Power to the People: In Haryana,Dalits Call for Making Governance Work for the Poor and Marginalized

Abstract

This paper argues for ‘power to the marginalized people’, especially Dalits—who are socially oppressed, politically marginalized and economically exploited. It further lends voice to Dalit activists, who are raising the issues of making governance work for the poor and calling for economic growth that is imbibed with equity and social justice. Their emergence, fight for equality, resistance to caste-based oppression, the sexual onslaught against Dalit women and atrocities in various parts of Haryana, etc., are strong expressions of Dalit assertion. And, indeed, all this signals the rise of an educated class of Dalits demanding development with dignity, a legitimate right rather than just a charity or fulfilment of a Constitutional obligation owed by the Government.