Breaking Free Of Caste

The practice of untouchability was outlawed fifty years ago, when provision was made under the Indian constitution to safeguard the rights of India’s poorest people, or “dalits”. But today millions of people from “dalit” communities still suffer from the effects of caste discrimination.

Savita Jadhav is a woman with a mission. Two years ago, with help from Karuna she set up her own small organisation to work with people living in the slum districts of Dehu Road, just outside Pune. As we arrive there she meets us; as usual fizzing with energy. She greets us with a smile before telling us off for being slightly late and rushing us off to inspect the area where they are working.

The district is a patchwork of different communities, each with its own distinct caste identity and occupation. In one area all the people are sweepers; in another they are known as ex-criminal caste; in another they all make brooms. Each area is ruled by its own local leader, usually jealously protective of his own sphere of influence.

Even though they all live in the same squalor the communities are deeply divided from one another .Violence and gangsterism are a daily fact of life as the different leaders vie for control over the trade in illicitly brewed liquor.

As we make our way through the narrow, litter strewn alleyways between the hutments, Savita explains how her organisation tries to bring people together.

“Often when charities come to places like this they give out things like food and notebooks and this can cause dependency. But we work in a different way. When we set up a kindergarten or a savings scheme; we want people to feel that the project belongs to them; that they have a responsibility to keep it going. We want people to get out of the habit of expecting to be helped.”

Savita stops from time to time to talk to people. One man comes and tells her about his health. She listens sympathetically, as a group of curious children starts to gather around us. “Our work is about giving people the awareness and capacity to make changes for themselves.

We see every activity in terms of empowerment. Every kindergarten or savings group is a chance for people to come together - to become aware of their rights.”

We come to one of the local kindergartens. A tiny makeshift hut attached to the front of someone’s house. The women greet each other warmly then sit down in a circle together for an informal meeting. Soon the discussion becomes animated. Savita is telling them about a recent education conference in Delhi. “The big problem here is ignorance.” She says. “People have the right to decent education and healthcare under the constitution.”

“But caste keeps people divided. All the different communities here waste time competing with each other. But I believe that if we bring the dalit people together they’ll see that the issues facing them are the same, and then they’ll start to work together to secure their rights.”

I ask if this approach has made a difference here. She nods enthusiatically- “Oh yes. I have great hopes for this area. After only a few years we’re starting to see changes here that haven’t happened for decades before. I hope the work we are doing here will be an example to people working in areas like this all over India. That way I believe real social change is possible.”

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