Backward Classes.pptx

This PPT is about the Other backward castes of India

1. Unit - 4 BACKWARD CLASSES Framed by Shonima Malhotra Assistant Professor , Sociology

2. The backward classes are a large mixed mixed category of persons with boundaries that are unclear and elastic. They seem to comprise roughly one – third of the total population of the country. They consist of three main categories- the scheduled castes, the scheduled Tribes and the other backward classes.

3. Definition of Backward Classes Justice K. Subba Rao, defined “ backward classes” as “ an ascertainable and identifiable group of persons based on caste, religion, race, language, occupation and such others, with definite characteristics of backwardness in various aspects of human existence- social, cultural, economic, political and such others.”

4. Description of the Backward Classes The Backward Classes Commission in its report ( 1956) described the Backward Classes as consisting of the following groups: 1.Those who suffer from the stigma of untouchability or near untouchability. These groups are classified as Scheduled Castes(SC). 2.Those Tribes who are not yet sufficiently assimilated into the mainstream of the national life. These groups are classified as Scheduled Tribes (ST). 3. Those groups or communities which are educationally and economically backward.

5. 1.The Scheduled Castes: The Scheduled Castes occupy the bottom most rung of the social ladder. They form the majority of the “ backward classes.” The term “ Scheduled Castes” is a politico- legal one. It was first coined by the Simon Commission in 1928 and then “ Government of India Act, 1935.” The Government of India Act, 1935 “ listed” out or scheduled a few of the castes as the most inferior ones which required some special attention. This list of castes was designated as “ Scheduled Castes”. In simple words, the term can be defined this way:The term Scheduled Castes which comprises of the bulk of the untouchable castes , includes all those groups which are subject to some disabilities in major fields of life- social, religious, educational, economic and political. Dr. DN. Majumdar uses the term Scheduled Castes to refer mainly to the untouchable castes. He defines: “ The untouchable castes are those who suffer from various social and political disabilities many of which are traditionally prescribed and socially enforced by higher castes.” Some examples of SCs: Chamar, Khatik, Pasi, Dom, Bagdi etc.

6. Problems of Scheduled Castes : The Scheduled Castes are suffering from various problems which can be grouped into the following three categories: 1 . Social Problems and Disabilities :. a . Lowest Status in the Social Hierarchy : In the caste hierarchy these castes are ascribed the lowest status. They are considered to be unholy, inferior and low and have been suffering from the stigma of untouchability. b . Civic Disabilities : In the caste ridden society, the scheduled castes people suffer from certain civic disabilities. They were and still are deprived of many civic facilities.Socially , the so called untouchables are separated from the members of other castes. c. Educational Disabilities : . The Scheduled Castes were forbidden from taking up to education during the early days. Even today majority of them are illiterate and ignorant. Their literacy level is extremely poor. d.. Religious Disabilities .: The scheduled caste people also suffer from religious disabilities even today. They are not allowed to enter temples in many places. 2 . Economic Problems and Disabilities : a.. No Right of Landed Property Ownership : For centuries the scheduled castes were not allowed to have land and business of their own. Even today majority of them depend on agriculture but only a few of them own land. b . Selection of Occupations Limited : The caste system imposes restrictions on the OccupatiOccupations of the members. c . Failure to Fill in the Full Quota of Reserved Posts : The scheduled castes have not been able to take full advantage of the reserved seats allotted to them in government jobs.The poor educational performance of the SC candidates has been the major obstacle in this regard. d . Landless Labourers : Majority of the scheduled castes are working as landless labourers.. The SCs are economically exploited by the upper caste people. Even today they are the lowest paid workers. 3 . Political Disabilities : The scheduled castes hardly participated in the political matters for centuries. They were not given any place in politics, administration and the general governance of the country.Political rights and representation were denied to them.After independence, equal political opportunities and rights have been provided for the SCs also. Politically, the SCs are yet to become a decisive force.

7. Various measures - constitutional and other ( like educational opportunities, economic opportunities, employment opportunities and reservation etc have been undertaken by the Central and State Governments for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes. Some voluntary organisations are also contributing for their welfare.

8. 2 . Scheduled Tribes : The tribal communities represent an important category of the Indian social structure Thetribals are said to be the original inhabitants of India. Tribes in the Indian context today are normally referred to in the language of the Constitution as “ Scheduled Tribes”. The “Scheduled Tribes” constitute the second largest group of the backward classes that come under what is known as the “ unprivileged section” of the populace. The term “ tribe “ is nowhere defined in the Constitution. Though the Indian Constitution has not clearly defined the term “tribe”, Article 366 ( 25) of the Constitution says that Scheduled Tribes are the tribes or the tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities which the Indian President may specify by public notification under Article 342(1). The Scheduled Tribes lead a separate excluded existence and are not fully assimilated in the main body of the people. They are listed as Scheduled Tribes because of the kind of life led by them.

9. Problems Of The Scheduled Tribes : The tribals who are distributed in various states of the country are facing some common problems which are as follows: 1. Problem of Geographic Separation : Most of the tribals of India are in a way geographically separated from the rest of population. As some of them are living in the unapproachable areas, it is difficult for them to establish relations with others. Hence, socially they are away from the civilized world. This has retarded their development. 2 . Cultural Problems: The tribal culture is entirely different from the way of life of the civilized people. This cultural gap is creating a hurdle in the integration of tribals into the mainstream of the national life of India. Further whereas on one hand some foreign Christian missionaries and some Hindu organisations are propogating their respective religions in the tribal areas, on the other hand, some of the tribal leaders have started popularising the tribal religion. These different propoganda have created a great confusion and conflict among the tribals. 3. Social Problems: The tribals are traditional and custom bound. They have become the victims of superstitions beliefs, outmoded and meaningless practices and harmful habits. 4. Economic Problems: a. Exploitation: The innocence, illiteracy and helplessness of the tribals are exploited by the outsiders as Zamindars, landlords, money lenders, forest contractors and police officials. b. Unprofitable Agriculture: About 90% of the tribals are engaged in cultivation and most of them are landless and practise shifting cultivation. They possess uneconomic holdings because of which their crop yield is very less. C. Problems of Land Ownership: A good portion of the land in the tribal areas has been legally transferred to non- tribals.Asca result the tribals bwho had earlier enjoyed much freedom to use the forest and hunt their animals have been now deprived of their rights to land and forests. d. Unemployment and Underemployment: A large number of tribal young men and women are either unemployed or underemployed. They are not able to get jobs that can keep them occupied throughout the year. e. Non- Availability of Banking Facilities: Banking facilities in tribal areas are so inadequate that the tribals have mainly to depend on the money lenders. 5. Educational Problems: Illiteracy is a major problem of the tribals. More than 80% of them are illiterate. Many of them do not know anything about education, schools, colleges, universities etc. To the poor tribals education appears to be a luxury. The medium of instruction is another hindrance to the promotionof education among the tribes. 6. Problem of Health and Sanitation: Due to illiteracy and ignorance the tribals are not able to appreciate the modern concept of health and sanitation. They have their own traditional means of diagnosis and cure and do not avail the modern medical facilities. 7. Problem of Separatism: The “divide and rule” policy adopted by the British did a lot of damage to the tribal community of India. The British had superimposed their own administrative patterns in tribal areas and deprived the tribals of their traditional methods of interacting with people.

10. As the tribals are also the citizens of India, so promotion of their welfare is of equal importance.As such the Central and the State Governments have undertaken various steps in this regard. Many voluntary organisations are also working for the welfare of these tribal people.Some of the tribal welfare measures of the Government include adoption of various Constitutional Safeguards;providing economic facilities, educational facilities,medical facilities to the tribals; undertaking research work into the problems of the tribals

11. 3. Other Backward Classes ( OBC): Except Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, there is one large class in Indian society which has been neglected from the ages. This third category of “Backward Classes” is known as “ Other Backward Classes ( OBC)”. The Constitution has accepted the following elements of backwardness; illiteracy and lack of education, poverty, exploitation of labour, non – representation in services and untouchability. The term “ backward classes” is vague in the sense that it includes a wide variety of lower classes as well as castes consisting of millions of people.Article 340 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes. FIRST BACKWARD CLASSES COMMISSION- 1953 : KAKASAHEB KALEKAR COMMISSION Accordingly the President appointed on Jan.29, 1953, the first Backward Classes Commission under the chairmanship of Kakasaheb Kalekar, known as the Kaka Kalekar Commission. The Commission prepared a list containing as many as 2,399 communities which were treated as socially and educationally backward. The Commission adopted the following criteria for determining backwardness: A. Low Social position in the traditional caste hierarchy of Hindu Society. B.Lack of general advancement among the major section of a caste or community. C. Inadequate or no representation in Government services. D. Inadequate representation in the field of trade, commerce and industry. Kalekar Commission’s report though published in 1955, was not accepted by the Central Government due to a lot of criticisms and objections against it. SECOND BACKWARD CLASSES COMMISSION- 1979 : MANDAL COMMISSION The Second Backward Classes Commission ( Mandal Commission) was appointed in 1979. The Commission submitted its report 31 Dect 1980. The Commission has listed 3743 castes and communities in the Central List . Eleven criteria were used by the Commission for determining backwardness In the social and economic indicators, there were four criteria each, while in the educational indicators, there were three criteria. The Commission has recommended 27% reservation for such a large segment of the Indian population

12. Problems of Other Backward Classes ( OBC) 1. Economic Backwardness: Most of these communities are poorer than other general populace. A large number of poor, unemployed, underemployed and only seasonally employed are found in this category. 2. Educational and Social Backwardness : OBC’s are educationally and socially backward. Illiterates are found in a large number in this category. Those who are interested in education are unable to continue higher levels of education for obvious financial reasons. Socially, the OBC’s are not only backward but also innocent and ignorant. . The people in this category are suffering from inferiority complex, self complacency and such other . Weaknesses. 3. Politically Unorganised: The OBC’s , in comparison with other major castes, are not very much organised.They are not able to work as powerful “ pressure groups” at the all - India level . However after 1990s some attempts have been made in some States to unite these backward castes politically. 4. Problem o f ever Increasing Number of Backward Castes and Communities : One of the peculiar problems found in India is that the number of castes and communities belonging to the category of OBC’s is continuously increasing. To get the attractive benefits of reservation, some of the lower castes are trying to include their castes into the official list of the OBC’s.

13. The Central Government has launched various schemes and undertaken several measures such as free coaching, hostel facilities, scholarship, reservation facility etc. for the welfare of the OBC’s.