiala Tehsil, 17.96 per cent
people are living in rural areas and 19.10 per cent are living in
Urban areas. In Rajpura, Samana, Nabha and Dera Bassi, 15.54
and 5.61 per cent, 12.49 and 4.18 per cent, 10.27 and 3.36%, 8.74
and 2.70 per cent people are living in rural and urban areas
respectively.
Table 5.4 Tehsil wise Rural and Urban Population of Dalits by Sex
Tehsil Rural Population
Total Male Female
Urban Population
Total Male Female
Total Population
(Dalits)
Percentage of Rural
Population to the total Population
(Dalits)
Percentage of Urban
Population to the total Population
(Dalits) Patiala 83861 44553 39308 39155 20917 18308 123016
(6.68%)
4.56% 2.12%
Rajpura 73540 39262 34278 14058 7327 6731 87598
(4.75%)
3.99% 0.76%
Samana 77498 40870 36628 15822 8186 7636 93320
(5.07)
4.21% 0.86%
Nabha 64082 34351 29731 8973 4666 4307 73055
(3.96%)
3.48% 0.48%
Dera
Bassi*
41393 21942 19451 6888 3726 3172 48291
(2.62%)
3.25% 0.37%
Total 340374 180978 159396 84906 44822 40082 425280
(23.08)
18.49% 4.59)
Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab – 2009 * Sub-division has been Shifted to SAS Nagar, Mohali District.
Tehsil wise rural and urban population of Dalits in Patiala
tehsil is 4.56 and 2.12%, in Rajpura 3.99 and 0.70%, in Samana
4.21% and 0.86%. In Nabha 3.48% and 0.48% and in Dera Bassi
2.25% and 0.37 per cent respectively.
The Table shows that 23.03% population of Dalits is living in
Patiala. This is the lowest percentage of Dalit population in the
whole of Punjab.
Among the 425280 Dalit persons in Patiala, 10.80 per cent
are Chamars, followed by Balmikis 5.28 per cent, Bazigars 2.40 per
cent, Mazhabis 2.06 per cent to mention only the major castes.
These are the major caste groups not only in Patiala but all over
Punjab.
Sex Ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000
males. A significant feature of Punjab's population is
preponderance of males over females. Out of the total population of
24,358,999 in this state, 12,985,045 are males and 11,373,954 are
females resulting in an overall sex ratio of 876. In Patiala district
there is a sex ratio of females per 1000 males 868 (864 is females
per 1000 males in general category and 883 females per 1000
males in Dalit groups).
As far as the educational position of the Dalits is concerned -
there has been a consistent rise in literacy rates of Dalits in
Pujnjab. It was recorded at 41.1 per cent in 1991, and increased to
56.2 per cent in 2001. In Patiala district, literacy rate is 69.8 per
cent (74.5 per cent General category and 53.5 per cent the Dalits).
Literacy gap between Dalits and general category is 21% in Patiala
district. Literacy rate among the Dalits is much lower as compared
to general category.
If we look at the employment scenario of the Dalits in Patiala
district the largest number and proportion of the Dalits in Patiala
district are employed in agriculture as labour. This is exactly on the
same pattern as at the state level.
Table 5.5 Block-wise Sarpanches in Patiala District
Sarpanches Block Name Total
Sarpanch Total Sc
Sarpanch Male (SC)
Female (SC)
Bhunerheri 146 41 27 14
Nabha 167 43 27 16
Patran 80 18 12 6
Samana 86 22 15 7
Dera Bassi* 121 32 20 12
Ghanour 116 31 19 12
Rajpura 153 43 27 16
Sanour 101 28 19 9
Patiala 104 27 19 8
Total Blocks 1074 285 185 100
Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab – 2009 * Sub-division has been Shifted to SAS Nagar, Mohali District.
In Patiala district there are 1084 villages and 1074
Panchayats. Total number of Sarpanches is 1074, out of which 285
belong to Dalits. Out of 285 Dalit Sarpanchs, 100 Dalit women are
holding the position of Sarpanches. Other members of Panchayats
(Panches) are 5370 in Patiala district. Out of total Panches 1675
are from Dalits (1120 Dalit men and 55 Dalit women Panches).
Patiala has 8 Legislative Assembly seats. Out of the 8 seats only 1
seats is revered for Dalits. Congress and Akali Dal candidates won
these seats rotationally.
Thus the overall profile of Dalits in Patiala district shows that
they are socially, economically and politically backward inspite of
the Constitutional provisions giving reservations to SCs. The level
of economic, social and political empowerment is still far from
satisfactory. The two dominant castes among Dalits in Patiala are
found to be pocketing most of the benefits. The literacy gap
between the SC population and general category is large. The
economic profile shows that majority of the Dalits in Patiala district
are in lowest category of workers. The elite among Dalits have been
able to reach the corridors of power through reservation. No
Scheduled Caste has ever won from a general category.
PROFILE OF NAWANSHEHAR
Nawanshehar is said to have been founded in the 14th
century by an Afghan Army General named Nav-Sher-Khan in the
period of Allaudin Khilji (1295-1316). Then it was known as Nau-
Sher which gradually changed over to Nawnshehar.30 It is alleged
that some people uprooted by the changing course of Sutlej river
came over to this place with a view to settle here and named this
place as Nawanshehar which means a new city.
The history of Nawanshehar is also connected with Baba
Banda Singh Bahadur, Sikh misls and Maharaja Ranjit Singh.30 It
is said that the Sikh residents of Jalandhar Doab region wanted
freedom from Muslim rulers. They represented to Shams Khan- the
Faujdar of this region for making some improvements. But instead
of conceding to their requests, the Muslim rulers turned against
the Sikhs. Then under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur, the
Sikh attacked the Rahon fort of Mughal Jagirdar Inayat Khan and
occupied it.30 Though, afterwards Sikh had to face some defeats
and they also lost control of Rahon fort due to the call of Jahad
given by Shams Khan. But when Shams Khan went back from the
region, the Sikhs not only took control of Rahon fort but the entire
area of Jalandhar Doab which included Hoshiarpur also.30 After the
demise of Baba Banda Bahadur in 1716, the Sikhs had to face
again the wreath of Muslim rulers. During the period of 1716-1753
the Sikhs had to bear the unparalleled cruel actions of the Muslim
rulers like Abdul Samed Khan, Zakaria Khan, Yaahya Khan and
Mir Manu.30
Ahmed Shah Abdali conquered this region in 1757 and
appointed his man as administrator.30 He returned back to Kabul
in 1767 when Jassa Singh Ahluwalia annexed this region from
Afghans. Then in 1774; Tara Singh Geba of Dalewalia Misl
occupied Nawanshehar-Nakodra and Naushera area and made the
old city of Rahon as his capital. Tara Singh Geba died in 1807, at
the age of over 100 years, and this region came under the control of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh.30 A confident of the Maharaja, Jamadar
Khushal Singh, built Baradari, in Nawanshehar, which had twelve
doors and big domes in all of its corners, its remains are still
evident there.
This area had the honour of the visit of some great Sikhs and
Sikh-Gurus also. Baba Sri Chand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak
Dev is said to have passed through the area on his way to Kiratpur
the stayed under a Tahli tree for three years. As such there is now
a Gurudwara call Tahli Sahib, situated on the Garshankar road.
In August 1665, the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur
Sahib visited this area, along with his wife Mata Gujri, while on his
way to Anandpur Sahib and stayed there for five months and
eighteen days.30 Now there exists a Gurudwara named Manji Sahib
to commemorate this visit.
After the first Anglo-Sikh-War in 1846, this region was
annexed by the British who conquered the entire Punjab in 1847.
They divided this region in three districts viz Jalandhar,
Hoshiarpur and Kangra for administrative convenience. Not much
attention was paid to the development of this area under the
British rule. Now, this district of Nawanshehar is comprised of the
earlier Nawanshehar sub-division of Jalandhar district and
Balachaur Tehsil of Hoshiarpur districts.
Nawanshehar district is recognized for its wider participation
in the freedom struggle of the country. Shaheed-e-Azam, Bhagat
Singh30 belonged to village Khatakar Kalan, which is 11 Km. from
Nawanshehar. A museum is built in this village, situated on
Nawanshehar- Phagwara road, it exhibits various articles belonging
to S. Bhagat Singh and his family. His Uncle S. Ajit Singh along
with two brothers S. Kishan Singh and S. Swaran Singh
participated in the 'Kissan Movement'30 in 1907 which paved the
way for other such movements leading to freedom struggle. Many
'Gaddari Babe'30 also belonged this area who took part in 'Gaddar
Movement' in 1914-1915. The Babbar Akali Movement' originated
from this region in 1921-22. Baba Karam Singh Daulatpur, of this
district, was editor of 'Babbar Akali Akhbar (Newspaper). Though
this movement was based on violent means for achieving their
goals but it helped to ignite the spirit of freedom in the people.
Master Kabul Singh Gobindpuri, who belonged to village Gobindpur
of this district, went on fast-unto-death, for sixty one days, during
the freedom movement of the country. 85 persons of this region
had been listed, who joined Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj)
on the call given by Netaji Subash Chander Bose, which showed
that people of this area had high patriotic spirit.30
The district of Nawanshehar came into being as sixteenth
district of Punjab on November 7, 1995. This district has the total
area of 1267 Sq. Km. and area wise it stands only above the district
of Fatehgarh Sahib which has an area of 1173 Sq. Kms.
Nawanshehar is situated in 3108' north and 7607' east. The district
headquarter of Nawanshehar is about 55 kilometers from
Jalandhar and 88 Km. from Chandigarh on the state highway
connecting Chandigarh with Phagwara via Ropar. It is connected by
road with Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Anandpur Sahib. It is linked
by railway to Phagwara and Jalandhar. Chief Minister of Punjab
S.P.S Badal on 27-09-2008, while addressing a State level rally at
Khatkar Kala, the native village of Shaheed Bhagat singh on the
occasion of national level function to conclude the birth centenary
celebrations of the great martyr made the announcement of
changing the name of district from Nawanshehar to “Shaheed
Bhagat Singh Nagar.”30
Table 5.6 Area and Population of Nawanshehar District
Population Area Density Sq. Km.
Total Male Female
1267 464 587468 306902 280566
Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 2009
Table 5.7 Tehsils, Sub-tehsils and Blocks of Nawanshehar District
Sr. No.
Teh/Sub Division
Sub-Tehshil
Blocks Village Town Panchayats Nagar Panchayat
1.
2.
Nawanshehar
Balachaur
1. Banga 1. Aur
2. Banga
3. Nawanshehar
4. Balachaur
5. Soroya
472 4 445 4
Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 2009.
The population of Nawanshehar is 5,87,468 as per the Punjab
Statistical Abstract 2004. Rural population of this district accounts
for 86.2 per cent of the total population while only 13.8 per cent
reside in the urban areas. The sex wise details of the population
residing in the rural and urban areas of this district is given in
table 5.3.
Nawanshehar district is divided into two tehsils i.e.
Nawanshehar and Balachaur. In Nawanshehar tehsil, 84.64 per
cent people are living in rural area and 15.36 per cent in urban
area, whereas in Balachaur 89.80 and 10.20 per cent are living in
rural and urban area respectively.
In the context of Dalit population Nawanshehar has highest
Dalit population i.e. 40.46 per cent. Out of the total Dalit
population 88.66 per cent live in rural areas and 11.33 per cent in
urban areas.
The number of females per thousands of males in this district
is 913 and this ratio is quite higher than the overall average of 874
for the state as a whole. The density of population per square Km.
of this district is 463 only which is lower than the state's average
by about. 3.9 per cent. The overall literacy rate of this district is
76.86 per cent while for male and female, this percentage stands at
83.67 and 69.52 respectively.
There are five Panchayat Samities having 82 members and
440 Panchayat. Election were held for 426 Panchayats in 2003. The
remaining 14 Panchayats were elected unanimously. The ratio of
male female and Dalit Sarpanches in the 5 development blocks is
given in Table 5.10.
Table 5.10 Number of Panchayats and Elected Sarpanches in different
Blocks of Nawanshehar
Elected Sarpanches General Dalits
Name of Block
No. of Panchayats
Male Female Male Female Nawanshehar 95 36 19 27 13
Banga 93 32 15 30 16
Aur 74 29 14 21 10
Balachaur 110 52 27 21 10
Saroya 60 32 17 13 06
Total 440 181 92 112 55
Source: Statistical Abstract of Punjab, 2009.
In the local political bodies there are 440 panchayats. Out of
2808 panchayat members, 958 are from General category, 577
which are women. 759 are Dalits, 392 are Dalit women and 122
backward classes. These Panchayats are headed by 112 Dalit
Sarpanches and 55 are Dalit women Sarpanches.
Nawanshehar has 3 Legislative Assembly seats. Out of the 3
seats 2 seats are reserved for Dalits. Congress and Akali Dal
candidates have been winning these seats rotationally. Although
both these parties have been winning these elections but B.S.P.
and communist have also their mass bases. B.S.P. in particularly
has strong support base in this region.
Nawanshehar is a prosperous district. The people of this
district are very hardworking. There is hardly any family of this
district whose members have not migrated to foreign countries for
getting jobs. Nawanshehar district is also recognized for its wider
participation in the freedom struggle of the country. Shaheed-e-
Azam Bhagat Singh belonged to this district. The Babbar Akali
movement also originated from this region. Except Balachour sub-
division, all other sub-divisions of Nawanshehar district are
socially, economically and politically well developed. Nawanshehar
has a number of agro-based manufacturing units. On the basis of
functional classification, Nawanshehar has been classified as a
town with diversified functions where service, trade, commerce and
industry have been found equally important in the lives of its
people. In the context of Dalits, population of Dalits in this districts
is highest in the state. Dalits in this district are economically well
off. Ad-Dharmis are dominating in this districts. The literacy gap
between Dalits and general category is not as high as in other
districts.
Socio-Economic Background of the Respondents'
The institutions do not work in vacuum, the given socio-
economic and political circumstances determine the shape of the
institutional process.30 The socio-economic variables to a great
extent determine the variations in political participation level.
Political behaviour like any other aspects of human behaviour
takes place in a particular socio-economic and cultural milieu. It is
affected by social structure, economic development and historical
factors combining together.
Background characteristics of an individual play an
important role in formulating his/her preference and decisions.
After having given the over all profile of the two districts – Patiala
and Nawanshehar in this part, an attempt has been made to
analyse the socio-economic background of the respondents (300 in
all) from these two districts.
Table 5.11
Distribution of Respondents by Sex
Sex No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Male 92 (61.3)
73 (48.7)
165 (55.0)
Female 58 (38.7)
77 (51.3)
135 (45.0)
Total 150 (100.0)
150 (100.0)
300 (100.0)
Respondents' Sex: The distribution of respondents by sex is given
in Table 5.6 which clearly shows that out of the total 300
respondents, 55.0 per cent respondents were male and 45.0 per
cent respondents were female. The figures for male and female in
case of Patiala were 61.3 per cent and 38.7 per cent respectively.
And, in case of Nawanshehar the figures turn out to be of the order
of 48.7 per cent and 51.3 per cent respectively. Female respondents
percentage in Nawanshehar is higher than Patiala because a large
number of men folk in this area have migrated to foreign countries.
Religion: As stated earlier Punjab has three main religion –
Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam. The Sikhs constitute majority of
population in most of the districts. Religion wise composition of
respondents is shown in Table 5.12.
Table 5.12
Distribution of Respondents by Religion
Religion No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Hindu 22
(14.7)
37
(24.7)
59
(19.7)
Sikh 128
(85.3)
113
(75.3)
241
(80.3)
Total 150 (100.0)
150 (100.0)
300 (100.0)
The above data shows that the respondents from Patiala
district consisted of 14.7 per cent Hindus and 85.3 per cent Sikhs
whereas in Nawanshehar district 24.7 per cent Hindus and 75.3
per cent were Sikhs. As our sample is of the Dalit respondents, the
religious composition of the respondents shows that in both the
districts the Dalits pre-pondentely follow Sikhism though the
percentage of Dalit Sikhs is slightly higher in Patiala district.
Education: The educational background of the respondents
deserve detailed analysis as this factor alone predominantly
modulates the respondents political participation either directly or
indirectly.
The literacy rate of our country as a whole is quite low against
the global literacy figure of 77 per cent. India has the largest
illiterate population in the 15 plus age group (291 million) in the
world. About 35 per cent of the males and 62 per cent of females in
our countryside cannot read and write at all.30
Table 5.13 Education Level of Respondents
Education No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Illiterate 87
(58.0)
81
(54.0)
168
(56.0)
Up to
Matric
35
(23.3)
40
(26.7)
75
(25.0)
12th 16
(10.7)
19
(12.7)
35
(11.7)
Graduate
and Above
12
(8.0)
10
(6.7)
22
(7.3)
Total 150 (100.0)
150 (100.0)
300 (100.0)
Table 5.13 demonstrates the distribution of the respondents
by education level from Patiala, Nawanshehar and total of both. A
perusal of data shows that out of the total 300 respondents, the
56.0 per cent are illiterate, 75 of them are literate upto matric
(which comes out to be 25 per cent of the total number of
respondents). Only 7.3 per cent are having higher educational
qualification. Taking about both the districts viz. Patiala and
Nawanshehar, it is found that Patiala has the higher (58.0%) level
of illiterate respondents as compared to Nawanshehar (54 per cent).
And, when seen in terms of higher education, Patiala is slightly
better placed with 8.0 per cent respondents having education as
compared to Nawanshehar where 6.7 per cent respondents are in
this category.
Occupation: Occupation of a respondent is an equally important
parameter which influences the respondents' participation in
politics. That is why it needs to be analysed in depth. Table 5.14
demonstrates the distribution of respondents by their occupation.
Table 5.14 Main Occupation of Respondents
Occupation No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Agriculture
Labour
24
(16.0)
19
(12.7)
43
(14.3)
Labour 100
(66.7)
104
(69.3)
204
(68.0)
Self
Employed
22
(14.7)
21
(14.0)
43
(14.3)
Government
Service
4
(2.7)
6
(4.0)
10
(3.3)
Total 150 (100.0)
150 (100.0)
300 (100.0)
For this purpose, the occupation of the respondents have
been classified into four parts, viz. agriculture labourer, labour, self
employed and government servant. The data clearly tells that out of
the total 300 respondents, maximum 68.0 per cent were having
labour as their main occupation, followed by agriculture labour and
self employed (14.3% each), only 3.3 per cent were in government
service. When the figures were compared for the two districts viz.
Patiala and Nawanshehar, it was found that in both these cases the
maximum number of respondents were from the same occupation
viz. labour (of the order of 66.7 per cent and 69.3 per cent for
Patiala and Nawanshehar respectively). It was followed by
agriculture labour (16 %) in Patiala and self employed (21%) in case
of Nawanshehar. In spite of reservation, very less number of
respondents were found in government services in both the
districts.
In Punjab a few Dalits are still engaged in some menial jobs
and retain their position as village functionaries. But majority of
respondents have given up their traditional menial occupation,
partly because it is not economically worth rewarding and partly
because of social stigma attached to such traditional menial jobs.
Table 5.15
Income Level of Respondents
Income Level
No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Upto 2000 27
(18.0)
33
(22.0)
60
(20.0)
2100-2500 107
(71.3)
98
(65.3)
205
(68.3)
2600-5000 13
(8.7)
15
(10.0)
28
(9.3)
5100-10000 3
(2.0)
4
(2.7)
7
(2.3)
Total 150
(100.0)
150
(100.0)
300
(100.0)
Income: The gross family income of a respondent is another
important parameter to modulate one's political participation.
Viewing the economic level from Table 5.15 we found that a
majority of the respondents belonged to the income category of Rs.
2001 to Rs. 4999 per month. It is observed from Table that the
percentage of respondents with monthly income less than Rs. 2000
is 20, 9.3 per cent are in the category between Rs. 5000 to Rs.
9999, only 23 per cent of the respondents are in the income
category above Rs. 10000. While analysing the views of the
respondents it showed that in the relatively lower income group
respondents were less active than those in the high income group
in both the districts.
The practice of untouchability has perhaps been the most
pronounced in the religious sphere. As stated earlier Brahmincal
Hinduism imposed restrictions on Dalit participation in religious
life, but Sikhism started with an emphasis on social equality.
Sikhism has been anti-caste and has had attraction for the Dalits
of Punjab however in practice caste prejudices have not been
completely absent among the Sikhs. While in most Gurdwaras in
Punjab, there are no restrictions on Dalits entering the local
shrines but there have been several cases where Dalits felt that
they were discriminated by those who controlled Gurdwaras.
Table 5.16 Discrimination at Religious Places
Discriminated No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Yes 21
(14.0)
14
(9.3)
35
(11.7)
No 129
(86.0)
136
(90.7)
265
(88.3)
Total 150 (100.0)
150 (100.0)
300 (100.0)
As shown in Table nearly 89 per cent of the respondents felt
that there were no discrimination against Dalits at the religious
places built and run by the upper castes. But there were several
cases where Dalits reported to have been discriminated and felt
that they were not treated at par with their counterparts from the
upper castes. Only a small percentage of respondents admitted to
have faced discrimination. Around 14 per cent respondents in
Patiala and 9.3 per cent respondents in Nawanshehar fell in this
category. As a matter of fact it is observed that upper caste Sikhs
do not really appreciate the participation of the Dalits in the daily
activities of the Gurdwaras.
Table 5.17 Separate Religious Places for Dalits
Different Religious
Place
No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Yes 143
(95.3)
147
(98.0)
290
(96.7)
No 7
(4.7)
3
(2.0)
10
(3.3)
Total 150 (100.0)
150 (100.0)
300 (100.0)
A more significant marker of the resistance against a sense of
discrimination among the Dalit Sikhs is the large-scale
construction of separate Gurdwaras by the Dalits parallel to the
ones controlled by upper castes. The data Table 5.17 shows that an
overwhelming majority (96.7 per cent) of the respondents held that
they have separate religious places. There were very few
respondents in both the districts who did not agree with this.
Although, restrictions on Dalits entry into the upper caste
houses has been one of the most strictly observed practices in most
parts of rural India, such restrictions are hardly in existence in
rural Punjab today. Data regarding allowing the Dalits to enter the
upper caste houses and views regarding inter-caste invitations at
various ceremonies etc. are given in the Table 5.18.
Table 5.18 Respondents Social Interaction with Upper Caster
Social Interaction
No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Yes 132 (88.0)
113 (75.3)
245 (81.7)
No 18 (12.0)
37 (27.7)
55 (18.3)
Total 150 (100.0)
150 (100.0)
300 (100.0)
A very high proportion of the respondents from both the
districts i.e. 88 per cent of Patiala and 75.3 per cent of the
Nawanshehar stated that the Dalits now were allowed in the
houses of upper castes which was not possible in the past.
In the past even separate utensils for serving food to the
Dalits were kept in the upper caste families. But now this trend is
losing its grip as most of the respondents held that they now could
sit together for dining in the fields as well as in the homes. Trend of
allowing Dalits to use the utensils of upper castes was also found
to be prevailing as expressed by majority of the respondents.
However the trend appeared to be less common in Nawanshehar
where around 28 per cent Dalit respondents denied having close
social interactions with the upper caste people.
Residential patterns are the most observable and perceptible
factors for observance of untouchability. As per the traditional
norms governing life in rural Punjab, Dalit settlements were to be
located on the side where the Sun sets (Lahindey Passe, as it is
called in Punjabi).30 The villages are divided into upper caste and
Dalit settlements. However this norm has perhaps never been very
strictly followed.
Table 5.19 Separate Residential Areas for Dalits
Separate Residential
Areas
No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Yes 133
(88.7)
129
(86.0)
262
(87.3)
No 17
(11.3)
21
(14.0)
38
(12.7)
Total 150
(100.0)
150
(100.0)
300
(100.0)
Table 5.19 shows that a preponderant majority 87.3 per cent
of the respondents admitted that their residential area were
separate from higher castes. Remaining 12.7 per cent respondents
reportedly were living nearby the upper castes. It is to be noted that
some of Dalits who economically became sound built there houses
in the upper caste localities. During data collection the fact came to
the fore that though people denied this type of restriction yet they
were mostly living in separate areas. There was not much difference
in the responses in the two districts.
It may surprise many that the term Dalit which has come to
be used frequently by the media, literary writers and political
activists in recent years is not seen to find favour with Scheduled
Caste people of Punjab.
Table 5.20
Knowing the Term 'Dalit'
Know the Term
No. of Respondents (Patiala)
No. of Respondents (Nawanshehar)
Total
Yes 59
(39.3)
83
(55.3)
142
(47.3)
No 91
(60.7)
67
(44.7)
158
(52.7)
Total 150
(100.0)
150
(100.0)
300
(100.0)
Table 5.21 Any Kind of Objection to 'Dalit' Word
Objection No. of Respondents
(Patiala)
No. of Respondents
(Nawanshehar)
Total
Yes 43
(28.7)
35
(23.3)
78
(26.0)
No 107
(71.3)
115
(76.7)
222
(74.0)
Total 150
(100.0)
150
(100.0)
300
(100.0)
Out of total respondents 47.3 per cent knew the term Dalit
but 52.7 per cent reported ignorance about the word Dalit. The
Dalit respondents of Nawanshehar were found to be more
conscious than the respondents of Patiala. As in Patiala a strong
majority of 60 per cent denied the knowledge of the term in
comparison to 44.7 per cent in Nawanshehar. When asked if they
had any objection to the use of term Dalit most of the respondents
in both the districts (71.3 % in Patiala and 76.7% in Nawanshehar)
stated that they had no problem. However, around 26 per cent of
the total respondents did not like the use of this term because it
sounded derogatory to them.
As the behaviour and approach of a person is influenced by
his or her environment, therefore, an attempt has been made to
know the socio-economic profile of the Dalit respondents under
study which may facilitate to comprehend their attitudes. To
achieve the purpose, the variables like sex, education, occupation,
income, caste, participation in religious activities etc. have been
taken into consideration.
Thus the socio-economic profile of the respondents and the
profile of the two districts, given in this chapter provides an insight
into the status of the Dalits as well as their perceptions towards
some general Dalit issues.
REFERENCES
1. Fauja Singh Bajwa, Patiala and its Historical Surrounding,
Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, Pammi
Printers, 1969, p. 21.
2. Ibid., p. 22.
3. Didar Shetra, "Sada Nawanshehar : Historical Background",
in J.B. Goyal (ed.), Sada Nawanshehar, Writers Cooperative
Society, 1997, p. 11.
4. Ibid.
5. Khuswant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Vol. I, Oxford
University, Press, Bombay, 1963, pp. 101-108
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. For Further Details see J.D. Cunningham, History of the
Sikhs, SATVIC Media Pvt. Ltd., Amritsar, 2002 (Reprint)
9. Ibid.
10. For Further Details See Gopal Singh, A History of the Sikh
People (1469-1988), World Book Centre, New Delhi,
pp. 244-261.
11. For Further Details See Fauja Singh, Eminent Freedom
Fighters of Punjab, Department of Historical Studies, Punjabi
University, Patiala, 1972.
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid.
14. P.S. Khatra, "Nawanshehar Districts Participation in National
Freedom Movement" in J.B. Goyal (ed.), op. cit., pp. 45-57.
15. The Tribune, September 28, 2008.
16. K.C. Vidya, Political Empowerment of Women at Grassroots,
Kanishka Publication, New Delhi, 1997, p. 73.
17. Arvind Bhandari, "Depressing Performance on Literacy Front",
The Tribune, September, 7, 2000.
18. Surinder S. Jodhka, "Dissociation, Distancing and Autonomy"
in H.K. Puri (ed.), Dalits in the Regional Context, Rawat
Publication, New Delhi, 2004, p. 67.