35177: Socioeconomic future of Dalits remains bleak

March 25, 2011 at 10:50 PM (Uncategorized)

35177: Socioeconomic future of Dalits remains bleak

http://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/the-cables/article1568910.ece

Most experts believe the key to ending discrimination is a comprehensive education campaign starting at the primary level to teach acceptance of dalits, a topic completely absent from India’s public school system.

35177, 6/22/2005 13:44, 05NEWDELHI4761, Embassy New Delhi, CONFIDENTIAL,, "This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.221344Z Jun 05","C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 NEW DELHI 004761

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2015 TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, ECON, ELAB, IN, Human Rights

SUBJECT: SOCIOECONOMIC FUTURE OF INDIAN DALITS REMAINS BLEAK

Classified By: DCM Bob Blake for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)

1. (C) Summary: Embassy interlocutors report that after one year of UPA rule, limited government efforts to improve dalit (formerly called ""untouchables"") socioeconomic status have shown little success, ensuring that they continue to face severe economic and social discrimination. Government reservation laws do not extend to the private sector, the largest and fastest growing segment of the economy. Most experts believe the key to ending discrimination is a comprehensive education campaign starting at the primary level to teach acceptance of dalits, a topic completely absent from India’s public school system. Despite the political success of dalits such as current Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ram Vilas Paswan, dalits’ failure to organize at the national level has limited their ability to demand equal rights. Until the Indian majority increases pressure to change the status quo, many dalits will remain trapped below the poverty line in manual labor jobs with few mechanisms for upward mobility. End Summary.

Discrimination Remains Despite Legal Protection