National research seminars in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan

New social research has documented that caste-based discrimination affects millions of people in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, countries not tradtionally associated with the practice of untouchability.  The findings come as a challenge to the governments of these South Asian countries, none of which acknowledge that caste discrimination exsists.

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Brief summary reports

National research seminars have successfully been held in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan in April and May with the purpose of generating new knowledge and documentation on caste-based discrimination in these particular countries. The research findings have not yet been made available to the public, but here you can read brief summary reports of the findings from the seminars.

NEPAL

The draft research report was presented at a workshop in Kathmandu on 21 April 2007. The workshop was attended by representatives of Dalit organisations in Nepal, the chair of IIDS, Martin Macwan and IDSN. 

The key researchers Prof. Krishna B. Bhattachan of Tribhuvan University, Tej B. Sunar of DNF and Yasso Kanti Bhattachan presented the main sections of the study which had been carried out in cooperation with 22 local field researchers. 

The general objective of the study is to review the status/conditions of Dalits in Nepal and to document through existing material and empirical studies of forms, nature and intensity of the existing practices of caste-based untouchability. The study includes detailed analysis of the social, cultural, religious, political, and economic conditions of Dalits and the forms discrimination on Dalit communities.

Findings of the study were presented and debated under the main headings of State, caste, and human rights, the economic and social status of Dalits, the nature and extent of untouchability and discrimination in social, cultural and political spheres, economic and market discrimination, discrimination in education, bonded labour and multiple forms of discrimination against Dalit women. The research showed geographic variances in the forms of discrimination and practises of untouchability and also differences among sub-castes of the Dalit community.

Deliberations also reflected the current political situation in Nepal with discussions on the role of Dalits in the constitution process. It was noted by some participants that official census data down play the numbers of Dalits compared to unofficial.

SRI LANKA

The National Consultation Workshop on Sri Lanka took place on May 27, 2007 at University of Peradeniya  - organized by University of Peradeniya and Human Development Organization, Kandy.

The research study on caste based discrimination in Sri Lanka is currently in progress under the leadership of Prof. K. Tudor Silva of the Department of Sociology, the University of Peradeniya. The research team consisting of Prof. K.T. Silva, Mr. P. Thanges and Mr. B. Sasikumar of the Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya, Mr. P.P. Sivapragasam of the Human Development Organization and Mrs. P.N. Kotikabadda of the provincial development administration of the Government of Sri Lanka have conducted literature review, secondary data  analysis and primary research in selected communities representing Sinhala, Sri Lanka Tamil and Indian Tamil communities in Sri Lanka in order to assess nature and extent of caste-based discrimination in Sri Lankan society and identify possible means of mobilizing government agencies and civil society organizations towards eliminating existing forms of caste discrimination in the country. The workshop was attended by university researchers, NGOs and some representatives of affected communities, trade unions and political parties as well as IIDS and IDSN.

Among the findings are the following: Although caste in many respects is less significant and less visible in Sri Lanka compared to India, 90% of the population in Sri Lanka recognizes caste for some purposes. There are three parallel caste systems among different communities in Sri Lanka. The caste system appears to be strongest among Jaffna Tamils and their descendants in various parts of the country and among the descendants of the plantation laborers of Indian origin. A form of caste based discrimination within the Sinhala society continue to exist based on social (inherited) stratification; however it is considered milder than in Tamil societies and does not involve untouchability”.  

The research includes a comprehensive historical background analysis on forms of caste discrimination in Sri Lanka, and case studies on plantation workers, sanitation workers and affected communities in Jaffna as well as in the Sinhala community, respectively.

BANGLADESH

The national workshop was held in Chittagong at Premier University on May 22, 2007 to share the preliminary findings of the study.  The program was chaired by Dr. Anupan Sen, Vice Chancellor of Premier University and research findings were presented by Professor Dr. Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury, Department of Sociology, University of Chittagong. Discussants included University professors, representatives of development and human rights NGOs and media.  The workshop was attended by a large number (120 participants), incl. civil society organizations (Dalit, women’s, development and human rights NGOs); lawyers associations, university lecturers, and the media.

Extract from the workshop report:

“Findings of studies clearly indicate that caste-based discrimination exists in Bangladesh and it is much stronger in the rural areas than in the cities. In terms of extent in 4 levels (strong, moderate, less and not observed), the situation of untouchables is rather severe than the other scheduled castes and also Muslim dalits. Discussing about the types and extent of the discrimination with Focus Group, it was said that the untouchables still face more that 123 types discrimination strongly while SC and Muslim dalits face moderate and less in most of the cases. Untouchability was not said as existent in the cases Muslim dalits though the Bede and Hijras said that they are no less than untouchables in the society”.     

“The news/information about the findings of the Workshop was covered briefly in most print and electronic media. Bangladesh TV, ATN (most poplar private channel)and Radio Bangladesh  Daily Prothom Alo(the most popular daily newspaper with largest circulation in the country), Daily Azadi, Daily Suprobhat Bangladesh, Daily Purbokone have published pictures and a report, Daily Chattgram Mancha published the reports and importance have been given to the news accordingly”.

PAKISTAN

The national workshop on “Caste-based discrimination in Pakistan,” took place on 3 June in Karachi, organised by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler) and the Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP). The workshop was attended by about 40 participants, including Dalit community representatives, NGOs, political leaders, academics, researchers and activists.

The research team leader, Zulfiqar Shah, presented the initial findings of his study carried out on 5,000 households which were mainly carried out in four districts – two in lower Punjab and two in lower Sindh. It is estimated that about two million scheduled caste people are among the poorest of the poor and are discriminated against in day to day life. Scheduled caste communities include the Kolhi, Meghwar, Bheel, Balmiki, Oad, Jogi, Bagri and other communities.

Extract from BBC report on the workshop:
”The survey revealed that the worst form of discrimination — from both upper caste Hindus and Muslims — came in the shape of untouchability, which means they were denied access to public places like restaurants, barber shops, etc. In some places they were served in separate crockery and in other areas they were even denied entry to certain restaurants and shops. They had segregated housing, while the situation is worse in rural areas as 95 per cent of Dalits living in Rahimyar Khan reported untouchability as compared to 35 per cent living in Multan. Sixty-nine per cent of those surveyed said that their upper caste Hindu and Muslim neighbours either do not invite them to their social gatherings like weddings, or if invited they are served food separately. This attitude was relatively more prevalent in Rahimyar Khan (87 per cent) than in Tharparkar (60 per cent).

The study claims that only one per cent of scheduled caste people were in government service, that also in the lowest tiers like primary school teachers. The illiteracy level in Dalits stood at 73 per cent against the national literacy level of around 50 per cent. The majority of these literates are educated up to the primary or secondary school levels, while only one per cent were graduates.

Approximately 56 per cent of Dalit families live in single-room katcha houses, while 35 per cent reported the death of a child under 5 years in their families. The data showed that they were ignored by the political groups and government; hence they were unable to reap any benefits from the devolution plan. They also faced economic exploitation and the majority of bonded labourers in Sindh are from the scheduled castes.

The research revealed that very little information was available on the status of issues being faced by marginalised groups like the scheduled castes. Also, there was no legal protection or affirmative action policy to combat caste-based discrimination in Pakistan, unlike in India.”

At the end of the workshop, the participants made a series of recommendations:

• A national commission should be set up to solve the problems faced by the scheduled castes;
• Caste-based discrimination be declared a serious crime;
• A constitutional package and protection for scheduled castes should be provided.
• Special measures should be taken to stop forced conversions of scheduled caste girls and an independent commission should be formed to investigate the conversions.
  Special scholarships must be provided to Dalit students and steps be taken to end the discrimination in schools against them, along with reforms in the curriculum.
• Dalits should be given due representation at the decision-making levels so that they could protect their rights.

Pakistan: Results and next steps

The in-dept information and comprehensive analyses generated through the research is really impressive and will be extremely useful for advocating at national, regional and international levels in the future. The energy and new dynamics created through this research project are simply wonderful; a range of institutions and key actors, who have not previously been involved in addressing caste discrimination, are beginning to take a very serious interest. At the same time, new and valuable ties at national level as well as across borders are being formed.

The research teams will over the coming months finalise their studies and prepare a final report. The findings from the studies will be presented and discussed at a regional seminar, which will take place later in the year (October or November) in Kathmandu.  The Indian Institute of Dalit Studies facilitating the research project will in corporation with the research teams and IDSN decide on timing and format for the regional seminar.

Eventually publications will be made for dissemination at various levels. It is the intention to ensure finds are target different categories of recipients, and includes translation of (summary) reports to local languages. IDSN will take the main responsibility for disseminating the information / publications prepared for international level actors and ‘targeted’ audiences of IDSN members.

IDSN members and associates are encouraged to participate in the seminar and also to take into consideration the new tasks and opportunities for lobbying activities, which will be provided with the final stages and publications of the regional research project.