CHAPTER – V PROFILE OF THE TWO DISTRICTS …shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/3691/11/11...a brief account of socio-economic profile of Patiala and Nawanshehar 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


(Dalits)

Percentage of Urban


(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)


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


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)


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)


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)


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)


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)


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



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



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



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



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.

Documents

CHAPTER – V PROFILE OF THE TWO DISTRICTS …shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/3691/11/11...a brief account of socio-economic profile of Patiala and Nawanshehar districts