The question is how much land has to be distributed among the Dalits? Or what is the backlog of agricultural land? Agricultural land is a natural resource and hence the Dalits have every right to demand their justifiable share in it. A backlog of agricultural land could be estimated.
Agriculture land has been important and single source of livelihood in rural India even in the contemporary period of time. The availability of agricultural land derives the development. The size and the type of land determine the rate of development. The distribution of agricultural land in India has been more unequal based on the caste system. in the ancient period, the Dalits were prohibited from owning any kind of property including agricultural land.
Land reform: The Manusmriti had created strong base of caste hierarchy which protected and maintained for several hundreds of yeas. The Hindu caste system protected and maintained the social and economic injustice in the society. Over the years, the caste hierarchy became rigid. The footprints of rigid caste system could be traced even in the contemporary period of time. The distribution of agricultural land has been guided by the caste system. The Untouchables have been miserable especially in the rural parts of India.
Dr. Ambedkar raised a voice over the issue of distribution of landholding among the SC/STs. As a result of this effort, during the post-independence period the Govt. of India introduced land reforms which included abolition of intermediary system and ceiling on landholdings. Through these reforms the govt. collected surplus agricultural land and redistributed it among the SC/STs. The govt. tried to maintain the social and economic justice in the society. But unfortunately, the process of redistribution of agricultural land went through number of hurdles and delays and ultimately it came to an end.
85% Dalits live in villages: After the 58 years of “independence”, it would be interesting to find out the actual position of Dalits in the total agricultural landholding. In the year 2001, large majority of SCs (85%) are living in rural area and agricultural land has been a single source of livelihood for all. Hence the land status can transform the social and economic position of Dalits.
The Dalits form 17% of the total population. But they share 7% in the total agricultural land. There has been large inequality in all the states of India.
(See the table).
However, West Bengal seems to be better, where 19.7% of its total agricultural land is owned by the SCs. The position of Punjab (2.4% to its total land) is worst.
An inequality could be found in all the states of India. In relation to the demographic strength of SCs, this inequality seems to be worst. The rural SCs have no other means of livelihood and hence redistribution of agricultural land must be carried out in proportion to the population strength. This process could bring the social and economic justice in the society.
How much land has to be distributed among the Dalits? Or what is the backlog of agricultural land? Agricultural land is a natural resource and hence the Dalits have every right to demand their share. A backlog of agricultural land could be estimated approximately with respect to demographic strength
The share of Scheduled Castes in agricultural land in India (1997-98)
State Share of SCs (in %)
Andhra Pradesh 7.5
Bihar 5.2
Gujarat 3.2
Karnataka 8.1
Kerala 2.8
Madhya Pradesh 8.1
Maharashtra 7.0
Orissa 8.6
Punjab 2.4
Rajasthan 11.7
Tamil Nadu 7.1
Uttar Pradesh 10.5
West Bengal 19.7
India 7.0
(Source: Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. No.40. Oct.6-12, 2001 р.185).
What is the backlog: The total geographical area of India is 325 mill, Hects. Of this 142 mill. Hects (net cropped area) is under variety of crops. Assuming these figures, an estimate gives that the Dalits are owning about 9.5 mill. Hects. of agricultural land. Considering the demographic strength of SCs they should have owned another 14 Mill. Hects. This is the estimated backlog of agricultural land in India.
This backlog is as important as the backlog of reservations. The backlog of agricultural land must be filled in order to maintain the social and economic justice in society. The backlog can be filled through the redistribution of agricultural land among the SCs. This could promote the social and economic position of SCs.
Rural Dalits have been away from the Ambedkar rite movement and hence there has been absence of a sense of agitation. The fighting spirit has been absent. Above all the Ambedkar rite Movement has a strong base in urban parts of India.
Hence the need to decentralize the base of the movement towards the rural. The rural problems must be treated with priority. If all the rights and power defined by the Constitution (or by Dr. Ambedkar) had been given the Dalits would have been enjoying satisfactory status. But it did not happen. The transformation of social and economic life of rural SCs could be carried out through the redistribution of agricultural land or through the filling of backlog of agricultural land.
